Joseph Dsilva
If you’re planning on moving to southern Costa Rica, or at least spending a considerable amount of time there, then Uvita, Costa Rica, is a place you’ll probably end up frequenting. While not a highly sought-after destination in its own right, it’s an important one for those living in the more popular Costa Rican beach hotspots that surround it.
Located on Coastal Highway 34 (Costanera Sur), it’s conveniently situated close to a lot of popular destinations in Costa Rica, such as Dominical, Hatillo, Coronado, and Ojochal. And thanks to Uvita’s recent growth, it serves as a place where residents of those towns can find basic services or stock up on goods, saving them the trip to San Isidro in the mountains.
Uvita, Costa Rica, is a great commercial hub for the surrounding towns
Just a few short years ago, travelers passing through Uvita were greeted with one small soda (another word for a Costa Rican diner), a local grocery store, a machine shop, and a sprinkling of residential areas. However, much has changed in recent years.
One of the fastest growing communities in the Southern Zone, Uvita, Costa Rica, now boasts 2 major grocery stores, a number of restaurants, furniture stores, several banks, and even a new recreation center which plays host to an organic market each weekend. As a result, it’s the commercial center of the Costa Ballena area.
Because of its convenient location, it’s also the place to go to find a number of tours to allow you to explore the incredible beauty that surrounds Uvita. There are opportunities for whale watching, snorkeling excursions, and ATV jungle tours. Uvita also offers a few lodging options for tourists from hostels all the way up to luxurious boutique hotels.
The area around Uvita is packed with nature and adventure
Just to the south of Uvita, Costa Rica, is Marino Ballena National Park. One of the most picturesque parks in Costa Rica, it’s a great place for hiking, kayaking through the mangroves, exploring the rainforests, birdwatching, scuba diving or snorkeling, horseback riding, rafting, rappelling, and sport fishing.
Nearby Dominical has emerged as one of the region’s most popular surfing spots, with waves perfect for beginners as well as those with more experience. Corcovado National Park is also a short distance away and is considered one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Also close by is Coronado, which offers stunning views of the mountains, the sea, and the rushing river.
The jungle-covered mountains to the east of Uvita are full of spectacular waterfalls, some of which are rumored to be among the country’s best. In fact, the entire stretch of coastline, from Dominical all the way down to Corcovado National Park, is stunningly gorgeous.
B.D. Hagg
Uvita has its fair share of attractions as well
That’s not to say that there’s nothing at all to see and do right in the heart of Uvita. In fact, there are a number of expats from North America and Europe who have made Uvita, Costa Rica, their home.
The town is growing rapidly, both with residential and commercial developments. It even hosts an annual Envision Festival, which highlights various forms of music, art, and dance.
It isn’t exactly a beach town, but it’s fairly close to the shore. Nearby at the Marino Ballena National Park is a unique beach that forms the shape of a whale’s tale where two bays come together. (It’s much more evident when viewed from the air.) During low tide you can hike out on the rocks to the point at the tail’s end. Just make sure you leave plenty of time to get back before the tide rises.
Ironically, the waters off the coast of Uvita are a fantastic place to spot humpback whales which migrate between the months of December and April. You can also go swimming or snorkeling in the calm waters or stroll along the white sand beach.
The area doesn’t offer nearly the same surfing conditions as some of its neighboring towns, but it’s still a decent place for beginners to dabble in the surf. You can also take a kayak tour of the nearby mangroves and estuaries.
Bodhi Surf
But you’ll likely prefer another town as your final destination
Ultimately, while you could get by with a meager vacation to Uvita, there are far more interesting places nearby. And, while it does have a decent beach nearby and enough attractions to keep you entertained for a few days, you’d be selling yourself short to choose it over all the other amazing beach towns in Costa Rica.
A better option? Choose one of the other fabulous towns near Uvita that have much more to offer in the way of ecotourism, nature, and coastal living. Save Uvita as the place to do your banking or stock up on groceries when your provisions are running low.
