Osa Peninsula serves as a vital bridge between North and South America, where a remarkable array of flora and fauna coexist. Actually, 5% of worlwide biodiversity exists in Costa Rica, and the Osa Peninsula is one of the best placer to witness it. It has a touch of both Americas, this region is the very frontier in the Americas, and renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.
The Osa Peninsula, located in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, is a remarkable testament to the planet’s natural diversity.
The Osa’s tropical rainforests and mountain ranges are a living laboratory of ecological richness. These habitats host iconic wildlife such as pumas, scarlet macaws, and trogons, alongside a vast array of plant species, many of which hold traditional and medicinal significance.
This region serves as a critical migratory corridor and conservation hub, connecting ecosystems and supporting the health of global biodiversity.
Exploring the Osa Peninsula offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in nature’s grandeur and witness unspoiled landscapes teeming with life.
From its towering canopy to its vibrant forest understory, the Osa is a treasure trove of ecological wonders waiting to be discovered.
DISCLAIMER:
The next pictures were taken at the reserve by our team. However, we can never guarantee that you will see them during the stay. We do not sell tours to find specific species.
Amphibians
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Scientific Name: Dendrobates Auratus. Habitat: Rainforests, and tropical zones. It has preference for rivers, creeks, and ponds. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Oophaga Granulifera. Habitat: Rainforests, and tropical zones. It has preference for rivers, creeks, and ponds. Status: Endangered.
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Scientific Name: Savage Frog Tiger. Habitat: Tropical Forests. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Common Rain Frog. Habitat: Rainforests; Status: Least Concern.
Birds
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Scientific Name: Ramphastos ambiguus Common Name: Black-mandibled Toucan Habitat: On Caribbean and Pacific Slopes, common in lowlands and decreasingly common up into middle elevations; to 3,900 (1,200,). Inhabits forests and semi open areas. It is very curious and it does not fear humans. Status: Least Concern
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Scientific Name: Euphonia luteicapilla
Common Name: Yellow-crowned Euphonia.
Habitat: Rainforests, forest edges, and gardens. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Crax rubra
Common Name: Great Curassow.
Habitat: Tropical Rainforests, extremely rare to be seen. Status: Vulnerable.
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Scientific Name: Penelope purpurascens
Common Name: Crested Guan.
Habitat: Rainforests. Status: Near Threatened.
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Scientific Name: Rupornis magnirostris
Common Name: Roadside Hawk.
Habitat: Rainforests, forests edges, road edges, and open areas. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Cyanerpes lucidus
Common Name: Shinning Honeycreeper.
Habitat: Rainforests, forests edges, forest canopy, and gardens. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Thalurania colombica
Common Name: Crowned Woodnymph.
Habitat: Mature wet forests, second growth and forests edges. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Psarocolius montezuma.
Common Name: Montezuma Oropendola.
Habitat: Forests, forest edge, and gardens. It prefers open areas. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Pulsatrix perspicillata.
Common Name: Spectacled Owl.
Habitat: Forests, second growth, and forest edges. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Trogon Massena.
Common Name: Slaty-tayled Trogon.
Habitat: Mature wet forests, second growth, and forest edges. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Melanerpes chrysauchen.
Common Name: Golden-naped Woodpecker.
Habitat: Middle level of forests, and forest edges. Uncommon in wet forests. Endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Icterus prosthermelas.
Common Name: Red-crowned Woodpecker.
Habitat: Gardens, second growth, and open areas with few trees. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Icterus spurius.
Common Name: Black-cowled Oriole.
Habitat: Common migrant, July to October and March to April, uncommon during winter. Forest edges and gardens Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Ramphocelus costaricensis.
Common Name: Cherri's Tanager.
Habitat: It lives in disturbed habitats with thickets and shrubs; endemic to Costa Rica and Panama. It is found only on the Pacific side. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Ramphocelus costaricensis.
Common Name: Cherri's Tanager.
