9 Best Things to Do in Uvita, Costa Rica

Are you looking for the best things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica? Uvita is well known for its humpback whale watching, untouched tropical beaches, laid-back atmosphere, epic jungle hotels, and diverse wildlife. We loved exploring this peaceful town and its surroundings.

Wondering what to do in Uvita? See the famous Whale Tail at Marino Ballena National Park, visit Nauyaca Waterfalls, go on a whale watching tour, explore Manuel Antonio National Park, or enjoy surfing.

This ultimate guide to visiting Uvita includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica.

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Where is Uvita?

Located on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, about a 1-hour drive from Manuel Antonio National Park and 3.5 hours from San Jose.

Best Time to Visit Uvita, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has two seasons: a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November.

The best time to visit Uvita is during the dry season, which runs from December to April when there is less rain. But these months are the busiest time to visit Costa Rica, so we suggest booking tours and accommodation in advance!

The average annual temperature is 26°C. We visited Uvita at the end of April and had fantastic weather.

Good to know
The humpback whale season runs from December to the end of March and from mid-July to early November.

Here are all your hotel options in Uvita.

How to Get to Uvita

The best way to get to Uvita is by car. The roads are well maintained and paved, so you don’t need a 4×4. However, depending on the location of your accommodation, you may need a 4×4!

You can easily rent a car at San Jose Airport or pick up your pre-booked car. From San Jose, take Road 27 towards Jaco, stop at the famous Crocodile Bridge on the way, then continue on Road 34 to Uvita. The journey time is approximately 3.5 hours, depending on traffic.

We did our 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

Good to know
It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). So we don’t recommend driving at night!

Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Costa Rica and driving tips.

Unfortunately, there is no airport in Uvita. The nearest airport is La Managua Airport (XQP) in Quepos, about a 50-minute drive away.

TIP
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Costa Rica.

A shuttle minivan from San Jose Airport/City to Uvita (any hotel) starts from 65 USD. Book your minivan here.

You can also take the Tracopa bus from San Jose, which runs several times a day. The bus journey takes around 4.5-5 hours, and the bus ticket costs around 12 USD.

We arrived in Uvita from Monteverde, and the driving time was about 4.5 hours.

Where to Stay in Uvita

Although it’s a small town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. We recommend staying near Uvita Beach if you don’t have a car. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Uvita

Luxury: Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa or Golden Pineapple Villas – Adults Only
Mid-Range: Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa
Budget: Yuli Hotel

more hotels

We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Uvita.

Photo credit: Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa

Best things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica

1. Marino Ballena National Park

If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss in Uvita, it’s Marino Ballena National Park. The national park is home to a variety of wildlife, and you can spend a whole day relaxing on the beach, sunbathing, and swimming.

The national park is open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM, and the entrance fee is 6 USD for foreigners and 1000 colones (2 USD) for Costa Ricans.

During our visit, we went to lunch at a nearby restaurant and then used the same ticket back to the park.

Read our → Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary

The best attraction in the Marino Ballena National Park is the Whale Tail. But you can only see it at low tide and you’ll need a drone to capture this beautiful moment.

At low tide, a walk on the Whale Tail sandbar is a fantastic experience. Just a 20-minute walk from the entrance.

TIP
You can check the current tide here or ask park staff on arrival.

Whale Tail, Marino Ballena National Park

2. Whale Watching Tour

Did you know that Costa Rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world? Therefore, one of the best things to do in Uvita is to go on a whale watching tour.

Marino Ballena National Park is a protected area, making it the perfect place for humpback whales to breed and give birth. You can see northern humpback whales usually from December to the end of March and southern whales from mid-July to early November.

Whale watching tours usually start from 90 USD, which includes the entrance fee to Marino Ballena National Park, transport by boat, a tourist guide, lifejacket, refreshments (fruit, water), and snorkeling equipment.

The tour takes about 3 to 4 hours. During the tour, you can swim, snorkel, and see humpback whales (maybe with their calves), dolphins, birds, and turtles.

Book your whale watching tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

3. Manuel Antonio National Park

One of the best things to do in Uvita is to visit Manuel Antonio National Park. The national park is approximately a 1-hour drive from Uvita. This is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, although it is one of the best places to see wildlife.

Along the park’s well-maintained hiking trails, you will pass the lush jungle, chill out on untouched beaches, and watch beautiful wildlife. During your visit, you can see monkeys, sloths, raccoons, snakes, frogs, reptiles, beautiful birds, and much more.

Manuel Antonio National Park is open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. The park is closed on Tuesdays! Although you can also visit the national park on a self-guided tour, for the best experience, we recommend joining a guided or private tour.

Book an excellent guided tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

The entrance fee to Manuel Antonio National Park is 18.08 USD for foreign adults and 5.65 USD for foreign children (2-12 years old).

Important note
Tickets can only be purchased online!

Keep reading → Guide to Manuel Antonio National Park

4. Stay in a Jungle Hotel

Looking for unforgettable things to do in Uvita? Spend a few relaxing nights in the jungle and enjoy the perfect combination of luxury and nature as you explore the sights of Uvita.

Hidden in the rainforests, the villas and hotels offer breathtaking views and magical sunsets. Guests can also book a variety of adventure tours or relax in the peaceful surroundings and see Costa Rica’s stunning wildlife.