While it plays an important role in the region, among the surrounding cities, it’s an up-and-coming commercial hub. Not a thriving tourist and expat community.
Map of Uvita, Costa Rica
Uvita, Costa Rica Fast Facts
- Population: 1000+
- Typical temperature: average maximum temperature is 32℃ / 90℉
- Nearest airport with U.S. flights: San Jose, Costa Rica
- Nearest U.S. consulate: San Jose, Costa Rica
Ever dream about a laid-back beach town where you can forget about it all and surf to your heart’s content? Do you envy the people kicking back in their ocean view homes, watching the world pass them by? You can have all of this and more in Dominical, Costa Rica, a town four hours away from San Jose by car and lining the Pacific Coast. Ever want to know more about Dominical? Here’s your article. We hope to cover all the basics of this paradise in paradise.
Wikimedia
What Is Dominical Costa Rica?
Dominical opportunistically lines the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, right along the South Pacific Highway that runs all the way to Panama City, Panama. It is famous for its surf culture, with plenty of surf schools aiming to get you upright on the waves, as well as the thriving marine life off the coast, like whales.
The people here are very much in tune with the earth, appreciating the surrounding rainforest full of flora, fauna, waterfalls, and caves, all there waiting for you to explore.
For those that want to get more in tune with themselves, yoga studios have popped up in town, and the rainforest provides the perfect backdrop for some soul-searching. For more information on some great communities in Costa Rica, check out our Costa Rica page.
Where Is Dominical?
Roman Königshofer
As stated earlier, Dominical is located along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, 27 miles south of Quepos. The town itself existed before the highway that has been paved in the recent decade. That was quite a change in the town.
Better Access Leads to More Expats and Tourists
The positives of all this paving is that the town is more accessible to you, but the downside is that more people other than you have access to this town now!
However, Dominical still has dirt roads within the city limits, even some of the main roads, which adds to the laid-back charm of the city.
Casa Ramon
Head to the Hills
Another charming aspect of the city are the plunging cliffs into the sea, a beautiful blue that you only find in Costa Rica. It’s in these hills, areas known as Escalaras or Hatillo, and Legunas, that most expats live.
Here you’ll find the other side of the coin when it comes to what’s amazing about Dominical. The out of this world views from a jungle perched above the ocean are the magic of the area.
Around the town are plenty of natural estuaries and mangroves that are rapidly disappearing across the planet. This naturally lends itself to some great bird watching. For a more general overview, you can check out this site.
What’s the Weather Like?
Similar to other beach towns close by to Dominical, the dry season runs from December until April, and wet season from May until November. The surfing season, however, runs year round, with the premium waves during June through September. The sandy bottom of the sea here makes worries about crashing into rocks drift away.
Temperatures year-round range from 25 degrees Centigrade to 31 degrees Centigrade, typical of the region. There is a lot of rain during the rainy season, with months averaging 22-25 days of rain, but in the dry months of January and February, only 3 days of rainfall on average.
How Did Dominical Come to Be?
The town was first put on the map by the rest of the world by, you guessed it, surfers. In the 1970s, they found this town with reliable waves and settled in.
Besides the random group of surfer-types in the village, not many others traveled to Dominical, Costa Rica. That is, until about fifteen years ago, when naturists started arriving in droves for Dominical, which was at one time a few fishing huts on the beach. The natural beauty remains, though, and you can still walk end-to-end in less than ten minutes.
Now, there are over 700 residents settled here full-time, with high season filling some of the bed-and-breakfasts and cabanas in town. The sleepy village vibe hasn’t been completely lost, though.
What’s the Life Like?
Sergio Quesada
The town itself is decidedly a surfing village, due to the consistent waves found off-shore. That vibe, coupled with the extreme natural beauty surrounding the village, have brought a certain person to settle here.
