Wildlife Tracking in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park covers nearly half the Osa Peninsula and holds one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity on earth — four species of monkey, Baird's tapirs, giant anteaters, pumas, jaguars, and scarlet macaws flying the canopy in pairs so reliably they've become the symbol of the place. This is not a zoo and it is not a safari park. The wildlife here is encountered on foot, on trails that require a certified guide, in a heat and humidity that reminds you constantly that this is a functioning rainforest and not a theme park version of one.
The dry season from December through April is when the trails are passable and the sightings are most concentrated — animals converge around water sources as the dry season deepens, making March one of the most reliably productive wildlife months of the year. February and March deliver the combination of firm trails, active macaw nesting, and the kind of mornings where you leave camp at 5am and encounter four species before breakfast.
Weather & Conditions
| Month | High / Low | Rain Days | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 89° / 72°F | 5 | Peak |
| Feb | 90° / 73°F | 3 | Peak |
| Mar | 92° / 74°F | 4 | Peak |
| Apr | 91° / 75°F | 8 | Peak |
| May | 89° / 74°F | 18 | Good |
| Jun | 88° / 73°F | 20 | Good |
| Jul | 88° / 73°F | 16 | Good |
| Aug | 87° / 72°F | 22 | Okay |
| Nov | 86° / 71°F | 18 | Okay |
| Dec | 87° / 72°F | 10 | Good |
Where to Go
Airstrip and jump-off point.
World-class right-hand points.
The biological heart of Osa.
Rainforest lodge reserve
Know Before You Go
Lapa Rios is open to the jungle. You will share your space with insects, monkeys, and macaws. It is not a manicured resort experience.
To minimize environmental impact, the bungalows at Lapa Rios do not have AC. They rely on ocean breezes and ceiling fans. The nights can be warm.
Even in the dry season, the jungle can be muddy. The lodge provides rubber boots, but bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty and wet.
Hotels & Lodges for Wildlife Tracking
Lapa Rios
A pioneering rainforest lodge set in a private 1,000-acre reserve at the tip of Cabo Matapalo — one of the original and still definitive wilderness lodge experiences in Central America, where the bungalows are open to the jungle and the wildlife arrives uninvited.