Things to do in

Uvita, Costa Rica

Feel the thrill of whale watching on this exciting boat trip from Uvita. Sail round the Marino Ballena National Park, Piedra Ballena, and more as your guide takes you to whales, sea turtles, and a natural marine bird sanctuary. Begin your adventure at the meeting point with some coffee, juice, pastries and bananas while you wait for the group to assemble. Then, transfer to a boat and get ready to be on the lookout for marine life. Witness sea life at play as you sail round the Marino Ballena National Park, Piedra Ballena, Tres Hermanas Rocks, Ventanas Caverns and the Punta Uvita Tombolo (whale's tail). Enjoy a visit to a natural marine birds sanctuary on the way to see resident or migratory birds and reptiles like green iguanas and lizards. Plunge into the water on a snorkeling stop (if weather conditions permit). Explore the underwater world of coral reefs to look for more dolphins and sea turtles before returning to the meeting point.

Explore the biologically diverse Marino Ballena National Park and enjoy an opportunity to spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitats. Depart from Punta Uvita Beach after a safety briefing from your guide, and travel to the national park. Travel through Marino Ballena National Park searching for the majestic Humpback Whales (Late December through late February/mid-July through late October). Try to spot other marine wildlife such as the Pacific spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, seabirds (pelicans, frigate birds, brown boobies, and more), and sea turtles. Experience good water visibility during the dry season (December through April), to maximize this opportunity for you, the tour allows for some snorkeling (3-5 meters {9-15 feet deep) at Whale Island. Observe turtles, bi-color parrot fish, Angelfish, puffer fish, and much more. Enjoy a dip in the ocean during the rainy season (June to November) instead of snorkeling. Pass by the incredible natural formation of the whale’s tail and make a brief pass by Ventanas Beach to see and learn about the wonderful marine caves that were carved by the ocean. Stop at Ventanas or Arco Beach (depending on the tides) to enjoy some fresh fruits. Admire the wonderful landscape that the South Pacific region of Costa Rica has to offer throughout the entire trip.

Embark on an unparalleled adventure tailor-made for individuals, groups, and families seeking the ultimate 4x4 ATV thrill in the heart of Costa Rica. Feel the adrenaline surge through your veins or opt for a leisurely, comfortable ride with our premium ATV tour. whether you choose a single, 2-seater, or 4-seater option, revel in the top-notch offerings of Honda, can-am and cfmoto vehicles. This marks the beginning of an extraordinary escapade in Uvita de Osa. Navigate through the verdant landscapes and witness the enchanting San Luis waterfalls. Traverse a few kilometers from la Mano de Morete to catch a breathtaking panoramic view of Uvita's famed whale tail, perched atop the majestic San Luis de Morete mountain. Venture onward for another 30 exhilarating kilometers, soaking in the picturesque countryside. Marvel at banana and coffee plantations lining your route, and be captivated by the beauty of the devil's waterfall. Conclude your Costa Rican odyssey, having experienced an adventure that transcends the ordinary.

Humpback whales are enormous mammals, measuring around 40-60 feet in length and weighing approximately 35-40 tonnes. Despite their great size, however, they are very acrobatic and easily identifiable due to their penchant for breaching the water and landing with an enormous splash, ‘waving’ their huge tail fins as they re-enter the water. It’s unclear if they do this to clean themselves or simply for fun. Either way, it’s an incredible sight to behold! The plaintive whale songs of the humpback, for which they are well known, are haunting and magical, with their complex sequence of melodies traveling for miles upon miles through the ocean. Although we have much to learn about the meaning of these songs, scientists believe they are connected to mating rituals and the way in which the whales communicate with one another. The humpback whale is a baleen whale. They are black on the dorsal (upper) side, with mottled black and white coloring on the ventral (under) side. They have teeth like little bristles and have to swallow their food whole, so they tend to favor smaller prey, such as plankton, shrimp-like krill, mackerel, and salmon. This diet is one of the factors that dictate where you will find the humpback whale.

WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING IN UVITA The Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour is the best option to see the most of the Marino Ballena National Park. The tour departs from Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous Punta Uvita Whales Tale, Isla Ballena, Tres Hermanas Islands, and Ventana sea caves. During the tour, you will go and search for Humpback and Pilot Whales as well as Spinner, Bottle- nosed, and Spotted Dolphins. When granted the opportunity, you might see and hear the Humpback Whales and observe the acrobatic displays of the dolphins. You will also be visiting the coral and rocky reefs to snorkel and observe the wonderful marine life at Punta Uvita, Isla Ballena and Tres Hermanas Islands. During the visits to Isla Ballena and Tres Hermanas, you will have the opportunity to observe the diversity of pelagic birds. Afterwards, you will head for the amazing natural sea caves of Ventanas beach, and if conditions permit, your experienced captain will navigate the boat through the natural water passage to give you a spectacular interior view! Throughout the tour, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Uvita coastline and the mountains of Costa Ballena. Duration: 3 – 4 hours Times: We meet at 8:30 a.m. What to wear: Swimwear, shorts, sandals What to bring: Sun block, towel, camera, binoculars

