Visiting Costa Rica´s Southern Pacific region feels like  a new world; bountiful nature  and vibrant shades of green provide a welcome boost of fresh air and rejuvenation. A surprising range of biodiversity can still be found here. National Geographic has called it "one of the most biologically intense places on earth".

Costa Ballena – The Doorway to the South

The Costa Ballena, or "whale coast" is located at the northern end of this beautiful part of Costa Rica. Its captivating coastline includes beaches such as Playa Dominical, Playa Uvita, and Playa Tortuga, which offer various water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, diving, surfing, and scuba diving. The Terraba-Sierpe River is home to one of Costa Rica's largest mangroves. Marino Ballena National Park features the Pacific Coast's largest coral reef and is visited each year by various species of whales and dolphins, including the majestic humpback whale.

La Cusinga Ecolodge

Tucked away in a 600-acre private rainforest reserve, La Cusinga is nestled in the hills and overlooks the jungle and ocean. Its ten rustic cabins have an environmentally-friendly design and its open-air restaurant provides fresh foods from the hotel's own farm. The lodge's active environmental and social efforts include reforestation projects, environmental education in local schools, and much more.

Hotel Villas Río Mar

Located on the banks of the Barú River just 2,624 feet (800 meters) from the beach, Hotel Villas Río Mar is  walking distance from the popular Dominical village and beach, which is popular for its excellent surf. The hotel incorporates its natural surroundings and boasts large gardens. Regular clean-up campaigns on the beach, waste separation, and the use of solar panels to heat water are part of the environmental preservation activities undertaken by hotel, whereas social activities include participation in various community development committees and cooperation with local institutions such as schools, police, and religious organizations.

Mar y Selva Ecolodge

Facing the beautiful Marino Ballena National Park, Mar y Selva Ecolodge is located only 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) from the beach and offers numerous activities such as swimming in the semi-Olympic pool, indulging in a massage, and listening to the sounds of nature from the terraces.  The more adventurous can rent mountain bikes or kayaks and explore the surroundings, Nearby activities include horseback riding, canopy tours, hiking, bird-watching, and much more. The ecolodge's dedication to preserving the natural and social environment is reflected in its waste management, energy conservation, support of a local school, and donations to various causes,

Bodhi Surf School

Located in the authentic and beautiful town of Uvita, Bodhi Surf School combines inner and outer wellness with its surf lessons as well as surf and yoga packages. A personalized surfing experience that teaches how to connect with nature is enhanced by the opportunity to increase inner awareness through yoga, and social awareness through participating in community projects. The school incorporates conservation in its business practices and cooperates with a wide variety of local community and international programs.

Osa Peninsula - the Tranquil South

The perfect starting point for the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay, is located in between this area's two main attractions. The first is Corcovado National Park, one of the only untouched costal rainforests in the world. The park's wide variety of ecosystems hosts an astonishing range of wildlife such as scarlet macaws, jaguars, pumas, the harpy eagle, and other endangered species. Besides being one of the country's most exciting scuba diving spots, Caño Island Reserve is home to mysterious pre-Colombian stone spheres, all of which are hand-carved . Some researchers believe that the indigenous population made these spheres to represent the Earth and the cosmos, whereas others claim they served as ancient navigational markers.

The Golfo Dulce Reserve and Piedras Blancas National Park conclude the southern area of Costa Rica, and together with Corcovado National Park they form a biological corridor that connects multiple wildlife refuges. The secluded beaches and bays along Golfo Dulce provide calm waters for peaceful swimming and unique opportunities to spot rare and endangered wildlife.

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge This lodge is the perfect starting point to explore Corcovado and Caño Island. Not only is it located in impressive natural surroundings, it has also been awarded the highest level of certification from the national Certification for Sustainable Tourism program (CST). Some of Casa Corcovado´s conservation activities include recycling, the use of alternative energy sources, and active community involvement. Its bungalows are designed in an eco-friendly way and nestled into the lush natural surroundings to ensure optimal privacy.

Lapa Ríos Ecolodge

Lapa Rios Ecolodge is a unique ecolodge designed in harmony with the surrounding forest and beach environment, overlooking the pristine point where the Golfo Dulce meets the wild Pacific Ocean. Lapa Rios has won worldwide awards for social and environmental excellence; guests  support rainforest conservation and help the lodge provide direct employment and income to more than 50 families in the area. Moreover, the lodge protects and preserves 1,000 acres (40 hectares) of primary and secondary rainforest in the Lapa Rios private reserve.  It also engages with the local community by providing education and job training, and educates guests about rainforest conservation and the local culture.

Playa Nicuesa Lodge

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is located on a 165-acre (67 hectare) private preserve. Reachable only by boat, the lodge has been uniquely designed to enable an intimate encounter with pristine nature, while at the same ensuring its preservation. With the ocean in its front yard and thousands of acres of tropical rainforest in its backyard, beach, nature, and adventure activities abound and provide the basis for plentiful educational opportunities.

Golfo Dulce Lodge

The Golfo Dulce Lodge is a private nature reserve protecting approximately 750 acres (300 hectares) of tropical lowland primary rainforest and secondary forest. This remote, certified eco-lodge is only accessible by boat and thus enables an incomparable natural experience. The lodge's conservation efforts are nearly as plentiful as the wildlife in the surrounding area, and include the eco-friendly construction of the lodge, staff education on sustainability topics, regular beach clean-ups, and much more.

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