South Pacific Tourism Region

Climate: Hot and humid. See South Pacific Weather Region

Average Temperature: 79°F with humidity ranging from 75 to 90%, depending on season

Major Cities and Attractions: Cano Island, Carate, Chirripo National Park, Corcovado National Park, Dominical, Drake Bay, Pavones, Puerto Jimenez, San Isidro del General, San Gerardo de Dota and Sierpe

This southern zone has the highest percentage of land preserved in national parks and other reserves than any other region. The South Pacific Region includes the southwest coast of Costa Rica and the southern part of the Puntarenas Province from Playa Dominical south to Panama. It extends to the east into the Talamanca Mountain Range and includes part of the the La Amistad International Park and Mount Chirripo.

At Ballena National Marine Park just south of Dominical, swimmers and snorkelers can enjoy calmer waters. The park is also a hot spot for dolphin and whale watching. In this watery realm, named after the humpback whales that migrate there from August - October and December - April, visitors can explore miles of deserted beaches, mangrove forests and coral reefs. Protecting more than 5300 hectares of ocean and nine miles of coastline, the park also serves as a nesting site for endangered Olive Ridley and hawksbill sea turtles.

The Osa Peninsula, the large land mass accounting for most of the southern Pacific’s coastline, consists mainly of the Corcovado National Park, said to be one of the most biologically intense places on the planet. As much as 2/3 of the world’s total plant and animal species can be found here: 370 species of birds, 140 mammals, 40 species of fresh water fish, 117 types of reptiles/amphibians and more than 6000 species of insects. Endangered species covet this area as there are large corridors of undisturbed forest which account for the largest section of primary forest along the Pacific coast.

Cano Island, nine miles from Drake Bay, features white sand beaches with turquoise waters and excellent diving. Some of the best diving in Costa Rica is found here with 80’ walls and drops as deep as 250’, all with clear water and usually excellent visibility.

Mount Chirripo, located in Chirripo National Park, is the highest point in Central America (12, 530 feet) and is part of the non-volcanic Talamanca Mountain Range. It is also home to many endangered species and unique habitats. At the top, where temperatures can drop below freezing, distinctive plants and animals can be found here and nowhere else in Costa Rica.

The Talamanca mountain range is home to eight remote Indian reserves, where Costa Rica’s original indigenous people now live. These villages rarely mingle with outsiders and its inhabitants continue to practice the customs, language and lifestyles of over 400 years ago.

The South Pacific Tourism Region is best known for:

Remote beaches, Corcovado National Park, diving, sport fishing, Marino Ballena National Park, bird & wildlife watching

Places to See:

Beaches: Playa Dominical, Playa Uvita, Playa Pinuela, Playa Ventanas, Playa Boca Brava, Oso Peninsula, Playa Violin, Drake Bay, Playa San Josecito, Playa Llorona, Playa Corcovado, Playa Sirena, Playa Carate, Playa Matapalo, Playa Tamales, Playa Platanares, Puerto Jimenez, Playa Cativo, Playa Puntarenitas, Playa Zancudo, Playa Pavones.

See Also South Pacific beaches

National Parks: Corcovado National Park, Chirripo National Park, Ballena National Marine Park, La Amistad International Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, Cano Island Biological Reserve

Other Protected Areas: Punta Rio Claro Wildlife Refuge, Cacyra Wildlife Refuge, RHR Blancas Wildlife Refuge, Golfito Wildlife Refuge, Donald Peter Hayes Wildlife Refuge, Agua Buena Wildlife Refuge, Gulfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Palustrino Laguna del Paraguas Wetlands, San Vito Wetlands, Terraba - Sierpe National Wetlands, Las Tablas Protected Zone, Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge, Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge, Osa Wildlife Refuge, Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge, Lacustrino Pejeperrito Wetlands, Laguna Azul Wildlife Refuge, Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge.

Museums: Wilson Botanical Garden (contains a large and important biological collection), Parque Reptilandia

Things to Do:

Air Activities: canopy tours, ultralight tours

Land Activities: bird & wildlife watching, canyoning, horseback riding, hiking, botanical gardens, caving (Fila de Cal caverns).

Water Activities: sport fishing, snorkeling & diving, boating, kayaking, surfing, rafting, and dolphin & whale watching

See Also: South Pacific Surf Breaks

Read our South Pacific Travel Blogs:

Osa Peninsula: Corcovado National Park, Cano Island, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez and Osa Peninsula (All)

The Golfo Dulce: Golfito, Pavones and Nicuesa (All)

Cerro de la Muerte: San Isidro del General, San Gerardo de Dota and Cerro de la Muerte (All)

South Pacific: Dominical and Uvita