Driving in South Pacific & Osa

Whale watching at Uvita, the waterfalls around Dominical and the rainforest of Corcovado. The coastal highway is paved all the way to Palmar; Drake Bay is reached by boat from Sierpe, and Puerto Jiménez by a long paved drive around the gulf.

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Uvita & Marino Ballena

Whale watching, the whale's-tail sandbar and jungle waterfalls on the South Pacific coast.

✈ SJO (3.5–4h) ☾ 2–3 nights

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Dominical

A small surf town with a wild beach, jungle hills and waterfalls nearby.

✈ SJO (3–3.5h) ☾ 2 nights

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Drake Bay & Corcovado

Gateway to Corcovado and Caño Island — drive to Sierpe, then take the boat.

✈ SJO (5h to Sierpe + boat) ☾ 3 nights

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Puerto Jiménez & the Osa Peninsula

The eastern gateway to Corcovado, now on a paved road — but wild beyond town.

✈ SJO (6–7h) or domestic flight ☾ 3 nights

Routes to South Pacific & Osa

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San José (SJO) to Uvita & Marino Ballena

3h 15m – 4h 221 km

Down the Costanera to the whale-tail beach: about 3.5 hours on smooth, paved roads. One of the most scenic drives…

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San José (SJO) to Dominical

3h – 3h 45m 201 km

The surfer's run to the South Pacific: about 3–3.5 hours, fully paved via Route 27 and the Costanera.

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San José (SJO) to Drake Bay (drive to Sierpe + boat)

4h 30m – 5h 30m 277 km

The gateway to Corcovado: about 5 hours on paved roads to Sierpe, then a spectacular boat ride down the mangroves…

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Manuel Antonio to Uvita

1h – 1h 20m 67 km

One hour south on the Costanera, with the prettiest coastal views after Dominical.

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Uvita to Sierpe (boats to Drake Bay)

50 min – 1h 5m 59 km

Under an hour south to Palmar Norte and Sierpe, where the boats to Drake Bay depart.

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Uvita to Puerto Jiménez (Osa Peninsula)

2h 30m – 3h 150 km

Into the wild Osa Peninsula: 2.5–3 hours, now paved to Puerto Jiménez. Watch for wildlife and one-lane bridges.

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