The always green jungle of the South Pacific region is the best kept natural treasure of Costa Rica. The largest national parks and reserves are the core of this region known as Costa Rica’s “green lung.”
Unexplored land
Near the Panamanian Border, lies the Osa Peninsula, a portion of virgin rain forest that spreads out into the Pacific Ocean on the southwest end of Costa Rica. The peninsula is a natural sanctuary, home to terrestrial and marine species of flora and fauna the not too long ago were completely unknown to the world.
The largest part of the peninsula and of Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) continues to be intact and unspoiled by tourism, commercial and urban development projects. For this reason there are very few adventurous explorers who can assure they know the true green wealth of Costa Rica.
Biological wealth
The tropical rain forest of the country’s southwest end is refuge to countless species of land and marine animals end plants, scientists assure that many have not been discovered yet. It is a common belief among the scientific community that the cure to some of the most dreadful human pandemics could be hidden within forests guarded by the tallest trees of the country. Proof of this region’s biological importance is that the Corcovado National Park, located on the peninsula, was declared by the National Geographic Society “the most biologically intense place on the mainland”.
The area’s inhabitants, Costa Ricans and natives such as the Boruca community who grew up among the forest are very protective of their natural resources and know how important their protection is to human life. Therefore, the lodging and visiting options to these national parks is based on strict sustainable development and ecotourism principles aimed at producing the least impact on the natural habitat.
The beaches of Costa Rica’s South Pacific region, some of which remain completely virgin, area the preferred surfing points for those who want to walk on waves facing an intact environment bursting with biodiversity. In this area one can easily see a female jaguar walking along the beach with her cubs. If surfing in a 100% natural environment is your kind of thing, Pavones beach is the perfect place.
Marine giants
The deep blue waters of the Marine Conservation Corridor of the Tropical Eastern Pacific, located to the south of this region, is part of the main route which four different whale species use for teaching their calves hunting and diving skills in these warm currents.
Several environmental and local development organizations carry out marine mammal observation trips right on the coast of the Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce and Drake Bay.
These tours are strictly regulated by national and international marine resource protection agreements and meet basic standards to respect the habitat of these playful creatures.
Masks and little devils
The small valleys and high mountains of Costa Rica’s South Pacific region have been the grounds of the Boruca natives, one of the largest indigenous communities of the country. Every year the town of Boruca, located on the skirts of the Talamanca Mountains, near Buenos Aires, Puntarenas is the gathering point for natives from around the area who come to be a part of a colorful and ancient indigenous tradition.
Dressed with colorful wood carved mask and costumes made of vegetable fibers and animal skins, the Boruca dance, ding and parade to celebrate their past and commemorate the indigenous resistance to the Spanish conquistadors.
The native dance and festivities are characterized by both spiritual and animal (crocodile, jaguar or bats) motifs, and are known for the high energy and tribal emotive they transmit to the visitors.
