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:
Remembering Roger Watson
Roger Watson rode up to Escaleras on horseback 12 years ago, long before the Costanera highway existed, and landed his opportunistic eye on a plot of land. Shortly after, Watson became one of the first […]
Pioneer of the jungle
In 1971, Don Walter Odio returns to Uvita after having studied Animal Science at Louisiana State University, and becomes part of the family enterprise of El Rancho La Merced. Due to his newly acquired know-how, […]
John Tresemer – La Cusinga Ecolodge
At the beginning of the 70’s and just 21, John, a college dropout, sensitive and idealistic, left the States feeling unable to adjust to militarism, materialism and racism. He overcame the turbulent 60’s of Civil […]
Sam Reidy Takes The Title
By Samuel Reidy /Dagmar Reinhard Photo ~ by Fabian Thousands of people watched as the best surfers in Costa Rica battled it out in Playa Hermosa Jaco’s extreme conditions for the National Surf Titles. Sixteen-foot towering waves […]
The Fate of the Chonta Palm
By Jack Ewing “Look what I found,” beamed the tractor driver, “a palmito from a chonta palm.It’s the first one I’ve seen in a long time.” The cylindrical palm heart about a meter long rested […]
Vida Auténtica
By Corey Walker Vida Auténtica would like to give a loud CONGRATULATIONS! to the graduates of the 2015 Pueblo Roots Initiative. We are very proud to announce that 56 residents in the communities of Platanillo […]
Guadalupe Urbina & Paloma Coronado Manrique
While Guadalupe was playing her guitar and Paloma her pre-Columbian instruments, and their voices melted into a vibrant hymn to life, we were able to film them and then ask them about their viewpoint of life.
Costa Ballena Raises Funds for the Lifeguards
The Costa Ballena Lifeguard committee reports that theLG7 lifeguards at Playa Hermosa have rescued 30 people in 2015, recently they started hosting monthly parties to raise the funds needed to continue the program at Hermosa and re-open the tower in Dominical.

Owl Butterfly at the Butterfly Reserve in Playa Tortuga!
Most people here in Costa Ballena are familiar with the beautiful owl butterfly. In Costa Rica they are the largest butterflies, and are represented by five species of the genus Caligo
News from La Patrona at Patron’s
In Dominical great things are happening at Patron’s. By Dagmar Reinhard We talked to La Patrona, and this is what she told us: “We are expanding our Events Center with regular performances of national and international […]
Experience in Costa Rica
by Dagmar ReinhardIndira Pintin and Patrice Racine are FrenchCanadians from Montreal; they decided to take a sabbatical from their jobs. Indira had been working as an IT business analyst and Patrice as a high school […]
Forging Wings: Our mission
By Ericka Sibaja Our mission is to promote the integral development of the children and teenagers of Uvita and Bahía Ballena through educational, artistic, and recreational programs so that they can choose to be responsible, […]
Costa Ballena Private Chef & Catering
By Dagmar Reinhard Private Chef & Catering will create an event that will make you look good, and your guests will never forget.
The Coyotes
By Dagmar Reinhard The Recreational Motorcycle Association Los Coyotes, founded in 1994, traveled from Cartago to Bahía Uvita. For some of the club members, this is their third time. Bon voyage friends! Pura Vida!

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s mission is to help preserve wildlife in southern Costa Rica through its rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction to…
MANOAS RENTAL VILLAS UVITA, a place of rest!
Steve & Tatum, Manoas Rental Villas´owners, came to Costa Rica after falling in love with it’s nature, beauty, pace of life and friendly culture. With a dream to build a unique place where guests can feel like they have escaped the world outside and are on a private getaway, they fell in love with Manoas.
Oxygen Jungle Villas
Oxygen Jungle Villas in Uvita, Costa Ballena Costa Rica is a great retreat for anyone looking to relax, for couples and honeymooners alike. And Oxygen makes the perfect venue for weddings.
Drugs and Love
By Shawnell Parker – Director DAWG A Winning Combination, One day, a nice lady was driving down the Costanera and saw a little white blob. The pup was unconscious, hairless, and breathing very shallowly. Frijolita […]
You Want to Get a Pet?
By Dr. Fernando Riera S. A dog? or a cat? Before getting a pet, please, ask yourself why do you want to have it, and if you can actually provide it with an adequate lifestyle. Invariably, the […]
Brighten the Christmas time..
“For it is in giving that we receive.” – Francis of Assisi Every year, as we approach the holiday season, families gather together to celebrate with festive decorations, feasts and fiestas, and often, an exchange of gifts. What is […]
The Lookout Hotel
By Scott Dinsmore The Lookout Hotel has been home away from home to many of the now staple residents of Ojochal. A place where people fell in love with each other and Ojochal. Marriage proposals, weddings, family reunions, couple’s […]
Big Waves #ZonaSur-F
By Cheme During the green season in Costa Ballena and the Osa Peninsula, the big waves season reaches its highest level. Get hold of this opportunity, and take a surf trip with the pals! The South Pacific is […]
Celebrating the Sierpe Wetlands
The Sierpe-Terraba Wetlands is a cause for great celebration, and the town of Sierpe knows how to celebrate! Music, food, dance, soccer, cultural art and The Tope (a gorgeous horse parade) were alive and in living color during […]
Culinary Artists at Hotel Vista Ballena Uvita
The Whales and Dolphins Restaurant offers an incredible selection of traditional food, and North American cuisine for breakfast lunch and dinner. Our passionate chefs will create decorative and mouth-watering dishes that will tease and satisfy all of your senses. The Whales and Dolphins Restaurant is quickly becoming recognized as the premier place in the South Pacific to enjoy an incredibly romantic or relaxing sunset dinner with 180 degree ocean view and sunset vistas. You may choose from our comprehensive and affordable menu, or choose to indulge in one of our chefs food creations offered through our nightly specials.