Where to stay in Uvita: Bahía, the highway town, Ojochal or Dominical

מה כדאי לראות ב־Uvita

1. 1

   Marino Ballena National Park

   The park protects a few kilometres of beach and forest edge and a large area of sea created to give humpback whales a safe place to breed. Visitors swim, snorkel and join boat trips to see whales and dolphins. Choose licensed operators that keep a respectful distance from the animals.

2. 2

   Whale's Tail

   At low tide a sandbar emerges and curves out from the point at Uvita, forming the shape of a whale's tail when seen from above. You can walk out along it on the sand, but the tide returns quickly, so check the tide times and leave in good time.

3. 

   3.Playa Colonia

   A quieter beach in the southern part of the park, backed by palms and forest. It is a good place for a long walk and a picnic, but like many Pacific beaches it can have rip currents, so be careful when swimming.

4. 

   4.Nauyaca Waterfalls

   A two-tiered waterfall that drops into a deep pool in the hills inland from Dominical, reached on foot or by horseback along a track. Swimming is possible in the pool, but the rocks are slippery and the river can rise fast after heavy rain.

5. 5

   Isla Ballena

   A rocky island off the park's shore, seen on boat trips and popular with seabirds. Tours often combine it with whale watching and snorkelling stops along the coast.

איפה ללון בUvita

• Uvita Bahía

  The beachside area by the park entrance has small hotels, cabins and cafés within walking distance of the sand. It suits beach lovers and families who want a quiet stay, though the supermarkets are a short drive away.

• Uvita town centre

  The highway side has the supermarkets, banks, bus stops and many restaurants. It suits travellers relying on buses and anyone who wants everyday amenities, but the beach is about two kilometres away.

• Ojochal

  A quiet village in the hills a short drive south, known for international restaurants and boutique lodges. It suits couples who like good food and a calm, green setting, but you will need a car.

• Dominical

  A laid-back surf town to the north with a beachfront strip of shops, bars and surf schools. It suits surfers and backpackers, though the sea has powerful currents.

הזמן הטוב ביותר לבקר בUvita

The dry season, from December to April, brings sunshine and the best conditions for beaches and hikes, as well as the biggest crowds. From May to November rain falls mostly in the afternoon, and September and October are the wettest months, when roads and rivers can flood and some tours are cancelled. Humpback whales visit in two seasons, roughly December to March and again from July to October, so there is a fair chance of seeing them even in the green season, although sightings are never guaranteed.

איך מסתובבים בUvita

Uvita is spread out along the coastal highway, so a car, scooter or bicycle is very useful, while Bahía itself is easy to explore on foot. Buses run along the coast road to nearby towns, but the beach is a couple of kilometres off the highway, so taxis and shuttles fill the gap. Shared shuttles from San José take around four hours, regular buses take longer, and small domestic flights serve Palmar Sur, about 40 minutes south. In the rainy season a higher-clearance vehicle helps on unpaved roads.

אוכל ושתייה בUvita

Eating in Uvita means casados, the set plate served at small family eateries called sodas: rice, beans, plantain and salad with chicken, fish or beef. Gallo pinto, rice and beans fried with onion and sweet pepper, is the breakfast staple, and ceviche, fresh fish cured in lime juice, is a coastal favourite alongside fried fish and patacones, crisp green plantain. Tropical fruit smoothies and fresh juices are everywhere. Ojochal has a reputation for international cooking, from French to Thai, and Costa Rican coffee makes a good souvenir.

שאלות על ביקור בUvita