welcome to south pacific

Caño Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands of Costa Rica, it is located approximately 20 kilometers west of the Osa Peninsula, just northeast of the Corcovado National Park. In addition to its white sand beaches and five platforms of live coral reefs, Caño Island is one of the most important Pre-Columbian archaeological sites in the country. It was used for its prehistoric inhabitants as a cemetery and sacred place, plus some of the areas largest stone were found on this island.

The stone spheres are a symbol of Costa Rican identity. More than 300 stone spheres of various sizes from a few centimeters to 2.5 meters in diameter have been found. The stone spheres were found mainly in the banana plantations in Palmar Sur, mainly in the Finca 6 and Cano Island. Finally, in 2014 the first Museum of Stone Spheres was created, where they can be observed in their original location and their history.

The Dominical Beach is one of the most interesting beaches for surfing, as it has strong waves. On the other hand, Dominicalito Beach offers much calmer waves and light brown sand and a forest along the shore, it is a place of great beauty for tourists. In the southend lies Dominical Point, which features viewpoints from a rocky hill covered with vegetation, and the islet Rock Tree, which offers a beautiful landscape of the mountainous coast.

The South Pacific is home to several indigenous groups among which are the Cabécares, the Guaymies and Borucas. In the area, several beautiful and different Indian reservations can be found as a tourist attraction. The village of Boruca, anchored in the forest area, is a charming place where you can still see the way of life of this indigenous group. The Boruca Indigenous Community Museum features typical architecture and traditional Indian dwellings, plus the exposure of artistic work of the area, such as masks, water bowls and sticks, among other preservations. A few kilometers from the town center, you get to a sacred place for Borucas where you can see a complex of waterfalls that are considered among the most beautiful in the country. In December, the Feast of the Little Devils is celebrated, a Boruca tradition that represents death struggle against the Spanish culture invading indigenous territories.

Located north of the Osa Peninsula, is the Corcovado National Park and the Drake Bay. It boasts with unique natural and archaeological wealth of the country. Corcovado is considered the place with the highest concentration of flora and fauna of the country, making it a mega biodiverse area, which is also known as the open zoo of Costa Rica. Until recently, Drake Bay, specifically the people of Agujitas, could only be visited by sea. Its beaches are rocky and contain a scenic beauty. In addition to the wildlife that inhabits these lands, the area is also known for the nearby attractions such as Caño Island, the Térraba-Tiller and the Archaeological Museum of Stone Spheres, among others

San Vito is the head of the canton of Coto Brus, established by an agreement between the Italian Society of Agricultural Colonization (SICA for its acronym in Spanish) and the Government of Costa Rica to develop the area. This was how an Italian colony was founded in the southern part of the country. San Vito is known for its friendly atmosphere, good coffee grown on the slopes of Agua Buena, and its Italian cuisine. San Vito offers several attractions for discovering, such as the Wilson Botanical Garden, archaeological sites, caves, hot springs, and waterfalls, among others.

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are located 12 kilometers from Dominical on the road to Perez Zeledon, on a private estate. The unusual beauty of these waterfalls makes them a place of choice for both foreign and local visitors. They are also known as the "Santo Cristo or Don Lulo" waterfalls. Besides admiring the beauty of the landscape and the lush vegetation of the area, there is a fresh water pool for swimming and enjoying a natural experience.

San Isidro del General is the largest city in the south of the country. In recent years it has developed a lot, especially in the area of services and tourism. It is also a place of access for several of the most important attractions of the area, as is for example the Chirripo National Park, which boasts the highest altitude in the country (3,821 meters above sea level), where in clear days you can see both the Pacific coast and the Caribbean coast. In San Gerardo de Rivas, located on the way to Chirripo National Park, one can also find special hot springs and numerous waterfalls, for visitors who prefer walking less intense than Chirripó.

The Terraba-Sierpe Mangroves represent the largest and most important wetland in the country as it is one of the ecosystems with highest sensitivity to environmental changes and a wealth of biodiversity. On the banks of the Sierpe River is a small town of the same name, located about 15 kilometers from Palmar Sur. For the beauty of its landscapes and as a means of fast access to sea, it is widely used by tourists who want to visit Drake Bay, Corcovado National Park and Caño Island, among others.

Ballena Beach and the Three Sisters Rocks are part of the Ballena Marine National Park, which stretches from Uvita Point to Piñuela Point. The Ballena Beach is named after its shape of a whale tail. It is an area surrounded by great beauty due to its coastal scenery, from where you can spot humpback whales (from August to October and December to April), and dolphins throughout different seasons. The beach has little surf and fine, light brown sand.