Puerto Jimenez

Culinary enthusiasts will appreciate Puerto Jimenez’s finger-licking fare. The area offers everything from Italian to Mexican cuisine. Due to the large number of young travelers that Puerto Jimenez attracts, the local bar scene is fairly active. Many restaurants convert to pubs after a certain hour, catering to crowds looking for late night fun. Here are a few recommended favorites:

Bar and Restaurant Carolina

Commonly known as “Carolina’s,” this locally owned restaurant serves up typical Costa Rican food at reasonable prices. It is located just down the road from Cafenet El Sol.

Juanitas Mexican Bar and Grille

Juanitas features large portions of seafood and Mexican fare at reasonable prices. They are also known for their frosty beers and drink specials.

Ristorante Giardinia

Ristorante Giardinia is unquestionably the best Italian bistro in town. Pizza lovers must sample the Pizza Loreto, a sinful pie with an avocado and onion paste in place of tomato sauce. Ask for a side of their otherworldly pesto sauce. Highly recommended!

Perla de Osa

This beachside eatery serves delightful Mediterranean, Mexican and seafood dishes at moderate prices. Cheddar cheese and avocado sandwiches served on freshly made whole-grain bread are positively mouthwatering. At night, la Perla features an unbeatable candlelight atmosphere – and its Friday-night salsa parties with live music should not be missed.

Beaches:

Bay of Puerto Jimenez

The clean, shallow waters around the Puerto Jimenez dock are perfect for swimming and kayaking. While this area is lovely, more pristine beaches can be found at Cabo Matapalo and nearby Playa Preciosa.

Playa Preciosa (Playa Platanares)

This enormous, unspoiled coast begins a few miles outside of town, curves around Puntarenitas Point, and stretches on as far as the eye can see. Playas Pavones and Zancudo can be seen across the way, separated from the Osa Peninsula by the vast Golfo Dulce. Playa Preciosa’s playful waves are perfect for surfing and bodysurfing. The best point of entry is at the Perla de Osa Restaurant, ten minutes by car or 20 by bicycle from the town center. The beach can also be reached on foot by crossing over the Platanares River at low tide. It takes about 30 minutes to walk.

Cabo Matapalo

Located on the southernmost tip of the Osa Peninsula, Cabo Matapalo is just one hour by car from Puerto Jimenez. It is incredibly rich in plant and animal life – boasting nearly as much diversity as Corcovado National Park. The Cape is composed of three beaches: Playa Pan Dulce, Backwash Bay and Playa Cabo Matapalo.

National Parks, Reserves & Wildlife Refuges:

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is considered one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth, boasting 2.5% of the earth’s animal species. It is home to at least 367 species of birds, 140 mammals, 71 reptiles, 46 amphibians and 40 freshwater fish. This list includes four types of venomous snake, all four species of monkey found in Costa Rica, an enormous concentration of scarlet macaws (relative to other places in Central America), four species of turtle, peccaries, red-eyed tree frogs, harpy eagles, and a very small number of jaguars.

La Leona ranger station is the only reasonably accessible entrance to Corcovado National Park from Puerto Jimenez. Unfortunately, it is a lengthy two hour drive (one way) to Carate, on top of a 40 minute walk from here to the park. This distance makes it logical for visitors to simply spend the night in Carate. There are no short hikes around La Leona station, but there is a ten mile trail that crosses two rivers and connects to the Sirena station.

Private planes can be hired for a premium to taxi visitors from Puerto Jimenez to la Sirena station, the heart of Corcovado National Park. Tapirs – rare animals that look like a cross between a horse and an elephant – are fairly common here, as well as sloths, toucans and pumas. Overnight stays are possible in dormitory style rooms, but with advanced permits only.

Piedras Blancas National Park

Roughly a half an hour by boat from Puerto Jimenez, Piedras Blancas is located on the Golfo Dulce, in the small village of La Gamba. The park is home to a multitude of plant and animal life, boasting a species list almost identical to that of Corcovado National Park. Rescue efforts helping scarlet macaws and wild cats have a great deal of success inside the preserve, mostly due to its exceptional degree of isolation. Poison dart frogs, peccaries, monkeys, caimans, crocodiles, and over 330 bird species inhabit the zone.

