Uvita town
Food, transportThe small town by the highway.
Town guide
Things to do in Uvita
The heart of the Costa Ballena: the whale-tail sandbar of Marino Ballena National Park, humpback whales twice a year, jungle waterfalls, and surf at nearby Dominical.
14
Hostels in the city
8.5
Average, from 1,935 reviews
2
Whale seasons a year
3–4
Days
The whale coast
Uvita is a small, relaxed town on the southern Pacific coast, on the stretch known as the Costa Ballena, the Whale Coast. It is the base for Marino Ballena National Park, where at low tide a sandbar and rocky reef form the shape of a whale's tail, visible from above.
Humpback whales come here to breed and give birth twice a year: from the north between December and March, and from the south between July and October, which makes the Costa Ballena one of the longest whale-watching seasons in the world. Dolphins are seen all year.
Inland, the hills behind the town are covered in rainforest with waterfalls, such as the Uvita Waterfall and Nauyaca Waterfalls. Dominical, 20 minutes north, is a surf town with powerful waves and a backpacker scene. Uvita is also the gateway south to the Osa Peninsula. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Uvita town for food and transport, the hills for jungle lodges and views, or Dominical for surf and nightlife.
Uvita hills
Jungle lodgesLodges with ocean views.
Dominical
Surf, nightlifeA surf town 20 minutes north.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Uvita
Walk the whale-tail sandbar in Marino Ballena National Park at low tide, and swim and snorkel at Playa Uvita and Playa Ballena. In whale season, take a boat tour to see humpbacks, and look for dolphins all year.
Hike to Nauyaca Waterfalls, a two-tier fall with a swimming pool, and slide down the natural rock slide at the Uvita Waterfall. Take a boat to Caño Island for some of the best snorkelling and diving in the country.
Surf or take lessons in Dominical, and go on to Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Beaches outside the national park are free, including Playa Hermosa and Dominical's beaches.
Watching the sunset and walking the town cost nothing.
Marino Ballena charges a small entry fee, about €5, and the waterfalls charge small fees.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Uvita has sodas serving casados for €6 to €10, a weekly farmers' market and a growing number of cafes and international restaurants.
Fresh fish, ceviche and tropical fruit are everywhere.
Restaurant bills add 13 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge, so check whether menu prices include them; an extra tip is optional.
Nightlife
Going out
Uvita is quiet at night. Dominical, 20 minutes away, has beach bars and weekly parties, busy with surfers and backpackers.
The Envision Festival, a big music, art and yoga festival, takes place near Uvita in late February or early March.
Cocktails cost €6 to €10.
Getting around
Getting around
Public buses run from San José to Uvita in around four to five hours, and shuttles from Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna and San José cost €40 to €70. Buses also run to Dominical, Quepos and the south.
Taxis and tours go to the waterfalls. A car is useful for the hills, where some roads need 4WD.
Boats to Caño Island leave from Uvita.
Costs
What Uvita costs
Dorm beds start at around €13 to €22 a night. Casados cost €6 to €10.
Whale-watching tours cost about €70 to €90, Caño Island trips more, and the national park about €5.
US dollars are accepted everywhere alongside colones.
Safety
Safety and scams
Uvita is generally safe. Never leave belongings in cars or on the beach.
Rip currents are strong at Dominical and some other beaches; surf and swim with care. Check tides before walking the whale tail, as the water comes back fast.
Choose whale-watching operators that respect distance rules. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Whale seasons and Envision.
December to March, July to October
Humpback whale seasons
Marino Ballena
Whales from both hemispheres.
Late February or early March
Envision Festival
Near Uvita
Music, art and yoga.
September
Whale and Dolphin Festival
Uvita
A local festival for the whale season.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Uvita, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
December to April is the dry season. Humpback whales visit from December to March and from July to October. September and October are the wettest months.
Jan
Whales, dry
Feb
Whales, dry
Mar
Whales, Envision
Apr
Dry
May
Green season
Jun
Rain
Jul
Whales return
Aug
Whales
Sep
Whales, wet
Oct
Wettest
Nov
Rain easing
Dec
Whales arrive
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot and humid.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Uvita prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Uvita questions
The ones we get asked most.
When can I see whales in Uvita?
From December to March and from July to October.
What is the whale tail?
A sandbar and reef in Marino Ballena National Park shaped like a whale's tail, walkable at low tide.
How do I get to Uvita?
By bus from San José in 4 to 5 hours, or by shuttle.
Uvita or Dominical?
Uvita is quieter and close to the park; Dominical has surf and nightlife.
How much is Marino Ballena?
About €5.
Can I visit Corcovado from Uvita?
Yes, via Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez, with a guide.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April, or whale seasons.
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