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Use the links below to go directly to the section you're interested in. Click here for a printable version of our Visitor Information.
Exploring the Osa Peninsula
What to Bring With You
Language
Food
Climate
Health and Safety
Internet Access and Cell Phone
Storage and Security
Emergency Contact Information
Transportation / How to Get Here
Puerto Jimenez Map
Exploring the Osa Peninsula
Depending on the program, most visitors will have free time every day when they can relax on the beach or hike on trails in the forest. You will see a lot of tropical wildlife, including monkeys, macaws, toucans, coatis, birds, iguanas, and frogs.
While you are on the Osa, you may want to plan a few extra days to visit Corcovado National Park. Corcovado is teeming with wildlife and affords some of the best opportunities in the world to view endangered species. The southern entrance to the park is located about an hour's drive (depending on the road conditions) from the Piro Research Center and can be reached by the 'colectivo.'
There are other local tour providers that offer kayaking and horseback riding. You may also be interested in hiking up to Laguna Silvestre, an ecolodge run by a local family where you can have lunch, talk to Don Evaristo about sustainable living, and maybe even try some raw sugarcane or eat a banana right from the tree.
What to Bring With You
To make sure you have what you'll need, print this handy checklist when packing for your trip.
Language
A mixture of Spanish and English is spoken at our facilities. English speakers will have ample opportunity to practice and develop their Spanish language skills. Interested visitors may also have the opportunity to get involved in local environmental education by working with students at the Osa's elementary schools.
Food
Our staff and visitors enjoy a diet that blends local Costa Rican cuisine with a wide variety of international dishes. Our meals are cooked daily by a local resident of either Río Piro or Cerro Osa. As an organization focused on conservation and sustainable living, we are in a transition to serve all vegetarian meals, making an effort to provide an interesting variety of dishes that use a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits. Please advise us in advance of your arrival of any and all dietary restrictions as well as any days you will need to take packed meals so that we can plan accordingly.
Climate
Temperatures on the Osa Peninsula are pleasant year-round. The sunniest and warmest months are from January through April with temperatures dropping slightly but steadily with the onset of the rains in May. October and November mark the height of the wet season on the Osa; during this period it is possible to get more than one meter of rain in a month!
With the Greg Gund Conservation Center sitting atop a hill at 250 meters above sea level and the Piro Research Center at only 30 meters above sea level, we see marked differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind at each location, despite a mere 2 km separating the two.
Average temperature: 26°C/79°F
Annual precipitation: 5000-6000 mm/197-236 in
Humidity: ~90%
Wet season: Jun-Nov (rains most days generally in the late afternoon and evening)
Dry season: Dec-May (it still rains but much less)
See Osa Peninsula weather data in our resources section. There you will be able to download weather data files for Piro Research Center and the Greg Gund Conservation Center.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our visitors is our primary concern. In general, Costa Rica is an extremely safe country – the violent crime and unrest that exists in much of Central America is almost unknown here. The government is stable, with a well-established democratic tradition. That said, we strongly encourage all visitors and staff to be vigilant and aware of the potential hazards associated with traveling and living outside of their resident country. In addition, there are certain hazards associated with life in a remote field station. The majority of these pertain to the natural environment.
The most common discomforts are mosquitoes, sand flies, and other biting insects; sunburn; and dehydration. Sunblock and consumption of an adequate amount of water are absolutely essential.
Insects: While you will encounter mosquitoes, sand flies, and other biting insects on the Osa, their presence is not excessive, and is usually significantly lighter than you would find in many areas of Europe and North America. A good insect repellent will protect you well.
Snakes: The Osa, like other tropical regions, has its fair share of snakes, some of which are poisonous. Werequire the use of rubber boots on forest trails and it is absolutely necessary to use a headlamp or flashlight at night and always pay attention to your surroundings.
Hazardous Swimming Conditions: The Pacific Ocean off Piro beach has strong currents and riptides, powerful waves, and the occasional shark. We consider it too dangerous for swimming and do not allow visitors to do so. There are safe swimming beaches nearby; please talk to our staff before going swimming.
Inoculations and Vaccinations: You are responsible for your own inoculations and should consult with a travel clinic in your home country. Our staff doesn't take malaria medication and there have been no reported cases for several years.
