Playa Carate

Tip

Take the colectivo truck from Puerto Jiménez (about 2.5 hours) and confirm the return time before you wander off.

Be careful

Big surf and strong rip currents, so it's not for swimming. Going into Corcovado past La Leona requires a licensed guide and a ticket.

Getting there

Rough dirt road with several river fords: 4×4 only and impassable after heavy rain. The colectivo is the easy option.

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.
• 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.
• El Remanso LodgeStaysRainforest eco-lodge near the tip of the Osa Peninsula, with villas, a pool and adventure activities such as waterfall rappelling.
• Finca Köbö (chocolate farm tour)Food & CoffeeAn organic farm about 17 km north of Puerto Jiménez, a few kilometers south of La Palma, whose tour explains how cacao is grown and turned into chocolate on a small scale — with tasting.
• 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.
• 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.