As mentioned earlier, most expats live above the water in the hills, with supreme ocean views, but others choose to live near the beach, catching the early morning swells. The town appreciates the beauty that is Dominical, trying to carve out an existence within it without detracting from what brought them there in the first place.
What Can I Do in Dominical?
If you haven’t gotten the point so far that there is surfing in Dominical, you should check your glasses! Surfing is KING here in Dominical, and with plenty of places aiming to teach you just how to do it. If you’re looking for lessons, check out Dominical Surf Adventures or Costa Rica Surf Camp. The surf season runs year-round here, but summer months are best with the tropical storms in the Pacific bringing the high tides.
The Eco Life
Ecotourism abounds here in Dominical, with a whole jungle plunging into the sea. Corcovado National Park is nearby, a 103,000 acre park rated by National Geographic as the third best national park in the world. There are 140 different mammals here, and 400 different types of birds. You can hike around, seeing jaguars, sloths, anteaters, monkeys, and amazing sea turtles along the beach. Tours leave from the city, taking a 1.5 hour boat ride to reach the park, and includes about three hours of hiking inside the actual national park.
If you’re into fishing, the healthy ocean awaits you! You can fish for mahi-mahi, sailfish, marlin, and yellow in tuna just outside the borders of Marino Ballena National Park.
Like to be in the ocean rather than on top of it? Well there’s plenty of snorkeling options near Dominical, with many tours making all-day trips of the adventure. You can even combine the excursion with whale watching, knocking out two activities in one! Snorkel through sea caves, alongside dolphins and turtles, all within a national park.
How about the Cuisine?
You’ll find plenty of seafood up and down the coast near Dominical (and we’d expect that, wouldn’t we?). As mentioned in the fishing tour paragraphs above, mahi-mahi and tuna should be a common site on menus. Land-based food is also plentiful, with fresh vegetables coming from farms up in the mountains.
For Dominical (and neighboring Uvita, 12 miles south), you’ll find low to mid-ranged priced food, very typically Costa Rican. Nayoa and Salon Cocal have casados (which is meat, rice, beans, salad and plantains), all for less than $7. Other internationally-focused restaurants include the Mexican restaurant San Clemente’s, Thai restaurant Coconut Spice, and vegetarian Maracatu.
If you’re looking for more expensive dining options, Ojochal, 19 miles south of Dominical, has what you’re looking for, with more fine dining rather than beachside fare.
How Developed Is Dominical?
Roman Königshofer
Dominical is rapidly catching up with the world, though still lags in many of the creature comforts of home. However, most basic needs can be found in town. There is constant electricity in the area, as well as internet and phone services. There is no major hospital in town, but one in Cortés (3o minutes away) is due to be completed soon. For now, a doctor’s office for minor emergencies and a pharmacy should suffice. Blood testing can be done 40 minutes away in San Isidro, which also offers CAT scans.
There is a Bank of Costa Rica branch in town, which also features an ATM machine, accepting VISA debit cards. For internet junkies, you can hook up service to your home, or there are two internet cafés in town.
For security, you’ll find a 24-hour checkpoint at the beginning of town, manned by police. There are about five police officers based at the police station in town.
You’ll find the eco-friendly and arts-centric town offers recycling programs, as well as movie nights and English-language theater!
One major benefit of living in this area is that the entire “Southern Zone” as this area is dubbed is not overrun with development, at least not yet. Despite it growing in popularity over the past decade, there isn’t a major chain hotel to be seen to spoil the virgin coast.
What Do I Need to Live in Costa Rica?
As a North American, you can stay in Costa Rica for at most, three months at a time. You won’t need to get a visa before traveling here, but proof of onward travel is required to gain entry. Though, don’t worry if you run out of days, you’ll just have to leave the country for 72 hours and then return back for another three months! You can even own a car, property, business and be self-employed. How’s that for friendly service?
If you want residency, you’ll have to have at least $1,000 coming in the door. Investment income must be above $2,500 a month. However, you can get around all of this by investing $200,000 in something like property. After three years of this, you can receive unrestricted residency, which requires a $1100 fee for adults and $600 fee for children, and must be renewed each year.
