16 The Essentials: Costa Rica
The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica’s wildest corner, a place travelers often hear about yet rarely experience with full clarity. In this episode, Kathleen Hall of Explore the Americas unpacks the region’s energy, logistics, and the practical nuances travel advisors need to confidently guide clients to visiting. She breaks down seasonality shifts, how to approach flights and boat transfers, and the realities of staying in a remote rainforest environment. Kathleen compares regions within the peninsula, details which experiences belong where, and explains how client type and comfort level shape the perfect itinerary. Travel Advisors will walk away with a clear blueprint for when to send clients south, how to set expectations, and what makes the Osa Peninsula a transformational alternative to Costa Rica’s more traditional routes.
Key Takeaways
How to position the Osa Peninsula for second-timers or nature-driven travelers seeking Costa Rica beyond the classic north
When to send clients for wildlife density, rainforest immersion, and whale migration along the South Pacific
What to watch for when advising on logistics, including domestic flights, boat arrivals, national park permits, and length of stay
Compare and contrast the peninsula’s northern and southern regions for scuba access, proximity to Corcovado, and lodge style
How to guide clients on lodge selection, AC expectations, and the true meaning of “eco-luxury” in a remote rainforest
About the guest:
Kathleen Hall is the co-founder of Explore the Americas and has spent the last decade living and working in Costa Rica after originally arriving for a four-month study program. She began her career with a Costa Rica, focused agency, building deep regional expertise before launching Dive the Americas and later expanding into broader Latin American trip design. Today she supports both travelers and Travel Advisors with grounded, firsthand insight across the Americas, informed by years of daily on-the-ground experience.
