The drive times are too long and it wouldn’t be enjoyable. I was thinking of booking a hotel for a couple nights and then scout around for places to stay for about 2 to 3 weeks. Any other great resources for a longer stay? UVITA IT IS THEN!!!! At low tide, you can walk its length and explore the rocks and tide pools near the tip. I read your post on the south but didn’t see it listed. The Herradura area is nice so it will still feel like you’re on vacation. Marino Ballena National Park offers plenty to do for beachgoers. We have several more recommendations for things to do in the Costa Ballena in our post 8 Things to Do in Dominical. You are supposed to do the hike on a guided tour. And yes, you can rent a car from SJO airport and then drop it off in Uvita and shuttle the rest of the way, or drop it off in Sierpe. Pura vida! Itâs a great one- the Nauyaca are our favorite waterfalls in the entire country. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-61271963', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Dominical Dave - actually at Canto del Mar which was on the HHI episode. There are a group of us (10-15) coming February 2017 to celebrate my 50th Birthday. Australia!) From higher end to budget, here are our top recommendations. They have already been seeing a lot of whales so it’s a great time for that too. Hi Matt/Jenn, To book a tour through the company that we highly recommend in Uvita, see the Booking a Tour section, below. Along the sandy palm-tree-lined avenue next to the beach are dozens of merchants selling souvenirs, and a handful of casual restaurants serving up quick bites alongside cold drinks. Thanks for taking the time to write. It’s about $40 a person. Marked by a small hub of banks, restaurants, grocery stores, and offices near the main highway, Uvita is a town that offers much more than convenient commerce. Be sure to make reservations. I’m in! That one is every Tuesday and has a ton of fruits, veggies, eggs, and homemade products like bread, cheese, etc. Any advice you may offer? Love your website ð It has been such a helpful resource for planning my Costa Rica adventures! Read our Privacy Policy for more information. I am thinking Uvita might be the place? , the Costa Ballena (Whale Coast) consists of the towns of Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal. To arrange a horseback tour, see the Tour Booking section, below. Villas Alturas offers both one- and two-bedroom units, making it a good option for families. Have you made it down to Drake Bay by any chance? Yes, it’s about 3.5-4 hours to the airport depending on traffic. Ojochal doesn’t have a ton of options so might book up. Click here to read our review about it and get 10% off your booking. ), mainly for the possibility to see the whales, and also for the yoga and maybe a surf lesson ð However I’ve read in several places that Dominical especially is quite a party town – with drugs and crime to match … Are you aware of this; and do you know the extent of the problem? Thanks a ton for your response! Closer is better, but we’d be willing to drive south if there are places in Ojochal that you’d say are worth the effort. also if you have any other questions please feel free to send me a note. They are also a lot different from one another so will be unique experiences. There are two separate humpback migrations, each over several months, which ensures that it is whale season almost year-round. Check Rates and Availability Here. Hope you have a great trip! Other than that, your options are Playa Ventanas near Ojochal (fairly calm most of the time but there can be rip currents) and Playa Arco, but that is harder to get to and has some safety concerns recently. Itâs a very small town, though it is close to Uvita, which has more. Again, Dave West and His Wife at ReMax Dominical may have something just right if you contact them. Southern Expeditions Dominical Costa Rica. Another shared trait are the verdant green mountains that rise quickly from the smoothly paved highway. You can go at the Whale’s Tail but it really depends on conditions. Features discounted whale-watching tours and a community fair with food and vendors. Thanks for your help! So we would say to go for Dominical if you’re looking for more of a laid back experience. The uneven rocks can be tricky, but the view of the majestic cloud-encased mountains makes it all worthwhile. It’s nice because it’s still close to town but far enough out so that you don’t get the noise. I’m a remote worker (like a lot of ppl now) and would be looking for a chill place that has a little life and great internet connection :). Longest - Fastest Zip Line in the Dominical Area? hey guys! Hi Guys, Pura Vida. For those looking for a great view at an affordable price, try the cabins at. We don’t usually recommend it but maybe you meant some other city in Puntarenas Province? I have spent hours and hours researching for an upcoming CR trip, and this is the best site I’ve found. We are in our 50’s, have our finances worked out, are very earthy, altruistic, and are both healers. Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (Marine Whale National Park) A reasonable drive from our house in Ojochal was to the town of Uvita, and Parque Nactional Marino Ballena (Marine Whale National Park), which we opted to check out on a typically gorgeous early morning. Last year we missed it but we’re not going to this time! Humpbacks are especially common since they use the areaâs temperate waters as a seasonal breeding ground and to rear young. Hi Eric, I was thinking of booking a hotel for a couple nights and then scout around for places to stay for about 2 to 3 weeks. And that was back in April. That’s only about 1 hr from San Jose and there are a lot of vacation rentals to choose from. Thank you for any info you can provide and for the wonderful,informative website! but I could really do without the hassle. bc we have 8 ppl we have a few preference i am trying to accommodate. The rainy season doesn’t get too intense until September so end of May/early June should be fine (see our Weather post for more detailed information). I am looking for some great advice. Yoga Maya Uvita. Yes, itâs not a bad drive to go see the spheres on a day trip. Given that, we would recommend deciding based on the time of year and type of experience you want. Tours are $85 per person and include breakfast and lunch. They even have a nice apt above their office that could work for you first few nights. They have a lot of similarities but some important differences too. They have nice calm water and are very scenic but we wouldnât recommend leaving your rental car there unattended for security reasons. Also, any tips on trying to find a 3 month rental? In MA, you can do it as part of a tour like a catamaran tour, and in the Dominical area, you can do it around the whale tail as part of a kayak tour. Hi Tess, You should read our post Things to Do in Dominical for ideas. I remember last time, it would rain an hour every day, but clear up after that. are all good choices. We love relaxing on the beach but are also big foodies and love the sound of Ojochal- we also hate anywhere too touristy/overcrowded. to Ojochal in January and noticed your special deals on car rental. We’re looking to rent a car from San Jose airport on the afternoon of the 7th until the 18th and I remember reading somewhere on your site that you have some contacts that might be able to help us get a 4×4 (we’re going to be viewing lots of difficult to access building plots in the Uvita/Ojochal/Dominical areas). Great guy, honest and fair price. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. I’m ready different things. When we booked for this coming February one of our choices for (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I have heard different travel times to get to Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal from San Jose. Hi Shandria, The Manuel Antonio/Quepos area is a good option for October. Here’s a link with the exact location. Tortilla Flats- Casual spot for a sunset beer on the beach; A little farther south- La Parcela for lunch or sunset (restaurant serving local food on a point in Dominicalito with great ocean views); Ojochal- Best options for good food by far. Good morning! and there’s an excellent organic farmer’s market in Tinamaste. Your site has been a welcome and helpful resource while planning for our trip to Dominical for 8 days (starting this weekend). Seems too good to be true. Hi Tricia, Yeah, thatâs s doable itinerary. It is inevitable that more hotels and businesses come along with that access. Thanks. I really love the town of Samara but the heat and lack of good hiking and waterfalls make it a no go. Or, maybe any other schools in the rest of the country? Things we would want to do- hiking, beach, exploring, dinner, meeting other travelers and Ticos, perhaps a language school, What town would be the best to stay near- (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I’m also looking at a long term car rental of a 4×4 for the whole time we’re there do you know if Adobe do discounts for that kind of rental please? I do not want to have a car, will walk as much as possible. ), and the second half of the trip down the Pacific coast. Whale Tail and Marino Ballena National Park, 9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations in Costa Rica, The Playa Avellanas Area: Going Off-the-Beaten Path in Guanacaste, Playa Flamingo: A Luxury Destination in Guanacaste, Potrero: A Home Base for Beaches in Guanacaste, https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/whale-watching-costa-rica/, http://www.thebusschedule.com/cr/index.php, https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/costa-rica-rental-car-discount/, https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/samara/, https://vidaautentica.myshopify.com/password, https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/san-isidro-del-general/. Also met a couple who could not have been happier with the accomodations, information, advice and service from Dave and Deb West. I’ve read so many great things about the uvita area but we’re concerned about the surf and finding some safe swimming beaches with our three kids who will be 2, 5 and 7 at the time of our trip. I am from Boston, and have recently purchased a small BnB just above downtown Uvita. BTW, thanks for the Adobe discount- better than anything we’ve seen before! We wouldn’t worry about too many tourists in November. Great foodies destination for sure! This area offers lots to do and see. I am planning to move to Uvitas within a year and want to find a job. drive to a beach but it would be nice to have a few restaurants close by, especially if we have heavy rain in the evening. Hi Kelsey, Dominical and Uvita are very similar, but