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South Pacific
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Explore South Pacific Costa Rica for Corcovado rainforest, Golfo Dulce, whale watching, Pacific beaches and wildlife-rich coastal adventures.

Costa Rica’s South Pacific is a large, ecologically important region where rainforest reaches the sea, mangroves fringe quiet estuaries and the Pacific coastline curves around the deeply sheltered Golfo Dulce. It is less urbanised than the country’s Central Valley and is best understood as a collection of distinct coastal and forest communities rather than a single resort destination. The western shore of the Osa Peninsula, including Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay, faces some of the country’s most celebrated lowland rainforest, while Golfito occupies a narrow coastal setting beside the gulf. Farther north, Dominical, Uvita and the Marino Ballena coast combine beaches, forested hills and access to offshore waters.
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Corcovado National Park is the region’s defining natural attraction. Its humid forests, rivers and coastal habitats support scarlet macaws, tapirs, monkeys and a remarkable range of plant life, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Access is regulated and conditions can be demanding, particularly during the wet season. The Osa Peninsula also contains the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve and other protected lands, while Caño Island Biological Reserve, reached by boat from the Drake Bay area, is known for marine life and archaeological associations. Around Sierpe, extensive mangrove channels create a different landscape of tidal waterways and wetland habitat.
The region’s towns have contrasting characters. Golfito retains the shape of a former company town and serves as an important gateway to the gulf, while Puerto Jiménez is the practical service centre for the southern Osa Peninsula. Drake Bay is smaller and more dispersed, with many visitor facilities reached by boat, road or walking trails. Uvita and Dominical, on the northern edge of the South Pacific, have stronger links to surfing, independent cafés and beach-based travel. Inland roads lead towards agricultural districts and foothills, where climate and terrain can change noticeably over short distances.
The South Pacific’s modern identity has been shaped by both resource extraction and conservation. Banana production transformed Golfito during the twentieth century, but the decline of the plantation economy coincided with stronger protection for forests and watersheds. Today, guided rainforest walks, birdwatching, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and whale watching support local livelihoods, alongside farming and fishing. Meals often centre on rice and beans, plantains, fresh fish, seafood and tropical fruit, with small sodas and family-run restaurants providing much of the region’s everyday food culture. Travelling here rewards patience: distances, unpaved roads, river crossings and seasonal rain are part of the geography rather than inconveniences to be ignored.

When is the best time to visit South Pacific?

Best: December–February · 30–31°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)3010
February (best)3115
March3125
April3250
May31150
June31300
July30300
August30300
September31300
October31300
November30150
December (best)3030

Getting to and around South Pacific

How to get there

International visitors normally arrive through Juan Santamaría International Airport outside the region, near San José, then continue by domestic flight, long-distance bus or hire car. The South Pacific has small airports at Golfito, Puerto Jiménez and Palmar Sur, although available routes and luggage conditions can change. Palmar Sur is useful for access to Sierpe and the northern Osa area, while Puerto Jiménez and Golfito serve different parts of the peninsula and gulf. Sierpe is a principal departure point for boat transfers to parts of the Osa Peninsula. The Inter-American Highway provides the main road approach, with turn-offs towards the coastal settlements.

Transportation

A hire car is useful for combining Dominical, Uvita, Osa Peninsula communities and Golfito, but driving times are longer than distances on a map suggest. Roads become rougher away from the main highway and some routes are unsuitable for ordinary vehicles during severe rain. Public buses connect larger towns, while taxis, shared transfers and locally arranged vehicles serve smaller destinations. Boats are an important part of travel around Sierpe, Drake Bay, the gulf and offshore reserves. Within rainforest areas, walking with a qualified guide is often more practical and safer than attempting independent access.

