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

Costa Rica · Uvita & Ballena

Wildlife, reserves and rescue

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

6 places

  1. 1

    WildlifeOpen

    Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge

    Costanera Sur, about 3 km north of Dominical19.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $20
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Required

    A 330-hectare private refuge with rainforest, mangrove, wetlands and beach next to Dominical, where over 365 bird species have been recorded. It has self-guided trails, a bird tower and tours.

    Source: Hacienda Barú – Tours · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Self-guided trails $20; birdwatching or wildlife tour $77; hike to Chilamate $93.50 (official site, 2026).
    Booking
    Guided tours require advance booking.

    Nearby: Night walk in Costa Ballena (0 km) · Zipline canopy in Costa Ballena (0 km) · Dominical Eco Feria (2.7 km)

    Sources: Hacienda Barú – Tours · Hacienda Barú – Refugio de vida silvestre · My Tan Feet – Day trips from Dominical (updated Aug 2025)

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  2. 2

    WildlifeOpen

    Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

    Mountain above Dominicalito11.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $45
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Required

    A rescue and rehabilitation centre on a mountaintop above Dominical, with monkeys, parrots, macaws, a toucan, an ocelot and a sloth that cannot be released. Visits are by guided tour only.

    Source: Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary – Tours · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Private tour: $45 adults and $29 children (2026); the regular tour price shows when booking.
    Booking
    Booking required and non-refundable. Private tours (also on Mondays) must be booked 48 h ahead.

    Tip: There is no bus: go up by 4x4 or 4x4 taxi, especially April to November, and arrange your ride back. Touching or feeding the animals is not allowed.

    Nearby: Dominicalito Beach (3 km) · Nauyaca Waterfalls (4.3 km) · Surfing at Dominical Beach (5.5 km)

    Sources: Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary – Tours · Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary – FAQ

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  3. 3

    WildlifeOpen

    Night walk in Costa Ballena

    Hacienda Barú, north of Dominical19.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $88
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Required

    Guided night walks in private reserves to see frogs, snakes, insects and nocturnal mammals; the best known is at Hacienda Barú.

    Source: Hacienda Barú – Tours · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $88 per person at Hacienda Barú (2026).
    Booking
    Requires advance booking.

    Nearby: Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge (0 km) · Zipline canopy in Costa Ballena (0 km) · Dominical Eco Feria (2.7 km)

    Sources: Hacienda Barú – Tours · My Tan Feet – Day trips from Dominical (updated Aug 2025)

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  4. Térraba-Sierpe mangroves4

    Photo: Haakon S. Krohn, CC BY 3.0

    WildlifeOpen

    Térraba-Sierpe mangroves

    Sierpe dock, where the Drake Bay boats also leave44.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A boat trip through the channels of the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland, a Ramsar site since 1995. You see monkeys, water birds, crocodiles, iguanas and bats.

    Source: Wikipedia – Térraba-Sierpe Wetland · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$ · US$15–50
    Time needed
    About 3 h; some operators offer longer versions.

    Tip: It fits well before or after the boat to Drake Bay, which leaves from the same dock. Departures depend on the tide.

    Nearby: Finca 6 Museum Site (stone spheres) (5.5 km) · Batambal, El Silencio and Grijalba-2 (12 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Térraba-Sierpe Wetland · Gringo Curt – Sierpe mangrove tour

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  5. 5

    WildlifeOpen

    Reptilandia reptile park

    Platanillo, Route 243, northeast of Dominical16.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    9:00–16:30
    Booking
    Not stated

    A reptile park at Platanillo, on the road from Dominical to San Isidro; an indoor-friendly option near Nauyaca.

    Source: OpenStreetMap – Parque Reptilandia (edited May 2026) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Hours
    Daily, 9:00–16:30 according to OpenStreetMap (May 2026 edit).

    Tip: Its old web domain no longer belongs to the park: confirm by phone or maps that it is open before going.

    Nearby: Nauyaca Waterfalls (3.2 km) · Diamante Waterfalls (4.8 km) · Dominical Eco Feria (5.3 km)

    Sources: OpenStreetMap – Parque Reptilandia (edited May 2026)

  6. 6

    AdventureOpen

    Zipline canopy in Costa Ballena

    Hacienda Barú, north of Dominical19.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $85.80
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Required

    A zipline course through the Hacienda Barú forest, aimed at beginners, with information about the canopy.

    Source: Hacienda Barú – Tours · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $85.80 per person ('El Vuelo del Tucán', 2026).
    Booking
    Requires advance booking.

    Nearby: Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge (0 km) · Night walk in Costa Ballena (0 km) · Dominical Eco Feria (2.7 km)

    Sources: Hacienda Barú – Tours · My Tan Feet – Day trips from Dominical (updated Aug 2025)

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