Osa Peninsula

Car hire Costa Rica travelers will find a world of outdoor excitement located along the southern Pacific coastline of the country. Here, lowland rainforests merge with the mountains and secluded beaches to create a diverse habitat known as the Osa Peninsula. This impressive area of greenery houses many of Costa Rica's endangered plant and animal species, and is considered to be one of the most biologically intense areas in the world. No trip to Costa Rica is complete until you've explored this unique area in a car hire Costa Rica vehicle, so why wait? Plan to tour the OSA Peninsula today, with a little help from Avanti Car Rentals.

A quick overview of the Peninsula

Car hire Costa Rica travelers will find very little development on the Osa Peninsula. This is because most of the area is protected by the Corcovado National Park or other biological reserves. The vast majority of the remote towns that are located in the area can only be reached by boat or plane. Only a few roads connect the Peninsula to the rest of Costa Rica and these are often precarious or impassable during the wet seasons.

It's this remoteness that makes the OCA Peninsula a place worth visiting in your car hire Costa Rica vehicle. While the hotels are a little rustic, the scenery and natural amenities are simply one of a kind! Car hire Costa Rica travelers can find comfortable lodgings in Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez. Drake Bay is the northern gateway to Corcovado National Park, while the small town of Carate, near Puerto Jimenez, is the southern gateway.

Towns on the Peninsula

Carate is characterized by long stretches of undeveloped beaches with lush mountain backdrops. Located on the southern tip of Corcovado National Park, Carate is a nature lover's paradise. Car hire Costa Rica travelers will enjoy fishing, hiking, and bird watching during their visit to the area. Travelers are also encouraged to take night walks in order to spot turtles and dolphins.

Cabo Matapalo

Car hire Costa Rica travelers will find Cabo Matapalo located at the very southern tip of the Osa Peninsula. If you'd like to visit this area, Avanti recommends resenting a four-wheel drive vehicle as the hour-long trip from Puerto Jimenez can be a bumpy one! The area is named after the magnificent strangler figs that grow in the region, and is known for its raw beauty. If you make the trek to this unique area, don't forget to visit the trio of beaches located along the Peninsula. The north shore is the most easily accessible one and is home to the Playa Pan Dulce, or Sweet Bread Beach.

Drake Bay

Drake Bay is located in the hills overlooking the coastline of the Osa Peninsula. This area is celebrated for its wealth of natural beauty, including a unique ecology and diverse array of wildlife. Car hire Costa Rica travelers can reach the Corcovado National Park from Drake Bay via boat in less than an hour. Travelers are also encouraged to visit nearby Cano Island, which is located just 12 miles from the mainland. This stunning island is a biological treasure and is a hot spot for snorkelling enthusiasts.

Puerto Jimenez

This thriving town is the most populated area of the Osa Peninsula. Car hire Costa Rica travelers will find a great many amenities here, including quiet beaches and great backpacking adventures. The area's mangrove swamps are extremely popular with eco tourists thanks to a myriad of fauna, the most notable of which is the scarlet macaw. Car hire Costa Rica travelers can also kayak the estuaries of the nearby Platanares River, or catch a wave at the beaches that span all the way to Cabo Matapalo.