Piedras Blancas National Park

Piedras Blancas protects around a hundred and fifty square kilometres of lowland tropical rainforest running down to the northern shore of the Golfo Dulce, connected to Corcovado by a forest corridor, and the vegetation is essentially the same: tall primary forest with enormous trees, dense understorey and one of the highest tree species counts recorded anywhere. Scarlet macaws, four monkey species, tapirs, peccaries and, rarely, jaguars live in it. It was created partly through an Austrian-funded land purchase campaign in the 1990s, which is why it is sometimes called the Rainforest of the Austrians. Access is through lodges on the gulf shore and a few trail entrances, with guided walks the usual way in.

What you actually see

• Primary lowland rainforest - the tall forest and its enormous trees.
• Scarlet macaws - the pairs flying over the canopy and shoreline.
• The Golfo Dulce shore - the water and beaches at the park edge.
• Monkeys - the four species present in the forest.

When to go

December to April in the drier season for the trails; the Osa region is very wet from May to November. Early morning is best for wildlife. Boat access from Golfito depends on conditions.

Honest expectations

Trails are muddy and steep even in the dry season. Large mammals are rarely seen. Access is limited and mostly through lodges rather than public entrances. Rain falls in any month on this coast.

Nearby

Golfito lies south; Corcovado is across the gulf.