Marino Ballena National Park (Uvita entrance)

Tip

Pay the entrance fee at the station, go in the morning and check tide times before walking out on the sandbar.

Be careful

Rip currents are common and the sandbar floods quickly when the tide comes in, so watch the tide and turn back early.

Getting there

Small entrance fee at the SINAC station (about US$6); check current hours and closures.

Places nearby

• Whale Watching UvitaSurf, Boats & Diving · from $45Family-run whale watching tour in Marino Ballena National Park, 3-4 hours by boat with a second scout boat to find the humpbacks; the site reports whales spotted daily this season and a 95% success rate in peak season.
• Costa Rica Dive and SurfSurf, Boats & DivingDive and snorkel center in Uvita that also runs whale-watching trips; reviewers describe well-run boat days with manta rays, turtles and food served on board.
• Dolphin Tours Costa RicaSurf, Boats & Diving · from $50Uvita boat operator with 20+ years of responsible sea tourism: whale and dolphin watching in Marino Ballena, Caño Island snorkeling days, Corcovado hiking trips and sport fishing.
• Bahía AventurasSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 2.5 h–3 h · from $78Costa Rican-owned marine tour operator in Uvita since 2007, offering whale and dolphin watching in Marino Ballena National Park and trips to Caño Island and Corcovado.
• Uvita Surf and TourSurf, Boats & Diving · from $70Surf school in Uvita with group, private and kids lessons and surf guiding; the site advertises 650+ Google reviews at 5.0.
• Que Tuanis CaféFood & CoffeeA laid-back café in the center of Bahía Ballena, across from the soccer field and run by local women: Costa Rican breakfasts and plates plus burritos, burgers and wraps, coffee and ice cream.