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:
Brunka people the Warriors Who Come from Behind the Sun
According to Brunka cosmovision, their global beliefs about religion, morality, philosophy, and politics, are incorporated in the “Akashic Records” (where everything is and nothing escapes).
In the Flow
by Perry Gladstone The greatest moments in life are when everything we believe, love, wish for, and work for come together at the same time. When our skills meet their equivalent challenges, some call that […]

Colonia Beach at Marino Ballena National Park, a surf paradise for beginners
by Cheme On September 25th, the USA Today, in its section “beach experience,” published an article of their journey through Costa Rica beaches. It was a pleasure to learn that Colonia Beach (Chaman) was mentioned […]
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 […]
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 […]