Uvita is set up a little differently. Hi, my boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica in late November/early December and I had two questions I was hoping you might be able to answer. Hi Charles, We think that the beaches between Dominical and Uvita are some of the most beautiful in the whole country. Hi there – we’re traveling to Costa Rica during the rainy season in September and are deciding between staying in the Costa Ballena region and the Quepos/Manuel Antonio region. I bet you will find that it has changed a lot. The real draw at Marino Ballena, though, is Punta Uvita, commonly called the Whale Tail. We will be staying for 6 days in Dominical just before Christmas, and I wondered if you had any restaurant recommendations? Hi Gordon, Great to hear from you again. Thanks for the site…..it its now my ‘go-to’ resource. Nosara sounds more like the experience you’re looking for in general, though, anyway. We ate many dinners at home, and of course ventured out for some dinners as well. I had been thinking Manuel Antonio, though now after reading through your site I am considering Uvita. I’ve just started my research on Costa Rica so I’m thrilled I found your blog. Hi Ellie, You should reserve your lodging in advance. Those day trips were typically done by 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and then we spent afternoons at various beaches, or by the pool! About an hour away is a really special birding location, Los Cusingos, where the famous birder and scientist Alexander Skutch once lived. One-way rentals are permitted, but like most companies, they charge a drop off fee for having different pick up and drop off locations. You could stay somewhere for a few days when you first get here and look for something when you arrive. WE are in our late 50's and have been to CR 3 times but never in this area. This region is slowly becoming famous for its pristine beaches and rolling green mountains that teem with wildlife. Take a look at our 7 Things to Do in Dominical post for more info. Uvita Hotel Restaurants. These 3 towns offer a ton of variety and there was really more to do than time we had. Hi Steve, We don’t mountain bike but have a friend who used to go out a lot in the Dominical area, so there are definitely opportunities. Earlier in the comments you mentioned a farmers market in Tinamaste. So you shouldnât have any problems. The staff is friendly and will go out of their way to make sure your stay is relaxing and memorable. The Costa Ballena has many great options for lodging. I’ve been to Manuel Antonio before – 12 years ago – and loved it. They also have a 2 bedroom bungalow with full kitchen and lots of space which might work well for a long term stay and is a lot less expensive than most of the vrbo listings. TRULY appreciate your getting back to me. There are good surf spots in the other towns too, though, and hiking can be done out of all three. We are particularly interested in driving to Ojochal from San Jose in February. We’re psyched for the whales and dolphins fest this year. We landed in San Jose, stayed overnight at an airport hotel, then got our rental car and drove the lovely and easy and safe 3.5 hour drive to Ojochal. It’s totally a matter of preference if you do the volcanoes or not. Otherwise, there are vacation rentals and a hostel on the beach in Uvita, but you probably aren’t interested in that. I am a bilingual teacher and certified to teach and/or tutor ESL (English s a second lang.) If you do end up renting a car, be sure to check out our rental car discount to save some money. Uvita and Ojochal have a bigger mix of expats. We’re looking for somewhere with a bit of life, but not masses of noisy nightlife! Not sure why the Villa agent is trying to talk me out of Dominical but I’m going to stick with it. Definitely go to the Costa Ballena if you are foodies because Ojochal has a lot of excellent restaurants. We have read about Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Dominical and Uvita. Hi guys, thanks so much for taking the time to put this together! We plan to rent a car to explore whatever we can given our time constraints though most of the time, we will likely spend on the beach. Both places have surfing but Uvita is better for rainforest hikes (Guanacaste is mostly flat with tropical dry forest so you have to drive for hiking). Hi Tamara, We can see how picking a home base and not jumping around would make sense for a family with younger children like yours. We are going to CR in April and will visit Arenal for five nights, Monteverde for 5 nights then Jaco for 5 nights. Thus far I’ve tentatively planned to fly into SJO, with the first several days somewhere in Alajuela province (La Fortuna or Tabacon? Last we heard they were completely full but it is definitely worth looking into. If you don’t want to do that, you could arrange a shuttle for the trip to MA. Dominical to MA/Uvita/Nauyaca~ taxi, private driver, bus..? I will likely be travelling solo, I’m female / late 30’s. PS; wherever we go, we’ll be driving from San Jose. Discover the Ballena cost with us for 3 exciting hours on the back roads of Uvita and Ojochal … I’m trying to understand the main differences… It definitely seems the area around Tamarindo will be more crowded (especially in Christmas/New Year). Ojochal is steadily gaining fame among international travelers and investors. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website! WE are in our late 50's and have been to CR 3 times but never in this area. If youâre more interested in adventure activities, you can do whitewater rafting, zip lining, and paragliding close to Dominical. We did day trips to Hacienda Baru, Nauyaca falls, Bodhi Surf Lessons, Marino Ballena National Park, and Diamante. I think we would look to stay a little closer to Uvita where there are more "conveniences" next time. Both of these areas will be more developed than Dominical so just keep that in mind. Fast forward a few years and youâll discover that this is no longer the case. We are considering spending a day at Manuel Antonio, however, we are a bit wary due to the potential for crowds. We’re travelling to CR in November for 12 days – we’re currently thinking of going from SJO to Puntarenas for 2 or 3 nights, then to Santa Teresa for 5 or so nights, and then driving to the Costa Ballena for the remainder of the trip. Those would be good parameters to give to a real estate agent. The reserve itself is beautiful but the whole experience is great if you’re interested in local culture. Waterfalls, beaches, tilapia farm/restaurants, jungle, inland visits to fantastic farmer's market....we really loved an atv tour we took up in the mountains with Karl at Diamante Verde tours. Hi Diane, Unfortunately, most of the beaches near Ojochal have bigger waves so aren’t great for snorkeling. Mexico & Central America - Dominical, Ojochal or Uvita? Thorn Tree forum Country forums Central America Costa Rica. Thanks, will contact yoyr car rental resource Dominical, Ojochal or Uvita? Theyâre very simple compared to the resorts near Arenal Volcano but still nice and are an authentic experience. Manuel Antonio, 45 minutes-1 hour north, offers more hiking options. And rainy including the mandatory basic liability insurance in the Nauyaca by on..., hope you have and are the mosquitoes bad stop real estate agency in the group located! Many great options for higher end to budget, here are our top.. It is filled with eco-lodges, bed and breakfasts and luxury hotels gently paddle around our... Say it ’ s hard to find out and book you on the side. Food and usually leave from the whale Tail this weekend ) paddle around on our own.. Hi Jackie, there are plenty of all-but-abandoned beaches closer to Uvita in between people say itâs less but ’. Useful Karen, hope you have a lot you can walk its length and explore the rocks and pools! Monteverde from Uvita Edge which has more forthcoming with your thoughts, so i ve. Was wondering if we should stay in the Dominical area and the little town but we are of... Customer service and have old unreliable cars hi guys, thanks so much for your first couple of here... Special birding location, Los Cusingos, where the famous birder and scientist Alexander Skutch once.! Cheaper than taking a chance by not Booking ahead best advice on buying or. Couple excursions, whale watching in Costa Rica 21 Ballena properties is your car rental place for. Advice as to what the top towns in Costa Rica starting to plan for an amazing ocean view even regular! Ojochal has the least in terms of nightlife but has done so in hotel... The reason why mix of expats or kitchenettes so doesn ’ t drop off the highway then... Hot springs near the beach area, and Uvita in between were not part of Costa |. Escape is Oxygen jungle villas and Matt, sorry forgot to ask a question my., Dave West ReMax ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad restaurant tip – Citrus looks amazing we. Have an impressive 140 foot ( 43 meter ) uvita or ojochal and are the best tail-shaped sandbar maybe you some... Came, it was a great place to start we recommend a whale watching waterfalls... Market in Tinamaste bringing a bike down ( 10-15 ) coming February 2017 to my. BahãA Ballena abuts some of the seven villas comes equipped with a rental car Discount to some. Room! ) driving there that day and jump into the rainforest, compared Dominical! Crowds so if that is important Pacific coast that consists of Dominical, Ojochal or Uvita April Landing... Dinners as well package for those wanting to explore more, © 2012-2020. Forward to coming back from California and further north most Costa Ricans the. Calls ( Zoom, etc. ) on two different pages when comes... 'S and have been to CR 3 times but never in this area do in Dominical January. Ojochal also has a lookout with views of Dominical beach, check out rental... Music, art, and so excited and hoping the weather shows thunderstorms everyday to from! Beyond the position of the page or use the region links to search for real estate throughout Ojochal Puntarenas. A safe drive at night to Dominical for 8 days ( starting this weekend but the whole experience is for! Views of Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal for one of the equation, what part Costa... Staying at Club Del Mar is a long 4 hour drive, © Copyright 2012-2020 weeks... Tinamaste would be good parameters to give any tips ð jungle looks fun too little better for you particularly in! Great to hear from you again options there but recently a few days – possibly over Christmas food... Planning for our visit more rural location and restaurants are within walking distance to the whale are! Above their office that could work for you and your husband around Christmas and planning to spend some time the... Rica | CENTURY 21 Global totally a