Medical Emergencies: We have a complete first aid kit and can handle most medical concerns on-site. In case of an emergency, the nearest town on the peninsula, Puerto Jiménez, is 45 minutes by vehicle and has a commercial airstrip serviced by a charter company that provides 24-hour emergency service. Puerto Jiménez has a medical clinic that can help with anything from a twisted ankle to a snakebite. Please make sure you have travel/medical insurance that will cover you in Costa Rica.
Internet Access and Cell Phones
During your stay, you will have limited access to the internet. Laptops and other electronics can be used and charged at either location; however, we do remind our visitors that these are susceptible to damage caused by high humidity and curious insects, and that Friends of the Osa takes no responsibility for their loss or damage.
Storage and Security
We discourage visitors from bringing valuables or items of high personal value with them. Although we consider the facilities to be safe, we cannot guarantee the safety of valuables and have no facility for storing them. Friends of the Osa is not responsible for guaranteeing the security of such items.
Emergency Contact Information
If someone needs to contact you urgently, there is phone access at our office in Puerto Jiménez.
Puerto Jiménez Office: +011 (506) 2735.5756
Washington, DC Office: 202.234.2356
We have radio communication between the Piro Research Center, the Greg Gund Conservation Center, Cerro Arbolito and our Puerto Jiménez office. In case of an emergency on the Osa, our staff will inform your designated contact immediately.
Transportation
You are responsible for your transportation costs, including international and domestic flights, all domestic travel including arrival to the Piro Research Center or Greg Gund Conservation Center from Puerto Jiménez and back, and any optional excursions.
How to Get Here
San Jose to Puerto Jimenez - Plane
International flights will land at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). From SJO, you will need to book with Sansa or Nature Air to Puerto Jimenez (PJM).
Sansa: To connect to your Sansa flight, walk outside of the international terminal and proceed left along the sidewalk. You will see the parking lot for the Sansa terminal on your left-hand side about a block down - approximately 5 minutes. Flights are not always on time and often leave earlier or later than scheduled.
NatureAir: Nature Air is located at Tobias Bolaños airport in Pavas. To get there, you will need to take a taxi from the international airport. Be sure to arrange a taxi at the official curbside taxi stand outside of baggage claim. The trip to Pavas can take up to thirty minutes or more with traffic.
Schedules and prices vary according to the season. One-way costs approximately $120 including taxes. All bookings can be made online. There are strict weight limits on domestic flights. Please check with your carrier online for details.
San Jose to Puerto Jimenez - Bus
There is currently only one bus company, Transportes Blanco, that provides service to the Osa Peninsula. The journey takes about 8 hours and costs approximately $12 including taxes.
Transportes Blanco: Tel: (506) 2257.4121
Departing from: San José, Calle 14, Ave. 9-11
Time: 8.00 am & 12 noon
San Jose to Puerto Jimenez - Car
There are many places to rent a car in San José. This can be done online prior to arrival. Please note that if you choose to rent a vehicle it should be a 4WD.
- Take Route 2 on the Inter-American Highway to San Isidro del General
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Continue south following signs to Palmar Norte
- Continue towards Chacarita
- In Chacarita take a right at the service station. You are now on Route 245
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Continue on the road to Rincón
- Follow the road to La Palma and then on to Puerto Jiménez. Using the Puerto Jimenez Map, take the road towards Carate.
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The entrance to the Greg Gund Conservation Center is on your right-hand side, approximately 1 km after passing Bosque del Cabo and El Remanso.
- Piro Research Center is 6 km further along the road to Carate, after the GGCC entrance.
Allow a further hour to drive from Puerto Jiménez to either Piro Research Center or Greg Gund Conservation Center. We recommend that you leave early enough to arrive before dark. The journey takes approximately 7-9 hours.
Puerto Jimenez to our Facilities
Take the 'colectivo'(local public transport) from Puerto Jiménez (see map) towards Carate at 6.00am or 1.30pm. It takes roughly 1 hour and costs $4-5.
Greg Gund Conservation Center: Tell the driver when boarding that you want to get off at 'Cerro Osa.' This leaves you at the bottom of the driveway and it is a 45 minute walk to the center.
Piro Research Center: Tell the driver that you would like to get off at 'Escuela Rio Piro.' Walk past the school, cross the river and continue along the road until you reach the research center clearing. It takes 5 minutes.
Alternatively, take a taxi that will drop you directly at your destination.
This costs $40-$50 one-way.
Puerto Jimenez Map
Click here for a printable version of the Puerto Jimenez Map.
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