The Osa Peninsula is located in the south of Costa Rica. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce, the Osa Peninsula is home to Corcovado National Park, territories of rainforests and the Ngäbe Peoples. It is one of the most rural regions of the country, housing a few small scattered towns and a population of about 30,000 people. At the same time, it is a place of extraordinary wildlife, hosting 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.

After spending the last two months on the Osa, I experienced sights that I could have only dreamed of just a few years ago. I saw countless unique plants and animals of all shapes and sizes. I stood at the base of raging waterfalls, swam amongst coral and hiked through rainforests. Along the way, I connected with passionate people I would have never encountered otherwise. My time here has ignited a passion for travel, and this will certainly not be the last time I explore Central America.   

UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica is a program involving classes on rural livelihoods, ecosystem management, sustainability practices, environmental problem solving and tropical rainforest ecology through the lens of the Osa Peninsula. Students are completely immersed in the region for three months and are taught the knowledge and history of the area directly by locals. 

In this collection of photos, I highlight some of the most memorable experiences and sights in my time in Costa Rica.