Puerto Jimenez lies deep in the Southeast of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica’s most intrepid corner. With more than 1,700 citizens it is the biggest town of the Osa and is the main harbor at the Osa side of the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf).
Accommodations of all price classes, well-stocked supermarkets and various tour operators attract many backpackers and other tourists to Puerto Jimenez all year long.
What Not to Miss in Puerto Jimenez?
Puerto Jimenez is one of the most frequented hotspots for whale watching in Costa Rica. Many dolphins call the Golfo Dulce their home and whales are come for “wintering” in the warm tropical waters. The best time to catch a glimpse of them is marked from July to October each year.
The most common whales to see are humpback whales as they swim in breeding groups along the inner shore of the Peninsula. Lucky ones might even spot a whale shark, the world’s biggest fish species. Mainly they are seen from April to May.
Another popular activity connected to the gulf is kayaking. The shallow water and calm waves are perfect for it. On the open sea you might see some dolphins or turtles passing by. If you enter one of the mangrove rivers that lead into the ocean, you can observe wildlife in the dense mangrove forest. Birds and monkeys are the most common to spot there. The best time to start your tour is right before sunset.
How to get to Puerto Jimenez
The main transportation options that lead to Puerto Jimenez are by car, bus and plane. There are daily domestic flight from San José that only take about 1 hour and cost around $80-$100. So this is by far the fastest way to get here.
Furthermore, there are two daily buses from San José heading to Puerto Jimenez. Every day they leave at 8 am and 12 noon. The ride cost around $15 and takes more or less eight hours and a half. If you drive from San José by car, you can reduce your drive time to six hours round about.
