Katrina Julia
- Sep 12, 2021
- 8 min read

Top 10 Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Things to Do

The Osa Peninsula located in southwestern Costa Rica, is named by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on earth". Whether you will be spending One Day in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, a week, or a month like I did my third time in Costa Rica, your childlike wonder will be awakened again.

In 2016, I visited Costa Rica for the first time when we launched our global transformational retreats. When I decided to leave Atlanta, GA in 2020, I chose to travel to Costa Rica for my first stop on my travels to 7 Continents. I am so grateful I did!

After spending January to March 2021 in Costa Rica, I knew I still wanted to come back for more!

I ended up with a press trip to Costa Rica and digital marketing project in Osa Peninsula!

From the moment I arrived in Drake Bay, Costa Rica, I knew I made the right decision! I love how much incredible wildlife, adventure, and nature there is everywhere!

My Top 10 Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Things to Do includes Drake Bay, Cano Island, Sustainable Farm, Chocolate Making, Tropical Rainforest, Puerto Jimenez, Playa Preciosa, Travel Project, Canyoning, and Foodie Favorites!

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Top 10 Things to Do

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

According to Osa Conservation, Osa Peninsula has unparalleled biodiversity housing 2.5% of the biodiversity of the entire world – while covering less than a thousandth of a percent of its total surface area – earning its title as the most biological intense place on earth.

About 20 years after Christopher Columbus landed on the beach near Limon, explorer Gil Gonzales met a local tribal chief named Osa leading to the name of the peninsula.

Osa Peninsula Highlights

Significant wetland ecosystem and mangrove forests of Central America
Largest remaining tract of lowland rainforest in Pacific Mesoamerica
2-3% of flora not found anywhere else int he world
300+ endemic species of plants and vertebrates
Largest population of Scarlet Macaws in Central America
4,000+ vascular plants
10,000+ insects
700+ species of trees
400+ species of birds
100+ mammals
25+ species of dolphins and whales
4 species of sea turtles

The Osa Peninsula is the closest place to access world famous Cano Island for snorkeling and spotting marine life.

I share fun facts, travel, and logistics in One Day in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Puerto Jimenez Playa Preciosa

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Stay

I visited the Osa Peninsula from August 16 to September 9, 2021. I stayed at a sustainable farm nearby Puerto Jimenez for my visit to Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. From the moment I connected with the owner for a press trip in Costa Rica, I knew I made the right decision!

All shots are my own on Canon EOSM100, Sony A330, and/or my iPhone 12 Mini or via Airbnb.

Osa Peninsula, Costa Ricain Under 60 Seconds

Yes, I spent about a month in the Osa Peninsula. At the same time, I may still condense the experience in under 60 seconds!

You are welcome!

Top 10 Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Things to Do

You will find so many things to do in Osa Peninsula. Although I've traveled to Costa Rica two times before, visiting the Osa Peninsula is a whole new adventure!

I loved everything from sunrise in Drake Bay, snorkeling in Cano, picking oranges and coconuts at a sustainable farm, picking cacao pods and chocolate making, visiting a tropical rainforest several times, exploring Puerto Jimenez and local beaches, working on digital marketing for travel brands, canyoning in nearby Golfito, and ceviche at Marisqueria Corcovado and other foodie favorites!

I am sharing what I experienced, logistics to consider in planning your visit, and insider information to save you time and money!

In putting together the Top 10 Osa Peninsula Things to Do, I considered how I would experience travels knowing what I know now to make it easy, efficient and enjoyable for you!

1 Drake Bay Sunrise and Sunsets

Drake Bay is a beautiful small town in the Osa Peninsula. It is a great place to start your visit in the southern part of Costa Rica.

You may decide to travel to Drake Bay via a boat from Sierpe at sunset, wake up early to experience sunrise at the beach, or both!

Drake Bay, Costa Rica

Whether you spend One Day in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica or longer, sunrises and sunsets are a must!

2 Cano Island Snorkeling and/or Scuba

Where are my fellow adventure lovers at? A great adventure to have from Drake Bay is snorkeling at Cano Island when you travel to Osa Peninsula. The boat leaves right from the main beach.

During my Cano Island snorkeling adventure, I saw fish, turtles, and humpback whales! I am in awe walking in my own real-life National Geographic episodes!