If you earn money outside Costa Rica, that isn’t taxed. Inside Costa Rica, personal taxes are very low. Sales tax is high, at 13%, and you can face import duties of up to 90% for a vehicle. Property taxes are quite low here as well. If you want to leave the country, you’ll have to pay a $25 exit fee.
Map of Dominical, Costa Rica
Dominical, Costa Rica Fast Facts
- Population: A few hundred residents
- Typical temperature: Average temperature is 80 degrees
- Nearest airport with U.S. flights: San Jose, Costa Rica
- Nearest U.S. consulate: San Jose, Costa Rica
Arden
When many expats think of Costa Rica climate, the first thing that comes to mind is tropical. Costa Rica is warm and tropical, and while this is true in many regions of Costa Rica, the climate in this small country is very diverse and varies from region to region.
It may be surprising that such a small country is made up of so many micro-climates, but if you have been planning on making a move down to Costa Rica, it’s good to know a little more about the different climate zones before you commit to a spot.
Costa Rica climate
Costa Rica is located close to the equator and sits between 8°-11° North latitude, providing it with the ideal weather that attracts more expats each year. While the Costa Rica climate is known to be like ‘eternal spring’ with the average temperature ranging between 21.7°C (71°F) and 28°C (81°F), the country’s climate will change drastically as you move throughout the regions, so take the time to experience as many as possible before you take the plunge.
Rainy season vs. dry season
Like many tropical countries, the Costa Rica climate is split into two seasons, rainy and dry. The dry season or summer (named ‘verano’ by Spanish colonizers) generally runs from December to April, while the rainy season or winter (‘invierno’) spans from May to November.
Yet even the dry and rainy season will vary slightly from region to region and the distinct topography of each place will have an influence on the climate.
The sweeping mountain ranges that spread from northwest to southwest split Costa Rica into two regions, the Caribbean slope and the Pacific slope. And the rainy and dry season differs on each slope.
Along the Caribbean slope the rainy season spans from late April through to December while the Pacific slope experiences its rainy season from May to November.
But it doesn’t end there. The climate on each slope will also change according to the region. The Northern portion of the Pacific slope will experience an extreme dry season with little to no rain and the Southern half will have a shorter and less intense dry season.
So now that you know the basics of Costa Rica climate, you can begin to take a closer look at the different climate zones, a factor that will help many expats in choosing the ideal spot to call home.
Central Valley
The Central Valley of Costa Rica, that includes the capital city of San Jose, attracts many expats and tourists with its ‘eternal spring’ climate. But even in the valley the climate will change from warm and dry to chilly and humid depending on which side you choose.
When it comes to Costa Rica climate, it all depends on elevation.
The western suburb of San Jose, Pavas, sits at an elevation of 3, 280 ft. (1000 m), giving it an ideal average temperature of 71°F (22°C), while in the foothills of the Poás Volcano (located on an elevation of 6, 070 ft.) on the opposite side of Central Valley, the average temperature is a much cooler 62°F (17.4°C).
But no matter where you choose to settle, in the Central Valley, you can expect to be greeted with moderate temperatures, clear mornings, and rainy evenings, making it the perfect combination for many expats.
North Pacific
Jarle Naustvik
The gorgeous North Pacific region is the most popular region in Costa Rica due to its warm sunny weather and numerous beaches like Playa Conchal, Playa Ocotal and Playa Coco, to name a few.
Liberia, the capital city of Guanacaste can be found in the North Pacific region and boasts an average temperature of 82°F (28°C), perhaps a little too hot for some expats, but just right for others.
Central Pacific
This region of Costa Rica includes the provinces of Puntarenas and San Jose and is home to many popular expat destinations like Dominical, Uvita and Jaco.
