PLAYA BAHÍA BALLENA AND PLAYA UVITA

Getting there: They are located about 18 km south of Dominical.

Available services: water, restrooms, restaurant, cabins, hotels, stores, offices, internet, public telephone, electricity, super market, hardware store, discotheque, and pharmacy.

What to do: body surfing, boogie boarding, fishing, camping, kayaking, swimming in the ocean or river, sport fishing, tours to the islands, horseback riding, ultralite tours, participation in turtle conservation projects, scuba diving, soccer or beach volleyball, observation of birds and wildlife.

Activities that are prohibited:: swimming where the lifeguards indicate that it is dangerous, throwing garbage on the beach or in the streets. The maximum speed limit in town is 25 km/h. Driving of motor vehicles is prohibited on the beach (according to law of traffic #7331). Hunting or the abuse or pursuit of wild animals such as garrobos, iguanas and birds is prohibited, as well as fishing with poison, nets, or spear guns. Bonfires are also restricted as much of the firewood is home to many creatures.

Where to stay and eat: In Uvita, there are many options for dining. If you are looking for something more affordable, look for a "soda" (typical Costa Rica cuisine). Options for lodging include beach houses, bungalows, cabins and camping areas.

For more information on hotels or restaurants, visit the hotel or restaurant categories on this site.

Playa Bahia Ballena is in the heart of the Ballena National Park. One can walk at least 15 kilometers on this endless beach. It has the peculiar characteristic that at low tide, many natural pools are revealed among the natural rock formations. Here you can observe many species of marine life, such as colorful fish, mollusks, star fish, birds and many others.

Playa Uvita is also inside the conservation area of the Ballena National Park; therefore, industrial fishing, hunting, or extraction of any type of marine wildlife is prohibited.

The Ballena National Park is located at the outlet of the Higuerón River or Morete and Punta Piñuelas, district of Bahía Ballena. The park includes some 5,375 hectares of sea and 115 hectares of land. The park protects important habitat like sandy beaches, rocky beaches, tidelands, mangroves, cliffs, islands, rocky reefs, the tide pools at Punta Uvita and the coral reefs, which all play an important role in the reproduction of marine life.

At Playa Uvita, you can camp and enjoy the basic services that the park provides;  such as fresh water, restrooms, showers, restaurants, cabins, etc. You can go snorkeling in the natural pools and observe the varied marine life. It is also possible to rent a boat, to go sport fishing or scuba diving, or take a tour to Caño Island, Violines Island or Ballena Island.

If you would like to see more pictures of this beach, please visit the photo section of this site.

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