Top city travel guides in South Pacific

The cities of South Pacific, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in South Pacific

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in South Pacific

The South Pacific’s attractions are primarily ecological and outdoor, but they also include archaeological, maritime and cultural experiences. Corcovado National Park is the major draw for guided rainforest walks, with access organised through designated sectors and strict conservation rules. On the Osa Peninsula, the forests around Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay offer wildlife watching, birding and river or coastal excursions. Caño Island Biological Reserve provides opportunities for diving and snorkelling in protected marine waters, subject to conditions and authorised access. The mangrove channels around Sierpe reveal a tidal landscape of creeks and mudflats best explored by boat. Golfito is a base for trips across Golfo Dulce and for walks in surrounding forest reserves, while Uvita and Dominical support surfing, kayaking, hiking and seasonal whale-watching excursions. Beaches vary considerably: some are suitable for swimming in calm conditions, while others are exposed, remote or better appreciated for walking and wildlife. The region rewards guided interpretation, since its significance lies not only in scenery but also in the relationships between rainforest, rivers, mangroves, coral and open Pacific waters.

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Best landmarks in South Pacific

Corcovado National Park is the South Pacific’s foremost natural landmark, representing one of Costa Rica’s most intact lowland rainforest landscapes and extending from forested mountains towards the Pacific coast. Golfo Dulce is another defining geographical feature: its sheltered waters, mangrove edges and surrounding hills create a striking contrast with the exposed outer coast of the Osa Peninsula. Golfito’s former company-town layout and harbour recall the banana economy that once dominated southern Costa Rica, giving the settlement historical significance beyond its role as a transport centre. The Diquís stone spheres, associated with Indigenous societies of the southern Pacific and displayed at archaeological sites and museums in the wider Diquís region, are among the country’s most important pre-Columbian symbols; individual examples should be checked locally because collections and locations vary. Uvita’s distinctive coastal landform, commonly known as the Whale’s Tail because of its shape at low tide, is part of the Marino Ballena coastal landscape. The mangrove waterways at Sierpe and the forested slopes around Drake Bay complete a regional landmark network defined by water, rainforest and human adaptation to a demanding environment.

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Best restaurants in South Pacific

Food in the South Pacific is shaped by Costa Rican staples, tropical agriculture and the coast’s fishing communities. Casados, rice and beans, plantains, tortillas, soups and grilled meats are common, while fresh fish and seafood appear widely in settlements such as Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Sierpe, Uvita and Dominical. Small sodas remain useful for straightforward local meals, fruit drinks and generous plates at accessible prices, although menus and supplies can be more limited in remote areas. Coastal restaurants may serve ceviche, prawns, fish dishes and coconut-influenced preparations, but availability depends on the catch and season. In the more developed surf communities, cafés and contemporary restaurants add international, vegetarian and plant-based options. Local markets and small shops are practical places to buy tropical fruit, pastries, snacks and basic provisions before boat journeys or rainforest excursions. Dining is generally informal; advance planning matters more for isolated lodges, where meals may be included and supplies arrive by road or boat.

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Best bars in South Pacific

Evening life in the South Pacific is generally social and low-key rather than centred on large nightclubs. Dominical has the region’s most recognisable concentration of casual bars, music venues and late-evening restaurants, with activity influenced by the surfing and visitor seasons. Uvita offers a smaller selection of bars, cafés and restaurants, while Golfito and Puerto Jiménez provide relaxed waterfront or town-centre places for drinks and conversation. In Drake Bay and remote parts of the Osa Peninsula, nightlife usually means a lodge bar, an early dinner or listening to forest sounds after dark. Local breweries, cocktails, rum-based drinks and Costa Rican beer may appear alongside non-alcoholic fruit beverages. Visitors should not expect reliable late-night transport outside the main settlements, and alcohol should never be combined with swimming, boating, isolated trail walks or driving on rough roads.