In Puntarenas to the north, it is not uncommon for the daytime high to reach the low 90s and while this may seem a bit on the hot side, the cool breeze coming off the Pacific works wonders to help manage the heat.
South Pacific
real world photos
The South Pacific is home to some of the country’s most diverse landscapes and in this region you can enjoy both mountain ranges and majestic stretches of rainforest, including the Corcovado National Park (home of the world’s only Jaguar reserve).
As a result of this varied topography, the climate in the South Pacific bounces from hot to cold. In some higher areas the temperature can dip as low as 50°F (10°C) making a light jacket a must.
Near the coast, the average temperature remains high year round, from the low 80s to the low 90s, but a more moderate climate can be found in the Valle del General (the general valley) and the temperature here will hover around the high 70s to the low 80s.
Caribbean
Spanning the length of the Caribbean coast, the Caribbean region is quite humid, and here, heavy rainfall can sometimes last for days.
Although it rains throughout the year, you will find drier weather in September and October, which incidentally, are the wettest months in the Central Valley.
Northern Zone
In the Northern Zone, the climate will differ in accordance with the altitude. In the areas that sit at a higher elevation, the temperature can drop to the low sixties, while the lowlands remain in the high seventies to low eighties.
The Northern Zone is also home to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a breathtaking, mist covered forest that has become a popular tourist spot.
So which climate is right for you?
With cool temperatures in the highlands, eternal spring in the Central Valley and heat along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the Costa Rica climate is extremely diverse and definitely something all expats should consider.
To make sure that you pick the right region for you, rent before you buy and experience the many different micro-climates Costa Rica has to offer until you find that perfect match and the perfect place to call home.
With hundreds of miles of pristine beach, Costa Rica is home to some of the most incredible beaches in the world. Here is our list of the best beaches in Costa Rica, which are not only some of the most beautiful, but also those with adventurous activities, wildlife, and often complete solitude.
Playa Cocles
Sean
The jungle beach town of Playa Cocles in the South Caribbean is easily one of the best places to live or visit in all of Costa Rica. The stunning jungle-backed beaches stretch for miles with barreling waves for surfers, incredible wildlife for nature lovers, and deserted patches for those seeking relaxation.
The neighborhood hosts a world class yoga studio, several spas, a Costa Rican chocolate café, and an incredible variety of international restaurants. The Caribbean flavor from nearby Puerto Viejo, a short two miles away, trickles in and it’s not uncommon to hear Reggae or eat coconut curry stew on the road.
Cocles will definitely rank as one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for those desiring true jungle immersion with a strong expat community focused on healthy living and those brave enough to surf the epic waves.
Manuel Antonio
Xiao Zhuli
Manuel Antonio may be the most popular beach in all of Costa Rica. It certainly has a reputation for being an American tourist destination, and the many expensive Americanized restaurants reflect that.
However the beautiful beaches in the national park are some of the most stunning in the country and teeming with wildlife. Spotting iguanas, coati, sloths, and all four species of monkeys is likely inside the park and often on the beach. During migration season you can see whales and dolphins offshore. Other outdoor adventures like parasailing, ziplining, and horseback riding are also available.
If you can’t stand the crowds, come during the very beginning or end of the dry season to enjoy sunny days and beautiful sunsets on relatively empty beaches.
Playa Samara
Daniel Stanberg
Playa Samara is one of the most beloved beaches in all of Costa Rica. Laid-back hotels and restaurants line the horseshoe bay, yet the shore remains empty, offering solitude and relaxation. The relatively flat sea is perfect for kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, or learning to surf. Nearby wilderness beaches are perfect for exploration.
The town has an expat presence with sushi bars, Italian restaurants, and Canadian-owned hostels, but maintains its small town authenticity. Fishermen are everywhere selling their fresh catch on the shore. Delicious sodas (Costa Rican cafes) pile plates high with rice and beans and seared seasoned carne.
It is a great place for families, expats looking to invest in a business, vacationers, and backpackers.
