South Pacific Coast: Places to Explore   Puerto Jiménez  You
might not guess it from the rickety bicycles and ancient pickup
trucks parked on the main street, but Puerto Jiménez is the
largest town on the Osa Peninsula. This one-iguana town has a
certain frontier charm, though. New restaurants, hotels, and
"green" newcomers lend an interesting, funky edge. It's also the
last civilized outpost on the peninsula. Heading south, you fall
off the grid. That means no public electricity or telephones. So
make your phone calls, send your email, get cash, and stock up
on supplies here. Be prepared for the humidity and
mosquitoes—Puerto Jiménez has plenty of both. If you need a
refreshing dip, head southeast of the airport to Playa
Platanares, where there is a long stretch of beach with
swimmable, warm water.  The main reason to come to Puerto
Jiménez is to spend a night before or after visiting Corcovado
National Park, since the town has the best access to the park's
two main trailheads and an airport with flights fro