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General Information:
Location: 367 km southwest of San Jose and 45 km from Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula
Weather: Hot and humid. December through April are the driest months.
Temperatures: Range from 70-91° F; average daily temperature is 85° F
Altitude: sea level
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Carate Hotels:
About:
Long stretches of undeveloped beaches with lush mountain backdrops make the Carate area one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems. Situated on the southern tip of Corcovado National Park, the tiny village of Carate is a nature-lover's paradise. This remote part of the Osa Peninsula is known for its natural beauty, wildlife and the variety of activities available for the outdoor enthusiast.
La Leona Ranger Station, 3.5 kilometers from town, provides maps and information for Corcovado hikers. Wilderness hikes traverse primary rainforest where visitors are likely to spot white-faced and spider monkeys, birds, frogs and snakes. Travelers can join evening turtle walks to see Olive Ridley, leatherback and green sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Adventure-seekers will enjoy rappelling from massive trees in the rainforest canopy or paddling the area’s placid lagoons where ibis, herons, and crocodiles are commonly sighted. Dolphin and whale watching, sport fishing and panning for gold are other popular activities.
As Corcovado National Park is less than a one-hour hike away, many travelers base themselves in Carate and explore the southern portions of the park on day trips. There are several lodges just minutes from the park entrance which offer hikers a comfortable retreat after a long day of adventure.
A handful of tent camps and hotels in Carate feature all-inclusive packages including roundtrip flights from San Jose. Many have beautifully-landscaped gardens and canopy platforms, where guests can sleep high in the treetops.
The fastest and easiest way to reach Carate is by plane. Visitors can charter a flight from San Jose directly to Carate or fly to Puerto Jimenez on one of two local airlines. From Puerto Jimenez , travelers can drive the scenic hour and 45-minute road to Carate. This route passes through stunning countryside and jungle, along the southwestern reaches of the Osa Peninsula. During the rainy season (May through mid-December) rivers may swell making passage difficult, or impossible. Another option is to charter a flight from Puerto Jimenez to Carate on Alfa Romeo Air Charters.
Corcovado National Park Information:
Osa Conservation Office Telephone (506) 735-5036 or 735-5580 (in Puerto Jimenez)
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