General Information:
Location: Osa Peninsula; 11 miles north of Cabo Matapalo and 28 miles from Carate
Weather: Hot, humid and rainy at times. December through April are the driest months
Temperatures: Range from 63-88° F
Altitude: sea level
The colorful town of Puerto Jimenez is located on the Osa Peninsula’s southeastern coast, adjacent to the rich waters of the Golfo Dulce. Backpackers, animal lovers, and eco-tourists alike are drawn to the brightly painted buildings, inspiring wildlife, and pristine beaches of this quiet coastal town. The area’s mangrove swamps and humid rainforests are home to a myriad of fauna, including scarlet macaws, white-faced monkeys, caiman and ocelots.
In the late 1960’s, gold mining and logging transformed this backwater hamlet into a thriving port – amazingly, it has managed to retain its charming, small-town ambiance. While tourism has attracted a number of foreign residents to this little corner of the world, there is still enough of a Costa Rican population to maintain a unique local flavor.
Puerto Jimenez is an hour and a half drive from Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth. An information center in town provides details on trails and wildlife to visitors planning a hike or camping trip. Hiring a naturalist guide is highly recommended to help spot animals while trekking through the park’s lush trails.
Many adrenaline-fueled activities are available here, including zipline adventures, sport fishing excursions, dolphin watching, snorkeling and gold panning.
Visitors can kayak in the estuaries of nearby Platanares River, an excellent spot for bird and wildlife watching, or enjoy the ocean’s phosphorescent algae after sunset. Puerto Jimenez is also the gateway to the unspoiled beaches of Cabo Matapalo, a popular surfing destination, just 11 miles south. There are several internet cafes in town and a Banco Nacional, which has an ATM machine.