This site is AMAZING! We wrote a whole post about this, so if you are interested, you can read it here (. This natural attraction is only approximately 2 hours away by road from the city of San Jos. Prepare for 90 degree weather and high humidity no matter what time you visit the Whales Tail. Be prepared for that. There is a fee to enter this beach during the day and it tends to be one of the busier beaches in the Uvita area. The road dead ends at the entrance, where youll see a parking lot that will charge you 2,000 colones (about $4 USD) for the day. The Costa Rican whale tail is a natural formation created by rocks, sand, and sediments that, over time and ocean currents, have shaped this surprising and beautiful silhouette. Parque Nacional Marino Ballena - Tripadvisor Blue Falls: are these Costa Rica's most magical swimming holes? We stayed at Madre Terra in Uvita. Sarah McArthur is the co-founder of Costa Rica Vibes with her husband, Thomas. If you dont want to walk out to the Whale Tail, you can also visit by boat. Nothing like a palm-tree-lined coast with jungle-filled mountains as a backdrop. Its pretty cool. These rules are not heavily enforced (we have definitely drunk beers on the beach while watching the sunset), but just be aware. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon in paradise. We loved this beach as well and its a bit less crowded than the Whales Tail. There is absolutely no shade. What a wonderful destination. Welcome to part-time living in Costa Rica! .Read More, Copyright 2012-2023 Two Weeks in Costa Rica, Inc. How to visit the Whale Tail in Costa Rica: tides, the walk, and more. Its huge, backed by palm trees and has a wonderful wild vibe. Since the Costa Ballena has steep mountains very close to the ocean, you can see the fin-shaped sandbar from the balconies of vacation rentals, hotels, or even from different spots along mountain roads. Read our article for an extensive list of things to do in Uvita, Dominical and Ojochal. Mytanfeet is full of local tips, detailed guides, photos, videos and maps to help you plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica. Still, the Pacific Coast is known for strong currents and riptides, so if you arent sure, you can look up the information or ask a ranger before swimming. Scuba diving and snorkeling tours offer the chance to actually get into the water. The best spot (in our opinion) to spend the day at this beach is towards the southern tip. The national park is located in the town of Uvita. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly updates, tips, and travel inspiration straight to your inbox. The waterfall costs about $4 per person to enter. I think it is just that they actually collect admission from 7 am until 4 pm. Mytanfeet LLC Copyright 2013 - 2023 - Thank you for supporting our Travel Blog! and to preserve the productivity of biological communities that inhabit the coastal area. On Google Maps, you can look for Playa Chaman.. During the rainy season, you should have no problems but during dry season there is less water on the falls and the water level can be a lot lower. If so, you will need to bring food, water, snacks, sunscreen, towels and wear your bathing suit. stingrays, sharks, common starfish, spottedm bottle-nosed ,common dolphins and whale humpback visit the place, sometimes killer whales and pilot whales. The whale tail is seen only at high tide when it is covered under the water. You never know how well they actually watch the cars. The whales come for about nine months a year, so make sure to time it right. We heard from another couple we met during our trip that at high tide, you have to cross this stream to get onto the beach and that it got up to knee height! These include Playa Pinuela, Playa Ballena, Playa de Arco, Playa Colonia, and Playa Hermosa (other side of the sandbar). Marino Ballena National Park is the place where the of humpback whales are coming for summer from the North and South America for breeding. This national park has a unique feature of a beach shaped like a whales tail, formed by the union of two separate beaches. The campground is located directly next to the park entrance. In this post, well let you know how to see this famed whale beacon for yourself. Do not leave your belongings unattended and be aware of petty theft. There are flush toilets and showers located beside the ticket office. Or, for a glimpse under the water, take a diving or snorkeling tour. Whales migrate here from the North between December and April and from the south between July and November, so you have a pretty good window of time to see them. There are also bathroom facilities here as well. We stayed at El Tecal Cabinas and Camping which is a 2 minute walk to the Colonia Sector. And while its true that this has been said to be a great place to see whales from shore, it still takes patience, luck, and a good eye. 10 things to know before using Uber in Costa Rica, El Tigre Waterfalls - what to expect & the truth about the uphill climb, Skip Los Quetzales National Park unless you enter through the