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Best nightclubs in South Pacific

Evening life in the South Pacific is generally social and low-key rather than centred on large nightclubs. Dominical has the region’s most recognisable concentration of casual bars, music venues and late-evening restaurants, with activity influenced by the surfing and visitor seasons. Uvita offers a smaller selection of bars, cafés and restaurants, while Golfito and Puerto Jiménez provide relaxed waterfront or town-centre places for drinks and conversation. In Drake Bay and remote parts of the Osa Peninsula, nightlife usually means a lodge bar, an early dinner or listening to forest sounds after dark. Local breweries, cocktails, rum-based drinks and Costa Rican beer may appear alongside non-alcoholic fruit beverages. Visitors should not expect reliable late-night transport outside the main settlements, and alcohol should never be combined with swimming, boating, isolated trail walks or driving on rough roads.

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Best shops in South Pacific

Shopping in the South Pacific is practical and locally oriented rather than focused on large retail centres. Uvita, Dominical, Golfito and Puerto Jiménez have small clusters of shops, galleries, cafés and outdoor-gear businesses, while Sierpe serves travellers preparing for boat journeys. Visitors can look for handmade jewellery, carved wood, woven goods, paintings, surfwear and small gifts, but should ask about materials and provenance to avoid buying items made from protected wildlife or plants. Farmers’ markets and local produce stalls offer tropical fruit, vegetables, baked goods and Costa Rican pantry staples, with schedules varying by settlement. In Golfito, the former commercial importance of the company town is more apparent in its urban history than in extensive modern shopping. Remote lodges and peninsula communities have limited supplies, so purchase medication, toiletries, snacks and cash before travelling onward. Regional souvenirs are best chosen for their craftsmanship or connection to local food and culture rather than for generic wildlife imagery.

