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
Food from the gods (Theobroma cacao)
Cocoa was very significant to Native Americans and now days, it is highly valued by the modern consumer. The cocoa powder is made from the seeds of the plant that grows wild in the forests […]
What has the Art of the Diquís in common with Michelangelo’s David?
What has the Art of the Diquís in common with Michelangelo’s David? Saúl Mora Morales is 33 years old; he studied Visual Arts and Communication at the Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica. He is a sculptor, ceramist, painter, and designer, during his 16 years of experience; he has created thousands of drawings and sculptures.
Ventanas Beach and its amazing caves
Uwe, the German administrator of Playa Ventanas, greeted us with freshly brewed coffee. Three years ago, he arrived to take care of this piece of paradise, without speaking a word of Spanish. He brought with […]
The Black Machine 84, an Old Engine Comes to Life
By Dagmar Reinhard After 30 years of deterioration, being parked under extremely hot and humid conditions at Palmar Sur, the “Black Machine 84” was restored, becoming once again the beautiful and stunning machine it was […]
There is Always a Way to Do Things Differently
By Perry Gladstone When people come to Costa Ballena the first time, they are blown away by the beauty they see all around them. Nature in all its glory is reflected in the land and […]
Spectacled Caiman… Seems to Be Wearing a Pair of Glasses
by Breanna Ondich The Guajipal At night, in rivers, estuaries, lagoons, paddy fields, and even large puddles along the southern zone, with the help of a lantern you can spot a pair of red eyes […]
The Swell is Coming
by Cheme When a surfer hears about the swell, there is ground for joy; it is time to start planning. What is the swell? It is the series of mechanical waves spreading along the interface […]
Uvita, A Pretty Town is a Happy Town
Bright tropical colors were painted on buildings, fences, and recycled tire planters of the happy town. The results certainly put a big smile on everyone’s face!
The Moringa “Tree of Life,”
The moringa, called Tree of Life, grows four to five meters high, and the roots, leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers, bark, and pods offer many medicinal benefits. by Guillermo García Moringa: science has confirmed its favorable […]
Believing in the“Impossible”Makes Miracles “Possible”
by Dagmar Reinhard Jazmín is eleven years old; her life changed dramatically when she was only three. Today, thanks to the help of a small group of people, she has been reunited with her parents. […]
Spheres – The Diquís Archaeological Sites are World Heritage
By Francisco Corrales Ulloa, ArchaeologistMuseo Nacional de Costa RicaPhotos by Museo Nacional de Costa Rica In June 2014, several archaeological sites’ housing stone spheres within the Canton of Osa in Costa Rica were declared World […]
Respect the Elders
by Robert E. Rodgers The theme of this issue of Ballena Tales is the spheres located at and around Palmar Sur down here in our neck of the woods. I was given the task of […]
The Floor Loom
by Ellen Hoel and Susan Atkinson About two years ago, Susan Atkinson (Pacific Edge Cabins in Dominicalito) built a floor loom for Doña Marina and her group of Borucans weavers, Artesanos Naturales. The idea of […]
Ding Repair in Costa Ballena
by Trevor Brown Whether you are a professional surfer, or just a beginner, there comes a time when your surfboard needs repair. From impacts via reef, rocks, other surfboards, or any number of possibilities, you […]
Spheres in the Animal Kingdom
by Dr. Fernando Riera S. In the animal kingdom, we also find “spheres.” Certain animals have the habilty of taking this form, especially as a way to protect themselves from possible predators’ attacks. Some species […]
What to do, Where to eat and Where to stay…
South Pacific Costa Rica Beaches, Marino Ballena National Park
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Email: carlos@ballenatales.com
Phone: +(506) 8946 7134