Culture
and rainy-day plans

How to use this guide

This is for understanding the history and people of Osa, or for a plan on a rainy day. Most are short visits spread between Palmar Sur, Puerto Jiménez and the Golfo Dulce, and two fit into a day. The main cultural stop is the Finca 6 Museum Site (stone spheres), in Palmar Sur, with pre-Columbian spheres in their original place and an exhibition room. It is part of the World Heritage property of the Diquís chiefdom settlements, and it fits if you are on the road to Sierpe. The other three sites of that property, Batambal, El Silencio and Grijalba-2, in the Térraba delta, are only open to researchers and specialists: to see spheres, stick to Finca 6.

From Puerto Jiménez, a good pairing is a morning at the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary, a wildlife rescue centre on a Golfo Dulce beach about 25 minutes away by boat, and an afternoon on one of the Chocolate tours near Puerto Jiménez, which last about 2 h and follow cacao from pod to bar. In 2023 the sanctuary opened from 8:00 to 12:00. Golfito, the former banana port across the gulf, deserves its own day: it has a duty-free shopping zone, and whale-watching, sportfishing and kayak tours leave from the marina. On a tight budget, go to Finca 6 on a Saturday or Sunday, when entry is free.

Tips

• Finca 6 is closed on Mondays. Twice a year some spheres line up with the sun (in April and from late August into September), and the museum opens early for it.
• The Osa Wildlife Sanctuary only takes visitors with an advance booking by phone (8861-1309); the boat from Puerto Jiménez is paid separately from the entry.
• Rancho Raíces takes cash on site, and children under 6 go free.
• Finca Köbö has offered tours at 9:00 and 14:00, with 24 h advance booking.
• In Golfito, Piedras Blancas and the Golfito Refuge are close by for a walk after a tour.