Almost due south of San Jose (center) is the Osa penninsula and the Corcovado National Park. On the northern coast of the Osa Penninsula is Drake Bay, and just offshore (the little dot) is Isla de Caņo. (Look just to the right and down a bit of where it says "North Pacific Ocean")

Corcovado National Park


Covering one third of the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado has been called the crown jewel of Costa Rica's national park system, but this treasure trove of tropical flora and fauna is also one of the country's least accessible and wildest areas.

The park's 200 square miles of pristine rain forest are home for most of the country's endangered species, including jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, four kinds of monkeys, poison dart frogs and crocodiles. The park comprises at least eight ecosystems, and is home for 285 species of birds, 139 species of mammals and 116 species of reptiles and amphibians.

The most comfortable way to visit is from a nearby nature lodge, or you can charter a plane from Golfito or San Jose, hike from Carate or La Palma, or boat in from Sierpe.