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South Pacific essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), used throughout the country. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted by established hotels, tour operators and larger businesses, but connectivity can be unreliable in remote coastal settlements. Carry colones and some small US-dollar notes for buses, taxis, small eateries, local shops and incidental purchases; acceptance and exchange rates for dollars vary. Inform your bank before travelling and do not rely exclusively on mobile payment services, particularly when heading into the Osa Peninsula or travelling by boat.
Safety
Take ordinary precautions with valuables, especially at beaches, trailheads, vehicles and isolated accommodation areas. The region’s more important hazards are environmental: strong surf, rip currents, slippery rainforest trails, heat, dehydration, insects, falling branches and sudden heavy rain. Swimming should follow local advice, as many beaches are not patrolled. Check road and river conditions before travelling during the wet season, and avoid driving unfamiliar unpaved routes after dark. Use established guides for Corcovado and marine excursions, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Emergency Situations
Costa Rica’s national emergency number is 9-1-1, which can coordinate police, fire and medical assistance. Mobile coverage is uneven in rainforest and coastal areas, so give accommodation staff or tour operators your itinerary and return time when travelling remotely. Boat journeys should be made with operators using appropriate safety equipment, and visitors should follow instructions from guides during sea crossings. For serious outdoor incidents, response times may be lengthy because of terrain, weather and distance; comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, evacuation and adventure activities is prudent.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow park rules, remain on marked trails, use refillable water containers where appropriate and take all rubbish away from beaches and forests. Do keep well back from monkeys, scarlet macaws, crocodiles and other wildlife, and never feed them. Do ask before photographing residents, workers or private property. Do respect local surf, fishing and Indigenous cultural contexts rather than treating beaches and forests as unregulated playgrounds. Do not remove shells, plants, archaeological objects or stones from protected areas, and do not enter closed trails or restricted conservation zones.
Local Tips
Choose a base according to your priorities: Puerto Jiménez is practical for southern Osa access, Drake Bay suits boat-based rainforest and marine excursions, Golfito is oriented towards the gulf, and Uvita and Dominical combine beaches with easier road access. Sierpe is primarily a transport gateway rather than a conventional beach resort. The dry season is generally easier for roads and trails, but rain can occur year-round and supports the forest’s lush conditions. Ask accommodation providers about tides, boat departure points, trail conditions and seasonal wildlife before setting out.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHola[OH-lah]
GoodbyeAdiós[ah-DYOS]
YesSí[SEE]
NoNo[NO]
Please/You're welcomePor favor[por fah-VOR]
Thank youGracias[GRAH-syahs]
Excuse me/SorryPerdón[per-DON]
How are you?¿Cómo estás?[KOH-moh es-TAS]
Fine. And you?Bien. ¿Y tú?[BYEN. ee TOO?]
Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?[AH-blas een-GLES]
I don't understandNo entiendo[NO en-TYEN-doh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMe gustaría ver el menú, por favor[meh goos-TAH-ree-ah vehr el meh-NOO, por fah-VOR]
I don't eat meatNo como carne[NO KOH-mo KAR-neh]
Cheers!¡Salud![sah-LOOD]
I would like to pay, pleaseQuisiera pagar, por favor[kee-SYEH-rah pah-GAR, por fah-VOR]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!¡Ayuda![ah-YOO-dah]
Go away!¡Vete![VEH-teh]
Call the Police!¡Llama a la Policía![YAH-mah ah lah poh-lee-SEE-ah]
Call a doctor!¡Llama a un doctor![YAH-mah ah oon dok-TOR]
I'm lostEstoy perdido[es-TOY per-DID-oh]
I'm illEstoy enfermo/a[es-TOY en-FER-mo/a]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Me gustaría comprar...[meh goos-TAH-ree-ah kom-PRAR...]
I'm just lookingSolo estoy mirando[SO-lo es-TOY mee-RAN-do]
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?[KWAN-toh KWEH-stah]
That's too expensiveEso es muy caro[EH-so es MOO-ee KAH-ro]
Can you lower the price?¿Puedes bajar el precio?[PWEH-des bah-HAR el PREH-syo]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?¿Qué hora es?[KEH OH-rah es?]
It's one o'clockEs la una[es lah OO-nah]
Half past (10)Y media (10)[ee MEH-diah (10)]
MorningMañana[mah-NYAH-nah]
AfternoonTarde[TAR-deh]
EveningNoche[NO-cheh]
YesterdayAyer[ah-YER]
TodayHoy[OY]
TomorrowMañana[mah-NYAH-nah]
1Uno[OO-no]
2Dos[DOS]
3Tres[TRES]
4Cuatro[KWA-tro]
5Cinco[SEEN-koh]
6Seis[SAYS]
7Siete[SYEH-teh]
8Ocho[OH-cho]
9Nueve[NWEH-beh]
10Diez[DYEZ]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?¿Dónde está un/una...?[DON-deh es-TAH oon/OO-nah...?]
What's the address?¿Cuál es la dirección?[KWAL es lah dee-rek-SYON?]
Can you show me (on the map)?¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?[PWEH-des mos-TRAR-me (en el MAH-pah)?]
When's the next (bus)?¿Cuándo viene el próximo (bus)?[KWAN-do VYEH-neh el PROK-see-mo (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)Un boleto (a ....)[OON bo-LEH-to (ah ....)]

History of South Pacific

Diquís Chiefdoms and Stone Spheres

Before European colonisation, the southern Pacific lowlands were home to complex Indigenous societies associated with the Diquís cultural tradition. Their settlements, chiefly centres and cemeteries extended across the Diquís Delta and neighbouring parts of the region. The famous stone spheres, carefully shaped from hard rock, are the most recognisable surviving expression of this culture, although their meaning remains debated and should not be reduced to a single explanation. Many objects were removed or displaced during later development, while archaeological research and heritage protection have helped clarify the region’s importance as a centre of social organisation, craft production and long-distance exchange.

Spanish Rule and a Marginal Pacific Frontier

After Spanish incursions in the sixteenth century, the southern Pacific remained relatively remote from the colonial centres of Costa Rica. Dense forests, difficult travel and limited mineral wealth restricted permanent Spanish settlement compared with the Central Valley. Indigenous communities experienced disruption, disease and pressure from colonial expansion, but the coast and lowlands did not develop into a densely populated administrative heartland. For centuries, the region’s settlements were linked more closely to small-scale agriculture, fishing and coastal trade than to the institutions that shaped San José and the country’s central highlands.