Playa Platanares Refuge

Just a few miles outside of Puerto Jimenez, the Playa Platanares Refuge is composed of an estuary and a network of rich mangroves. The hike is short, flat, and suitable for almost anyone. Due to such tame terrain, the refuge is a wonderful location for night walks.

Osa Wildlife Sanctuary

Get up close and personal with spider monkeys, toucans and peccaries at the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary. Wounded or orphaned animals and illegally-captured pets are brought from all over Costa Rica and Nicaragua to be rehabilitated in the refuge, which is located on the edge of Piedras Blancas National Park, on Playa Cativo. Tours cost $25 and are available every day from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The refuge can also provide transportation from Puerto Jimenez, about a half an hour away by boat. Tel: 8837-1631

Farms and Botanical Gardens:

Casa Orquideas

Located a short 25 minute boat ride from Puerto Jimenez, Casa Orquideas’ bright, maze-like geography is strangely reminiscent of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Bird watchers marvel at 100 species of birds that are attracted to this park’s orchids, heliconias, bromeliads and slew of edible plants. The gardens can be reached by boat, kayak, or on foot for travelers staying on Playa San Josecito. (Playa San Josecito, Golfo Dulce. Guided tours offered Sundays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.; $8 per person, 3 people minimum. Self-guided walking tours available Mon-Wed and Saturday; $5 per person. 8829-1247.)

Herrera Gardens

Composed of over 260 acres of secondary rainforest, the Herrera Botanical Gardens were conceptualized in 2000 – primarily to entice local wildlife to utilize a stream running through the property. Just a short walk from downtown Puerto Jimenez, the gardens  feature over 12 miles of forest trails, along with a multitude of animals including the tayra and the neotropical otter. (Puerto Jimenez. 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sun. $4 self-guided tour; $10 guided tour, reservations recommended. 2735-5267.)

Finca Kobo

Learn how cacao is harvested and processed into delicious organic chocolate on an interactive tour of Finca Kobo. About a half an hour west of Puerto Jimenez, the farm is completely sustainable – and home to a number of wild animals, including sloths and monkeys. A highlight of the tour is at the very end, when the plantation owners serve white pineapple, banana bread, chocolate cake and four types of bananas to dip into freshly made chocolate sauce. Tours are offered daily at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and cost $28.  Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Tel: 8355-8224

Air:

Due to its remote location, most visitors opt to fly to Puerto Jimenez on one of Costa Rica’s local carriers. Depending on weather and road conditions, the journey by bus or car can take up to eight hours from San Jose. Both Sansa and Nature Air fly into Puerto Jimenez.

Boat to/from Golfito:

The collective boat, or "slow boat,’ departs from Golfito for Puerto Jimenez at 8:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., and costs $4. Times of departure change frequently and it is best to verify the night before. Also, the boat does not always leave promptly, so it is advisable to arrive early – and have patience if it is running behind schedule. The boat departs the Puerto Jimenez dock for Golfito at 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. and also costs $4. Private speedboats can be chartered for about $50.

Bus:

From San Jose: $15.00; 8:00 a.m. and noon; 8 hours. Bus departs from the intersection of Calle 12 and Avenidas 7/9 Blanco Lobo Station. 2257-4121.

Buses depart Puerto Jimenez for San Jose daily at 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Car:

There are two ways to get to Puerto Jimenez by car from San Jose. One option is to drive toward Cartago, and take the Interamerican Highway for the four hour drive to San Isidro del General. Then follow the signs to Dominical, continuing south to Cortez and then Palmar Norte. Drive 20 miles south, past Palmar Norte, and take a right at the service station in the town of Chacarita. Continue on this road for 30 miles to Rincon, where the pavement ends. Follow the dirt road for 20 miles more to La Palma, and then on to Puerto Jimenez.

