San Jose Reservation Center
1-866-884-89-49

Puerto Jimenez Office
(506) 27355777

Golfito Office
(506) 27753333

Dominical Office
(506) 2787-0111

"the most biologically intense place on Earth," by National Geographic

If you travel to the Isthmian-Pacific Moist Forests, you're likely to see acres and acres of cattle pastures, crops, and human settlements. But scattered throughout this tropical region are remnants of a moist forest that once grew widely here. Where this forest is still intact, you can spy a variety of colorful tropical birds, rare spotted cats, and many other wild species.
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.

Horseback riding in the south offers myriad possibilities for visiting natural places, communities and cultural and heritage sites, including Rivas de Pérez Zeledón, Dominical, Palmar Sur, Rincón de Osa, Puerto Jiménez, Sierpe and San Vito, as well as several beaches, such as Dominical, Ballena, Tortuga, Drake, Platanares, Carate and others. In addition, the Puerto Jiménez–Playa Preciosa Preserve horseback ride takes place during Holy Week.

Hiking is a major activity for enjoying the region’s natural and cultural attractions. Outstanding areas include Chirripó, Piedras Blancas, La Amistad and Corcovado National Parks, as well as an endless number of beaches and forested areas, both public and private.

Surfing Summer (April-September) is the most consistent season for surf on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, as any Southern Hemisphere storm will ignite its variety of world-class breaks.

Cycling The Southern Zone features a variety of roads for adventure and nature-watching. Touring is possible on regular or mountain bikes. Interesting trips include Palmar Sur–Sierpe, Rincón de Osa–La Palma, Dominical–Parque Marino Ballena, Golfito–Playa Cacao, San Vito–Agua Buena and Jiménez–Playa Carate, to name just a few.

Cuisine Well-developed communities offer sodas (small restaurants serving local food), cafes, restaurants and, in San Isidro de El General, the market, where visitors can sample traditional Costa Rican fare as well as international cuisine.

Spelunking In the outskirts of Ciudad Neily, the Fila de Cal caverns offer visitors the adventure of exploring their many chambers.

Bird Watching Public protected areas such as Ballena, Térraba-Sierpe, Golfito and Corcovado, as well as the Wilson Botanical Garden, offer wonderful experiences amid the region’s natural diversity.

Photography stands out as a popular activity due to the varied cultural, archeological and scenic options available, as well as the wealth of flora and fauna, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, ranches and African palm and sugarcane plantations.

Sport-fishing is easy to enjoy here, thanks to the Gulf’s riches and the many places offering services, such as Puerto Jiménez, Golfito and Zancudo.