The Osa Peninsula, located in the Southwest corner of Costa Rica is one of the last frontiers of our world. It is said of the Osa Peninsula, that it is, and rightfully so: “The most biologically intense place on our planet.”

Quotes like: “you are more likely to see monkeys than people” are the types of clichés describing this truly special place on our earth.

Nearly the entire peninsula is protected in one way or another:

1. The largest mangrove preserve in Costa Rica, the Humedales Nacional Terraba – Sierpe is the Northern Border of the Osa.
2. Corcovado National Park covers nearly half of the peninsula.
3. Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce covers nearly a third of the Osa.
4. Cano Island = Reserva Biologica Isla de Cano

Along with these large parks and reserves are a number of smaller and some private reserves:

1. Refugio Punta Rio Claro
2. Humedal Lacustrino Pejeperrito
3. Rio Piro
4. Carate
5. Hacienda Copano
6. LagunAzul
7. Preciosa Platanares and
8. Cacyra

You have to be a special type of person to want to enjoy the miles of untouched beaches with no access other than hiking trails, boats or horseback. There are no waiters to bring a cocktail or freshen your towel. You do, however, have an excellent chance of seeing a whole tree full of Scarlet Macaws or monkeys.

The Osa Peninsula is still a sort of: Wild West where laws are being made up as it goes and there is definitely a different set of laws that take precedence in this remote region.

Thirty years ago an American Professor from the University of Minnesota came to write a paper on “Social Law”. Intrigued by the Napoleonic law and means with which it was enforced. He did case studies and published his book but he never left and still to this day lives on the Osa peninsula where he calls home.

There are other clichés referring to the Osa. One refers to the Osa as the world’s largest out door sanitarium. Most of the early settlers who came from different parts of the world were thought to be just a little crazy to move into this wilderness where infrastructure was pretty much non-existent.

The gold in the area brought some interesting characters as well. Whether looking for gold, a story, peace, solitude or place to “get away from it all” the Osa has a spectacular beauty and tranquility about it that is uncommon in our world.

Most of the peninsula can only be reached by boat, hiking or horseback. There are public roads that run throughout and are marked on some maps and surveys of properties they run next to. Driving on them is another thing all together. While they continue to get better and become more and more “drivable” most are still very rough.

Our house can only be reached by boat. It is in a beautiful place with a spectacular view and we, of course, love it. My wife is very careful to ask perspective guests, before they commit to coming for a visit, if they like camping.

Those who enjoy camping, roughing it a bit and are willing to put up with some inconveniences and minor discomforts to be surrounded by incredible beauty and tranquility find the Osa to be extraordinary.

The Osa people are seemingly another whole different group of people. One might refer to them as the smiley people as they seem to have a permanent smile on their faces. The kids play happily trying to knock mangos, water apples or star fruit off the trees with long sticks and seem more content than any group of kids I have ever seen.

The adult population appears “laid back” almost to a fault and are eager to shake your hand with a big warm Osa smile.

Go back through the photos and notice there are no buildings, humans or sign of human life. I did this on purpose because while there are hundreds of miles of beach, rivers, streams, trails, channels through the mangrove there are few humans, only a few who come to experience the tranquility and a handful who call this remote part of the world home.

If you are thinking of looking at this area to find your own piece of paradise there are very few ‘gringo’ styled homes in the area that would meet a livable standard for people from the modern world.

While building is easily done you might look at the job as too difficult with roads and transportation in such poor repair. The Osa peninsula is not for the faint of heart but the rewards for the adventurer looking for that special place which is: So wrong for so many, this place is gold.

If you have ever dreamed of living in a place that’s as close to a tropical paradise as you can find … Please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors Daveed Hollander, John Wieland and James Drews in Dominical in the Southern Pacific area, by using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.