backdoor, The truth about the wild hike to Rio Savegre Waterfall, Rainmaker: hanging bridges and jungle swimming holes without the crowds, Uvita Waterfall: the natural jungle waterslide plus swimming holes, Bijagual Falls: the wild hike to the bottom of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall. As soon as you step onto the beach, youll have some of the most amazing beach views we saw in Costa Rica! From the entrance gate you have a couple of minutes walking along a dirt road before you cut onto the beach. The rain generally tends to fall in the afternoon, though, so usually mornings are good for venturing out. Theres a ranger station right at the entrance to Playa Uvita where you have to pay $6 USD per person and obtain your Marino Ballena park pass. Whale's Tail is unbelieveable - Review of Uvita Beach, Uvita, Costa There is no official car park at the national park, but a number of private car parks are located along the road leading up to the entry gates. Zip lining in Monteverde is unique because Monteverde is a, Read More Zip Lining in Monteverde The Best PlacesContinue, three weeks pacific beach vibes itinerary Get a taste for all the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica has to offer in a short amount of timeOne of our favorite things to do in Costa Rica is to explore all the, Read More 3 Weeks Costa Rica Itinerary Pacific VibesContinue, Roll call! Our Managing Director, Alon, has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. I couldnt get over the views. Founded ten years ago we specialized in designing, consulting and coordinating trips to Costa Rica. The warm Pacific waters of this region are known to be frequented by one of the most majestic marine creatures of our planet, the humpback whales. The Uvita and Colonia sectors are the most popular entrances as they are the easiest to access and are open everyday from 7 AM to 6 PM. There is no potable water here. In addition to the main Uvita Beach, you will find additional beaches all nearby. The drive times are estimates without traffic, without breaks. One youve reached the end of the Whales Tail, enjoy the beautiful views in all directions! The rainiest month is October. You can walk this beautiful beach for miles. During low tide in this national park, you can walk out onto a spit of land in the ocean that resembles the tail of a whale. That picture above is Thomas living out a dream of sliding down a waterfall. Costa Rica is full of waterfalls throughout the country. While you may have little trouble walking out to the tail, you may run into some trouble if spending too much time out there. During low tide, the ocean water retreats to crescent shapes on either side, thus revealing a strip of sand and rocks. The Marino Ballena National Park was the first marine park which was established in order to providsafe grounds to the critical habitats for breeding and spawning of marine species such as whales and dolphins. One benefit of such an international community is a selection of fabulous bakeries and restaurants nestled along the coastal highway. If you want to observe nesting turtles on Playa Uvita, between May and November is the best time to visit the Whales Tail to witness Olive Ridley and Hawksbill Sea Turtles nesting at night. I absorbed the vista from the terrace, which featured an infinity pool alongside an al fresco bar and restaurant. Beautiful beach and very safe for swimming from the"whales tail" beach as it is protected from currents. Even on the most popular beaches in the area, including the one with the Whales Tail, you wont be surrounded by many people, and youll still have the feeling like you are walking along a pristine untouched tropical island. Inside the park, there are no facilities. To get here you can input Marino Ballena National Park into your GPS unit. We personally like the company Uvita 360. There is a company just down the street from the entrance to the national park called Uvita 360. Join our mailing list to receive the latest iTINeraries, guides & helpful tips to plan your next trip, TripTins is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, The Catarata del Toro Waterfall of Costa Rica | Bajos Del Toro, A WILD Monteverde Bungee Jumping Experience in Costa Rica, An Incredible Monteverde Ziplining Experience | Best Costa Rica Zip Line. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). The sunset in Uvita is almost always amazing. If you enjoyed the view from the tip of the tail, youll love the vantage point you can get from farther out in the ocean. We like the very last one as their parking lot is completely covered. It is part of Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (the National Marine Whale Park). We wrote a whole post about this, so if you are interested, you can read it here (Whale Watching in Costa Rica). The entrance fee is $6 USD + tax for adult foreigners. You can't see the whales tale when you're actually on it, but it makes for a nice walk. In the place there are several viewpoints from which it is possible to appreciate it when the tide goes out. Well never forget trekking out to the tip of the whale tail for the first time, totally unprepared and sunburned, but in awe of the raw beauty of the ocean and lush green mountains. This area has a ton of underwater rock formations that are perfect for exploring. This amazing experience occurs on the beach in the little seaside town of Ostional, Costa Rica. Throughout the National Park you will find mangrove forests, estuaries, sandy beaches, and an abundance of underwater life. If you are a Costa Rican resident the entry fee is 1,000 colones. We have not seen them here, but apparently, Olive Ridley Turtles can sometimes be seen laying their eggs on the beach between May and November. And no crowds at all! Costa Rica's famous whale tail is located in the small town of Uvita, about an hour south of Manuel Antonio. During low tide, the ocean water retreats to crescent shapes on either side, thus revealing a strip of sand and rocks. It is located 1:15 hours south from Manuel Antonio and 2:30 hours north of Puerto Jimenez (and Corcovado National Park). Just be sure to keep your distance, dont shine any lights their way, or startle them! The main beach, Playa Uvita is a gorgeous beach and one of the best beaches in Costa Rica! Site Map The ocean is really warm, but at least its a touch more refreshing than the sand! There are several local boat tour companies which offer Humpback Whale tours off of the national park. I headed south to explore the scenic beaches of Dominicalito, Playa Hermosa, Uvita and Ballena. Its a refreshing change of pace out here. Not only is there a whales tail beach to enjoy but you can also enjoy actual whales too. By the time we left the restaurant after lunch, I felt like Cindy had been my friend for my whole life. Whale Tail Brewery (Uvita) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go If you're visiting the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Marino Ballena National Park is one of the top things to do in Uvita and an absolute must see. The second entrance is best for spending a day at the beach because there are more places to set up your stuff in the shade. The first part of the tail is going to be sandy, however as you walk further along, the formation becomes rockier. This can be dangerous with all of the rocks around the area. If youre visiting the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Marino Ballena National Park is one of the top things to do in Uvita and an absolute must see. Day 7: The Whale's Tail. Check out our Full Costa Rica National Park Packing List on Amazon for everything you need! It consists of three towns, Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal. We recently got to experience, Read More Ostional Costa Rica See Thousand of Sea Turtles Lay Their EggsContinue. You can also snorkel and dive in its wonderful reefs, rich in marine life. Write a review. This area also happens to be the best place to see Humback whales in Costa Rica. Although the beach is backed by palms and a little bit of forest, there is no shade on the walk itself. Check out our YouTube video on Whales Tail to get a visual feel of how this unique formation on the Uvita beach looks like, on ground as well as from above. From Liberia airport, it is 321 km (199 miles) away, the drive takes around 5 hours. But what exactly is this so-called whale tail? This national park is home to two volcanos and consists of 34,000 acres of land. To do this, you will have to pay admission at Marino Ballena National Park ($6 foreigners, 1,000 nationals) and walk from the main entrance in Uvitas Bahia Ballena neighborhood. Visiting Uvita Beach of Costa Rica | Whales Tail Playa Uvita Generally end of December to end of April and itll be sunny and hot. While nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to spotting these animals, it is still one of the best places to get the chance to see them. We cant do this without you! When we first explored this area of Costa Rica back in 2007, we fell in love with it. Or, for a glimpse under the water, take a diving or snorkeling tour. You can find several varieties of whales, turtles, dolphins, and birds around the area. While all of these beaches are technically along the same long piece of sand, you may find it easier to head to another entrance of the National Park to visit them. Playa Uvita lies just at the end of this road. Be careful about rip currents if you plan on swimming or snorkeling. You do not need to get on a plane or fly a drone to appreciate it and also acquire the best photos. Theyve made a long journey to get here! Make sure you bring lots of sunscreen and reapply it often, and a hat wouldnt be a bad idea. Unfortunately, snorkeling at this park isnt the best all year round. It should take 20-30 minutes to reach the tail from the beach entrance. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to add them in below. Check out these posts: Toucan Rescue Ranch: Wildlife and Sloth Tour, Tortuga Island Catamaran: Beach & Snorkel Tour from Jaco. Some of the highlights include: When it comes to whale watching in Costa Rica, it doesnt get much better than Marino Ballena National Park. The park closes at 4pm, but you can stay at the park later than this to watch the sunset (highly recommended!) To get to the Playa Uvita entrance, enter Parque Nacional Marino Ballena and look for Entrada sector Uvita if youre using Waze. The golden sand palm-tree lined beach seems to span on forever in each direction, with the lush green mountainous jungle serving as a gorgeous (theres that word again!) The park opens at 7am and though it stops people entering by 4pm, if youre already inside the park you can stay until 6pm (which is how youre able to watch the sunset). I think it all depends on if you are visiting at a busy time of year. To check up on the tides, click here. So, the whales tail formation at Uvita beach is like the natures way of advertising about this wonderful phenomenon of humpback whales visiting the tropical waters. We parked at the closest one, which was literally 20 seconds from the gate, and we were charged USD $5. Located between two oceans and two continents Costa Rica is set apart by its intense biodiversity. Its been affectionately named the Whale Tail, paying homage to the fact that it is the best humpback whale watching place in Costa Rica. Without a doubt, the number one thing to do in Uvita is to visit Marino Ballena National Park and enjoy a walk out to the famous "Whale Tail". 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The lowdown on the Rio Negro Hot Springs plus the four waterfall swimming spots, Las Chorreras Waterfall and the 5 paradise swimming holes beyond, 10 things to know before driving in Costa Rica as a tourist, Finding true paradise at Catarata Tesoro Escondido. Ticket prices are the same for every sector and allow entry into the four different park sectors, per day, per person. Uvita Beach: The Unique Whale's Tail Beach in Costa Rica You can pay at the ticket booth by the entry gates and credit cards are accepted. Frog's Paradise: is this the best night walk in Costa Rica? How to visit the Whale Tail in Costa Rica: tides, the walk, and more Thanks for your support. Entrance fees vary by. The park consists of over 9 miles of coastline and over 13,000 acres of ocean. You can check the tide tables about a week to a month out here or here. During the dry season (late December until late April) you can pretty much be guaranteed to have dry weather. Parking costs 2,000 colones per vehicle for the day. The delicate ecosystems that the park protects include things like mangroves, coral reefs, beaches, and whale-breeding grounds. Whether you intend to watch the humpback whales or are just seeking a quiet beach by the Pacific, Uvita beach can be a great addition to your Costa Rica itinerary. Tip the guard while leaving. Although some people might catch a glimpse if they are flying on a small plane to or from Drake Bayor Puerto Jimenez (see cover photo) on the Osa Peninsula, an easier way is to drive into the hills. Adding Uvita to a Costa Rica itinerary can easily be done if you are heading along the southern Pacific coast of the country. The park is also a stop for whales. There are more hotels outside Uvita and in the area like Cabinas Los Laureles which we really liked. One of the attractions and distinguished this National Park from others is the geographical shape of whale tail. On its beaches you will enjoy perfect paradises for relaxation and rest, and for swimming in its calm sea for hours. For footwear, navigating on the uneven rocks can be tricky, and although we did it in flip-flops, it would be much easier in sturdy sandals or sneakers. Day 7: The Whale's Tail - Costa Rica The first way to enjoy the whale tail is from above. The whales tail is only accessible for around 3.5 hours either side of low tide. The Whales Tail, more formally called the Punta Uvita Tombolo (but Whales Tail is better, right? Just dont get too close to them or shine any lights on them. Considering travel insurance for Costa Rica? Technically the visiting hours are from 7 am to 4 pm. I suggest heading south and stopping at Arco Beach and Playa Ventanas. You can then walk along the sand spit for a further 500m until you reach the rocks. The views looking back towards the forested mountains are stunning, and worth the visit alone. Safety Notice: There have been a few incidents of people being robbed while out on the whale tail. Or, you can simply relax and swim on one of the many beaches in the area. As it gets further away from low tide, you will see the water covering more and more of the ground. Be sure to go at low tide and bring water. Few years have passed since then, and in all this time, we have managed to visit Uvita beach on multiple occasions. Other tours out of Uvita include kayak and stand up paddle-boarding (SUP), which also go out around the tip of the tail and the islands. So if you want to do good snorkeling in Uvita, you must book an excursion to Cao Island Reserve which is about a 1 hour or so boat ride from the national park.
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