If you want to visit a place in Costa Rica with less crowds, more lush rainforest, abundant wildlife and empty beaches, there is one destination in Costa Rica that perfectly fits this description: Uvita.
This small beach town in the South Pacific is perfect for anyone looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway close to the beach and the rainforest.
Below is our list of the best things to do in Uvita and a sample itinerary of how to spend 3 days there.
If you are interested in doing any tours like ATV, Caño Island snorkeling, whale watching or Sierpe mangrove boat tour, please contact us and we will be happy to help set it up!
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Uvita Quick Facts
- 212 km (131 miles) from San Jose International Airport.
- 319 km (198 miles) from Guanacaste Airport.
- 3.5 hours driving from San Jose, 5 hours from Liberia.
- Small coastal town in the South Pacific, specifically in an area known as the Costa Ballena. Other towns in the Costa Ballena are Dominical and Ojochal.
- Known for mountains, tropical rainforest, wildlife (specifically humpback whales)
Visit Marino Ballena National Park to See the Whale Tail
Marino Ballena National Park is a huge national park in Uvita encompassing four different beaches and rainforest.
This beach is very big with vast palm tree lined beaches, perfect for walking, swimming and sunbathing.
This national park has one very interesting characteristic: there is an area where two beaches meet and during low tide, the rocks and sand create a formation in the shape of a whale’s tail.
It’s even more fascinating that this specific national park has this characteristic because Uvita is known as the best place to see humpback whales in Costa Rica!
To see the Whale Tail, you have to visit during low tide or else the water will cover it in high tide.
There are four different sections to the park but the main one is Sector Uvita, the closest to the Whale Tail.
If you visit the park, do make sure you see the sunset here, it is stunning!
Do a Humpback Whale Watching Tour
As Marino Ballena National Park is one of the best places to go humpback whale watching in Costa Rica, you cannot skip out on a whale watching tour!
The best months to see humpback whales are December to mid March and then July to October.
Peak months are August and September.
You will also have chances to see other marine wildlife like dolphins and turtles.
Whale watching tours are half day, in the morning or afternoon and depart from the national park.
Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
30 minutes away from Uvita are two of the most popular waterfalls in Costa Rica, Nauyaca Waterfalls.
There are three ways to get to the waterfalls in the rainforest: hike 4 kilometers (~2.5 miles), go horseback riding or ride a 4×4 truck. There is also an accessible path.
The 4×4 truck is the easiest and fastest way and it is accessible for everyone.
The hike is fantastic for active visitors.
Once you’re at the waterfall, you can swim in the pool, lay on the rocks or jump off the side of the fall.
Take a Surf Lesson
There are a couple of good spots for surf lessons in Uvita, particularly the Sector Colonia in Marino Ballena National Park.
For experienced surfers (shortboarders), head to Dominical as waves there can get very big and strong!
For longboarding, we love Playa Dominicalito, just south of Dominical (15 minute drive from Uvita).
Caño Island Snorkeling Tour (Scuba Diving Available Too)
Caño Island Biological Reserve is one of the best snorkel/scuba dive spots in Costa Rica.
It’s famous for the pre-Columbian artifacts found on the island and many biologists come to research the coral.
You can take snorkel/scuba dive day trips to Cano Island from Uvita.
It’s about a 1.5 hour boat ride departing from Marino Ballena National Park to the island.
Once you arrive, you’ll do two separate snorkel sessions, each about 30 minutes, and head back along the coast for stunning views after having lunch on one of the nearby islands or on the boat.
You can see dolphins, turtles, all sorts of fish like snappers, jacks, trumpet fish, pufferfish, parrotfish and more.
You can read about our Caño Island snorkeling trip. Definitely a must do!
If you are a scuba diver, there are some scuba diving shops in the area to explore the underwater world.
Day Trip to Corcovado National Park
If you’re not planning on going any further south, then a day trip to Corcovado National Park is another must do.
From Uvita, you’re a boat ride away from one of the most biologically diverse spots in the world.
Day trips from Uvita go to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, where you’ll hike for a couple hours and visit a waterfall.
Wildlife that can be seen at San Pedrillo station are birds such as toucans, Scarlet Macaws, woodpeckers, parrots, tanagers, tapirs, agoutis, coatimundis, howler monkeys, spider monkeys and white face monkeys.
Don’t miss out visiting one of the most biologically diverse national parks in the world!
Catarata Uvita (Uvita Waterfall)
There is a small but charming waterfall right in Uvita and is worth a visit. The entrance fee is only about $3 USD a person.
You can relax in the river pools or even climb up to Uvita waterfall and slide down!
It’s a great place for families or anyone looking for a cheap and close activity in Uvita.
Beach Hopping!
Along the Costanera Sur, there are a ton of entrances that look like they don’t go into anything.
Many of them actually go to different beaches such as Playa Ventanas, Playa Tortuga, Playa Linda, Hermosa and more.
Since the Costa Ballena is so vast, there are tons of different beaches to check out.
If you’re up for more of an adventure and want to put your explorer hat on, visit Playa Arco, part of the Marino Ballena National Park.
You can only get to this beach during low tide due to its location.
There are two ways to get there. The easy one is through the Cusinga Lodge, they have a trail down to the beach and you just have to ask them for access as all beaches in Costa Rica are public.
The second way is more adventurous.
You have to park a bit south near the MINAE post (Sector Ballena) and walk about 30 minutes across a beach, over a river and through the forest to get to the beach.
Please make sure you ONLY visit during low tide.
