Playa Uvita
Beach · Central Pacific
The long palm-lined main beach of Marino Ballena National Park at Uvita, with warm water, shade and mountain views; at low tide the sandbar to Punta Uvita appears.
- Cost
- about $6
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 6 / 10
- Swimming
- 6 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 9.15325, -83.7485 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.6 on Google (1,034)
Tip
Come early or late for softer light and fewer people, and bring shade and water.
Be careful
Rip currents occur and the sandbar floods quickly, so keep an eye on the tide.
Getting there
Inside the national park; small entrance fee (about US$6).
Places nearby
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Sources: OpenStreetMap relation/13511257 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/13511257 · https://www.google.com/maps/search/playas+Uvita+Ojochal · OSM relation is named Playa Colonia but spans the whole beach; point from Google plus code 5732+8J4