Osa Peninsula Piedras Blancas National Park
The Least Visited Park in Costa Rica
OSA PENINSULA COSTA RICA
THE EXPERIENCE
Piedras Blancas National Park, isolated and pristine.
ESCAPE TO THE NATURAL WORLD
Piedras Blancas National Park, part of the Osa Conservation Area, is located in the Puntarenas Province of southern Costa Rica, near the town of La Gamba. This park safeguards rainforests and beaches near the Golfo Dulce on the Pacific Coast. Initially part of the Corcovado National Park as the Esquinas Sector from 1991, it became a separate entity in 1999. Up until the mid-1990s, much of its forest was under severe threat from logging.
The park features rugged mountains and watersheds of the Esquinas and Piedras Blancas rivers, cloaked in dense evergreen forest. This rich ecosystem is home to numerous rare tropical trees and provides habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. While hunting has been a significant issue, the number of park rangers was increased from 6 to 16 between 2005 and 2007, resulting in a decline in poaching.
Driest Month – March
Wettest Month – October
Although some parts of the park remain privately owned, a charitable organization called Regenwald der Österreicher (Rainforest of the Austrians) has been actively raising funds and acquiring land. By 2008, they had transferred 37 km² (14 sq mi) of land into public ownership. Additionally, contributions from the Costa Rican government, the hydroelectric company Tenaska (through a carbon offset joint implementation), The Nature Conservancy, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation have helped protect more than 80% of the land within Piedras Blancas National Park.
Piedras Blancas National Park borders the Golfito National Wildlife Refuge to the north, which also protects a significant amount of evergreen forest. Within the park, rugged mountains and tropical forests are shaped by the Esquinas and Piedras Blancas rivers, which flow steadily before emptying into the Golfo Dulce. The park boasts numerous waterfalls and striking beaches, with intact coral reefs just off the coast that offer excellent snorkeling and swimming opportunities. Ongoing research continues to uncover unidentified plant and animal species, and evidence suggests the area may have been home to several Costa Rican tribes during the pre-Hispanic period.
JUST THE FACTS
Piedras Blancas National Park
Access to Piedras Blancas National Park is through the small town of La Gamba, located along Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast near Golfito.
The main activities in Piedras Blancas National Park revolve around hiking, with a network of trails ranging from low to high intensity. There are two access points to the park: one is via the 3 km Río Bonito Trail leading to the El Bonito Operational Center, where the La Ceiba Circuit Trail is highly recommended. The other access point is via the 6 km El Tajo Trail, also leading to the El Bonito Operational Center.
The El Bonito Operational Center offers lodging facilities, which require prior notice and coordination with the administration. For reservations and ticket information, contact 2741-8067. Tickets are valid for one day and cost ₡904 for nationals and $11.30 for foreigners.
Visitors are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for water, a cap or hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and food. It’s crucial to check weather conditions beforehand, as entry is restricted during heavy rain.
Tickets can be purchased at the La Gamba Operational Center.
There are several lodges that border the park.
Saladero Eco Lodge (boat access only) – https://www.saladeroecolodge.com/
Playa Cativo Lodge (boat access only) – https://www.playacativo.com/
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge (boat access only) – https://www.nicuesalodge.com
Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (road access only) – https://www.nicuesalodge.com/
Please do not carry any single use plastics into the National Parks.
PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE WILD ANIMALS
PIEDRAS BLANCAS NATIONAL PARK
Explore the Natural World
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