Habitat: It lives in disturbed habitats with thickets and shrubs; endemic to Costa Rica and Panama. It is found only on the Pacific side. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Icterus galbula.
Common Name: Baltimore Oriole.
Habitat: Common and widespread migrant, from early Sept to early May. To 7,200 ft (2,200m). It forages in forest edges and in gardens. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Eucometis penicillata.
Common Name: Gray-headed Tanager.
Habitat: Common in foothills and lowlands of Pacific Slope; to 3,900 ft (1,200m). Forages in the understory of the forest and second growth. It commonly accompanies troops of White-faced Capuchin Monkeys and army-ant swarms. Status: Least Concern.
Fungi
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Scientific Name: Cookeina speciosa.
Common Name: Cookeina.
Caracteristics: The apothecium is cup-shaped, orange, and measures 1cm to 4cm. It's edible. And it grows on rotten trunks.
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Scientific Name: Coprinellus disseminatus.
Common Name: Coprinellus
Caracteristics: The stem is fragile, and white, they grow on rotten trunks.
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Scientific Name: Earliella scabrosa.
Common Name: Earliella
Caracteristics: The pileus measures 2 to 6 cm wide. Yellow to brown in color. It is from the polyraceae family which means that they grown on fallen trees.
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Scientific Name: Ganoderma longistipitatum.
Common Name: Ganoderma
Caracteristics: It is reddish brown in color, it grows at the bases of fallen trunks, it is not edible.
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Scientific Name: Pycnoporus sanguineus.
Common Name: Pycnoporus
Caracteristics: It is shaped like circular orange ledges, it is common to see them growing on fallen trunks.
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Scientific Name: Cookeina tricholoma.
Common Name: Cookeina
Carateristics: Ascocarps are hairy, cup-shaped, orange in color, and grow on fallen trunks.
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Scientific Name: Marasmius sp.
Common Name: Marasmius sp.
Carateristics: They grow on leaves, branches, or nuts. the pileus is thin and brown.
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Scientific Name: Gymnopus montagnei .
Common Name: Montagnei.
Carateristics: It is a saprophyte that plays an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter in the soil. Its habitat is primarily in broad-leaved forests, where it can be found on fallen leaves.
Insects
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Scientific Name: Apiomerus vexillarius
Common Name: Flag Assassin Bug
Characteristics: Known for its vibrant patterns and predatory behavior, this insect belongs to the Reduviidae family. It preys on other insects and uses itproboscis to inject saliva that digests the prey externally.
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Scientific Name: Callipogon lemoinei
Common Name: Lemoine's Longhorn Beetle
Characteristics: This large beetle is known for its elongated body and strikingly long antennae, which can surpass its body length. It plays a vital ecological role in decomposing dead wood and recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.
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Scientific Name: Trichonephila clavipes
Common Name: Golden Silk Orb-Weaver.
Characteristics: It is identifyed by its golden-colored silk. Females are significantly larger than males and exhibit striking coloration, often with yellow, black, and orange patterns.
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Scientific Name: Epilampra sp.
Common Name: Epilampra Cockroach
Characteristics: The Epilampra genus includes medium to large-sized cockroaches with a robust, oval body and a brown or dark mottled coloration, providing effective camouflage in their natural environment.
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Scientific Name: Heliconius spp.
Common Name: Heliconius Butterfly
Characteristics: The Heliconius genus includes several species of brightly colored butterflies, often with distinctive patterns of orange, yellow, black, and white. These butterflies are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, including Costa Rica.
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Scientific Name:Chalcolepidius lacordairei. Common Name: Click Beetle
Caracteristics: The "click beetle" is a member of the Elateridae family, known for its unique ability to produce a clicking sound when it flips over or feels threatened. This sound is produced by a mechanism in its body that allows it to quickly flip back to its original position, helping it escape from predators.
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Scientific Name: Enchophora sanguinea
Common Name: Lantern Bug.
Characteristics: Enchophora sanguinea is a species of lantern bug, an insect from the hemiptera order.
