Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Cruise Port

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Golfo Dulce to the east, you'll find the lovely and wildlife-filled cruise port of Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Located in the southwestern part of the country within the Puntarenas Province, at least half of Costa Rica's species live here. Largely untouched by human development, this is a fantastic place for animal lovers and adventurers alike. There are several towns on the peninsula, namely Puerto Jimenez, Cabo Matapalo, and Carate; the port town of Golfito which includes some of the highest storied rainforests in Central America. There are beaches on Osa, although many of them are completely private – perfect for the traveler looking for some peace and quiet. Of course, the biodiversity extends to the ocean, so snorkeling and diving creates wondrous encounters with marine life. Listed below are a handful of our favorite experiences when cruising to Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica:

• Corcovado National Park contains an astounding number of plants and animals, including the endangered Baird's tapir, the rare harpy eagle, spectacled caiman, and all four Costa Rican monkey species. Visiting the park does require being accompanied by a certified professional guide. This is an attempt to limit human overexposure and preserve the park for its full-time residents.
   
• Not far from the park and Drake Bay is Isla del Cano, home of the Cano Island National Park. While it's an excellent spot for water sports, you can also visit pre-Columbian stone spheres and do some birdwatching. Dolphin tours are also popular here, and the friendly mammals are usually easy to spot.
   
• To see how injured, orphaned, and displaced animals get care, visit the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary. Supporting both conservation and eco-tourism to protect the natural habitat of Costa Rica, the sanctuary shows its efforts with all of the animals currently on premises, especially the multiple species of monkeys being rehabilitated.
   
• The protected inner coast of the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) is a wonderful place to find one of those quiet beaches along with gorgeous, warm waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You're still surrounded by wildlife, so you're never really alone!