Costa Ballena. Osa, South Pacific, Costa Rica
A World of Light and Color!
Costa Ballena is the place where the forest meets the South Pacific Ocean in the Osa Canton. It comprises the area from the Barú River, crossing the bridge at Dominical all the way to the mouth of Térraba River in Coronado. The following small towns belong to the area: Dominical – Dominicalito – Hermosa Beach – San Josecito – Uvita - Bahía – La Union – Ballena – Ojochal – Punta Mala and Coronado.

Costa Ballena Map
How to get to Costa Ballena?
From San José, take Route 27 towards Orotina, pay attention to the exit to Jaco – Tárcoles, carry on to Parrita and Quepos, and follow the new Coastal Highway (Route 34) to Dominical. Travel time: about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Alternatively, from San José, take Cerro de la Muerte (Route 2), to San Isidro and then take route 234 to Dominical. Travel time: about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
From Palmar go North on the Coastal Highway.
Nearest airports: Quepos and Palmar Sur.
TRACOPA buses, on their way from San José to the Panamanian border, make a stop in Uvita. Travel time: about 3 hours 30 minutes.
Visit Marino Ballena,National Park. The famous Whale’s Tail is located at Playa Uvita with a length of about 2296 feet and a width of 820 feet, it is the world’s largest sandbank. During the low tide, you can walk to its very end.
The Park is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm every day, the entrance fee is CRC 1000 for nationals or residents and $ 6 for foreigners. THIS ENTRANCE ALLOWS YOU TO VISIT ALL PARK BEACHES ON THE SAME DAY.
The park is fortunate to receive two annual migrations of whales, the Humpback Whale of the North visits the South Pacific Coast from December to March and the humpback whale of the South begins migration in July which ends in October.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A WHALE-WATCHING TOUR? Please check >>>
Find here the information about South Pacific Costa Rica tides chart >>>

Costa Ballena
The Anteater
by Dr. Fernando Riera Photos by Claudia Langguth The anteater (a species in the Myrmecophagidae family) is one of the most beautiful and interesting animals in the Costa Rican Southern Pacific area, but at the […]
The New Costa Rican Cuisine
by Dagmar Reinhard Victor Castañeda is a 25-year old chef born in Guanacaste. We tried his culinary art at Playa Cativo Lodge, a lovely lodge in the Golfo Dulce, Osa Peninsula. His charisma and love […]
Tibetan Sound Bowls
by Pilar Salazar During my classes and meditation sessions, I’ve been playing the Tibetan meditation bowls and some students have asked me,“Why are you playing this?” So I thought to myself, what a great opportunity […]
Costa Rican surfer Carlos Muñoz
by Cheme The Costa Rican surfer Carlos Muñoz offered a great lesson in humility and demonstrated that where there is a will there is a way.’ In Osa, we are very proud of Carlos’ participation […]
Spider monkeys
By Susana Garcia The spider monkey,included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. It is an Ateles geofroyii, is a species endangered species because of the destruction of its natural habitat and […]
Globetrotters: Items not welcome in Costa Rica…
By Robert E. Rodgers Costa Rica is more than the content and squarearea of its geopolitical boundaries. CostaRica is a State of Mind, and the unoffiial motto is Pura Vida, a pure life, which is […]
The Biggest Threat to Wildlife
By Jack Ewing – Hacienda Baru Search the internet for any species of mammal,reptile, amphibian, or bird that is endangered. The main threat to the species will be habitat loss, a serious problem over most of […]
Artist Jo Ann Rogers is Using All of Her Senses
By Dagmar Reinhard 20 years ago, Jo Ann and herhusband came to Costa Ricaon a vacation for the fist time, and this Christmas they are celebrating 12 years of living in Dominical. Jo Ann is […]

Sloths are pura vida!
Sloths are one of my favorite animals to photograph. They appear to be constantly smiling, and their relaxed poses define Costa Rica’s Pura Vida spirit.
Doña Marina’s empanadas
By Ellen Hoël In June, I had a wonderful opportunity to have an overnightvisit in Boruca with my friend Susie Atkinson. Our mainpurpose was for Susie to repair the floor loom in preparation for Sherri’s […]
Matapalo Surprise Pueblo Alegre Cocktail Contest
By Dagmar Reinhard The Pueblo Alegre Uvita project fundraiser washosted by Pilar Dailinger-Davis (Villas Mareas) and Nate Bright (Tree of life Cabins). The Pueblo Alegre team organized a cocktail contest, and the contenders were Tortilla […]
Fun Painting Party in Bahía Uvita
By Melissa Junghänel In August, the community organized a PaintingParty to beautify Bahía Uvita, the little village by the sea, according to the motto, “a beautiful town is a happy town.” It was an excellent […]
Awesome – Scotti´s new life
Scotti is an example of strength and perseverance! By Dagmar Reinhard Video by Drew LaPlante Scotti Trinler aka Scotti Amputee, welcomed us in his Costa Canyoning office, located within the Hotel Sueños Tranquilos in Uvita. […]
Surfing is not a fad; it’s a lifestyle.
Jordy Mendez By Cheme Photos by Paul Gerace In April, Jordy Méndez Marín won second place in the Junior category at the Playa HermOSA Surf Contest. During the first heat, he was not very lucky […]
Making the Southern Zone the safest place to live and visit in Costa Rica
Making the Southern Zone the safest place to live and visit in Costa Rica CAP ON CRIME Identifying false Colones “False colones ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 are circulating all over Costa Rica. Some individuals […]
What to do, Where to eat and Where to stay…
South Pacific Costa Rica Beaches, Marino Ballena National Park
Looking for business directories, maps or other printouts? We’ve got that too!
Dare to Discover and Enjoy…
Check out…
Need help planning your Costa Rica vacations? We look forward to helping you!
Email: carlos@ballenatales.com
Phone: +(506) 8946 7134