The Southern pacific Zone

This is one of Costa Rica's least developed and remote regions. It extends all the way to the Panamanian border on the Pacific Coast. The spectacular Cocorvado National Park, Drake's Bay and Isla Caño are a few of this areas salient features.

Matapalo, between Quepos and Dominical, is a little town with a laid-back beach community and virtually unspoiled beach. There is still a lot of beachfront property found in this area.

All of the property between Quepos and Dominical will increase in value when the last unpaved stretch of the costal highway is finally paved by 2005.

Dominical, located 46 kilometers (30 miles) south of Quepos, is a tiny laid-back resort town surrounded by some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery Costa Rica has to offer. The beautiful Barú River winds its way down from the surrounding mountains and empties into the sea at the north end of town. Dominical marks the border between the Central And Southern Pacific.

This area is reminiscent of California's Big Sur because of its spectacular coastline and towering mountains that meet the sea. Dominical is also famous for its long beach, spectacular shoreline, mountain backdrop, panoramic views and excellent surfing. One of the area's claims to fame is that it was used as a backdrop to shoot the 1996 Sport's Illustrated Swim Suite issue.

There are unlimited options for adventure and sight-seeing in this pristine area of Costa Rica. There are several spectacular jungle waterfalls in this area. Poza Azul is a 30-foot waterfall close to the villaige of Dominicalito. The Barú River Falls, also know as Santo Cristo or Nauyaca Falls, is located in the mountains above Dominical. This series of waterfalls is considered of of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, if not all of Central America. It cascades down into a huge natural pool that is 20 feet deep and perfect for swimming. The surrounding area is verdant rainforests with many forms of wild life. The mountains between Dominical and Ojochal are also filled dozens of smaller waterfalls. Some properties in this area have their own private waterfall.

Dominical is less developed than the other beaches in the Central Pacific area, but this is changing quickly. Land prices are lower than the Quepos-Manuel Antonio area but are rising fast. There are a few restaurants like the San Clemente bar and Grill and some limited entertainment. Much like Montezuma, this town attracts those seeking an alternative lifestyle. It is not unusual to see people practicing the oriental art of tai chi or yoga on the beach. Dominical is a charming little town with friendly people who say hello and greet you with smiles.

There are large homes with views that cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars dotting the steep hills above the beach. Many expatriates have started businesses or are buying land in the area.

Dominicalito Beach has calm water for swimming. Incredible views of the coastline may be seen from nearby Punta Dominical.

Just to the south of Dominical is Punta Uvita. It is a smaller and slower-paced town than Dominical with with good swimming beach. At low tide you can walk out to the point. Many foreigners live in the hills above Punta Uvita just as they do in Dominical. The setting with mountains in the background is very similar to Dominical. The highway was just paved from Dominical all the way to Palmar Norte, making this once virgin part of the coast very accessible. Prices are still affordable and there are plenty of mountainside homes and lots with spectacular views. We have a friend who just purchased a beautiful mountaintop home overlooking the beach.

Just to the south of Uvita is the new South Pacific Hospitality Center and South Pacific Real Estate Services office. They are about 200 meters south of the new shopping complex. The people there will answer any of your questions about the area and give you a free orientation.

Some of the activities available in the Uvita area are kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, waterfall and jungle hikes, beachcombing and a lot more.

 The Tortuga/Ojochal/Cinco Ventanas area is also suited for living. Ojochal, about 20 miles south of Dominical, is a quaint country village with a nice mixture of Ticos, French-Canadians and other foreigners. The town is set off the highway and easy to miss. The village has a surprising number of excellent restaurants owned by locals from all over the world. Exotica Restaurant, located virtually in the midddle of the jungle, has some of the best cuisine I have ever tasted in all of my travels. The owners are French Canadian and really take pride in the gourmet food they prepare. There is also a retaurant on a houseboat in this area which serves food that is equally as good. The clients on my tours haave eaten at both of these restaurants and say the food is as good as you'll find in any first-class restaurant back home.

Although this area is somewhat off the beaten track, Direct TV and other forms of entertainment are available. The members of this community are tight-knit and share many joint activities together. Annie Drake, a local tour expert and resident says, There is something happening almost every night here. There is either a pot luck dinner, party or 'get together' once or twice a week."

Steep costal mountains with a tropical rainforest serve as a backdrop for this beautiful part of the country. This area's popularity is growing as the word spreads about all the natural wonders it has to offer. The beach at Cinco Ventanas Beach got it's name because of five spectacular 50 foot tunnel-like blow holes in the rocks. This beach is truly a work of nature and has to be seen to be believed. Playa Tortuga and Playa Ballena are other spectacular beaches in the area. Activities in this area include good fishing, snorkeling, boat and river tours, birdwatching, horseback riding, kayaking and boat trips to Caño Island and nearby Drake Bay. You can even watcch whaales aand see turtles lay their eggs on the beach during the year.

Despite being small and laid back, Puerto Jiménez is the largest town on the Osa Peninsula. During the gold rush 1980s Puerto Jiménez resembled a town out of the Wild West. Nowadays thing have calmed down and the town has become popular with the backpacking set, surfers and devotees of ecotourism. There are a few expats living in and near this town. With the exception of a few hotels bars and restaurants there is not much infrastructure found here.

 Some expatriates live around the port of Golfito on the Golfo Dulce Bay. The town itself is sort of drab and somewhat abandoned. However, the surrounding scenery is beautiful. There are several restaurants and gringo hangouts in town where you can strike up a conversation with local expats. Sportfishing and surfing attract many tourists to this area.

Golfito started out as a banana port but was abandoned when United Fruit closed down its operation. Over the years the government has made attempts to help the local economy. In 1990 the government opened the Depóstio Libre or Free Trade Zone. Many ticos make the long journey to Golfito since appliances and other items may be purchased for much less than in San José. Foreign residents and tourists with a passport, can also purchase an ample variety of goods at the duty free warehouses.

 Plans for a new marine complex and improved infrastructure promise to change the face of this area. Local residents have a lot to be excited about. Plans call for a world-class marina and condo complex to be built in the next few years.  The Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ITC) and the Commission for Marinas approved the installation of two marinas in the southern Pacific port of Golfito. The Banana Bay Marina will have 16 slips and the Golfito marina will have 217 slips. The ICT approval is long awaited and is big boost for the economy for the struggling port town of Golfito.

Due to this some people expect the Golfito area and the town Puerto Jiménez to be the sites of the next land boom in Costa Rica.

Playa Zancudo ("mosquito" in Spanish) is a slow-paced beach community, about 20 kilometers south of Golfito, is the home to some foreigners. However, you'll need about two-hours to make the drive over an unpaved road. During the rainy season you will need a four-wheel-drive-vehicle. Some only come for the winter months and other s live in the area year round. Several bars and open-air restaurants serve as gathering places for expats. Zancudo's uncrowded beach has gentle surf and is very good for swimming. Medium priced housing may be found here.

Jim, our friend from Baltimore , makes this town his winter home. He has built a small house and even has DirectTV. When he leaves to go back to work to the States, he has a caretaker to oversee his home.

Pavones, 40 kilometers south of Golfito, is a surfer's mecca and renowned for having the longest left-hand breaking waves in the world.The surrounding scenery is down-right spectacular. Surfers from all over the world are attracted to this area.  Everything including the nightlife revolves around the surfing scene. Numerous North Americans and foreigners own large fincas (ranches, farms) in this area while others live in the more isolated areas . Our Costa Rican dentist, sometimes surfer, has a vacation home in Pavones. Beacause of the excellent surf Ssome say that Pavones has the potential to become another Jaco beach.