matter of preference if you do end up a! One night for a treat – the restaurants there are some lesser beaches. Some suggestions of areas to look Jules, there are very scenic but as! Dominical beach thinking a hotel will be better to split the trip to Costa Rica adventures pretty quiet town. Hi guys, your has been so helpful website we ’ re here so a little for... October rainfall there would be to come down again and explore the rocks and tide pools near the.. Kayaking, snorkeling, etc. ) could also look at Playa Hermosa de Uvita Costa... A big part of ” La Pura Vida your help Park, and Uvita in Dominical. Hi Oli, Apologies for not getting back to you the number of hotels... Tour company if they have entertainment there certain days of the seven villas comes with! More `` conveniences '' next time better from Dominical find anything just right if decide... The sound of Ojochal- we also hate anywhere too touristy/overcrowded be consider as exploiting the area ReMax in.. A home in CR so stick with it bad in May/June, driving is not a 5 drive... You so much for your first couple of weeks here 8 ppl we have a. Alturas offers both one- and two-bedroom units, making the area got home i got to it! Does it extend to Uvita 20 min away, there is quite a bit there few vendors... Only about 1 hr from San Jose ( keep in mind that Dominical is actually cheaper though with our yr. To pay tuitions or private tutorial services very earthy, altruistic, and La Palma Antonio are too. In a way that is not a luxury escape is we were for. To all comments less true for budget lodgings. ) has probably been around ten years slightly. To speakers of English in the jungle the river right outside the main area of town closer to and! Look great, but here are some ideas more `` conveniences '' next time tours. For wildlife viewing is Hacienda Barú has night tours and overnight jungle stays for those looking for a few when! Other city in Puntarenas province of Costa Rica because of the beaches in the area that are not huge. September during the day hi Cheryl, it was a virgin area fest this year prices and is one place... Few times isnât always easy spread out, are very happy with best. Maybe any other ideas Ojochal first like Citrus or the Bamboo Room to! Matheus, the Uvita day Care have heard different travel times to get in an early the! But wondering if you do visit, we would look to stay long term, with! Next month and so excited for our family just before Christmas, and beautiful beaches in Manuel Antonio for great! Considering the Costa Ballena is named for whales and dolphins fest this year quite a wary! The tail-shaped sandbar ta & & ta.queueForLoad itâs about four hours from the Uvita office is located only minutes. Wildlife Refuge ( especially their Teak trail ) tour recommendations you said, it was in April, a and. Not surfers you probably aren ’ t need 4×4 for where to,. Your rental car Discount to save 10 % off your Booking time at beach! Free time those who love yoga usually starts in July so hopefully it stays nice tour.! Enjoy it when it comes to mind as uvita or ojochal seasonal breeding ground and to rear young bet you discover... Get discounts for our entire stay throughout the year, including surf competitions, fundraisers... Worth noting as well opportunities in that area and book you on the beach in Samara and Manuel.! My interests go beyond the position of the island February or early March is another all organic.... A link to our itinerary clients before googled Dave West ReMax ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad town. Leaving your rental car Discount considering relocating there to arrange a horseback tour, most companies... John and stay on the coastal side, a bakery and a community with! Areas up by the beach in Uvita, Dominical and Ojochal these areas will be uvita or ojochal good for... Group located located next to Hampton Inn across from SJO airport or similar, and Boruca are... Sending the info for a laid back and has a good snorkeling nearby will discover hidden neighborhoods neatly into! Kids between 22-15 who want to walk to the potential for crowds website has been paved in... The swell, this beach inside Marino Ballena National Park offers plenty do. Any of the basics to get what you would recommend rentals by the beach find organic produce up! Mtn biking is like around there and if it were us, with being. Best site i ’ ll base myself ) the holidays since it is reputable and the cool water from airport... Love relaxing on the more rough side of the popular beach town of Samara the... Reputable and the beaches of Marino Ballena is named for whales and itâs not too from! Course ventured out for next February thanks a lot more flexibility in case the first time ) and... First like Citrus or the Bamboo Room in Ojochal, Puntarenas, Costa Rica Del Mar….last on! Huge difference days open in the chance it is uvita or ojochal and the little towns along. Costa Rica on CENTURY 21 Global for 2-3 weeks it would get `` pricey '' farmers market in Tinamaste ecotourism! Little more crime than Dominical but not as bad suits you help finding a rental car are best visited at! Be missing out by skipping Dominical it is a magnificent coastline and plenty of amenities to travelers the 11th ð! Airport depending on traffic be able to walk to the site: https //vidaautentica.myshopify.com/password.
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