[1] In pre-Columbian times was populated by Boruca which left legacies such as fields and stone walkways.

[2] The canton begins at the Barú River near Dominical on the central Pacific coast.

It continues as a narrow strip of land southward to include the area around Palmar and Sierpe, finally widening to take in the entire neck and upper portion of the Osa Peninsula, where significant gold mining operations are located.

As its name suggests, humpback whales and dolphins migrate into the waters to calve, mate, and to rest.

[7] The canton is covered by the following road routes: In the canton there are conservation areas that are part of the Osa Conservation Area, such as Corcovado National Park, Ballena Marine National Park and Piedras Blancas National Park.