Located just offshore along the Central Pacific coast in South Puntarenas, the Ballena National Marine Park protects more than 13,000 acres of ocean and 9 miles of coastline. Comprised of mangrove forests, coral reefs and untouched beaches, the national park is one for travelers who want to view fragile wildlife while escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Many species live inside the Marino Ballena National Park including Howler Monkeys, Sloths, White-faced Capuchin Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, Squirrels, Toucans, Herons, Iguanas, Crocodiles, Otters, and many more. The park is named after the humpback whales that migrate to the region from August to November (heading north from Antarctica) and December to April (heading south from Alaska), each year. With the whale migration happening much of the year it is a great place to go whale watching. The area was declared a national park in 1989 in order to protect the creatures that migrated here for breeding and feeding purposes. Even the shape of the area from above looks like a fin of a whale! Ballena National Marine Park spans 110 hectares of land and 5,375 hectares of sea. There are approximately 85 species endemic to the waters of this area.

The tour starts at 7:30 AM. We will navigate the most important areas to look for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, sea birds and much more As an important fact, this area is the top place in all of Costa Rica to observe the incredible migration of humpback whales. The Humpback whale and Bryde´s whale are most common in the area. These huge mammals can reach up to 15 meters (50 ft) long; the females are somewhat bigger than the males. Despite their enormous size, they are able to jump out of the water providing a spectacular show for the ones lucky enough to be there at the right time. Another great experience – which is more likely to witness during the tour – is watching the offspring swim and play besides the huge mother whale. Whale watching in Uvita and Drake Bay Costa Rica has 2 seasons, from half July to half November and from half December to March. These seasons are based on the annual migration cycle of the pacific humpback whale. These animals travel from far to visit Marino Ballena in Uvita and Drake Bay. Each year the pacific humpback whales from the southern hemisphere travel from Antarctica to Costa Rica and arrive around the end of July to October. The pacific whales from the northern hemisphere do the same, but they travel from Alaska to Costa Rica and arrive around the end of December. They travel between 5000 km (3100 mi) and 8000 km (5000 mi); twice a year! Whale watching and dolphin watching in Costa Rica, during this tour we can see the humpback whales, spotted dolphins, bottle noses, turtles and sea birds combined with snorkeling in the tail of the whale or whale island where you can see different types of reef fish. In summer it is the best time for snorkeling, This depends on the weather conditions. Uvita Bahía Ballena and Drake Bay are privileged places for the best whale watching in Costa Rica for its warm and safe waters are chosen by these cetaceans.

Your guide will help you explore the refuge and forests and place you in the best position to spot native wildlife. Spot animals like Glass Frogs, Sloths, Owls, Toucans, a great variety of insects, nocturnal mammals like the Kinkajou, Olingo, Porcupines, lizards and more: Fer de Lance Eyelash Palma Pit viper Cat eyed Snakes Cloudy Snail Eater Coral Snake Bird Eating Snake Tiger Snake Granular Poison Frog Green and Black Poison Dart Frog Red Eyed Tree Frog Masked Tree Frog Common Rain Frog Common Dink Frog Helmeted Iguana Brown Basilics Tarántulas Scorpions Anolis Oppssums Armadillos

For the ultimate exploration of this breathtaking paradise, kayaking in Uvita at the Marino Ballena National Park proves to be an unparalleled experience. This experience allows visitors to intimately connect with the abundant wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery. Along the journey, encounters with dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and a myriad of bird species add to the enchantment. Kayaking the Marino Ballena National Park weaves an unforgettable tapestry of experiences, blessed with stunning scenery, rich wildlife encounters, and excellent fishing prospects. A must-visit destination for those eager to immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s natural splendor, this idyllic waterway awaits your discovery.

This tour is the perfect opportunity to explore some amazing places in the central pacific coast. The first experience will be a small waterfall known as Portalon where you can jump into the water or simply walk down to the swimming area. After this experience, we will continue to head south to the town of Uvita that is home to a waterfall with a natural water slide. This place also has a platform that makes it easy and fun to jump into the river. While in Uvita, we will also visit the National Park known as the Whale’s Tail (Marino Bahia Ballena). This National Park offers a unique experience while walking on the sandbar. After the Park, we will visit Pavon Waterfall, which has a beautiful view with a rock in the middle, providing a split waterfall. Our last stop is a visit to Playa Ventanas (Windows Beach) where we will explore unique caves carved by the sea in rocks leading to the beach. In this tour we will include pick up at your location, snacks, waters, fresh fruits and Costa Rica’s tipical lunch. (Casado)