One of the wildest and most spectacular regions in Costa Rica, the southwest coast is rich in natural assets and low of tourists, which makes it an ideal destination for anyone who wants to stray from the beaten path. The area around Dominical features such dramatic coastal scenery as deserted beaches, rugged offshore islands and steep hillsides draped with lush vegetation.Much of the region's rainforest is protected within private reserves, several of which have impressive waterfalls to complement the flora and fauna. The coast and islands south of Uvita Point are protected within Ballena National Marine Park, which was named for the whales that are occasionally seen there. There are plenty of small lodges scattered along the coast and tucked into the hills between Dominical and Coronado offering a choice of accommodations that caters to all tastes and budgets.
The Osa Peninsula, further to the south, is an even wilder area, with beaches that have hardly changed during the last five centuries. Corcovado National Park covers one thirdo of the peninsula, and if you make the effort to hike down one of that park's secluded beaches, you'll be jus as likely to encounter monkeys and scarlet macaws as you are another human being.
About a dozen nature lodges are located along the coast near Corcovado, in such wild and isolated enclaves as Drake Bay, to the north of the park, and Matapalo, on the peninsula's southern tip. Across the Golfo Dulce from the peninsula are more isolated nature lodges and tranquil beach towns set between tropical forests and marine wonders.
Zancudo, located within the gulf, provides opportunities for sport fishing and nature observation, while Pavones, on the southern edge of the gulf's mouth, is a legendary surfing spot that has plenty to offer bird watchers and botanists as well
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Costa Rican Beaches 