Another option is to drive toward Cartago and get on the Interamerican Highway for the four hour drive to San Isidro de General. From here, follow the signs to Buenos Aires and Palmar Norte. Drive 20 miles past Palmar Norte and take a right at the service station in the town of Chacarita. Continue on this road for 30 miles to Rincon, where the pavement ends. Follow the dirt road for 20 miles more to La Palma, and then on to Puerto Jimenez.

Puerto Jimenez offers a wide selection of budget and luxury accommodations. The laid-back town attracts young people and backpackers, who generally stay near the town center where the majority of basic to mid-range lodges are clustered.

Hostels in Puerto Jimenez are safe and clean, and can be rented for as little as ten dollars a night. Rooms are typically dorm-style bunks, or private rooms with shared bathrooms. Mid-range options include thatched roof bungalows and spacious cabins with private bathrooms, cable television and wireless Internet. Local hotels frequently rent kayak and snorkeling equipments to guests at reduced rates. Be sure to ask at reception upon checking in.

Several beachside hotels are located on the outskirts of town.  They feature magnificent views, gourmet cuisine and stylish rooms – often with luxurious outdoor showers and air conditioning.

Plush beach towels are generally provided to guests, along with amenities like eco-friendly soap, shampoo and conditioner. Guests can enjoy tiki-style beach umbrellas and chairs while lounging in the shade. Restaurant service by the shore is also available.

On Foot:

Walking is the best means of getting around downtown Puerto Jimenez. For visitors staying in a hotel outside of town, taxis can be found at the soccer field. Most hotels, restaurants and stores will gladly call a cab for tourists. Recommended drivers:

Alfredo: 8878-1444

Esteban: 8832-1429

Denis: 8839-1302

Sample one-way fares from Puerto Jimenez to local destinations:

Playa Preciosa: $10

Cabo Matapalo: $35

Sierpe: $100

Colectivo Taxi:

A flatbed truck known as the colectivo taxi runs daily from Puerto Viejo to Carate via Cabo Matapalo. It is a safe and cheap alternative to private taxis. The colectivo departs Puerto Jimenez at 6:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for Carate, passing Matapalo at about 7:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The trip takes roughly one hour and costs $4. It leaves Carate for Puerto Jimenez at 8:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m., passing through Matapalo at 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Bird and Wildlife Watching

Bird and wildlife watching is prolific in and around Puerto Jimenez – particular at nearby Corcovado National Park. Motmots, scarlet macaws, swallows and spectacled owls can often be seen without even stepping outside of the hotel. Mammals include tapirs, giant anteaters, olingos, sloths and peccaries. American crocodiles, caimans, boa constrictors, bushmasters, vipers and other venomous snakes are commonly spotted reptiles. Four types of sea turtles can also be seen at certain times of the year: loggerhead, leatherback, Olive Ridley, and green sea turtles.

Canopy Tour

Race through the treetops just outside of Miramar on this fast paced zipline adventure. The tour lasts roughly one hour, and zooms through 2,000 feet of cables – the highest set 105 feet off the ground.

Dolphin and Whale Watching

Spinner and bottlenose are the most observed species in the Golfo Dulce. Whales and whale sharks are also prevalent at certain times of year – mainly between December-April and July-October. This type of tour is best experienced by kayak at sunset, when phosphorescent algae dances like fireworks under the sea.

Dance Lessons

Learn how to groove and salsa like a local with lively hour-long dance classes. Sessions can be enjoyed privately or in groups. Show off your newly acquired skills at one of Perla de Osa’s Friday night salsa bashes.

Day Spas

Manicures and pedicures can be arranged for a fraction of the cost as those in the United States. For $10, specialists roll out the red carpet, providing luxurious nail treatments in town and at local hotels. Massage and chiropractic services are also available.

Gold Panning

The nearby town of Dos Brazos is one of the last remaining gold panning communities on the Osa Peninsula. Since Corcovado was declared a national park in 1975, its population of gold miners has dwindled from 3,000 to 100. Visitors learn how to properly utilize panning equipment, and are permitted to keep what they find (most guests unearth at least a small amount). Local gold dealers sell larger nuggets in town, if desired.