Playa Guiones
Chris Gold
If you enjoy surfing and yoga, expect to arrive in Playa Guiones and never leave. The town, which is in the Nosara region of the Nicoya Peninsula, sits on a white sand horseshoe bay with excellent waves for beginner, intermediate, and advanced surfers. The many surf schools and board rentals make learning and practicing very accessible.
The Nosara Yoga Institute in Playa Guiones put Costa Rica on the yogi map and now several studios and yoga retreat centers reside in Playa Guiones and nearby beaches.
Beyond yoga and surf, there is plenty to do in Playa Guiones. The town has lovely cafes and restaurants and the expansive beach makes for great walks. Every evening at sunset the town gathers on the shore to watch the epic sunsets.
Nearby Playa Rosada and Punta Pelada are also beautiful and can be walked to from Playa Guiones.
Manzanillo
Diana
The intimate beach coves hidden in the wildlife refuge of Manzanillo are some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, if not the world. Turquoise water crashes on the golden sand, dramatic cliffs offer stunning views, and the lush jungle filled with animals spans for miles. Take a nature hike, snorkel the reef, or simply relax.
For added adventure, take a tour through the jungle spotting howler monkeys and sloths, hike to the viewpoint for amazing views of the crashing waves and nearby beach coves, then climb into the coral caves where bats seek refuge.
The town is a small distinctly Caribbean fishing village with a few local Caribbean restaurants and cabinas. Popular Puerto Viejo Limon and the many beach towns near it offer options for other restaurants and lodging and are a bike or short bus ride away.
Pavones
Arturo Sotillo
The black sand beaches in Pavones are some of the most dramatic on the Pacific Coast. Glowing frothy green sea kisses the dark shimmering black shore for an incredible contrast. The surrounding wilderness will make you feel like you’ve reached the end of the earth and the sunsets are positively spectacular.
Beyond its beauty, Pavones is famous for its long left point break. Grab a surfboard and ride the wave that put this town on the map. If you’re more of a swimmer, a cool, clear water river runs for miles from the hills down to the beach. Climb to the top and take inner tubes down, jump off the bridge with locals, or simply cool off and explore.
Restaurants and accommodations are inexpensive and locally owned and even with the influx of surfers the town maintains its Costa Rican charm.
Playa Barrigona
Massie
This beach is so beautiful, even Mel Gibson owns property here. Scenic country roads connect Playa Barrigona with nearby Samara making it an undiscovered but accessible place to visit. The sand is white with a pink hue and at low tide you can climb large stretches of sand dollar-covered rocks. Olive ridley turtles come from all over to lay their eggs on the shore during the rainy season, making it a very special place ecologically as well. The riptides are strong so take care with little ones and do not go out swimming.
San Juanillo
Enrique Balsevicius
A short drive from the popular surf beach Playa Guiones in Nosara, is the secret white sand beach of San Juanillo. Fishing boats rock on the turquoise sea and millions of shells wash up on the shore. Explore the massive rocks or float in the clear water. The town itself is quite small and authentically Costa Rican.
Playa Uvita’s “Whale Tale”
CostaRicaProperty
The area of Uvita is famous for its incredible marine life and frequent whale spottings, but few know about the secret “whale tale” beach. During high tide the shore is completely submerged, but as the tide recedes a beautiful sandy peninsula reveals itself for relaxation and exploration.
Playa Carrillo
M.Prinke
The peaceful palm tree-lined horseshoe bay of Playa Carillo on the Nicoya Peninsula might be as close to paradise as it gets. The white sand beaches and calm water makes it a perfect beach for relaxation and sunbathing. Boating and fishing are also quite popular due to the calm sea. It is also possible to spot crocodiles in the nearby river. The town has restaurants and accommodations, but travelers will find a larger community in the nearby town of Samara, which is a pleasant hike or a short bus ride away.
Best Beaches in Costa Rica?
The answer really depends on you. Do you have a favorite beach that we’ve missed?
