Even before first light, the growl of howler monkeys echoes through the trees. A lumbering tapir retreats into the cover of the forest for its daily rest, while a pair of scarlet macaws emits an unsonorous squawk and alights in search of breakfast. Day breaks in the coastal rainforest. Welcome to the Osa Peninsula, a wild and remote corner of Costa Rica, which happens to be one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Here, 2.5% of the world’s flora and fauna are crammed into 0.01% of its area.
We’ll do the math for you: that’s over 400 kinds of birds and nearly 300 different mammals and reptiles. Not to mention the mind-blowing 10,000 species of creepy, crawly and buzzy insects. They all live among the lushness of 4000-plus types of trees and plant life. The Osa Peninsula is a veritable Eden, offering Costa Rica’s best chances to see wildlife in its natural habitat, including some rare species that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.
That’s why intrepid travelers make the long and sometimes arduous journey down to Costa Rica’s southwestern corner, braving rough roads, limited mobile coverage and otherwise rustic conditions. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your trip to this wildlife wonderland. Read more at Lonely Planet…