Whales near Cano Island

3 Sustainable Farm Visits

While in the Osa Peninsula, I recommend you visit a sustainable farm. I got to stay at one for an entire month! The farm I stayed at included over 100+ exotic fruit trees, 9+ plantations, and an adjacent tropical rainforest!

During my time there, I picked orange, coconuts and yuca directly from trees, ate exotic fruits like Momonchinos and Rollinias, and at the fruit surrounding cacao pods among many other activities.

You will gain an appreciation for the seed to feed process of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants.

I highly recommend Tropical Escapade, Osa Green Travel, and Rancho Tropical when you visit!

4 Chocolate Making Process

I love being healthy like a boss when I travel, and haven't eaten most sweets for 5+ years. At the same time, the benefits of cacao are undeniable and I love dark chocolate.

Imagine my excitement when I got to experience picking cacao pods directly from trees, opening and eating fruit coverings inside the cacao pods, and roasting and grinding chocolate!

Experiencing cacao and chocolate making process is better than being a kid in a candy store!

Roasting Cacao in Costa Rica

5 Tropical Rainforest Visits

While I didn't visit Corcovado National Park this time in Costa Rica, I did visit a Tropical Rainforest within minutes from Corcovado numerous times.

During my stay on the farm, I went into the forest at least 2-3 times a week. Every single day, I encountered wildlife and wonder including monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, and Coatis.

I enjoyed the immense immersion of the sites and sounds of the intense biological diversity. I grew to recognize the sounds of the animals marveling in childlike wonder daily!

6 Puerto Jimenez

While Puerto Jimenez may be the largest rural town in Osa Peninsula, the Pura Vida is alive and well. The pace is peaceful and relaxed. I enjoyed visiting Puerto Jimenez numerous times for its beaches, walkable short Main Street, BM Supermarket, Hellens Cafe, Marisqueria Corcovado, and beautiful beaches like Playa Preciosa.

7 Playa Preciosa

Costa Rican beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One of my first questions to Cindy was what is the most beautiful Bech nearby. She immediately recommended Playa Preciosa. It did not disappoint!

I loved walking through the low tide and along the coast for 3+ miles.

Playa Preciosa

8 Press Trips, Digital Marketing, and Volunteer Trips

A great way to experience travel is with a press trip, digital marketing, and/or a volunteering.

On this trip to Costa Rica, I had a digital marketing project and press trip in Costa Rica with Cindy, the owner of a sustainable farm, tropical rainforest, and three travel brands! If I did it, so can you!

Digital Marketing Project in Costa Rica

9 Canyoning Adventures

Canyoning is an incredible adventure in Costa Rica. I experienced Canyoning in Costa Rica for the first time earlier this year in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

When I found out I could go canyoning with Tropical Escapade, I knew I wanted to go again. I ended up going on my last day in Osa Peninsula before traveling to San Jose for my flight to El Salvador.

I discovered Canyoning in Osa Peninsula is different then in La Fortuna in several ways. It is what many call "real canyoning" in the midst of flowing waterfalls, caves, and intense biodiversity.

10 Foodie Favorites in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Osa Peninsula definitely has mouth watering food! I loved the Ceviche at La Chosa, Marisqueria Corcovado, and Iguana Lodge. The Casado (a typical Costa Rican dish) is the BEST I have tasted at Hellens Cafe.

Since, I typically cook at my stay over 90% of the time, I choose what locals, bloggers, and TripAdvisor highly recommend.

Top Row: From left to right - La Chosa in Drake Bay, Costa Rica, Casado at Hellens Cafe and Hummus, Mango and Pineapple Ceviche at Iguana Lodge in Puerto Jimenez

Top 10 Things to Do: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

National Geographic nailed it when they named Osa Peninsula as the most biologically intense place on earth. I have never experienced as much biodiversity as I did in the Osa Peninsula.

Whether you want to spend sunrise and sunset at Drake Bay, snorkeling at Canon Island, visiting a sustainable farm, learning how to make chocolate, exploring a tropical rainforest, going on a press trip, soaking in nearby beaches, canyoning and rappelling, you will love the Osa Peninsula.

What activities interests you to do for Top 10 Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Things to Do.

If the digital nomad life has you curious, you will love 4 Steps to Use Digital Marketing to travel.

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