Costa Rica has become a top destination for surfers who come from all over the world to test their skills on the waves of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Cabo Matapalo, in the Osa Peninsula, is the latest discovery and while it is not known on a worldwide basis yet it is certainly moving that way. Matapalo is as remote as can be and thanks to that, the whole area is still very deserted for its very limited access, and the scarcity of places to stay.
To glimpse a wild jaguar is but the ultimate prize for any wildlife enthusiast who visits Costa Rica. And one of the best places to do so is Corcovado National Park – the crown jewel of the Osa Peninsula. In the protected rainforests of this immense reserve, jaguars have been observed swimming across rivers, climbing trees and prowling for their favorite prey: the white-lipped peccary. Their name derives from the Native American term that means “pouncing killer,” and this elusive species is the biggest cat in all of Latin America.
One of Costa Rica’s most unusual and endearing wildlife species, the tapir seems an odd mix of elephant, pig and anteater at first sight. Despite their strange appearance, the tapir’s closest relatives are actually horses and rhinoceroses. Four species of tapir exist today, including the Baird’s tapir, mountain tapir, Asian tapir and Malayan tapir. The Baird’s tapir is Central America’s largest land mammal and is most commonly seen foraging for tasty plants in the wetlands of Corcovado National Park.