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Aerial view of the Punta Uvita sandbar and its two bays.

Costa Rica · South Pacific

Uvita
& Ballena.

A beach shaped like a whale’s tail

See what to do (31)Destination map

Photo: César Badilla Miranda

Before you go,
understand the place.

In Ballena Marine National Park, low tide uncovers a sandbar and rock formation shaped like a whale’s tail that reaches out into the sea. It is the symbol of Uvita and the reason many people come here.

Best time to go
The dry season runs from mid-December to mid-April (SINAC): sporadic rain, calmer seas and the best conditions for walking the Whale’s Tail and taking boat trips. Humpback whales arrive from December to April (northern group) and July to November (southern group); many local sources give August to October as the peak. The tide matters more than the season: the Tail can only be walked at low tide.
Getting there
It is about 223 km and 3.5 h by car on the Costanera Sur (Route 34), or 4 to 4.5 h via Cerro de la Muerte and Route 243 (about 180 km) to Dominical. Tracopa buses to the southern zone along the Costanera stop in Uvita (4.5 to 5 h); confirm yours goes that way. There is no airport in Uvita: SANSA flies to Quepos and from there it is 45–60 minutes by road.

Six ways to explore

Themed guides

Places grouped by theme, to plan your day.

  • 6 places

    Beaches of Ballena Marine National Park

    One ticket covers all four sectors for the day; plan around the tide table.

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  • 4 places

    Waterfalls of Costa Ballena

    From the big Nauyaca falls to small, free swimming holes; most need a car.

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  • 6 places · 2 outside this destination

    Ocean trips

    Whales, dolphins, snorkelling and diving trips leave from Uvita beach; the sea is usually calmer in the morning.

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  • 6 places · 1 outside this destination

    Wildlife, reserves and rescue

    Private refuges, rescue centres and mangroves to see wildlife with a guide, by day or night.

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  • 9 places

    Free beaches and plans

    Beaches outside the park, markets and villages with no entry fee.

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  • 6 places · 1 outside this destination

    Seasonal or restricted

    What depends on tides, seasons or permits, with alternatives for when it isn’t possible.

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The place, in context

Everything you can do

Closed or restricted places are included and flagged, so you know what to expect.

Showing 31 of 31 · 2 closed or restricted, flagged

Nature and jungle · 11

Sea, beach and reef · 10

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls · 4

Living culture · 3

City and food · 3

Uvita & Ballena · Practical guide

The essentials

  1. The park was created by Executive Decree 21294-MIRENEM on 9 June 1992, and SINAC calls it the first marine park in Central America.
  2. It covers 5,160 marine hectares and 171 land hectares, with 15 km of coastline between the Morete river mouth and Punta Pinuela. It has four official sectors: Uvita, Colonia, Ballena and Pinuelas.
  3. The Whale’s Tail is a natural rock-and-sand tombolo formed by tidal sedimentation, accessible only during about six hours of low tide; the tail shape is best seen from above.
  4. Humpback whales arrive from both hemispheres (north from December to April and south from July to November) and resident dolphins stay all year; SINAC cites a National Geographic ranking placing the park as the eighth-best cetacean-watching site in the world.
  5. SINAC records 17 coral species, and reefs near the left side of the tombolo and Ballena island allow snorkelling.

Uvita & Ballena · Practical guide

Where to stay

Uvita village
The service hub of Costa Ballena, with ATMs, taxis, tour offices and the bus stop; closest to the Uvita sector and the Whale’s Tail. Suits those using buses or tours.
Bahía Ballena and the Playa Colonia coast
A strip next to the park sectors and the boat launches for whale trips. Good for beach stays and early departures.
Dominical
A surf town north of Uvita on the Costanera, with a more laid-back, backpacker feel.
Ojochal
A quieter residential area at the southern end of Costa Ballena, for those who want calm and do not mind driving to the park.

Uvita & Ballena · Practical guide

Practical tips

  1. Check the tide table at the park entrance before you go: SINAC states that entry to the Whale’s Tail is only allowed at low tide (about six hours of the cycle). A blogger warns that the current is strong if you walk out before the tide is fully out.
  2. Hours differ by sector (SINAC): Uvita 7:00–17:00, Colonia 7:00–18:00, Ballena and Pinuela 8:00–16:00. It is open every day of the year and the ticket is valid for the whole day of the visit.
  3. Payment is by credit or debit card only: $6.78 for non-resident foreign adults ($6 plus VAT) and $5.65 for children; residents over 65 are exempt. One source says children under 11 enter free, which contradicts SINAC’s table.
  4. For independent snorkelling near the Tail at low tide, masks and snorkels are allowed but fins are not (SINAC). Playa Arco can only be entered and left at low tide through the Ballena sector.
  5. Lock your car and leave nothing in sight; the park is not responsible for losses. Whale watching is not run by the park: you book it with local operators in Bahía Ballena and Uvita. SINAC prohibits pets, alcohol, drugs, single-use plastic, horses, campfires and vehicles on the beach.

Safety and precautions

  • SINAC warns of rip currents and asks you not to swim in marked danger zones, and to be careful with high tides near river mouths. The Pacific tidal range exceeds 2 m, so timing matters.
  • The Whale’s Tail is underwater at high tide: staying on the sandbar when the tide turns is dangerous.
  • Crocodiles have been reported near the Morete river mouth (secondary source), so stay on the main beach sections. In the water, shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays.
  • SINAC advises locking the car and leaving nothing in sight. The US State Department (level 2, 2 April 2026) cites petty crime and rip currents.

Frequently asked questions

When can I walk the Whale’s Tail?

Only around low tide. SINAC says access is allowed only at low tide (about six hours of the cycle); consult the tide table posted at the park entrances. The tail shape is easier to see from above than from the beach.

When are whales in Uvita?

SINAC lists two humpback seasons: December to April (northern group) and July to November (southern group). Many local sources give August to October as the peak. Dolphins live in the bay all year.

How much does the park cost and how do I pay?

$6.78 for non-resident foreign adults ($6 plus 13% VAT) and $5.65 for non-resident children, valid all day and by card only at the park entrances (SINAC’s Spanish page; the $6 plus VAT is confirmed by a January 2026 blog).

Uvita & Ballena · Practical guide

Sources consulted

Information checked in . Prices, hours and rules change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.

  1. SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Ballena2026
  2. SINAC – Marino Ballena National Park (English)2022
  3. Wikipedia – Ballena Marine National Park2026
  4. My Tan Feet – Uvita travel guide2026
  5. Along Dusty Roads – Marino Ballena National Park2026
  6. Tracopa – Rutas y horarios2026
  7. La Nación – Nueva temporada de avistamiento de ballenas jorobadas2022
  8. Natural Hazards – Coastal drowning in Costa Rica2021

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