The History Of The Osa Peninsula

By Author: Will Briegel
Total Articles: 4762
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The Osa Peninsula is located in the southern part of Costa Rica, just about at the "center" of Central America. Visitors consider it one of the most spectacular and beautiful pieces of paradise in the world, with white sandy beaches, postcard-worthy waterfalls and raw rain forests giving the area incredible excitement and allure. Many have called this place home over the years including outlaws on the run, farmers working the soil, surfers "making the scene" and biologists that want to learn more about the nature of this region of the globe.

There are over 300 species of birds that live here with a huge assortment of wild animals, poisonous snakes, monkeys, large cats, insects and land- and water-roving crustaceans. The population of wild animals and insects greatly exceeds the number of people that inhabit the area. In fact, the ants alone would outnumber people by billions, if not trillions. It is a "lesser traveled path" for those who seek adventure in Costa Rica, so the Osa Peninsula is still a great place if you're looking for somewhere out of the ordinary to visit, somewhere that hasn't been spoiled yet. This place ...
... truly hits the top ofhe charts for hidden paradises.

A little mystery in the history
The settlers of the Osa Peninsula area date all the way back to the pre-Columbian warriors that left many of the remnants of their time there. To this date, their terra cotta and gold pieces are still being discovered in the ground. Above ground, the Osa Peninsula has a unique (and dramatic!) biodiversity that is composed of eight different habitats that range from the "cloud forest" to one of the most abundant, wet, lowland tropical forests that remain in all of Central America. The exact evolutionary mechanisms that produced this diversity are still being investigated, with various biological mysteries being solved along the way. The Osa Peninsula also has the longest stretch of protected beach between Alaska and Chile, which makes sense for one of the last real wildernesses anywhere.

With a choice of alternately exciting and placid waters along the Peninsula, world-class surfers are attracted to the swirling, surging waves off of the Peninsula's Cabo Matapalo. Several of the forests reserves have also maintained their adventurous trails, which makes the incredible display of nature easily reached by curious seekers (as long as they're hikers, too). In fact, the Corcovado National Park is one of the largest regions oEarth and has some of the tallest rain forest vegetation, too. This park is an important part of the Osa Peninsula and helps nourish the greater region with its "natural lungs" (vegetation) and biodiversity. It is the best (and wisest) plan to secure a tour guide before exploring the park as there are definitely some aggressive creatures lurking about. A seasoned, local guide will keep you on the right path and out of danger, as well.

A gem of a place
The Peninsula is almost completely surrounded by water, and to the east there is the Golfo Dulce, which is one of the very few (some say four) tropical fjords in the world. Although the area is quite remote, it is now reachable by road with a six-hour drive from the city of San Jose. The first real, Western-style hotels were built in the area in the early 1990s and the brave and entrepreneurial people that chose to live, work and build hotels here have seen their persistence pay off ever since. During the 1990s it may have seemed something of a heroic journey to get to the Osa Peninsula, but times have changed, and to the immense benefit of both visitors and the Peninsula communities. Visitors from around the world can now get to this world-class wilderness by bus, car, plane or even a water taxi.

Among the best ways to tour the Osa Peninsula is by starting out in the town of Puerto Jiminez, which is even appropriate for beginning hikers as it has any number of trails that begin in town and lead to the wilderness areas. Many visitors to the Osa Peninsula choose to stay in Drake Bay, an area discovered by Sir Francis Drake and (obviously) named after him. The town has a great deal to offer both relaxation-minded visitors and "true adventurers," from short, one-day trips for snorkeling off Isla del Cano to sports fishing, sea kayaking, overnight excursions and a whole lot more. For the bravest and most adventurous folks, there are even night tours that focus on displaying the many "creepy crawlies" and other nighttime creatures of the region. The Osa Peninsula is without a doubt one of the most interesting, remote and downright gorgeous destinations to visit, so if you have the time and the means to get there, it is well worth the trip. You will never, ever forget it.
About Author:
Crocodile Bay Resort is the finest fishing Costa Rica and Ecotour destination. The resort is situated on 44 acres of lush tropical gardens with 40 air-conditioned rooms in Puerto Jimenez on Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast (Osa Peninsula). Visit online for a complete list of our 22 tours.