Uvita & Marino Ballena

Uvita is a small, relaxed town at the doorstep of Marino Ballena National Park. It’s an easy, paved drive down the Costanera from San José, and a great base for the whole South Pacific.

About Uvita

Uvita is a small town on the Costanera highway and the gateway to Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its whale’s-tail-shaped sandbar. It’s quieter than Manuel Antonio, with jungle hills behind the coast and waterfalls a short drive away.

Things to do

• Walk the whale’s tail (Punta Uvita) at low tide. Check tide tables, because the sandbar disappears at high tide. The park entrance fee is around US$6–10.
• Whale watching: humpbacks visit roughly July–October and December–March; boat tours are about US$80–100.
• Uvita Waterfall and the larger Nauyaca Waterfalls (about 30 minutes north).
• Playa Ventanas: sea caves visible at low tide, 15 minutes south.

Where to stay

Lodges in the hills have ocean views (an SUV helps on their steep driveways), and simpler places are near the highway and the beach. Rooms are roughly US$60–250 a night.

Practical tips

• Park only in the official lots at the park entrances.
• Uvita has supermarkets, banks and gas stations, so it’s a practical base for the whole south Pacific.
• Heavy afternoon rain is common from May to November; plan beach time for the morning.

Top things to do in Uvita & Marino Ballena

• Whale's Tail (Punta Uvita)A sandbar shaped like a whale tail, walkable at low tide.
• Whale watchingHumpbacks visit roughly July–October and December–March.
• Uvita WaterfallSmall, swimmable waterfall just above town.
• Nauyaca WaterfallsSpectacular two-tier falls near Dominical.

Driving, parking & safety notes

• Hillside lodges often have steep gravel driveways — an SUV helps.
• Use official park parking at Marino Ballena.