THE BEACHES OF THE OSA PENINSULA
REMOTE REFRESHING REJUVENATING
THE OSA BEACH EXPERIENCE
A WALK ON THE WILDSIDE
Discover a range of Osa Peninsula beaches, offering a diverse experience, from tranquil swimming spots along the inner Golfo Dulce to the untamed beauty of the Pacific coast. The Osa Peninsula presents an array of beach options to suit every preference.
Experience the unique allure of Osa Peninsula beaches – remote, pristine, and adorned with golden-brown sands, perfect for leisurely walks, surfing, swimming, and unwinding. Nature’s wonders await right from the beach, offering glimpses of breathtaking wildlife and, if you’re lucky, witnessing whales breaching offshore.
With a variety of options, there’s an Osa Peninsula beach perfectly suited to your preferences within this small yet captivating area.
Driest Month – March
Wettest Month – October
OSA NATURAL
ORGANIC COCONUTOsa Natural made with love
Puerto Jimenez
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
A TASTE OF THE OSA!
JUST THE FACTS
Osa Peninsula Beaches Tides and Surf
The tides on the Osa Peninsula follow the lunar cycle, shifting approximately 50.4 minutes later each day. Within a 24-hour and 50-minute period, two high tides and two low tides occur.
Interestingly, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, tides are minimal, measuring just a few inches rather than feet. Conversely, the Pacific side experiences significant tide swings, with some areas witnessing fluctuations of up to 3 meters between low and high tide.
Moreover, many of the Osa Peninsula’s beaches serve as nesting sites for three species of sea turtles, adding to the region’s ecological significance.
Your encounter with tides can greatly influence your experience, depending on what you seek from Mother Nature’s offerings during your visit.
THE OSA SWIMMING CONDITIONS
Osa Peninsula Beaches
PLEASE CHECK WITH LOCALS AND/OR YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS ON THE SWIMMING CONDITIONS OF ANY BEACH YOU WANT TO SWIM AT ANY GIVEN TIME. DIFFERENT BEACHES HAVE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES.
The Outter Golfo Dulce Beaches
Puntarenitas – Directly across from Crocodile Bay pier you will find a beautiful beach featuring soft sand. Great for paddle boarding, beachcombing, fishing, or to simply enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Come and take a secluded walk for miles without ever seeing a single sole.
Playa Preciosa– Literally translates to the precious beach, which is a very fitting name for this magical beach which is but a 10-minute drive from Puerto Jimenez. For those who like long walks with breathtaking scenery, or boogie boarding, you have come to the right place!
Playa Tamales – Here you will find a popular local hang-out, which is on the route towards Mataplao, and is just 20 minutes from Puerto Jimenez. If you are into secluded walks, this Golfo Dulce facing beach is the right place for you.
SURFING THE OSA PENINSULA
OSA BEACHES
The Inner Golfo Dulce Beaches
Playa Blanca – Within the Golfo Dulce this beach is renowned to be the “main” beach of La Palma, which is the second largest town on the Osa Peninsula after Puerto Jimenez.
Playa Platanares – If you are into bird watching or kayaking, Playa Platanares is but 5km from Puerto Jiménez. Did we mention that the swimming conditions here are excellent?
Playa Puerto Jimenez – Come mingle with the locals at this popular beach bar serving everything from margaritas to fish tacos. An absolutely perfect spot for children as the calm shallow waters are safe and fun.
The Matapalo Point Break
Playa Matapalo – Visit the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula to experience some of the best surfing in the region. It has three breaks, this one is the furthest out on the tip of the Osa Peninsula. The slim beach has lots of white washed cobblestones and larger boulders and ledges out in the lineup. There needs to be swell or it will go flat. Waves can get up to triple overhead and break for 300 meters with a solid West Southwest swell. Best tides are low to mid tide, it can mush out at high tide. Blue water, scarlet macaws, monkeys in the rainforest – it is a paradise to surf.
Pan Dulce – ‘sweet bread’ is the third break at the tip of the Osa Peninsula. It needs a really big south swell to break, but when it does the right can go on for 300+ meters. Best just before or after low tide. At dead low is it just too rocky, at high tide will mush out. Best access is by boat from Pavones.
Matapalo Backwash – the tip of the Osa Peninsula, this peak is marked by a giant rock sticking up in the lineup. The waves need to be head high or bigger for this place to work. Best tides to surf it are low to mid tides. It is very remote, and never too crowded since it takes about 1.5 hours to get here from Puerto Jimenez by 4wd. Many take boats from Pavones.
Osa Peninsula Coastline and the Wild Pacific Coast
Cabo Matapalo – Where the rainforest literally meets the ocean is where you will find the first beach, which is just around the point, and that faces directly onto the Pacific Ocean. Even though this area is not recommended for swimming, it does have incredible rock pools to explore and to enjoy.
Playa Carate – This wild beach is one of the main turtle nesting regions on the Osa Peninsula and is an incredible example of the low lying rainforest touching the Pacific Ocean. From this beach, you can see up the coastline all the way to Corcovado National Park.
Playa Madrigal – This landmark is located within the Corcovado National Park, and accessible via the region of Carate. It is important to note that park visitors must be accompanied by a local tour guide in order to enter. This beach is famous for being the first beach where gold was found lying in the sand.
Playa Llorona – This beach is located within the Corcovado National Park, in the area known as La Sirena. It represents the wildness and seclusion of the area. It’s best to view the naturally wildness from the safety of the beach.
Annual Average Daily Temperature
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BEACHES OF THE OSA
A Walk on the Wild-side
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