Playa Dominicalito
Beach · Central Pacific · hidden gem
A small cove just south of Dominical, more sheltered and quieter than its big-wave neighbor, with rocks and tide pools to poke around at low tide and local fishing boats bobbing offshore.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 1.5 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 5 / 10
- Effort
- 0 / 10
- Location
- 9.23441, -83.84529 — Google Maps
Tip
Come at low tide to explore the pools for shells, small fish and crabs.
Be careful
Calmer than Dominical but not risk-free: rip currents and strong waves still happen, and the rocks are slippery.
Places nearby
- La ParcelaFood & CoffeeA restaurant on a rocky point between Dominical and Dominicalito with the ocean on both sides — the view is the reason to come.
- Del Mar Taco ShopFood & CoffeeA super casual outdoor taco and burrito spot just off the main beach in Dominical, at the south end of town near the police station.
- Dominical Surf AdventuresSurf, Boats & Diving · from $67Local guides running white water rafting (Savegre, Guabo, Chorro, Coto Brus), surf lessons at Playa Dominical, river tubing and mangrove kayaking since 2005.
- Costa Rica Surf Camp (Dominical)Surf, Boats & DivingSurf school and camp steps from Playa Dominical; reviewers praise patient instructors, small-group attention and a family-friendly, safety-first approach for all levels.
- Soda y Restaurante El Rincón de DomiSodas & Local FoodFamily restaurant that has been running for about 37 years in Dominical, serving fish, casados, soups, empanadas and smoothies in a calm setting at local prices.
- Alturas Wildlife SanctuaryParks & Wildlife · from $5Alturas is a non-profit wildlife rescue center on a jungle hilltop between Dominical and Uvita, the only one covering this stretch of the southern Pacific.
Sources: OpenStreetMap relation/13566460 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/13566460 · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/playa-dominicalito/