The Osa Peninsula prevails as the most biologically intense place on the planet according to National Geographic. The 45-minute domestic flight from Costa Rica’s capital city of San José to Golfito or Puerto Jiménez, provides spectacular views of Costa Rica’s diverse landscape, including the mountains, farms, rivers, Pacific Ocean, Drake Bay, The Osa Peninsula, and finally Golfo Dulce. Upon arrival to the airstrip, Playa Cativo staff will escort guests on a picturesque 30-minute boat ride to the lodge taking in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation – with occasional sightings of schools of dolphins, turtles, and/or humpback whales.

With its 35,000 acres of tropical rainforest, Piedras Blancas National Park, a former extension of the nearby Corcovado National Park (in the Osa Peninsula), protects some of the last remaining stretches of undisturbed lowland primary (or old growth) rainforest in Central America. Of all the land-based ecosystems in the world, tropical lowland rainforests are the most biologically diverse and serve as a refuge for many threatened species. The Park surrounding Playa Cativo is a critical last stand for an estimated 750 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, over 390 species of birds (with a number of species endemic to the region), 117 species of reptiles, and almost 10,000 species of insects. The Park offers visitors a chance to encounter rare and fascinating creatures, including all four species of monkeys (capuchin, howler, spider and squirrel monkeys) found in Costa Rica, white-nosed coatis, two species of deer, kinkajous, agoutis, peccaries, and sloths. The Park contains five species of wild cats: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarondis.

Due to its humid and hot climate and with its tall dense forestation, this national park is essentially an evergreen primary forest that is also the habitat of many indigenous trees and plants. Also found here are many beautiful waterfalls and rivers along with meandering trials as well as stunning beaches and a coral reef offshore.

Located in Central America, Costa Rica divides the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It’s a small but remarkable country with many marvels to see, plenty of adventures and activities, and thousands of acres of protected land, nature reserves, refuges and National Parks that represent over 25% of the country’s territory. Definitely, Costa Rica is a great place for an active vacation.

Wildlife in Costa Rica is varied and fascinating, observing wild animals and bird watching are among the main reasons to travel to the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce area in the Southern Pacific coast of the country.

Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and remote beaches and is a very popular vacation destination. Costa Rica enjoys a year-round tropical climate. Playa Cativo is a birders’ heaven, too!

Cativo’s Biological Research Station is located in Playa Cativo’s magnificent Nature Reserve, in front of Golfo Dulce. Surrounded by more than 400 hectares of Private Reserve, the unexplored Piedras Blancas National Park and connected with 3 other important protected areas in the Osa Peninsula.

Our ongoing research permits long-term studies to know the status of the different flora and fauna species of the tropical rainforest, including the Wildcats Monitoring program, Coral Reefs Restoration Program, Mammals & Birds Population Programs and many upcoming initiatives will help us preserve biodiversity in the region. This scientific tool allows us to create conservation programs in the area, as well as alliances with organizations on the same objectives and endeavors. Each developed research and monitoring program makes a real estimation of the diversity and population size of the flora and fauna of our nature reserve and the surroundings of the Piedras Blancas National Park, it is a great place to learn amazing aspects of the wildlife rainforest.

For more information on our Reseach Programs or if you’re interested in local history and nature, or enjoy helping others learn, we invite you to become part of our Volunteering Programs, please contact us at INFO@PLAYACATIVO.COM or visti www.cativoresearchstation.com.

Our Biological Reseach Station offers opportunities for you to share your time and talents, do good and meet new people.

Direct flights enter Costa Rica from many cities in North America, Central America, South America, and Europe. A valid passport is required and a visa is necessary for some countries (Most European and North American citizens do not need a visa). Many international flights arrive at Juan Santamaría Airport (our preferred airport) near San José.

Once in Costa Rica, you can choose between air transportation (45 minutes from San José) and ground transportation (5-6 hours) to get to Puerto Jiménez or Golfito, which are the two local ports of entry to Playa Cativo.

The 45-minute domestic flight from Costa Rica’s capital city of San José to Golfito or Puerto Jiménez, provides spectacular views of Costa Rica’s diverse landscape, including the mountains, farms, rivers, Pacific Ocean, Drake Bay, The Osa Peninsula, and finally Golfo Dulce. Upon arrival to the airstrip, Playa Cativo staff will escort guests on a picturesque 30-minute boat ride to the lodge taking in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation – with occasional sightings of schools of dolphins, turtles, or humpback whales. Private charter flights are also available.