Want to swing through the jungle like Tarzan? Then take up canyoning and Costa Rica is the perfect place to give it a try.
This emerging eco-sport is a combination of waterfall rappelling, down climbing, river tracing, and hiking. Check out our picks for the most incredible, if not a bit off the beaten-path, places to go canyoning.
1. Hang by a rope in Jaco.
Jaco might be home to the most rappel lines in all of Costa Rica. It is also where you will navigate down a 300 foot waterfall through a series of smaller falls and finally end up dipping into calm pools, the perfect spot for a bit of bird watching.
Photo Credit: Gina Grove
2. Uvita, is for beginners.
This is where Mother Nature built her own waterfall theme park. It’s a great place to begin canyoning. Most treks involve rappelling through several waterfalls of varying heights from smallest to biggest, making it a great stepping stone into the sport.
Photo Credit: Eevryday Family Blog
3. Turrialba meshes zip lines and waterfalls, high up in a cloud forest.
Turrialba is home to the Pacuare river and the Puente Vigas Canyon and sits just a two hour drive below San Jose, the nation’s capital. Canyoning at Turrialba is just a bit more difficult than at Uvita, with waterfall rappelling, vertical climb downs, and zip lines through a rustic cloud forest.
Photo Credit: Saku Yanini
4. Waterfalls are Monteverde.
Prepare to get wet, Monteverde is known for its waterfalls. Getting to these isolated waterfalls will have you hiking through a cloud forest into a remote canyon surrounded by primary rainforest. Definitely a true canyoning experience.
Photo Credit: Graeme Churchard
5. Go big, go large at The Lost Canyon.
The Lost Canyon is hands-down said to be the best spot for canyoning in all of Costa Rica. Near the Arenal Volcano, it is rugged, mountainous terrain making for an memorable canyoneering experience.
Photo Credit: Lars Olsson
Have an incredible canyoning experience you would like to share or just know of a great spot we missed? Leave us a comment below!
Costa Rica’s forests cover less than 0.03% of the Earth’s surface, yet it contains nearly 5% of the planet’s plant and animal species. Clearly this tiny country is an incredible place to experience our planet at its most abundant!
1. Ballena National Marine Park – Puntarenas, Central Pacific Region
This unique park is along one of the more remote stretches of Costa Rica’s coastline, on the southern end of the Central Pacific region, and encompasses several beaches. The park gets its Spanish name for a peculiar sandbar formation at Playa Uvita beach that goes straight out toward the ocean before splitting and curving in two directions, much like a whale’s tale.
Photo Credit: David Herskovits
2. Palo Verde National Park – Guanacaste, Pacific Coast Region
This is an undiscovered jewel in the Costa Rican park system. The animal population is spectacular. The trail system leaves something to be desired, but this certainly means fewer crowds, and there are a number of areas that can be explored by boat.
Photo Credit: Rod David
3. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge – Alajuela, Costa Rica – Nicaraguan Border
Nature cruises through these wetlands are quite popular, but don’t worry, there are thousands of acres to explore. A boat trip here or in Tortuguero, or Damas estuary is certainly the easiest and maybe the best way to see a lot of wildlife on your visit to Costa Rica.
Photo Credit: David Berkowitz
4. Manuel Antonio National Park – Quepos, Pacific Coast Region
For a tame, up-close glimpse of the rain forest and some of its more photogenic inhabitants, Manuel Antonio National Park is a favorite. Located on the central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most visited—and smallest—national parks.
Photo Credit: Emmanuelle Bourgue
5. Monteverde Cloud Forest and Biological Reserve – Monteverde, Cordillera de Tilarán Mountain Range
Costa Rica’s most famous cloud forest reserve is packed with an astonishing variety of life: 2,500 plant species, 400 species of birds, 500 types of butterflies, and more than 100 different mammals have been catalogued so far.
Photo Credit: Jardín Botánico Nacional
Let us know where you get up-close-and-personal with nature in Costa Rica.