Playa Lapa	Location Carate Osa Peninsula Costa Rica
Courtesy: Robert Schott , Artist

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Located in the southwest corner of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is a geological formation which developed independently from the rest of Costa Rica, then joined the mainland at a later time.  Its unique formation and naturally wet systems, which differ from the rest of the dry Pacific, have produced high levels of biodiversity.  Because of this rich array of flora and fauna, the more than 100,000 acre Corcovado National Park was created in 1975 on the western part of the peninsula.  More than 375 species of birds, including the threatened scarlet macaw, are found on the Osa.  It is also the home of the Central American squirrel monkey, the Baird's tapir, the jaguar, and three species of sea turtles.  The rainforest is made up of the greatest tree species diversity in all of Central America, and supports 4-5,000 vascular plant species, many of which are found no where else on earth.

 Playa Lapa, located in Carate, is nestled between Corcovado and the Pejeperrito Wetlands; as such, it enjoys a strong awareness of the  biodiversity of animal species and vegetation of the rainforest, as well as protection from commercial development.   The Park's La Leona ranger station is about a 45 minute walk on the beach from Playa Lapa, making it an ideal launching point for day tours to the park, or as either a launch or landing point for a multiple day Corcovado expedition.  The nearest town is Puerto Jimenez, connected to San Jose by six commercial flights a day during high season and five during the green season.  Air carriers include Sansa and Natureair.  The best way to get to Playa Lapa is to drive a rental car, whether all the way from San Jose, or from Puerto Jimenez.  Alternately, there is a twice daily collective taxi that departs Jimenez at 6:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and passes right by the gate to Playa Lapa.  There is also a small landing strip less than one km from Playa Lapa, served by Alfa Romeo Air Charter based out of Puerto Jimenez. 

HOME   LOCATION   FACILITIES   ACTIVITIES   GALLERY   CALENDAR   RESERVATIONS   CONTACT   OSA RESERVATIONS                                                                     PLAYA LAPA for sale: 506-2735-5702,  2735-5229