Banana Expansion and the Company Town of Golfito

The twentieth-century banana economy brought a profound transformation to the South Pacific. The United Fruit Company developed plantations, transport links and port facilities around Golfito from the 1930s, turning the settlement into a planned company town and an important export centre. Workers arrived from different parts of Costa Rica and beyond, creating a multicultural local society. The company controlled much of the town’s employment and infrastructure, while plantation production altered forests, waterways and patterns of land ownership. Golfito’s layout and surviving buildings still provide evidence of this corporate agricultural era.

Labour Conflict and the End of the Banana Era

Banana work in southern Costa Rica was marked by demanding conditions, labour organisation and disputes over wages, housing and company control. The plantation system faced disease, economic pressures and changing corporate strategies, and large-scale operations in the Golfito area eventually declined before ending in the 1980s. The withdrawal of the major employer caused severe economic hardship and encouraged local efforts to diversify into fishing, small business, agriculture and tourism. The period remains central to the region’s identity, particularly in Golfito, where the physical townscape recalls both the prosperity and dependence created by the company economy.

Gold Mining on the Osa Peninsula

Gold extraction has a long and controversial history on the Osa Peninsula. Small-scale miners worked river deposits and forest areas, sometimes using labour-intensive methods and, at different periods, mercury or other damaging practices. Mining provided income in a remote region but also caused erosion, sedimentation and pressure on forest habitats. Its legacy can be seen in stories, abandoned workings and continuing debates about livelihoods and conservation. The tension between mineral extraction and rainforest protection helped shape national attention on the Osa and strengthened the case for safeguarding its exceptionally biodiverse landscapes.

National Parks and the Conservation Transition

Costa Rica’s conservation policies reshaped the South Pacific during the second half of the twentieth century. Corcovado National Park was established in 1975, followed by further protection for forests, mangroves, marine areas and watersheds. These designations did not eliminate conflict: local communities have continued to debate access, employment, land rights and the consequences of restrictions on farming, fishing and mining. Nevertheless, protected areas became the foundation for research, guided tourism and a regional economy increasingly connected to wildlife and natural landscapes. The South Pacific is now one of the clearest examples of Costa Rica’s transition from extractive development towards conservation-based tourism.

The Growth of Nature and Marine Tourism

From the late twentieth century onwards, improved roads, small air services, lodges and conservation initiatives made the South Pacific more accessible to visitors. Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay, Golfito, Uvita and Dominical developed different tourism profiles, ranging from rainforest expeditions and birdwatching to surfing, diving and whale watching. Tourism has brought employment and conservation funding but also raises questions about waste, freshwater, coastal development and pressure on wildlife. The region’s contemporary character therefore depends on balancing visitor access with the protection of forests, reefs, mangroves and the communities that live beside them.

South Pacific in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to South Pacific, Costa Rica

Discover the best of South Pacific, Costa Rica with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Explore South Pacific, Costa Rica like never before with Evendo. Your comprehensive, free travel guide app for attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • History of South Pacific and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • Easy navigation through the app and the destination
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions and amenities
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Welcome to the South Pacific, Costa Rica - a paradise waiting to be explored. With Evendo, your journey through this stunning region will be nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine having all the information you need at your fingertips, from famous landmarks like Corcovado National Park and Marino Ballena National Park to hidden gems and local favorites.

Evendo offers detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities, making it the ultimate travel companion. Discover renowned spots like the enchanting Nauyaca Waterfalls, the lively Dominical Beach, or the serene Osa Peninsula. Savor local cuisine at top-rated eateries such as Exotica Restaurant and Marino Ballena Restaurant.

The app provides images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, ensuring you can seamlessly plan and organize your trip. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for what to see and do, and how to get there. Evendo allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences all in one place.

With features like the history of South Pacific, travel essentials, curated local tips, and an easy-to-navigate interface, Evendo ensures you get the most out of your visit. The 'Near me' feature helps you find attractions and amenities around you, no matter where you are. And the best part? The app is 100% free, forever.

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