Hiking

Night hikes are obligatory activities for serious wildlife watchers – after dark, the rainforest is transformed by nocturnal creatures that remain elusive during daylight hours. Tours in and around Puerto Jimenez are relatively tame in comparison to those in Bambu and Rio Nuevo. Encounters with a variety of species are possible, including kinkajous, red-eyed tree frogs, spiders and sea turtles (June-December).

Horseback Riding

Trail ride along various terrains, including deserted beaches, mangrove estuaries and the woodlands of Cabo Matapalo. Half and full day excursions are available and include a local guide.

Mangrove Tours

Kayak tours along the Platanares River, just north of town, provide perfect opportunities for viewing an impressive array of birds, monkeys, sloths and other wildlife. Enormous heart-shaped seeds from these ancient mangrove trees can be found washed up along nearby beaches. Journeys last about three hours and leave at high tide, when dolphins are often found playing near the river estuary. Dry bags are available to keep cameras and valuables safe.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

The beautiful reef off Playa Platanares affords some amazing opportunities to experience a colorful ecosystem under the sea. Kayaks and scuba equipment can be borrowed free of charge from most hotels, and boat tours are also available for a price.

Some of the best scuba and snorkeling in the world can be discovered at Cano Island, a gentle 45 minute boat ride from Drake Bay. From Puerto Jimenez, Drake Bay can be reached in two hours by taxi and 20 minutes by plane. Sharks, rays and enormous schools of jackfish are just a few of the mysterious attractions that await curious spectators. Tours last all day and feature two dives, with a break for lunch in between.

Sport Fishing

The Golfo Dulce is incredibly rich, and most fishing expeditions end with a cooler brimming with the day’s spoils. Offshore fishing is best from December-May, with catches including mahi mahi, tuna, wahoo, skipjack and blue runner. Anglers can also opt for inshore excursions, where roosterfish, jacks, snapper and mackerel are most common. Whales, dolphins, rays and sea turtles are often observed during these trips.

Surfing

Surfing at Cabo Matapalo, on the southernmost tip of the Osa Peninsula, is legendary. Offshore winds most often blow from north to northwest, and the ideal swell direction is from the south. Of Cabo Matapalo’s three beaches, Playa Pan Dulce is best for both beginner and more advanced surfers. Amateurs generally enjoy the inner break.

When the two breaks connect advanced surfers can ride both – for a total length that rivals the legendary break at Pavones. While Backwash Bay can produce impressive breaks when conditions are ripe, serious surfers tend to congregate at Playa Cabo Matapalo – which features rougher and larger waves. Visitors should consider staying a few nights to maximize Cabo Matapalo’s unbelievable surf potential. 

Tree Climbing

Hike to an enormous hollowed out strangler fig in nearby Cabo Matapalo. Guides set up ropes and safety equipment, and watch as adventurers ascend the inside of this ancient 100-foot tree. The excursion takes about three hours – but isn’t over until everyone succeeds in ringing a bell at the top of the ancient ficus.

Turtle Tours

During the months of June-December, lucky visitors can view four species of sea turtle nesting along Playa Preciosa. For those staying at a beachside property, a great way to spot these gentle creatures is to speak with the property’s night guard. They are usually more than happy to keep an eye out for expectant mothers, and consequently alert interested guests. This method is especially convenient during the cool hours of the early morning, when baby sea turtles are most likely to hatch.

Waterfall Rappelling 

Rappel down the 90-foot King Louis Waterfalls, just a short hike from Playa Cabo Matapalo. Guides provide ropes, helmets, and harnesses and safety is their utmost priority. The tour is only available half of the year, as these falls are dry during the months of December through July. Learn more aboutcanyoning adventures in Costa Rica.

Yoga

Many hotels offer use of yoga mats, as well as group classes. Yoga is a great way to recuperate muscles sore from a long day of surfing or hiking.