Costa Ballena Guide, Costa Rica Free Digital Magazine and Travel Guide

*Ballena Tales* is a digital and interactive guide highlighting the wonders of Costa Ballena, in Costa Rica's South Pacific. This magazine offers in-depth coverage of activities, services, natural attractions, wildlife, dining options, accommodations, and events in the region.

With an innovative approach, it combines print and digital publications within an ecosystem that includes a blog, business directory, and links to social media profiles and advertiser websites. The digital edition has a global reach, with thousands of readers, while the print version reaches over 8,000 readers in the region.

According to studies, each print copy is read by an average of 2.3 residents and 18 visitors, resulting in approximately 142,000 readers per year, with a print run of 7,000 copies.

In addition to its informative and engaging content, *Ballena Tales* supports community and environmental initiatives, contributing pro bono to positive projects for the sustainable and cultural development of the South Pacific. Its editorial mission is to satisfy readers while boosting the value of advertiser brands and promoting the overall growth of the region.

DISCOVER THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Costa Ballena, located in the Osa Canton, is a region where the tropical forest meets the South Pacific Ocean, offering a unique natural environment. This area stretches from the Barú River in Dominical to the mouth of the Térraba River in Coronado, encompassing communities such as Dominical, Dominicalito, Uvita, Bahía, Ojochal, and Coronado.

One of its main attractions is Uvita Beach, located within the Marino Ballena National Park. This park stands out for the impressive natural formation known as the "Whale's Tail," a sandbank that stretches 2,296 meters in length and 2,800 meters in width, making it the third-largest in the world. At low tide, visitors can walk to the edge of this formation, enjoying spectacular views and an unforgettable experience.

Costa Ballena combines natural beauty, biodiversity, and picturesque communities, establishing itself as a prominent tourist destination in Costa Rica.

EVENTS

SERVICES

TIDE CHARTS

Surfing: 7th Dominical Semana Santa Classic

The Dominical Semana Santa Classic has become a big and completely nonprofit community event. Justin Hague the organizer and head judge came to Dominical in 2005. Originally, he was a realtor from California who found […]

Nature Sanctuary: Educating about Wildlife

As a Canadian veterinary technician student, I spent the past 2 and a half years learning all about animal medicine. With Canada’s long winters and hot summers, we have a large variety of wildlife. However, […]

South of Costa Rica

Writing is something that I am passionate about. I understand that through writing a lot of knowledge is acquired, which is powerful when used positively. Knowledge breaks the chains of slavery of any kind. In […]

The largest mammal in Central America: The Tapir

Weighing upwards of 300 kilos Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is the largest land mammal in Central or South America. Tapirs are still found in at least eight national parks in Costa Rica, but are locally […]

GastroPub Batsú & Panes La Estrella

A delicious place in Perez Zeledon Sous-chef Anthony To find a GastroPub in the magnificent Chirripo’s mountain skirts was quite a surprise. Meeting David, the owner of the successful establishment along with his large family, […]

Researchers says Why do Cat’s Meow?

Researchers diverge on how many different sounds a cat can make, but most agree that cats only vocalize to humans, not to other cats. Another cat will only receive a hiss or growl, not a […]

Reptilandia: Exotic Amphibians at the Reptile Park

Parque Reptilandia houses not only creatures from the reptile world, but also has a small exotic variety of frogs that can be seen. Some of these like our poison dart frogs, family of Dendrobatidae, are living […]

Donations for lifeguards and Safe Beach program

I want to share a big win with you, three actually. For years the Lifeguards have relied on many small donations from the community. Our first big win was when the Mayor of Osa pushed […]

Perez Zeledón Quilt Show

In Sunday, April 8, 2018 more than two hundred visitors attended the first ever Perez Zeledón Quilt Exhibition. Sixteen passionate multinational PZ competitors, from beginner level to seasoned professionals, exhibited over 70 quilt pieces in […]

Practice and Enjoy Yoga as a Path of freedom

Yoga is a practice with a fundamental intention of finding internal freedom; it wants to bring us to our natural state, similar to a young child present, in the moment, enjoying life for what it […]

Eden Adventure Hostel and Community Center in Uvita

Eden Adventure Hostel and Community Center is a new project located in the old Badilla Cancha synthetica soccer field in Bahia Uvita. Mr Badilla built for the community in 2013, but it was closed down […]

Workout and Zumba: Fun with Sandy

Apart from an excellent workout, Zumba is fun. Grooving to the beats of salsa, flamenco, and merengue music feels more like a dance party than exercise. It is not necessary to be a great dancer […]

iRescue Wildlife refuge: An Animal Sanctuary with a Difference

Welcome to the iRescue Wildlife sanctuary, a shelter with a different mission from any other wildlife refuge in Costa Rica. While most sanctuaries are focused on the very important work of returning rehabilitated wildlife to the […]

New Real Estate Office in Uvita

JJ Properties CR, a familiar face in the Real Estate and Construction Community, has opened an office in Uvita in the new Cabinas Gato Office Complex. In 2004, Juan Carlos Mejias and his good friend […]

Ojochal: Unicity Jewel by Virginie Lévesque

In 1991 Virginie and her parents emigrated from Canada to start a new life in the South of Costa Rica, in a small town called Ojochal. Virginie remembers that she was the only foreign girl […]

We sell paradise news: The importance of Survey Studies

RE/MAX We Sell Paradise is proud of Jeffry Carmona, an important member of our sales team for over the past 3 years.Jeffry offers “home-town” knowledge, having being born and raised in the South Pacific zone […]

Costa Rica Fruit Festival

Would you love to experience an abundance of the best organic, tropical and seasonal fruit of Costa Rica? If so, this festival is for you! The Southern Zone’s premier Costa Rica Fruit Fest is happening July 27th to August 3rd

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

In March of this year, Juan Pablo Álvarez, executive chef of the Castillo’s Kitchen Restaurant in Ojochal, traveled to Lima Peru. He participated in the Jatum Culinary Championship.

The Wiz of Oz, Timeless Fantasy in June!

by Pied Piper Productions & Jungle Arts and Dance In 1904, novelist Frank L. Baum achieved success with his book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In 1939, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presented this iconic film with Judy Garland with […]

Ballena Tales Magazine and Travel Guide History, a decade of success!

Ballena Tales History, Costa Rica South Pacific Travel Guide

At 2007 there were no printed means of communication between the three villages. In Ojochal not even phone service was functioning. I started to edit Ballena Tales, a little brochure dedicated to the area, interviewing pioneers, business people, and tourists.

Dominical Surf Spot: Costa Rica’s best kept secret

Dominical has slowly gained popularity for its surfing. It’s one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secret! Now, the town thrives of surf tourism. National and regional surf contests occur annually in Dominical further showcasing the powerful waves and help in keeping our surf culture alive.

Happy Is Healthy. Say “no” to stress.

What do you think will happen if you get stubborn about being happy? Say “no” to stress. Recently a friend, told me, “My secret is, I just don’t do stress. That stuff will kill you. If I can’t do anything, about something, I sure as heck don’t worry about it.”

“Ojos en la calle” Safer together!

Safer together! Finally, a tool for everyone to help prevent crime in our area. Ojos en la Calle is a community vigilance network and anonymous reporting application for smartphones.

The Tank

AXIOM is proud to work with the national AYA (Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers) and the local ASADA (Communal Systems) to benefit the welfare of the Uvita community our vision is to assist in the development of Costa Ballena. Economic and community growth start with securing clean and abundant water. A portion of the company’s revenue is dedicated to developing community infrastructure systems.