If you’re looking for a unique jungle hotel, stay at Art Villas & Glamping at the top of the rainforest in a royal canopy, or choose Oxygen Jungle Villas for a relaxing jungle night with a spa experience.

Important note
Some jungle hotels require a 4×4 vehicle to reach.

Recommended post → Best Hotels for All Budgets

5. Nauyaca Waterfalls

One of our favorite things to do in Uvita was to visit Nauyaca Waterfalls, only a 30-minute drive away. This two-tiered waterfall has a combined height of 61 meters and offers fantastic photo opportunities.

You can visit the waterfalls on a self-guided tour or even get there by 4×4 truck and horseback riding. Once you arrive, you can swim in the natural pools at the bottom or spend a few relaxing hours.

Book your Nauyaca Waterfalls tour.

Nauyaca Waterfalls has two entrances. The original entrance is on the main road from Dominical to San Isidro, known as Don Lulo’s entrance. This is a well-maintained road, so no 4×4 car is needed. The other access is a new entrance, the Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park, which provides entry from the east side.

We have a detailed post about Nauyaca Waterfalls with everything you need to know before you visit.

6. Playa Hermosa Beach

Although Costa Rica has two beaches called Hermosa, one just a short drive from Uvita. Playa Hermosa’s long, untouched beach with dark sand and a backdrop of beautiful palm trees offers fantastic photo opportunities.

Buy some cold coconuts from the local vendors and relax on the beach or take surfing lessons.

During your stay in Uvita, watch the sunset once at Marino Ballena National Park, and on another day, enjoy it for free at Playa Hermosa.

7. Corcovado National Park

Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and is perfect for wildlife watching. It is home to 140 mammal species, 370 bird species, and over 6,000 insect species. The national park has been called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic. So you should add it to your list of the best things to do in Uvita.

The national park is open every day from 7 AM to 4 PM. The entrance fee to Corcovado National Park is 15 USD for foreigners and 1600 colones (3 USD) for Costa Ricans.

A guide is required to enter the Corcovado National Park. So we recommend you book your tour online. The tour price includes the entrance fee to the national park, water transportation, a certified bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish), lunch, snacks, and water.

Book your tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

8. Uvita Waterfall

Looking for more top things to do in Uvita? Uvita Waterfall is just a 10-minute drive from Marino Ballena National Park, and you don’t need a 4×4. The Catarata Uvita is located on private property, so you will have to pay an entrance fee of around 2000 CRC (4 USD).

Once you arrive, you can reach the waterfall in a few minutes along a well-maintained path. Then, you can enjoy a refreshing swim or jump into the water and visit the butterfly garden.

It is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Join a guided tour to hidden waterfalls and beaches, and enjoy a stunning sunset at the end of the day.

9. Dominical Beach

One of the best beaches near Uvita is in Dominical, a well-known hippie and surfer spot on the South Pacific Coast. Dominical is the only beach with a year-round lifeguard program in Costa Rica. Besides surfing and swimming, you can enjoy beautiful sunsets on the beach.

Combine your visit with nearby stunning waterfalls and beaches such as Pozo Azul Waterfall, Nauyaca Waterfalls, Playa Linda (Matapalo), and Playa Dominicalito.

Recommended post → Best Beaches in Costa Rica

Is Uvita Worth Visiting?

Yes, absolutely! It’s the perfect base for exploring stunning national parks, chasing waterfalls, visiting untouched beaches, whale watching tours, and staying in an epic jungle hotel.

Is it Safe to Travel to Uvita?

Yes, it is one of the safest and best destinations in Costa Rica. But we recommend always locking your car and don’t leave any valuables in the vehicle.

Always keep an eye on your valuables while swimming in the water. Beware of rip currents!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How to Get Around Uvita

The main attractions around Uvita are scattered, making it difficult to get around without a car. If you don’t have a car, you should stay near the Marino Ballena National Park, as there are shops, great restaurants, tourist offices and beautiful beaches.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi, book a private transfer, or join a group tour that includes transport. You can book transfers via Bookaway.

Best Restaurants in Uvita

You can find many local restaurants (sodas), vegan & vegetarian options, and national foods with all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Pizza Time (Best Pizza)
Sibu Restaurant & Coffee Store (Good place for breakfast, delicious coffee)
Bagel Time (Bagels, pastries, sandwiches)
La Choza de Alejo (Mexican food)
Soda Ranchito Dona Maria (Cheap, authentic local cuisine)
Indómitos Café & Bar (Vegan/vegetarian options, healthy food)
Aracari Restaurant (Perfect for a romantic dinner with a beautiful sunset view)
Sabor Espanol (Seafood)
El Hornito (Empanadas, pizzas)

How many Days do you Need in Uvita, Costa Rica?

Plan your Costa Rica trip to allow at least 3-4 days to see the main attractions and enjoy the best things to do in Uvita.

If you have more time in Uvita, you should add these activities to your list:

Visit El Pavon Waterfall
Take a Sierpe Mangrove Boat Tour
Join the Envision Festival
Learn to surf

We hope our list of the best things to do in Uvita will help you plan your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

9 Best Things to Do in Uvita, Costa Rica