Península Burica is in Chiriqui of Panama and South Pacific Costa Rica.

White-faced capuchine monkey in the Peninsula de Burica

Understand

Burica is divided between Costa Rica and Panama. The north coast belongs to Costa Rica and the south coast to Panama.

Landscape

Tropical forest and with some smaller hills. Most of the land is already used to raise cattle.

Flora and fauna

The peninsula is one of the few refuges for squirrel monkeys. Howler monkeys and white face monkeys are pretty common. There are several kinds of snakes, birds and plenty of sea life.

Climate

From May until December it is pretty wet and the only access road might be closed.

Get in

Take a bus to Puerto Armuelles from the border or from David (Panama). Make sure you get there before noon in order to catch the only car which goes until "Bella Vista".

Get around

Walking or horseback riding are the most common forms of transportation due to the bad roads.

See

Beautiful beaches, nature, animals, rural life.

Do

Surfing, snorkeling, feeding monkies and walking around.

Buy, eat and drink

There is one little store with the absolutely necessary in "Bella Vista". So all the fresh food you need you'd better buy in Puerto Armuelles. The tap water is drinkable but stay away from the streams because there is a lot of pollution from the cattle.

Sleep

Mono Feliz - This American owned property has 4 cabins (US$20 per person and night) and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Campers are welcome and have to pay US$5 per night which includes the use of the pool, showers and bathrooms. If you bring your own food you can use the kitchen for a US$3 extra fee. Tell the driver of the car to "Bella Vista" that you want to get off at "El Medio" and from there find your way along the beach to the Mono Feliz (Happy Monkey) Lodge.

Go next

Ask the locals when the car is going back because this depends on the tides since the car is passing the beach.