12 BEST THINGS TO DO IN UVITA, Costa Rica

It is a gorgeous and accessible waterfall right in town, famous for its natural rock slide. Instead of just splashing in the lower pool, you can actually climb to the top and slide down the smooth rock face directly into the refreshing water below. Since it is so easy to access from the main town, it is the perfect spot for a quick morning swim or a refreshing dip after a long hike in the hot jungle.

Bring some cash for the small entrance fee of around 2,000 Colones (about $4 USD). It’s located on private property.

One of the most incredible coastal features is located right here in Uvita. Marino Ballena National Park is famous for its massive natural sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail, and it truly comes to life during low tide. That’s when two stretches of beach connect, revealing a wide sand passage that extends about 600 meters out into the ocean.

Walking out onto this formation feels almost surreal. You can wander through tide pools, swim in the calm waters protected by the surrounding reef and simply take in the endless ocean views stretching all around you.

Important: The whale tail is completely covered by water at high tide. You need to check the local tide charts carefully and arrive when the tide is going out!

Because of its massive size, the whale tail is unfortunately hard to see from the ground, so you’ll need a drone to really see its shape. But even without that perspective, there’s still so much to experience in the park. Marino Ballena National Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, from iguanas and colorful birds to monkeys and the occasional sloth if you’re lucky.

And if you visit during the right season, Uvita is one of the best places to spot whales, especially humpback whales that migrate here between July and October, with August and September being the best months, and again from December to March.

Playa Uvita is breathtakingly huge and lined by thick layers of coconut palms. Grab a towel and a couple of cold drinks, find a spot on the dark sand, and watch the sun dip below the Pacific horizon in incredible shades of orange and pink if you’re lucky.

Just about a 50-minute drive south of Uvita lies the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetlands, the largest mangrove forest in Costa Rica. This was definitely one of my favorite things to do in Costa Rica! Exploring the mangroves around Sierpe on a 3-hour boat tour, either in the morning or afternoon, is such a special experience.

You get to see incredible wildlife up close, including different monkey species, sloths, crocodiles, snakes, turtles, and beautiful tropical birds like macaws. If you’re planning to do this, I highly recommend booking with Kokopelli. They are a well-known and a trusted tour operator in the area and a great choice for discovering the mangroves.

The tour costs USD 79 / €68 for adults and USD 57 / €50 for children under 7 years old. The tour is available in both Spanish and English. We even saw a barn owl, and macaws were flying above our heads!

If you want to escape the crowded tourist spots, El Pavón Waterfall is a must-visit. Located about 25 minutes south of Uvita, this waterfall is instantly recognizable by the massive rock jammed directly above it. The surrounding pools are cool, clear, and perfectly shaded by the dense jungle canopy. It’s also super easy to access, with no hike required. There’s no entrance fee or maintenance here, so please take all your trash with you.

When we visited, it had rained heavily during the night, so the waterfall and current were too strong to go into the water.

Just a short 15 minute drive north of Uvita brings you to Dominical, a laid-back, bohemian surf town. The vibe here is completely different from Uvita, with dirt roads, beachfront markets selling handmade jewelry, organic cafes, and a highly energetic surf culture. It is great for spending an afternoon wandering around, grabbing an açai bowl, and watching the impressive wave breaks.

Compared to Uvita, Dominical feels much smaller and more intimate, with a relaxed, social vibe thanks to its many popular hostels attracting younger travelers. It’s also a great place to catch sunsets right on the beach and enjoy a more lively atmosphere in the evenings. Make sure to try Café Mono Congo!

You’ll find Playa Hermosa right between Uvita and Dominical. It’s a long, beautiful 2-kilometer stretch of dark sand backed by palm trees. It’s much less crowded than other popular beaches and has a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. It’s also a great spot for surfing. Grab a fresh coconut and watch the sunset while surfers ride the waves. There’s a large parking area available.

First of all, I know… the photos below aren’t the nicest, with the water looking orange and dirty. But that doesn’t mean you’ll experience the same conditions during your visit. The water is usually turquoise and beautiful. We were just unlucky with the timing, as it had rained heavily the night before, which caused the water to mix with mud and lose its color.

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are some of the most beautiful falls in all of Costa Rica. Hidden deep in a tropical canyon, the waterfall drops in two massive tiers spanning over 60 meters. The pool at the base of the lower falls is perfect for a rewarding swim. We even saw a sloth!!

There is only one waterfall, but two separate entrances run by different companies. The first entrance is the original one, located along the main road between Dominical and San Isidro. The second is a newer access point called Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park.

Don Lulo Entrance
This one is the more traditional and adventurous option, with a longer hike through the jungle and a more local, off-the-beaten-path feel. It’s usually the cheaper choice but less flexible with times since they have fixed time slots. The tour allows you to be at the waterfall for 2 hours.

Nauyaca Waterfalls Nature Park Entrance (The one we took)
This entrance on the other hand is more developed and easier to access. The trails are well maintained, and you even have the option to take a 4x4 ride instead of hiking, making it a great choice if you prefer a more comfortable and quicker visit. The truck only takes you to the ranger station, from where it’s about a 15-minute walk through lush jungle to reach the waterfall. There is no time limit here!

The Costa Rican jungle completely transforms once the sun goes down. A guided night walk near Uvita is an incredible way to see the rainforest from a totally different perspective. Armed with a flashlight, your guide will point out nocturnal creatures that stay hidden all day. You have high chances of spotting red-eyed tree frogs, tarantulas, sleeping toucans, and kinkajous playing in the canopy. I highly recommend this tour!

Playa Ventanas (Window Beach) is famous for the stunning sea caves carved deeply into the cliffs bordering the beach. During low tide, you can actually walk deep inside these caves as they echo with the booming sound of the ocean waves. The beach itself is small, incredibly scenic, and lined with palm trees, making it a beautiful spot to spend a sunny afternoon.

Never enter the caves when the tide is coming in, as the waves can quickly trap you inside the rock formations.

The name 'Whale Coast' is no exaggeration. Humpback whales migrate from both the northern and southern hemispheres to the warm waters of Uvita to breed and nurse their young, making it one of the longest whale-watching seasons in the world. Taking a boat tour out to the marine park offers a deeply humbling chance to witness these majestic creatures breaching just off the coast.

Whether you have never touched a surfboard before or you are an experienced surfer looking for heavy barrels, this coastline is another paradise for surfing.

Uvita's Playa Colonia provides gentle, rolling whitewash waves that are ideal for complete beginners taking their first lesson. Just a short drive away, Playa Hermosa offers more powerful and consistent breaks, perfect for intermediate surfers ready to level up. Meanwhile, Dominical is renowned worldwide for its strong, relentless swells that attract advanced surfers.