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.
Costa Ballena includes the three towns of Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal.
They have much to offer, from yoga retreats and surfing competitions to culinary events and a nature walk in the jungle. The tropical climate of Costa Rica's South Pacific and the happiness of its people create a great atmosphere in bars and restaurants, where one can enjoy a good meal, a cold beer, and generally a pleasant evening.
Come and enjoy! READ MORE:
The South Pacific paradise of Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Ballena Tales is always there to help. Whether it's finding transportation or a good spa in the area, we know how to reach them or where to find them! By browsing through our Services Section, you can learn more about the services Costa Ballena offers. READ MORE:
Costa Ballena offers you the best surfing conditions: Sunshine almost every day, big waves, and a laid-back atmosphere and lifestyle. Dominical has specially developed into a real surfers' paradise.
The tides chart is one of the favorite pages of our visitors. It is essential to know the ideal time to visit the whale tail at the Marino Ballena National Park, and also useful for lovers of sports fishing and surfing. READ MORE:
Hummingbirds, jewels of forests and gardens
by Susana García Photos by Raul Vega The first time I saw a hummingbird I felt something like butterflies in my stomach. For a European, these birds exclusive to the American continent are an incredible attraction. Costa […]
The Valley of the Great Diquis
~ by Dagmar ReinhardApril 2017 – Hotel Cristal Ballena The team of the National Museum of Costa Rica, led by headed by the director Mrs. Rocío Fernández and in the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Osa, Mrs. […]
Puerto Jiménez – Península de Osa
~ by Dagmar ReinhardThe city of Puerto Jimenez at the Osa Peninsula was a gold-mining center during the 70s; today, it has about 9,000 inhabitants. It is located near the entrance of Golfo Dulce, and it […]
Pura Vida in Sierpe
~ By Jeanne BrenanBoating the Sierpe River is not only a beautiful experience. With several ways to enjoy it, they all originate from the town of Sierpe. Exploring up or downriver, the Estero Azul by way of tours, […]

Go Organic!
~ by Luba Niko Nikolayev“Organic” is a label given to agricultural products grown and processed in a natural way, without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, and other agrochemicals. Surprisingly, Costa Rica uses 7 times more pesticides per hectare than the […]

The Costa Ballena Animal Home Refuge
~ by Kate BarrWe are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of El RefUgio Hogar Animal Costa Ballena at our temporary facility located at the CVS Veterinario, on Chamán Street, in Uvita. El RefUgio provides shelter/“refuge” and love to […]

Bamboo Room Restaurant & Alma de Ojochal Boutique Hotel
~ by John and Janet ChantryOver the last two years John and Janet Chantry, owners of the Bamboo Room Restaurant and the adjacent Alma de Ojochal Boutique Hotel, have built up their reputation as amazing and very active […]

How to Maintain the Health of your Hair?
f hard water scale quickly damages household fixtures, imagine the havoc it wreaks on our delicate hair!

Homage to Doña Elba Montero Marín
~ by Dagmar ReinhardLess than 50 years ago, Bahía Uvita was an isolated area difficult to access. Its history is linked to Mr. Cai Cruz and the aluminum producer Alcoa. In 1962, Cai Cruz owned Hacienda Bahía […]

YABASUJKRA
~ by Kurandenk (Huella del Jaguar / The Jaguar’s footprint)People from Boruca have many beliefs, and the stories, legends, and myths are part of our lives. Among such beliefs, there is the respect for nature. We know […]

Blue Flag – Marine Ballena National Park
~ by Stephanie Mory Villaseñor – Sub-admistradora Área de Conservación OsaThis year in March, the Marino Ballena National Park was awarded 4 Ecological Blue Flags, thanks to the joint efforts of volunteers and local organizations that make up […]

Stay one more night ~ a Whale of a Deal, Whales and Dolphins Festival
~ by Perry Gladstone Dear associate and companies of Costa Ballena. During the month of September, the annual Whales and Dolphins Festival attracts more than 6000 people to our region. This is an incredible business opportunity and we want to […]

Continuation of the 8 Limbs of Ashtanga – Asana
~ by Pila SalazarAsanas (yoga postures) comprised the third limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Although it is only a branch, it is what most of the western world conceived as “Yoga”. I started practicing in my early twenties. […]

480 Horse Riders
~ by Dagmar Reinhard The Horse Riding Commission of San Josecito deserves special recognition for the recent equestrian event held under the umbrella of the 2017 Summer Festival in Bahía – Uvita. Already last year, the commission began […]

Great coffee and warm, welcoming people
~ by Pam CapistaGreat coffee and warm, welcoming people – two of Costa Rica’s amazing resources. I had the great pleasure of visiting don Emilio’s coffee farm in San Luis and touring the farm with him and his […]

Slow down! Animals Crossing The Road
~ by Loyal ClarkeAt Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, our number one goal is to get the animals back to their native habitats. Sadly, that is not always possible due to injuries from which the animals cannot fully recover. The […]

Pre-Columbian times in Boruca
~ by Susie AtkinsonThe Diquís delta, just south of Costa Ballena, is one of the most important deltas of Central America from the biological and cultural perspective. We will discuss the cultural aspect. “Diquís” in the native dialect of the Teribe […]

CACOBA Update
~ by Perry GladstoneIt’s been a busy high-season at the Costa Ballena Chamber of Tourism and Commerce. While we continue to advance many initiatives, three areas have been our main focus: SECURITY – Concerns over rising crime […]

Were you there?
~ by Tony Johnson”Three Days of Peace and Music”: An event some actually attended, and that many claimed to have been at, while most only saw the movie. Why all the nostalgia? Because Woodstock was THE music festival […]

Community Support for the Lifeguards
~ by Nate BrightThe Guardavidas Costa Ballena Lifeguard program maintains paid, certified lifeguards on three beaches – Playa Dominical, Playa Hermosa and Playa Ventanas. Our beautiful unspoiled beaches attract visitors from all over the world, and keeping them safe […]

Dreamy Conditions on the Ballena Coast
~ by Trevor BrownI have chased waves from North America, through all of Central America, South America, and parts of Indonesia. Also, I’ve been fortunate to have experienced lots of different surf cultures and conditions. The more I […]

THE WILD DANCE OF THE PACA: A Disappearing Species
~ by Jack EwingThe names of two rainforest rodents can be confusing. One is the paca (Agouti paca) known as the Tepezcuintle in Spanish and the other the Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) known as the cherenga or guatusa in […]

Revitalize Yourself in the Valley of Chirripó!
~ by Susana GarcíaThey do know how to make people happy here! The hearts of local farmers are waiting for you in the mountains to sweeten your life and bring health back to you. We left San Isidro de […]

Orchids
~ by Susana García Orchids are plants with flowers that attract insects, bats, and birds to be pollinated. Many people enjoy watching them grow in their backyards or plant pots in their houses. The name of the orchid comes from the […]