Information
City: Zona SurCountry: Costa Rica
Continent: North America
Zona Sur, Costa Rica, North America
Overview
The Southern Zone, known locally as the Zona Sur, is one of Costa Rica’s wildest, most biodiverse areas, where dense rainforests still outnumber paved roads.Nature lovers will feel right at home here, with dense rainforests untouched by time, quiet beaches where the sand stays cool in the shade, and rich encounters with Indigenous culture.This region’s a dream for eco-tourism, with vast national parks stretching to the horizon, wildlife from darting hummingbirds to grazing elk, and a deep commitment to protecting it all.The Southern Zone stretches from the Central Valley and Pacific Lowlands in the north to the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce in the south, with Panama to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.Key towns include San Isidro de El General, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Golfito, and Puerto Jiménez.The climate is tropical and humid-think warm air heavy with moisture-shifting from a rainy season between May and November, when waterfalls roar and the hills glow green, to a dry season from December through April, when roads are easier and skies stay bright.Rich in Indigenous heritage, it’s home to the Brunca people, famed for their intricate Boruca masks, and shaped by a history of banana and coffee plantations.Today, it leads in conservation, with much of its land protected.Costa Rica’s Southern Zone blends wild beauty with rich culture, stretching from the bustling streets of San Isidro de El General-gateway to Chirripó’s cloud-wrapped peaks-to the mellow surf of Dominical, where salt hangs in the air.In Uvita, you can walk the whale-tail sandbar at low tide, then spot real humpbacks breaching offshore.Ojochal tempts with fine dining tucked amid jungle hills, while Golfito shifts from its banana-port past to fishing boats bobbing in the Golfo Dulce.The Osa Peninsula, one of the planet’s most biodiverse corners, hides jaguars in Corcovado’s deep forest and scarlet macaws flashing overhead.National parks and reserves protect rainforests, mangroves, and high mountain trails, while beaches like Ventanas, Zancudo, and Playa Uvita invite snorkeling, surfing, or quiet walks.Ancient stone spheres lie in Finca 6, Boruca artisans carve fierce festival masks, and eco-adventures range from ziplining through canopy mist to kayaking among mangroves thick with bird calls.Fresh seafood, tropical fruit, and traditional casados fuel days in a region where access can be rugged, but the rewards-wildlife, wilderness, and warmth-are unmatched.Hike the rugged trails of Chirripó, ride the warm waves in Dominical, or wander beneath the dripping green canopy of the Osa Peninsula-you’ll find the region blends thrills with a rare, peaceful stillness.If you love eco‑tourism or want to feel closer to Costa Rica’s vibrant culture and lush, green landscapes, you can’t skip this place.
Landmarks in zona-sur
