Travel Guide to the Small Town of Puerto Jiménez
Puerto Jimenez is a small town on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula. The city has an end-of-the-road frontier feels to it. It was founded in the early 20th century. It was nothing more than a group of huts around a mangrove swamp but exploded from that into a sizable town due to the (now strictly prohibited/controlled) logging and gold mining industry.
There's not much in the way of towns on the Osa Peninsula, and Puerto Jimenez is about what you get. It's the center of life across the peninsula, where you go to get things done; banking, bills, shopping, etc. There's nowhere else to do anything like this on the Osa Peninsula. As such, despite its size, you'll find Puerto Jimenez a busy, bustling little city.
Puerto Jimenez is the main gateway to the Corcovado National Park. As such, the area is home to some of the best eco-lodges in Costa Rica, all offering access to the park, by far Costa Rica's most famous natural wonder.
And then there are the beaches around Puerto Jimenez. The Golfo Dulce is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The fishing is also fantastic around here, with the gulf being home to many species of fish that will push the skills of even the most experienced anglers to their limit. Finally, for nature lovers, the waters of the Golfo Dulce provide a special treat as a breeding zone for humpback whales.
Surfers can also find something in the Puerto Jimenez area, as the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula offers some of the best, most uncrowded waves in Costa Rica.
Most visitors end up eating in their hotels. This is because most of the eco-lodges here include meals in their rates. But for people looking access to local life, Puerto Jimenez is the only place on the Osa Peninsula with options.
The city has a bunch of restaurants and sodas. As a coastal town, seafood is a staple, and whether you want a light bite or something more substantial, you’ll find it in Puerto Jimenez.
For travelers who want to live it up a little at night, Puerto Jimenez is the perfect place to do so. You'll find plenty of local bars to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail around town.
Best Time to Travel to Puerto Jimenez
Visitors who want to enjoy everything Puerto Jimenez offers should visit between January and April. This is the dry season when the area sees the least rain. During the rainy season on the Osa Peninsula, many of the surrounding roads and trails in Corcovado National Park become impassable and close down.
Whale watchers should know the best time to be on the Golfo Dulce is in August/September, which happens to be rainy months.
The Weather in Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez is a hot and humid coastal town in Costa Rica's deep south. The rainy season runs from May to December, with September and October's wettest months. The dry season runs from January to April.
Temperatures in Puerto Jimenez average in the upper 80s and early 90s F all year, dropping into the mid-70s at night.
Is Puerto Jimenez Safe?
If there's any place on the Osa Peninsula more susceptible to crime, then it's Puerto Jimenez for the sole reason that this is where the people are.
That said, Puerto Jimenez is generally a safe little town. Take any precautions you would take anywhere by not flashing any wealth around or getting too drunk around people you don't know.
Top Restaurants in Puerto Jimenez
These are our top recommendations in the area.
Soda Jimenez
A cheap and cheerful little soda close to the town center provides no-nonsense, typical Costa Rican fare.
Pizzamail.it
Hands down, the best pizza place in Puerto Jimenez.
Marisquera Corcovado
Close to the water, a little way out of town, this place will scratch your seafood itch in Puerto Jimenez.
Il Giardino
Excellent Italian fare with a focus on seafood, close to the waterfront. Try the tuna steaks.
Cafeteria Monka
Excellent service here and the go-to place in town for a decent breakfast.
How to Get to Puerto Jimenez
Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport.
Distance & Driving Time to Puerto Jimenez
From SJO Airport: 225 miles (362 kilometers), about 8 hours.
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. We'll meet you and take you to your waiting driver when you arrive at the airport.
That said, driving to Puerto Jimenez isn't the best use of your time. It's a long way away, even if we're driving you ourselves. We recommend flying.
It takes around an hour to fly from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. The airport here is one of Costa Rica's busiest local airports, reflecting that no one drives down here.
Once you arrive in Puerto Jimenez, your hotel will be there to pick you up.
