Whale's Tail (Punta Uvita)

Tip

Start walking about 2 hours before low tide and use a tide app. Park fee is about US$6 for foreigners, paid by card at the Playa Uvita ranger station.

Be careful

Start back before the tide turns: water floods the spit quickly. There's no shade, so bring water and sun protection. Rip currents occur along Playa Uvita.

Getting there

You can only walk out along the tail at low tide; from the beach it's 20–40 minutes each way.

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.
• 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.