Golfito

The port city of Golfito is located in Puntarenas Province on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, near the border of Panama. The city is surrounded by the Golfito Wildlife Refuge, part of the National Parks of Costa Rica. With some of the highest storied rainforests in Central America (100 - 140 feet), most of the coastal lowlands surrounding the city are characterized by tall evergreen forest. One of the wettest places in the world, the region receives an average of 150 - 200 inches of rainfall.

Golfito Bay is within the larger Golfo Dulce, and separated from the open Pacific Coast by the famous Osa Peninsula. Frequent ferry boats cross the Golfo Dulce from Golfito to Puerto Jimenez, which is the primary access point for the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park region.

The beaches in the region are some of the most beautiful in the country. Calm water provides for many peaceful tourist activities, even during the tide fluctutation, which averages about 9 feet.

The city offers marinas, a duty-free port, yachting and boating services, sportfishing, and a destination for cruise ships. Much of the tourism in the Golfito area centers around the sportfishing industry. Many of the lodges and hotels have their own sportfishing fleets, and experienced boat captains. Yachting, boating, water sports and beach activities are also popular pastimes. The beaches south of Golfito offer excellent surfing - Zancudo, Pilon and Pavones.

The approval of permits for construction of the new 217-slip marina in Golfito has been a process lasting over two years. While many agree that the Golfito region needs this future development as an economic boost, there are environmental impact concerns regarding previously operating marinas, docks and sportfishing fleets in the Zancudo, Golfito Bay and Golfo Dulce regions.