Guidebook for The Fusion Home / Southern Zone Costa Rica

Matt And Amy
Guidebook for The Fusion Home / Southern Zone Costa Rica

Parks & Nature

There are so many amazing natural wonders to explore in the Southern corner of Costa Rica. The neighborhood of Finca Bellavista is a wonder in and of itself, but if you will be coming with a rental car and are interested in exploring the surrounding area, these are our suggestions for excursions and day trips!
This is our favorite spot for day trips to the beach. Its about an hour and 15 minute drive from Finca Bellavista (unless you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle and don't want to pass - then it can take closer to 1.5 hours). The beach is absolutely gorgeous, is never crowded, and is part of the Marino Ballena National Park. Its a great spot to take a surfing lesson, and at low tide the beach forms a natural "whale tail" (Google it, its awesome!) There are lots of great restaurants and souvenir shopping in the area, too!
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마리노 바예나 국립공원
176 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
This is our favorite spot for day trips to the beach. Its about an hour and 15 minute drive from Finca Bellavista (unless you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle and don't want to pass - then it can take closer to 1.5 hours). The beach is absolutely gorgeous, is never crowded, and is part of the Marino Ballena National Park. Its a great spot to take a surfing lesson, and at low tide the beach forms a natural "whale tail" (Google it, its awesome!) There are lots of great restaurants and souvenir shopping in the area, too!
Corcovado is the largest park in Costa Rica and protects about a third of the Osa Peninsula. National Geographic has called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth" because of its biodiversity. Corcovado National Park is open to the public and can be visited on day trips and for overnight visits. All visitors must be accompanied by certified professional guides. You can drive to Puerto Jimenez (1.5-2 hours) and go to the Park Information Center there to hire a guide, or you can drive to Sierpe (1 hr North) and take a boat through the mangroves to reach the Pacific side of Corcovado Park (we've done this a few times and highly recommend it!). "La Perla del Sur" is a reputable tour company that offers days trips to Corcovado Park from Sierpe. Check out their website to see what they offer and to contact them to book a tour.
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코르코바도 국립공원
Los Patos Sirena Trail
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Corcovado is the largest park in Costa Rica and protects about a third of the Osa Peninsula. National Geographic has called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth" because of its biodiversity. Corcovado National Park is open to the public and can be visited on day trips and for overnight visits. All visitors must be accompanied by certified professional guides. You can drive to Puerto Jimenez (1.5-2 hours) and go to the Park Information Center there to hire a guide, or you can drive to Sierpe (1 hr North) and take a boat through the mangroves to reach the Pacific side of Corcovado Park (we've done this a few times and highly recommend it!). "La Perla del Sur" is a reputable tour company that offers days trips to Corcovado Park from Sierpe. Check out their website to see what they offer and to contact them to book a tour.
Playa Cacao is a calm little beach on the Golfo Dulce, and a favorite of locals in the area. Playa Puntarenitas is another similar option in the area. Both beaches are nice for floating and wading (and young children), as there are no big waves and no danger of rip currents here. Go to Golfito and hire a local to take you across the bay to either beach -- you can have lunch at the Mar y Luna or Banana Bay restaurants and ask them to help you organize a water taxi. There are also little local places to grab a cold beer and a bite to eat at each beach.
Playa Cacao
14
Playa Cacao is a calm little beach on the Golfo Dulce, and a favorite of locals in the area. Playa Puntarenitas is another similar option in the area. Both beaches are nice for floating and wading (and young children), as there are no big waves and no danger of rip currents here. Go to Golfito and hire a local to take you across the bay to either beach -- you can have lunch at the Mar y Luna or Banana Bay restaurants and ask them to help you organize a water taxi. There are also little local places to grab a cold beer and a bite to eat at each beach.
Playa Tortuga is in Ojochal, about an hour drive North of Finca Bellavista. This beach is home to a non-profit biological research and education center formed in 2009 by community members (“citizen scientists”) and Costa Rican scientists. Turtle nesting season is July-December. Most nests are moved to the Reserve’s protected nursery/hatchery (due to poaching threats) where staff and volunteers monitor and observe them. If you will be visiting during turtle season and are interested in this project, we encourage you to follow "Reserva Playa Tortuga" on Facebook. They will make announcements when they have baby turtles ready to hatch, and they invite anyone to come witness the hatching and cheer on the little guys as they make their way out of the nest and into the sea.
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Playa Tortuga
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Playa Tortuga is in Ojochal, about an hour drive North of Finca Bellavista. This beach is home to a non-profit biological research and education center formed in 2009 by community members (“citizen scientists”) and Costa Rican scientists. Turtle nesting season is July-December. Most nests are moved to the Reserve’s protected nursery/hatchery (due to poaching threats) where staff and volunteers monitor and observe them. If you will be visiting during turtle season and are interested in this project, we encourage you to follow "Reserva Playa Tortuga" on Facebook. They will make announcements when they have baby turtles ready to hatch, and they invite anyone to come witness the hatching and cheer on the little guys as they make their way out of the nest and into the sea.
La Perla del Sur is a tour operator located in the town of Sierpe, about an hour drive North of Finca Bellavista. They offer excursions such as mangrove tours, whale and dolphin watching, trips to Corcovado Park, snorkeling and diving at Caño Island, and a water taxi to Drake Bay. They also have a restaurant (and yummy pizza!)
La Perla Del Sur
La Perla del Sur is a tour operator located in the town of Sierpe, about an hour drive North of Finca Bellavista. They offer excursions such as mangrove tours, whale and dolphin watching, trips to Corcovado Park, snorkeling and diving at Caño Island, and a water taxi to Drake Bay. They also have a restaurant (and yummy pizza!)

