South Pacific Costa Rica

城市概覽

South Pacific Costa Rica is made up of two cantons. First there is the Osa Peninsula, a wondrous, magical, and untouched place for nature-lovers and adventurers. It’s a 5-hr drive from San José vs. the usual trek over the mountains and through raging rivers. Navigating pot holes the size of Hollywood swimming pools are now cherished memories. The days are over when you just abandoned your rental car along the side of the pothole-riddled road and hitchhiked your way to Puerto Jimenez. New asphalt, bridges, painted yellow lines, passing lanes, guard rails and bus stops in each town. You could certainly sneak under the radar and land a small plane just like the old days. Puerto Jimenez was a dusty old gold mine town in its heyday, built completely in support of eager and persistent gold miners. Dirt roads came to the Osa when Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias was President of Costa Rica in the early 1980s and he signed a deal with Ronald Reagan. The Roads for Peace project was born and the US Army Corps of Engineers began building roads, bridges and schools. USA could keep a close eye on all of the Ollie North and Noriega activity in the mountains high above the city of David, Panama. Costa Rica and Taiwan were the only two countries that benefited from the short-lived Roads for Peace program. Also, PJ is starting to catch up with the rest of the world. With the new road and improved infrastructure, Osa could be ready to join the ranks of Tamarindo and Jacó. And there is the Pérez Zeledón canton, which covers an area of 1,905 km² (736 sq mi), the seventh largest of the 81 cantons in the country. It has a population of about 135,000 (2011). In the middle of the canton, the Río General, from which the canton's capital city takes its name, runs north to south through a beautiful valley. It is very oriented toward tourism, with a sizeable selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, and other activities, like tours. The city is generally considered a stop-over destination

如何抵達

By plane You can fly to Puerto Jiménez or cross the Golfo Dulce from Golfito in a launch (ferryboat) to reach the Osa Peninsula. Golfito is directly across from Puerto Jiménez, the main city near the tip of the Osa Peninsula. You will need a passport and money, but no vaccinations are required. Aerobell Airlines, Sansa and Skyway Airlines offer daily flights to Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay from San Jose International Airport. Flight time to both destinations is about 40 minutes and the tickets start at US$46 per person per way.

當地交通

The "Costanera Sur" (a southern coastal road) is paved all the way from border to border. Coming from the Central Valley, you can choose between the coastal route and the Panamerican Highway (which passes Pérez Zeledón and goes into Cartago). On the main roads between Pérez Zeledón and Paso Canoas, TRACOPA runs several buses which also connect to San José and the Central Valley. Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park can be reached by charter planes from Pavas and San José. A boat trip with a duration of 1½ hr from the Sierpe River is another possible method of reaching these destinations. In Puerto Jiménez, taxis are readily available, and you can also rent a car there. To reach Cabo Matapalo, fly to Puerto Jiménez and drive (45 min) to the village. Bumpy travel by bus is possible throughout the peninsula. Osa Peninsula, where you will find Costa Rica’s jewel of the National Park System, Corcovado National Park. Osa continues to provide adventure travellers with great photos of monkeys, tapirs, cats, dolphins, whales and exotic birds. On Route 245, it’s a 5-hr drive from San José.

必看景點

Osa Peninsula Osa Peninsula, where you will find Costa Rica’s jewel of the National Park System, Corcovado National Park. Osa continues to provide adventure travelers with great photos of monkeys, tapirs, cats, dolphins, whales and exotic birds.

Pérez Zeledón Besides the highest mountain in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripó, the canton offers hot springs (Rivas), caves, wonderful waterfalls and rivers, bird watching.

Stone Spheres are mysterious stone spheres in pre-Columbian chiefdom settlements made by unknown people have been discovered in the Valle de Diquis area around Sierpe. The settlements with the spheres are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gold nuggets were discovered on Isla Violin of the Sierpe River. Go to see where a gold rush began.

體驗活動

Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary near San Isidro de El General, is the home of Alexander Skutch, the famous birder, botanist and naturalist. The region offers many more such birding opportunities. Mountain hiking: the mountains near San Isidro de General are probably the most alpine mountains all over Costa Rica. If you are a keen hiker interested in a Nepal-like feel, head here for some serious adventure. Check out Chirripo National Park for more information. Mirador Valle de El General. In the Talamanca mountain range 1,600 m above sea level. Offers canopy tours, nature trails through a cloud forest, great bird-watching opportunities, other activities, and a view of the entire El General Valley. (updated May 2019) San Buenas (Golf), Dominical (on the Southern Coastal Road (Coastanera) at km 186, 15 km south of Uvita), ☏ +506 6040 1363, [email protected]. A course that has 9 holes - Par 37, over 3,700 yards long from the tips. (updated Dec 2017) There are plenty of things to do on the Osa Peninsula, from birdwatching to horseback rides through the jungle. The sea, of course, offers various activities such as snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, and fishing. The Osa Peninsula is partly covered by the Corcovado National Park, which offers an exciting day-trip for travelers. The land of the peninsula is covered in white sand beaches and virgin tropical rain forest. With four species of monkeys, exotic birds, and countless amphibians and reptiles, the Osa Peninsula is also an ideal place for nature-watching, Rappelling, (waterfall or otherwise), mountain biking, surfing, hiking, and kayaking.

Events and holidays These fun and religious holidays are celebrated uniquely in Costa Rica and should be watched for in this region.

Fiesta de Los Diablitos Festival/Carnival del Mar Fiesta Palmares Fiesta Santa Cruz Día de Santo Cristo de Esquipulas Dia de los Boyeros Dia de San Jose Semana Santa Dia de Juan Santamaria Dia de los Trabajadores Fiestas Patronales Trinidad de Moravi

美食

There lots of sodas (small food places, normally owned and run by local families

住宿

There are many eco-lodges around the coast, and budget options in Puerto Jiménez. See the local city articles for listings. Many of the lodges and eco-resorts on the Osa Peninsula are off the grid, so constant power, hot water and the 5-star amenities our civilization has grown to expect are a hit and miss. Infrastructure improvements at several resorts mean that you can find places with electricity, internet and hot water, but you can also save money and enjoy a more natural experience by staying at more primitive remote locati