- Tourism – The tourism industry is a major part of the Osa Peninsula economy. As discussed in class, the product of tourism is not physical, but rather an experience. Golfo Dulce, Corcovado National Park, and other nature reserves draw visitors from around the world. However, as cited by National Geographic, with 2.5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, the Osa has the potential to be negatively affected by increasing foot traffic (The Future of Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula). This is where ‘ecotourism’ or ‘sustainable tourism’ come in. These industries are helping to mitigate potentially harmful effects of tourism on the natural environment of the region. As tourism continues to evolve, so does the available lodging and activities for tourists. According to Tripadvisor, most people stay in or near Drake Bay (north of Corcovado National Park) or in lodgings around Puerto Jimenez or Carate (south of Corcovado National Park). Tourists are attracted to the region for its nature and adventure, and enjoy surfing, hiking, ziplining, waterfall rappelling, bird watching, and more.
- Cacao – The Osa Peninsula is home to hundreds of cacao trees. To add value to cacao, it is often turned into chocolate, a highly valued commodity. In addition, cacao farms often offer tours to generate income beyond solely selling their product to local, regional, and national markets. An example of this is the farm at Finca Kobo, which according to their website produces and sells 100% pure organic cacao. Cacao is also exported to international markets.
- Bananas – In the Osa bananas are sold to locals, people in other regions of the country, and internationally. According to CropLife International, “In 2015, Costa Rica grew and supplied one out of every 10 bananas consumed globally and ranks as the world’s third largest banana exporter” (Bananas in Costa Rica). This industry supports the Costa Rican economy by providing over 100,000 jobs. To add value to the product, plant scientists are working to fight pests and protect banana crops by producing environmentally sustainable and effective pesticides and fungicides. However, it is important to mention that unchecked pesticide use leads to negative health effects for farmers (The Deadly Side of America’s Banana Obsession).
- Palm oil – Palm oil production in Costa Rica has soared in recent years to try and keep up with increasing demand around the world. Palm farms have taken over much of the country, including land in the Osa that had previously been used to grow other agricultural commodities such as bananas (before a deadly herbaceous fungus ruined banana crops in the 1940s). According to the Osa and Golfito Initiative (INOGO): “The Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture reported that as of 2007, there were 260 growers in Osa and 249 in Golfito.” In order to make palm oil, the fruit has to be processed, which is often costly for producers. As stated in the report by the INOGO: “The producers we interviewed sold their fruit at the Palma Tica processing plant locally known as Coto 54, and at the Valle del Coto Sur de Laurel de Corredores (administered by Coopeagropal) processing plant, locally known as CIPA, both located in Guaycara” (The Social Landscape of African Oil Palm Production in the Osa and Golfito Region, Costa Rica).
- Cattle ranching – Raising livestock is an important source of income for many locals living in the Osa. According to World Animal Production, “Nationally, more than 45,000 livestock farms employ at least 12% of the Costa Rican work force and 5.5% of its GDP” (Protecting Costa Rica’s Animals – Safeguarding People’s Futures). Citizens depend on livestock for food and to make a living. Many farms on the Osa are not large-scale, with farmers having little left over for trade. Cattle, pigs, goats, poultry and in some cases fish are sold locally to various businesses.
Works Cited
Archer, Makayla. “Investigating Palm Oil in Costa Rica over J-Term.” GreenHawks Media, Miami University, 12 Feb. 2020, https://greenhawksmedia.net/2020/02/12/investigating-palm-oil-in-costa-rica-over-j-term/.
“Bananas in Costa Rica.” CropLife International, CropLife International, https://croplife.org/news-views/sharing-the-story/brilliant-bananas-from-costa-rica/.
Beggs, Emily & Ellen Moore. The Social Landscape of African Oil Palm Production in the Osa and Golfito Region, Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica: INOGO, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, June 2013.
“Chocolate Tour.” Finca Kobo, Finca Kobo, Costa Rica, http://www.fincakobo.com/tours_choco.html.
Fitzgerald, Sunny. “The Future of Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.” National Geographic Travel, National Geographic, 25 Sept. 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/osa-penninsula-sustainable-solutions-golfo-dulce.
NeJame, Jessica. “Redefining an Industry: Costa Rica’s Alternative Model for Palm Production.” Headwaters Magazine, Headwaters Magazine, 18 May 2019, https://uvmheadwaters.org/redefining-an-industry-costa-ricas-alternative-model-for-palm-production/.
“Protecting Costa Rica’s Animals – Safeguarding People’s Futures.” World Animal Protection, World Animal Protection, 19 June 2018, https://animalsindisasters.org/country-profile/costa-rica.
Stewart, Madison. “The Deadly Side of America’s Banana Obsession.” Pulitzer Center, Pulitzer Center, 30 Mar. 2020, https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/deadly-side-americas-banana-obsession.
“Where to Stay on Osa Peninsula? – Drake Bay Forum.” Tripadvisor, TripAdvisor LLC, Oct. 2011, https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g313830-i5270-k5791022-Where_to_Stay_on_Osa_Peninsula-Drake_Bay_Osa_Peninsula_Province_of_Puntarenas.html.