Parque Nacional Marino Ballena - Sector Marino

Tip

Many SINAC parks require buying tickets online in advance; check the official site.

Be careful

Go with water and rain gear, and stay on official trails.

Places nearby

• La Choza de AlejoFood & CoffeeA big, airy Tex-Mex restaurant in Uvita, down the road from the Maxi Pali supermarket, with huge, nicely plated portions — tacos, burritos, chalupas, fajitas, enchiladas — and a 'museum bar' of tequilas and mezcals.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.