Food Scene

The best pizza we've had in Costa Rica. Awesome service, too.
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Pizza Time
Costanera Sur
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The best pizza we've had in Costa Rica. Awesome service, too.
Overlooking the Golfo Dulce, fresh seafood, delicious cocktails, and great service.
Hotel y Restaurante Mar y Luna
Ruta Nacional Primaria 14
Overlooking the Golfo Dulce, fresh seafood, delicious cocktails, and great service.
The best sushi around!! They also have an expansive wine list, and offer paninis, salads, brunch, and other fresh options. Fantastic service (the owners are friends of ours!)
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Mosaic Wine Bar & Cafe
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The best sushi around!! They also have an expansive wine list, and offer paninis, salads, brunch, and other fresh options. Fantastic service (the owners are friends of ours!)
The Finca Bellavista Community
Currently shut...
Los Delfines is a nice open-air restaurant right on the Gulf. A great spot to sip a cold beer and enjoy some Costa Rican cuisine after enjoying a swim. 1.5-2 hour scenic drive from Finca Bellavista.
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Los Delfines
Parrott Access
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Los Delfines is a nice open-air restaurant right on the Gulf. A great spot to sip a cold beer and enjoy some Costa Rican cuisine after enjoying a swim. 1.5-2 hour scenic drive from Finca Bellavista.
The Flutterby House is an amazing little beach hostel in Uvita with great vibes, yummy food, and tasty drinks. We really appreciate the sustainable practices they follow and love supporting them. The Flutterby House is located a 5-minute walk to the famous "Whale Tail" beach ($6 entry to the beach most days), making it a great spot to grab some food and a cold drink after a swim, sunbathe, or surf lesson. *If you're planning on spending any nights in Uvita and want a budget-friendly option near the beach, we highly recommend checking out their website to see the cabins and bunk options that are available - we love the Flutterby!
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Flutterby House
12 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
The Flutterby House is an amazing little beach hostel in Uvita with great vibes, yummy food, and tasty drinks. We really appreciate the sustainable practices they follow and love supporting them. The Flutterby House is located a 5-minute walk to the famous "Whale Tail" beach ($6 entry to the beach most days), making it a great spot to grab some food and a cold drink after a swim, sunbathe, or surf lesson. *If you're planning on spending any nights in Uvita and want a budget-friendly option near the beach, we highly recommend checking out their website to see the cabins and bunk options that are available - we love the Flutterby!

Arts & Culture

The Boruca people are an indigenous group of Costa Ricans living less than two hours away from Finca Bellavista. The Boruca are known for their art and craftwork, especially weaving and their hand-painted wood masks (which we have displayed in The Fusion Home!)
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Boruca people
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The Boruca people are an indigenous group of Costa Ricans living less than two hours away from Finca Bellavista. The Boruca are known for their art and craftwork, especially weaving and their hand-painted wood masks (which we have displayed in The Fusion Home!)

Essentials

Bank & ATM
Banco Nacional
Bank & ATM
Gas station and convenient store. Beer, bread, snacks, etc. They also have an ATM, but keep in mind that daily withdrawal limitations may apply.
Servicentro Chacarita
Ruta Nacional Secundaria 245
Gas station and convenient store. Beer, bread, snacks, etc. They also have an ATM, but keep in mind that daily withdrawal limitations may apply.
Large grocery store located about 40-50 minutes North of Finca Bellavista. *Full disclosure, BM is owned by Walmart (booo). But, for the sake of convenience it does have a wide selection of options that foreigners normally appreciate. **If you don't want to support Walmart (and for better quality produce) another grocery option in Palmar Norte is called "Hermanos Mora" Located in the center of town.
BM DEL PALMAR
Carretera Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno
Large grocery store located about 40-50 minutes North of Finca Bellavista. *Full disclosure, BM is owned by Walmart (booo). But, for the sake of convenience it does have a wide selection of options that foreigners normally appreciate. **If you don't want to support Walmart (and for better quality produce) another grocery option in Palmar Norte is called "Hermanos Mora" Located in the center of town.