SOUTH PACIFIC

If you are looking for an adventurous trip, the South Pacific region is the place to visit. Here you will experience nature in its ultimate expression. Nature alive, exuberant, vigorous in each detail of a wild life still unaltered by man.

Sea. Foaming blue sea, prismatic waters full of turquoise reflections and blunt waves that slide over the white and gray sands. It is an area that extends from the Barú River to the borders of Panama, and from the Talamanca mountains to the Pacific coast. It will take you about six hours to get to this region by way of the Interamerican Highway. It is recommended that you travel by 4wheel drive because many of the roads in the area are gravel. You may also choose to go by air and land at the Golfito airport. In the South Pacific Region, you find Cerro Chirripó at 3,820 meters above sea level, the highest point in Costa Rica. According to scientists, the Golfo Dulce constitutes a real "tropical fjord" whose mass of water is unique in America.

The entrance door and distribution main center is Pérez Zeledón’s city, its limit extends through the canton’s edge, including the Fila Tinamastes attractions, such as the Cataratas of Nauyaca (waterfalls), Platanillo town and even the Barú River, where the coastal sector, that extends to Punta Burica with a total of 490 km, initiates.

The main activities include beach enjoyment and marine resources, such as whales and dolphin’s observation, as well as mangrove swamp’s, landscapes, reptilian, sport fishing, surfing, hiking through the National Park’s paths, professional diving, the energetic walks to the Chirripo’s summit, botanical gardens, protected areas’ impressive waterfalls… they are all part of the main product offered by the touristic unit that can be reached through this information bureau. Ecotourism features as the main product, especially the one that is carried out among the Humedal Sierpe-Térraba; the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, the Ballena Marine National Park, the Isla del Caño Biological Preserve and the Corcovado National Park.

The beach’s tourism possesses a wide potential in the coastal sector of Dominical-Piñuela; Platanares Beach; Zancudo and Pavones.

The mountain’s product identifies itself in the Cordillera de Talamanca’s Mountain subunit, where San Gerardo de Rivas and San Vito of Coto Brus stand out as access centers to Chirripó National Park and the Friendship World Patrimony site.

Additionally, there is a high potential in the rural tourism development, in country settlements distributed along the region. Two important protected areas are located in this zone, one is the Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic Magazine defines as “the planet’s biologically richest place” and the Humanity Biosphere Preserve, declared as Humanity Patrimony and part of the Amistad International Park.

ACTIVITIES:

Tourist activities possible in the south of the country vary by area, and may be related to culture, adventure or nature.

1. Horseback Riding.
2. Hiking.
3. Recreational Cycling.
4. Cuisine.
5. Spelunking.
6. Bird, Wildlife and Nature-Watching.
7. Photography.
8. Sport-Fishing.
9. Chirripo Mountain Race.