Laguna Pejeperrito (Carate)

Before you go

Tickets

Better to book ahead

Road

Gravel — a regular car is fine

Bring

binoculars, sunscreen, light long sleeves

Fewer people

at sunrise the lagoon is calm and empty

Checked

2026-10

Tip

Go at sunrise by kayak — lodges in the hills above Carate run guided paddles of about two hours — then have breakfast on Playa Carate.

Be careful

Caimans live in the lagoon — stay in the kayak and keep hands out of the water.

Getting there

On the road from Puerto Jiménez to Carate (about 1 hour; the road has been improved and the rivers now have bridges); access to the water is usually with a lodge's kayak tour.

Places nearby

• Bosque del Río Tigre LodgeStays · takes 3 h · from $35Small birding and wildlife lodge at the edge of Corcovado National Park, near Dos Brazos on the Osa Peninsula, with meals included.
• El Remanso LodgeStaysRainforest eco-lodge near the tip of the Osa Peninsula, with villas, a pool and adventure activities such as waterfall rappelling.
• Rancho Raíces de OsaParks & WildlifeFamily-run organic farm west of Puerto Jiménez where visitors learn how cacao becomes chocolate, taste fruit straight from the farm and often see monkeys; also takes farm-stay guests.
• Buena Esperanza (Martina's)Food & CoffeeLong-running local bar and restaurant on the Matapalo road known as Martina's; on Friday nights an artisan market sets up outside with music and dancing that draws surfers, locals and visitors.
• Pollo Surf SchoolSurf, Boats & Diving · from $65Locally owned surf school at Playa Pan Dulce, Matapalo, teaching beginners and intermediates on a gentle right point break since 2002.
• Osa Wild TravelFood & CoffeeLocally run Osa tour company founded by a tropical biologist; biologist guides lead Corcovado day trips and multi-day treks, mangrove kayaking and farm visits from Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay.