Ballena Tales Magazine & Travel Guide - Library
Ballena Tales is a Magazine and Travel Guide for the South Pacific region of Costa Rica based in Uvita on the Costa Ballena since 2008. It connects companies of Costa Ballena and Osa - South Pacific with the rest of Costa Rica and the world. We are a multi-lingual and multi-professional team and are proud of our open and long-standing cooperation with national and international partners.
In Ballena Tales Magazine & Travel Guide you will find useful and entertaining information about sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, lifestyle, wildlife and adventure of the Osa Peninsula and Costa Ballena.
Stay up to date - Here you will find our latest articles and posts of the current issue
MAGAZINE
Bi-cantonal Commission Osa-Golfito
By Carlos Leon The last board meeting of the Chamber of Tourism of Osa (CATUOSA) took place in the new Hostal del Mar in Golfito. Among the numerous participants, was Golfito’s Chamber of Tourism, represented by Elberth […]
Ongoing events in Sierpe
By Claudia Langguth Edition number 40 of Ballena Tales Magazine is dedicated to the events in the South Pacific of Costa Rica, and we have events in Sierpe de Osa every single day. Scarlett macaws, […]

Captivated by Playa Cativo Lodge
By Dagmar Reinhard The boat was waiting for us at Golfito’s dock where we boarded Captain Alan’s boat to cross the serene waters of Golfo Dulce to a large bay surrounded by tall palm trees. […]
The Ojoche trail along Ojochal
By Leo and Leonie German volunteers But why Ojoche? The (Brosimum Ojochealicastrum)is a tree that gave its name to the village of Ojochal, a place where this species was abundant; however, today there are very few of […]
Aha! + Adventure = Freedom
By Perry Gladstone This is my Freedom Fighting Formula, and it works like crazy. Adventure is the bridge that takes you from your old story of who you were to a great, new story. Aha! is […]
A Living Concept in Uvita
By Michael Ratzan The concept of Villa del Sol residential neighborhood begins with a beautiful beach,a tropical landscape, and easy access. Add the comfort of private ownership, and you have the most affordable neighborhood experience in Costa […]
Tolomuco Tayra
By Dr. Fernando Riera This peculiar mammal, a “cousin” of theweasels, is a diurnal predator; it is hard to pindown because we don’t see it often here. The Tayra (Eira barbara) or tolomuco, as it […]
Welcome New Neighbors!
By Dagmar Reinhard Steven and Rachel are the proud owners of Casitas Del Rio. This is a beautifully designed and relaxing river front development of luxury homes. The “casitas” are surrounded by lush gardens where wildlife makes frequent appearances. The […]
Veni, vidi, vici: Drew LaPlante
Singer and songwriter Drew LaPlante a barefoot troubadour; he is originally from Ohio and has recently landed in Costa Ballena. When LaPlante calls himself he turned 30, he decided it was time to move on. In 2012, he arrived in Costa Rica for the fist time and,with his backpack, he spent some time in the Corcovado National Park.
A Summer of Beach Tunes
By Trevor Brown Summer in Costa Ballena is packed with festivals. From traditional horse parades (topes) and expos, to multinational music festivals, the good times keep rolling. However, there are lots of events and activities to do […]
Counting Birds In Costa Ballena
Text and photos by Jack Ewing Why is bird watching such a popular activity? I believe the answer lies in the great diversity of birds, not only in the number of species — around 9800 worldwide […]
Adventures in Costa Ballena, tips for motorcyclists
Adventures in Costa Ballena, tips for motorcyclists By Robert E. Rodgers Readers of Ballena Tales are an adventurous group. This group likes its adventure sports: water, low lands, mountain, or jungle. They are also adventurous […]
The Roots Initiative
By Corey Walker The Vida Auténtica project is already rooted and continually growing. When you stop by the Organic Market on Tuesdays at Tinamaste’s salon communal, you will find out what is going on with Vida’s Roots Initiative; our […]
Ballena Views – New Spectacular Ocean View Development
Location – Ojochal on the Cinco Ventanas Road – Ballena Coast Lot Sale Price: $65,000 to $170,000 US Land size: 750 m² (0.20 acres) to 3,266 m² (0.81 acres) Spectacular ocean view development overlooking the […]
Beautiful Home with the Best Value in the Ojochal Valley
ID 16743 – Beautiful Home with the Best Value in the Ojochal Valley Location: Ojochal on Papagayo Road – Ballena Coast Sale Price: $375,000 US Building size: 297 m² (3,196 ft²) Land size: 10,000 m² (1 […]
Great Value!! 8.2 acres With 2 Homes and Ocean Views
ID 16524 – Great Value!! 8.2 acres With 2 Homes and Ocean Views Location: Ojochal – Ballena Coast Sale Price: $565,000 US Building size: 1st Home 152 m² (1,647 ft²) 2nd Home 100 m² (1,076 […]
“Cinco Ventanas Home” – Fabulous Ocean, Mountain and Rainforest Views
ID 16475 – “Cinco Ventanas Home” – Fabulous Ocean, Mountain and Rainforest Views Location: Ojochal – Ballena Coast Sale Price: $499,000 US Building size: 279 m² (3,003 ft²) Land size: 1.05 hectares (2.6 acres) “JUST […]
Beautiful Home with Panoramic Ocean Views
ID 15946 – Beautiful Home with Panoramic Ocean Views Location: Tres Rios on the Ballena Coast, Costa Rica Sale Price: $549,000 Building size: 284 m2 Land size: 30000 m2 Luxurious Tropical Living at its finest. […]
Curre , cultural tour through the Indigenous village
Rey Curré Little Devils Dances Transport in comfortable vans with A/C Breakfast at La Quebrada Grande Restaurant Bi-lingual guides Cújsrót Masks Workshop with Don Edixon Art Museum Petroglyphs, spheres and typical Indigenous ranchos Historical […]
Costa Ballena Craft Beer Fest
Second Annual Costa Ballena Craft Beer Tasting Saturday, January 17th, Goathouse km169 We met with Tori Philippi, the Operation’s Director and Matt Newby, the Event Coordinator; we asked them to describe the concept behind the […]
Spheres – Recovery of the Indigenous History
by Dagmar Reinhard The new Rural Indian Yimba Cajc Lyceum, in Curré,recently received three spheres.We were with Ifigenia Quintanilla, the archaeologist expert in the spheres while she gave a lecture to the students. Ifigenia talked […]
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 […]