When the high tide comes in, it floods the entrances and is not possible to get out or go in. Also make sure not to leave any valuables unattended at the beach or in your car.
Bird watching
The South Pacific rainforest is home to a ton of birds and offers fantastic birdwatching in Costa Rica.
You can find birds endemic to this area with beautiful coloration and interesting calls, making this spot a must for bird lovers.
You can take a birdwatching tour or just wake up early and walk around your hotel property if it’s up in the mountains.
Hacienda Baru offers fantastic birding tours on their huge wildlife reserve (20 minute drive).
For more hardcore birders, La Cusinga Lodge is a wonderful birding lodge in the area.
Sierpe Mangrove Boat Tour
The Sierpe mangrove is the largest in Central America so it is incredibly important for the surrounding flora and fauna.
Mangroves are an essential ecosystem, providing home and shelter to all sorts of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals!
The safari boat ride through the mangrove is the best way to experience this unique ecosystem and see the wildlife that lives inside it.
You’ll be inside a covered river boat for about a 2.5 hour ride while your guide points out different animals.
This is a great way to see wildlife for seniors or anyone who doesn’t want to do any strenuous activity.
Other Recommendations
We also recommend visiting the local market “El Mercado de Bahia Ballena” on Wednesdays from 8 AM to 2 PM and Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM. They’ll have local artists and vendors selling their goodies.
Tips for Visiting Uvita
Some hotels and places require a 4wd or 4X4. Check with your hotel first if this is necessary and arrange appropriate transportation.
If you want to explore, you have to rent a car. Without it, you are really stuck and will not be able to see much. Get our Costa Rica car rental discount here.
Remember to bring lots of mosquito repellent, sunscreen and rain gear, especially in rainy season. This area is much more humid so mosquitoes are really bad.
This area can rain even in the dry season. Make sure to bring a waterproof rain jacket and clothes that dry fast.
Get our Costa Rica packing list here and read about Costa Rica weather in this post.
In February/March is the Envision Festival in Uvita.If you are visiting then but not for the festival, book your hotels ASAP! Expect it to be very busy and crowded.
How to Spend 3 Days in Uvita
Here is a sample itinerary with our recommendations for 3 full days in Uvita (not counting travel days).
Day 1: Whale watching tour in the morning
If you are visiting during whale season, then take a morning whale watching tour! It ends around 1130 AM and if you’re not super hungry afterwards, then walk out to see the Whale Tail if it’s low tide.
If you aren’t visiting during whale season, we recommend to do the Caño Island snorkeling tour instead.
If it’s not low tide, you can stay in the beach if you like. Otherwise, have lunch at a Costa Rican restaurant right outside the park entrance, Los Almendros. Then go back to your hotel to shower, freshen up, nap.
For sunset/happy hour and dinner, head to Mirador Don Roger to spend your evening.
Day 2: Uvita Waterfall, Playa Hermosa
Head to the Uvita Waterfall around 10-11 AM and spend a couple hours there cooling off in the refreshing water. For lunch, get a hearty meal at Mosaic Wine Bar or Indomitos Cafe (Vegetarian).
Then stop by the hotel to change or pick up stuff and head to Playa Hermosa for the rest of the day and sunset.
For dinner, we highly recommend Bar Restaurant Los Laureles. They also have cabins and rooms for a very reasonable price.
Day 3: Relax, ATV or Enjoy the Pool
For your last day, it’s up to you how you want to enjoy it! If you want to do a fun excursion, then I recommend an ATV tour in the morning and then relax the rest of the day.
For another day excursion, we recommend the Cano Island + Corcovado National Park combo tour.
If you’re staying at a very high end luxury hotel, then definitely get your money’s worth and spend the day enjoying the pool and property.
You can find some of the most spectacular boutique luxury hotels and vacation rentals in the Uvita area such as Kura Boutique, Golden Pineapple Villas and Oxygen Jungle Villas.
Want to read about other things to do in Costa Rica? Here you go!
10 things to do in Arenal and La Fortuna
5 things to do in Playa Conchal
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
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AJ says
How is Uvita Waterfall for little ones? We just did Rainmaker the other day and my kids loved it, but I know some of the falls can be very strong during the rainy season. We want to try and hit the Uvita waterfall after our Nauyaca trip in the morning later this week.
Sammi says
It’s really fun. The Uvita waterfall has some platforms and then people sit in the pools, then some people slide down the waterfall. The first park has a butterfly garden too. But the waterfall is really small, if you compare it to Nauyaca Waterfalls, it doesn’t even compare when it comes to size
Amy says
Is there a particular company you recommend for horseback riding to Nauyaca Falls?
Sammi says
Hi Amy, the Don Lulos place has horseback riding tours, that’s who we went with
Ange says
Hi, LOVE your info, thank you! Can you please advise where would be a good place to get a view of the whale tail? Either from a cafe, or just from the roadside? Thanks! 🙂
Sammi says
Mirador Don Roger is a restaurant with a gorgeous view!
Ann Higgins says
Hi there! I’m enjoying reading everything you have! We are staying in Manuel Antonio in an Airbnb. I am an adventurer. I would like to go to Uvita and the Corcovado National Park and potentially the snorkeling trip you mention. How far is the drive to Uvita and do you think this is too far?
Sammi says
Hi Ann, Uvita is around 1 hour south of Manuel Antonio, it’s a very easy drive down the Route 34. Our partners do run Cano Island snorkeling tours and they also run a Corcovado NP park tour as well. We have sent you an email with more information and we also saw you made a couple of rental car quotes which we’ve also emailed you back with more information. Feel free to reach out if you have further questions.