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Scientific Name: Morpho helenor narcissus
Common Name: Morpho.
Characteristics: The Morpho butterfly is a genus of large, vibrantly colored butterflies found in tropical forest. In Costa Rica lives the vibrant Morpho Helenor Narcissus.
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Scientific Name: Phrynus maesi
Common Name: Tailless Whip Scorpion.
Characteristics: The Tailless Whip Scorpion is an arachnid found in tropical regions of Central America. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion, as it lacks the venomous tail. Instead, this species uses its long, whip-like appendages to sense its environment and capture prey.
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Scientific Name: Psalmopoeus cambridgei
Common Name: Trinidad Chevron Tarantula.
Characteristics: It is s a strikingly beautiful species of tarantula, known for its chevron-like pattern on the abdomen.
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Scientific Name: Arachnoscelis feroxnotha
Common Name: Candy Cane Katydid.
Characteristics: The first species was discovered in 1994 in la Sirena Ranger Station (Corcovado). It is a rare speciment to observe here.
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Scientific Name: Amynthas gracilis
Common Name: Common Earthworm.
Characteristics: A vital decomposer in Costa Rican soils, the common earthworm enriches soil fertility by breaking down organic matter, aerating the soil, and enhancing plant growth. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich environments.
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Scientific Name: Eriophora ravilla
Common Name: Tropical Orb-Weaving Spider.
Characteristics: It is an orb-weaving spider species that inhabits tropical forests. This species is not commonly encountered due to its preference for dense forest habitats.
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Scientific Name: Cupiennius coccineus.
Common Name: Red-Thighed Bromeliad Spider.
Characteristics: It frequents the lower parts of the forest, rich in heliconias and broad-leaved plants. Here it finds its favorite habitat, since these plants serve as a platform for hunting.
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Scientific Name: Trechalea connexa.
Common Name: Brindle Fishing Spider.
Characteristics: They are typically found near lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. As the name suggests it captures prays from sources of water.
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Scientific Name: Ctenidae Family.
Common Name: Wandering Spider.
Characteristics: It lives in disturbed and pristine areas. Very widespread.
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Scientific Name: Ctenus ornatus.
Common Name: Wandering Spider.
Characteristics: It lives in vegetation-rich environments where it skillfully camouflages itself, blending seamlessly into the foliage to evade predators as it navigates its complex life cycle.
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Scientific Name: Phasmatodea
Common Name: Stick insect.
Characteristics: This remarkable insect is renowned for its exceptional camouflage, resembling twigs or branches to evade predators. It is a herbivore that feeds on leaves, playing a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance.
Habitat: Tropical forests and woodlands.
Mammals
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Scientific Name: Dasyprocta punctata
Common Name: Central American Agouti.
Habitat: In all types of forests and brushes. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Cebus capucinus
Common Name: White-Throated Capuchin Monkey.
Habitat: In evergeen, seasonal dry forests, second growth, and mangroves. They are very fond of bananas, plantains, cacao, and rambutan. Status: Vulnerable.
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Scientific Name: Nasua narica
Common Name: White-Nosed Coati.
Habitat: In disturbed and pristine habitats.Mostly in or near forest, it normally visits agricultural fields. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Puma concolor costaricensis
Common Name: Puma Concolor
Habitat: Uncommon, rarely seen. Only found in an undisturbed place. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Eira barbara.
Common Name: Tayra.
Habitat: In pristine and disturbed habitats, in or near forests. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Coendu mexicanus.
Common Name: Mexican Hairy Porcupine.
Habitat: In pristine and disturbed habitats, in or near forests. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Cuniculus paca.
Common Name: Tepezcuintle.
Habitat: It prefers to live near waterways in tropical forests, where it finds shelter and food. Only nocturnal. It is one of the main distributors of seeds in the forest. Status: Least Concern.
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Scientific Name: Didelphis marsupialis.
Common Name: Common Opossum.
Habitat: It is found at elevations up to 2000 meters above sea level, and thrives in both pristine forests and disturbed habitats.. Status: Least Concern.
