Costa Rica’s Hidden Wild South: Golfo Dulce & Corcovado

When travellers picture Costa Rica, they often think of volcanoes, coffee plantations, and cloud forests. Yet in the far south lies the country’s most biologically rich frontier – the Osa Peninsula and the Golfo Dulce. Here, two of the most extraordinary ecosystems in Central America meet, offering an experience that is both wild and deeply restorative.

A Tropical Fjord Like No Other

The Golfo Dulce is one of only four tropical fjords in the world. Unlike the glacial fjords of Norway or Chile, this was formed by tectonic forces, creating calm, nutrient-rich waters where rainforest tumbles straight down to the sea. Resident pods of dolphins and sea turtles thrive here, while humpback whales migrate thousands of kilometres to calve in the fjord’s protected shallows.

This rare blend of geology and ecology has earned Golfo Dulce recognition as a Whale Heritage Area, marking it as one of the world’s most important sanctuaries for marine mammals.

Corcovado: A Living Rainforest Treasure

On land, Corcovado National Park is often described as the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national parks. National Geographic once called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth” – a claim hard to dispute when the forest is alive with the calls of scarlet macaws, the rustle of tapirs, and the antics of four different species of monkeys.

The La Leona Trail, on Corcovado’s southern edge, is one of the most rewarding rainforest walks in the Americas, offering a chance to experience this remarkable biodiversity at close range.

Our Support for Wildlife Heritage Areas

Travel to places like Golfo Dulce comes with responsibility. That’s why we’re proud to support Wildlife Heritage Areas (WHA) – an international program recognising regions of outstanding natural value and working to protect them through community-led conservation.

By aligning with the Whale Heritage Area designation of Golfo Dulce, we help ensure that the presence of travellers contributes positively – from raising awareness of the whales and dolphins that depend on this fjord, to supporting local initiatives that protect their future.

Responsible travel here is more than observation – it’s participation in a global effort to safeguard one of the ocean’s most important marine mammal sanctuaries.

Why Visit This Region?

Visiting Golfo Dulce and Corcovado is about more than scenery. It is about supporting a living system where rainforest and marine life are intertwined. Choosing to spend time in this region is an investment – in conservation, in culture, and in your own opportunity to witness one of the last great untouched wildernesses of Central America.

Fact File: Golfo Dulce & Corcovado

• Location: Southern Costa Rica, Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce fjord
• Size: Corcovado covers 424 sq km (163 sq miles), protecting 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity
• Unique Features: One of only four tropical fjords worldwide; designated Whale Heritage Area
• Wildlife: Humpback whales (seasonal), dolphins, sea turtles, scarlet macaws, tapirs, anteaters, and four species of monkeys
• Climate: Tropical, with a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April
• Conservation Status: Protected by Corcovado National Park and recognised globally for marine mammal conservation

Travel Gently, Experience More

If you’d like to experience this extraordinary corner of Costa Rica, our Golfo Dulce & Corcovado Explorer trip offers a gentle balance of rainforest walks, fjord cruises, and downtime at a beachfront eco-lodge – an ideal way to connect with both the land and the sea.