At the northern tip of the Osa Peninsula lies the Sierpe-Terraba Humedal. At over 68,000 acres in size, this mangrove and wetlands preserve has great ecological and recreational value.

Along it’s southern limit flows the mighty Sierpe River. The Sierpe is unique in Costa Rica as it is the only river that is fully navigable from it’s source all the way through it’s mouth into the Pacific Ocean in all tides, 365 days a year, by boats of all sizes.

Like large rivers across the world, it undergoes a serious transformation in look and character as it flows from its headwaters in the Sierpe Lagoon towards the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately for visitors and residents, all areas of the Sierpe River offer a variety of adventure oriented aquatic activities.

The quaint, friendly, little town of Sierpe is the unofficial border between the upper and lower river and offers easy access to both.

The majority of the lower river is characterized by wide channels, sandbars, and shallow banks covered with 5 types of large, mature mangrove trees. The tidal influences are greatest here with changes in water level up to 12 feet occurring at certain times of the year.

The river here “snakes” quite severely – hence it’s name “Sierpe” which means “to move in a serpentine fashion” in Spanish. The water – because it is closer to the ocean – is high in salinity, nutrient load, and life. Numerous bird species specially adapted to life in the mangroves can be spotted here.

It is the lower river that is most often shown in photographs and used for tourist activities. It is the gateway to the ocean and has lots of recreational value. On either side of the mouth are fine examples of Osa Peninsula beaches at their most pristine and private.

Uncommon is the day that you’ll be sharing them with any other human beings. Scarlet Macaws, toucans, and green parrots are frequent visitors however.

Enjoying these beaches is as easy as beaching your boat in the small inlets on either side of the river and adjusting your anchor every hour or so to compensate for tidal movement. This is also a great spot for surfing. Both right and left breaking waves occur in several areas. Just like the beaches here, these waves will usually belong to you and you alone.

Another favored activity in the lower river is fishing. A variety of species inhabit the lower river with red snapper, snook, corvina, and goliath grouper being the most popular with anglers because of their sporting and culinary qualities. Rare is the occasion that a knowledgeable fisherman doesn’t return home with some fresh fish fillets for dinner.

Finally, the lower river is a great place to go wake-boarding, paddle-boarding, or kayaking. The wide, deep coves of the lower river offer calm, glass-like conditions in which to enjoy these exciting water-sports.

The upper river is a very different environment. The mangroves are gone and in their place are large hardwood and palm trees. The channels are deep and narrow, the banks are steeper, and the river flows in a much more direct path. The water has little or no salinity. It also tends to be much clearer, and in certain areas can have up to 2.5 meters of visibility.

The plant, bird, and animal species present are much more diverse than the lower river. Kingfishers, herons, and jacanas can be seen feeding atop large mats of bright green water hyacinth that lines the banks. Howler, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys take up residence in the tree tops. The overall feeling one gets when visiting the upper river is much more intimate and wild. It is rare that you see other boats or hear a man made noise in this part of the river.

When you spend a day in these upper reaches it feels like you’ve gone back in time. Light tackle river fishing, wildlife watching, and kayaking are exceptional in this part of the river.

For a real adventure one can travel all the way up the Sierpe River to it’s headwaters in the Sierpe lagoon. This 230 acre lake is secluded, wild, and absolutely pristine. It also holds some of the biggest and most aggressive snook in the entire river system. It is a rare occasion that a trip up to the lagoon doesn’t reward it’s guests with some great fishing.

For wildlife enthusiasts, both the lagoon and upper reaches of the river offer an opportunity to spot extremely rare river otters.

Whatever your outdoor aquatic passions might be you’ll be able to exercise them along the entirety of the Sierpe River.

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Andrew Makarik

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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.