Plants and Trees
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Scientific Name: Symphonia globullifera Common Name: Boarwood,
Habitat: Widespread and ocurring on both slopes in wet environments, sea level to 1800 m.
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Scientific Name: Tilladsia punctulata Common Name: Fairy Queen
Habitat: On pasture trees and in forests; in all major mountain ranges.
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Scientific Name: Calathea vinosa Common Name: Calathea.
Habitat: Primary forests. The inferior of the leaf has a sticky texture as velcro.
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Scientific Name: Costus spicatus Common Name: Sour Cane.
Habitat: Primary forests, secondary growth, and edge of forests. They must avoid direct sun exposure. It has several medicinal uses: kidney ailments, skin disorders, and eye problems.
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Scientific Name: Erythrina lanceolata Common Name: Poró.
Habitat: 400 - 1.500 msnm. It is used for building natural fences (cattle), and reforestation. The flowers attract hummingbirds.
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Scientific Name: Lantana camara Common Name: Lantana.
Habitat: It is mainly used in gardes as it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Scientific Name: Miconia subcrustulata Common Name: Miconia.
Habitat: From 0 - 1.200 msnm. Very good ornamental for gardens. They are considered invasive shrubs (weeds), though. However, migrant and resident birds feed from its ripe fruits.
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Scientific Name: Palicourea elata
Common Name: Psychotria.
Habitat: Tropical rainforest. It serves as a food for hummingbirds and fruit-eating birds. It is a relative of the coffee.
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Scientific Name: Isertia haenkeana
Common Name: Isertia.
Habitat: Tropical rainforest. It serves as a food for hummingbirds. It is a relative of the coffee. However, it is an invaside weed and it can become uncotrollable.
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Scientific Name: Passiflora vitifolia
Common Name: Passiflora.
Habitat: Tropical rainforest, wet or moist forest understoty or edge, common on Osa Peninsula. It lives on the treetops of the high trees. It canopies down and the flowers are near the ground.
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Scientific Name: Xanthosoma undipes
Common Name: Elephant Ear.
Habitat: Tropical rainforest. Normally, it is found above 1000 msnm, however, it has been occasionally seen at loweer wet sites as La Selva (Sarapiqui), and the Osa Peninsula.
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Scientific Name: Asterogyne martiana
Common Name: Rooster Tail.
Habitat: Tropical rainforest. 0 - 1000 msnm, specially notable in the northeast and Osa Peninsula. In the past, people would use its leaves to build roofs for their open air houses, or ranchos. However, it led to cause a massive destruction of the environment.
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Scientific Name: Dracontium soconoscum
Common Name: Snake Killer.
Habitat: This tree is native to Costa Rica and is found mostly in humid forests. It is found understory, along the streams, and forest edges. Mostly at 30-1000m.
Reptiles
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Scientific Name: Bothriechis schlegelii
Common Name: Eyelash Pitviper.
Habitat: Elavated scales on dorsal margin of eye form 2 eyelash-like projections. It is normally found on trees, never on the ground. Extremely poisonous, it requires immediate medical attention.
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Scientific Name: Bothrops asper
Common Name: Fer-de-lance.
Habitat: It can be found all across the country. Dark postocular stripe and vertical pupils. Terrestrial. Necessary immediate medical attention.
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Scientific Name: Ameiva leptophrys
Common Name: Reticulated Ameiva.
Habitat: It lives in the rainforest on the Pacific side. Middorsal area crisscrossed by multiple black lines.
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Scientific Name: Ninia maculata
Common Name: Spotted Wood Snake.
Habitat: It is found all across the country. Extremely variable in coloration. Secretively moves through the forest, when it feels threatened it flattens its body.
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Scientific Name: Bothriechis schlegelii
Common Name: Oropel.
Habitat: Elavated scales on dorsal margin of eye form 2 eyelash-like projections. It is normally found on trees, never on the ground. Extremely poisonous, it requires immediate medical attention.
