 Considered
one the most virgin regions of the country, the south
Pacific encompasses one of the areas of major biodiversity
in Costa Rica, the Corcovado National Park. Nature
in its maximum expression… alive, exuberant,
greened in every detail of the jungle growth. This,
and more, is offered in the region that extends from
the Barú River to the Panamanian border, and
from the Talamanca mountain range to the Pacific coast.
In this territory there are lagoons, mangroves, rivers,
rain forests, lowland cloud forests, and 46 kilometers
of sandy coastline. The south Pacific zone is rich
in flora and fauna, and its environment serves as
a refuge to animals in danger of extinction such as
the tapir, panther, and scarlet macaw. The forests
are tall and dense.
In
the Corcovado area 500 species of trees, 140 of
mammals, 367 of birds, 40 of fresh water fish, 117
of amphibians and reptiles have been identified,
and it is estimated that some 6,000 species of insects
are to be found. The climate is humid and hot on
the coast, plains and in the valleys. In the highlands
predominates cool weather due more to the cloudiness
than the altitude. The torrential rains fall mainly
from mid April to December and there is a brief
dry season from February till the first week of
April.
One of most impressive regions in the country, for
its vast areas of complete wilderness and primary
forests, the South Pacific gives travelers the sensation
of being in Costa Rica's ultimate frontier. There
are three main areas to visit: the Corcovado National
Park, the town of Golfito and its surroundings,
and the mountainous Chirripó National Park
& La Amistad International Park.
There is plenty to see both for nature and rural-lifestyle
lovers. Visitors find it charming and challenging
to walk through tropical humid forests of Corcovado,
abundant in flora and fauna; get in touch with the
rural life in San Vito (with its amazing Wilson
Botanical Gardens), or hike the country's highest
peak - Chirripó.
|
|
  |
There
are basic lodging options, but the region - particularly
Corcovado's surroundings - offers a wide scale of
places to stay at, from the budget hotels and cabins,
to upscale deluxe wilderness lodges. Different means
of transportation are used to reach this remote
area: airplane, boat, and ground vehicles.
Corcovado
and surroundings
Besides
its natural beauty, the Osa Peninsula (where Corcovado
National Park is located) is home to many endangered
species, such as the endemic Scarlet Macaw, the
Titi monkey, and Jaguars (rarely seen). It is also
a divers paradise, especially in the surroundings
of the Caño Island. Moderate diving skills
are required, and a PADI license shall be shown
before taking any diving tour.
Golfito and surroundings
Golfito,
a former banana company enclave, is the main town
in the South Pacific Region. Since the creation
of a tax-free zone there, in the early 1990's, it
has become an important economic area, hosting visitors
from all over the country and abroad. Some of Golfito's
highlights include: taking a boat ride along the
Gulf to spot dolphins, go sport fishing, walk in
the Peñas Blancas National Park, and visit
the Wilson Botanical Gardens in San Vito town.
Chirripó National Park
This
Park hosts the country's highest peak (3,820m. /
12,533 ft). It is an ideal place for moderately
fit trekkers. Visitors experience changes in the
vegetation as they climb up, from the dense tropical
forests, to high altitude landscapes, with small
trees, bushes, and old glacial lakes. No camping
is allowed and visitors can only stay at the mountain
shelter (with a maximum capacity of 40 people),
so make sure you let us know with anticipation your
travel plans to consult availability.
|
|
