The Peninsula of Osa is located in the South of the country, on the Pacific coast. Almost the whole peninsula is covered by rainforest, protected by the Corcovado National Park. Due to its incredible biodiversity, this rainforest ranges among the most interesting jungles in Central America. Thanks to the difficult access, the Corcovado National Park is responsible for the survival of many endangered species of animals. Over millions of years, this ecosystem also has developed some endemic species of plants and animals. There are some lodges along the coastline, and they offer guided hikes through the jungle, where you can find over 100 species of trees within just 1 hectare of land. Excursions to the Caño Island, located in front of the peninsula, are also available. This small island is covered by jungle, too, and used to be a famous place for pirates long before our time. Caño Island offers excellent snorkeling and diving, thanks to the protected reefs.

As a base for this roundtrip choose from five different lodges:
Marenco Lodge, Aguila de Osa Inn, Poor Man's Paradise and Pirate Cove.

Marenco Lodge and Aguila de Osa Inn have the same program, from/to San José, and including excursions.

a) Marenco Lodge

Marenco used to be a biological station and is now open for tourism as well. The rooms are quite rustic, but comfortable and offer a private bathroom and a terrace. The restaurant serves local and international dishes. Built on a hill overlooking the Pacific coast, you need to climb many steps from the beach to the main building.

b) Aguila de Osa Inn

This exclusive lodge offers a lot of privacy and gives the adventurer the opportunity to experience the wild scenery of Osa, within the luxurious setting of the lodge. Excquisite dining is a trademark at Aguila de Osa Inn. Enjoy the fresh seafood, pasta, tasty vegetables and tropical fruits. Guest rooms offer ceiling fans, hand crafted decor, italian-tiled bathrooms, 24 hours electricity and a beautiful view to Drake Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

c) Poor Man's Paradise

This small family hotel under German / Tico management is located on the Amaya family's homestead along the magnificent Pacific Coast of the Osa Peninsula. It provides 6 rustic cabins with private bathroom (hot water is not available) and mosquito nets. The Lodge has a wonderful ocean view, this magical corner maintains its natural beauty. The delicious meals of local cuisine with many fresh vegetables and fruits, a family atmosphere at the Restaurant combined with the individual attention of the owners will make your stay a very special experience.

d) Pirate Cove

This small, comfortable lodge is also under Swiss management. It is located near the village of Drake and the estuary of Río Drake into the Pacific Ocean. It offers 7 rooms in 3 different categories, for our package we arrange the bigger Deluxe Cabinas or Bungalows. Each of them has a double bed and two or three single beds, each with an orthopedic matress. Every room has a private bathroom with warm water in the shower a an own terrace with hammock and view to the Pacific Ocean. The Deluxe Cabinas have a strong construction, the walls of the bungalows are constructed with a strong tentlike, but thicker and stronger material, and each has a door and windows. The meals are served in the open restaurant, and you also get homemade bread. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, because also here only solar energy is used, and the rooms are just illuminated by romantic candlelight. You can be sure to enjoy an unforgettable stay.

Day 1:

Depending on your reservation, you will be picked up at Palmar Sur airstrip, Drake Bay airstrip or at Sierpe at the restaurant "Oleaje Sereno" by a representative of the lodge. Arrival at Palmar Sur airstrip: The land transfer to Sierpe, operated by the lodge, takes about 15 minutes. Arrival at Sierpe: If you arrive by rental car, you may park it at a safe parking lot paying a fee. From Sierpe, you continue by boat, first through the mangrove forests of Sierpe river, where you can observe a great variety of birds, afterwards after having passed the river mouth into the Pacific ocean, you pass along Drake Bay and the further coastline of the Osa Peninsula. Arriving at the lodge you could get wet when getting out of the boat. Arrival at Drake Bay: The transfer from the Drake Bay airstrip to Bahía Drake, operated by the lodge, takes about 20 minutes. From May to November, we recommend the access via Palmar Sur and Sierpe because the sometimes heavy rainfalls might flood the airstrip or the river which has to be crossed to get to the bay. At Bahía Drake you board the boat , which takes you to the lodge. On arrival you could get wet when getting out of the boat.
Included meals: dinner

Day 2:

After breakfast you will enjoy a full day excursion to Caño Island, located 45 minutes by boat from the lodge. Depending on your booking, this tour is included or optional. Your guide will show you around the island, which once used to be an important pirate hide out. This is also where the mysterious, completely round stones were found. The afternoon will be at leisure: enjoy snorkeling around the reefs of the island or relax on the beach. Return to the lodge and overnight.
Included meals: breakfast, boxlunch, dinner

Day 3:

After breakfast a hike through Corcovado National Park is on the agenda. Again, this tour might be included or optional, depending on your booking. Together with your local English/ Spanisch speaking guide you approach the San Pedrillo Sector of the park, where you start your hike on the trails trough the rainforest, observing flora and fauna. You also visit a waterfall and enjoy a boxlunch on the beach. Return to your lodge by boat. Included meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Included meals: breakfast, boxlunch, dinner

Day 4:

Your return transfer will be operated by boat to Drake Bay or Sierpe, and by land transfer to Drake Bay airstrip or Palmar Sur airstrip. From there on, connection flights may be booked.
Included meals: breakfast

The order of the included excursions may vary for climate or organizational reasons. Please also note that your luggage for this excursion is limited to 12kg including hand luggage.

Prices per person: AGUILA DE OSA INN:

Minimum number of participants: 2
Additional nights can be booked

Please note that your luggage allowance for this excursion is limited to 12kg including hand luggage.

Prepayment 10 days after reservation - no refunds in case of cancellation.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.

POOR MAN'S PARADISE:
01 January 2011 - 31 December 2011
Prices per person,

Tours are not included but can be booked and paid for at the hotel

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.

PIRATE COVE:

Prices per person in 2010

Prices per person in 2011

Does not include tours, but these can be booked and paid for at the hotel

Transfer roundtrip from/to Palmar Sur or Sierpe: US$58 per person

PUNTA MARENCO LODGE:
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Options and Combinations:

You can also book additional nights.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth Travel.

Option 1) Options for hotel choice a) and b): with beach hotels in Quepos/Manuel Antonio

From 1-3 persons, you fly back to San José, where you catch a connecting flight to Quepos / Manuel Antonio. A direct connection from Palmar Sur to Quepos is possible with a minimum of 4 passengers.

Option 2) with beach hotels in Tamarindo

After arrival in San José you can catch connecting flights to Tamarindo.

Option 3) for hotel choice c) and d):

You can book a transfer to Palmar Sur, from where you will have the same choice of connection as with option 1, a) and b). You can also reserve a seat-in transfer with Interbus or a private transfer from Sierpe or Palmar Sur to Quepos / Manuel Antonio.

NOTE: All our Costa Rica adventures can be combined to form individualized packages. Please ask if you need help creating your own itinerary. We also offer fly drive packages and some short mountain biking and white water rafting tours that are not mentioned in the index. Please ask.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth Travel.