Guidebook for Uvita
Food Scene
List of restuarants in and around Uvita.
Cool hostel vibe and great food by the beach. This hostel is committed to sustainability, so their menu features locally sourced and organic ingredients. Sometimes we just go here to hang out, just because. Near Playa Chaman. Gluten Free and vegan options.
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Flutterby House
Cool hostel vibe and great food by the beach. This hostel is committed to sustainability, so their menu features locally sourced and organic ingredients. Sometimes we just go here to hang out, just because. Near Playa Chaman. Gluten Free and vegan options.
Popular expat and tourist hangout smack dab in the middle of Uvita. They have your coffee and dessert needs covered. The international menu is little more gourmet than you might expect with good options for veggie, vegan, and gluten-free folk. And if you're not one of those people, the burgers and pizza are among the best you'll get in Uvita.
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Sibu Café
Carretera Pacífica Fernández OreamunoPopular expat and tourist hangout smack dab in the middle of Uvita. They have your coffee and dessert needs covered. The international menu is little more gourmet than you might expect with good options for veggie, vegan, and gluten-free folk. And if you're not one of those people, the burgers and pizza are among the best you'll get in Uvita.
This is a solid pick for lunch or dinner near Ojochal. International menu is prepared with the freshest ingredients. There's a variety of beef, chicken, fish and veggie options, as well as ceviches, pastas, sushi, and more. The owner's family grows much of the produce they use, organically and with a lot of love. Good value!
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Restaurante y Bar Fusión
Costanera SurThis is a solid pick for lunch or dinner near Ojochal. International menu is prepared with the freshest ingredients. There's a variety of beef, chicken, fish and veggie options, as well as ceviches, pastas, sushi, and more. The owner's family grows much of the produce they use, organically and with a lot of love. Good value!
This charming little place is the closest restaurant to Casita Bahia. Mexican-Costa Rican fare. I love the beef enchiladas, shrimp tostada, and chifrijo. Good, strong margaritas and sometimes interesting flavors like tamarindo or pineapple jalapeno.
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Carlito's Restaurant
This charming little place is the closest restaurant to Casita Bahia. Mexican-Costa Rican fare. I love the beef enchiladas, shrimp tostada, and chifrijo. Good, strong margaritas and sometimes interesting flavors like tamarindo or pineapple jalapeno.
Soda ranchito Doña Maria
Our favorite soda. Simple, good Costa Rican dishes.
Bakery, breakfast bagels, Argentinean empanadas, pizza. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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The Baker Bean
34 Costanera SurBakery, breakfast bagels, Argentinean empanadas, pizza. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
House Of Ginger
Chinese food, just north of town.
Pizza Express
Pizza, pasta, burgers. The pizza tastes just like Pizza Hut. They deliver.
800 meters from the casita. Oven-baked chicken, pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes.
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Restaurante y Pizzeria La Fogata
800 meters from the casita. Oven-baked chicken, pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes.
Las Esferas Restaurante
Typical soda menu.
Salon Comunal Uvita
ALL DAY WEDNESDAY - Farmer's market
Casual dining of the Costanera in front of Bridgestone.
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The Dome Restaurant
Casual dining of the Costanera in front of Bridgestone.
Traditional Costa Rican dishes. A local hangout. On the highway next to BM south.
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Marino Ballena Restaurant
Ruta Nacional Primaria 34Traditional Costa Rican dishes. A local hangout. On the highway next to BM south.
Spanish-style restaurant with good food near the Playa Chaman. Not open all year round so good to call first.
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Sabor Español
Camino a Playa ColoniaSpanish-style restaurant with good food near the Playa Chaman. Not open all year round so good to call first.
Drinks & Nightlife
Is there really a wine bar in Uvita? Why yes, there is! Open air terrace in a peaceful setting just up the road from BCR.
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Mosaic Wine Bar & Cafe
Is there really a wine bar in Uvita? Why yes, there is! Open air terrace in a peaceful setting just up the road from BCR.
This hotel, up the mountain just north of town, is a great place to catch sunset with a panoramic view of the whale tale. The toucans might show up for happy hour. They will let you use their pool if you consume a certain amount in their bar/restaurant.
Vista Ballena
Jardines del MoreteThis hotel, up the mountain just north of town, is a great place to catch sunset with a panoramic view of the whale tale. The toucans might show up for happy hour. They will let you use their pool if you consume a certain amount in their bar/restaurant.
Up the mountain in Escaleras north of Uvita. 24 flavors of chicken wings, hefty burgers, and tasty personal pizzas. Also a good spot to have an Imperial and watch the toucans (get there before sunset). Live music on some nights.
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Bar Jolly Roger
Up the mountain in Escaleras north of Uvita. 24 flavors of chicken wings, hefty burgers, and tasty personal pizzas. Also a good spot to have an Imperial and watch the toucans (get there before sunset). Live music on some nights.
Parks & Nature
Protected marine park featuring beautiful beaches and the famous “whale tail” sandbar. The whale tail (or Punta Uvita) is a coral reef connected to the mainland by a sandbar carved by surrounding rivers. This is one of the largest marine parks on the Pacific Coast side of Central America and is the seasonal home to humpback and pilot whales. You can walk to the end of the whale tail at low tide. Don't forget your hat, suscreen, and water as there is no shade out there. You can also snorkel around the reef.
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Park Narodowy Marino Ballena
Protected marine park featuring beautiful beaches and the famous “whale tail” sandbar. The whale tail (or Punta Uvita) is a coral reef connected to the mainland by a sandbar carved by surrounding rivers. This is one of the largest marine parks on the Pacific Coast side of Central America and is the seasonal home to humpback and pilot whales. You can walk to the end of the whale tail at low tide. Don't forget your hat, suscreen, and water as there is no shade out there. You can also snorkel around the reef.
One of the most spectacular sites in the area is Nauyaca, a magnificent two-tiered waterfall accessible by foot or horseback. Don Lulo runs excellent horseback tours of the falls for ~$70, with lunch provided. If you are prepared for a fairly strenuous 10k hike, you can hike the trail on foot after paying the entrance fee ($8) at Don Lulo’s office. To get there, drive ~7k from Dominical towards San Isidro. Look for the “Nauyaca waterfall” sign at the office. About 1km past the office, there’s the road entrance to the falls. You can park and enter the trail head below this entrance.
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Nauyaca Waterfalls
Dominical - San Isidro PZOne of the most spectacular sites in the area is Nauyaca, a magnificent two-tiered waterfall accessible by foot or horseback. Don Lulo runs excellent horseback tours of the falls for ~$70, with lunch provided. If you are prepared for a fairly strenuous 10k hike, you can hike the trail on foot after paying the entrance fee ($8) at Don Lulo’s office. To get there, drive ~7k from Dominical towards San Isidro. Look for the “Nauyaca waterfall” sign at the office. About 1km past the office, there’s the road entrance to the falls. You can park and enter the trail head below this entrance.
La Catarata is a waterfall 1km from Uvita. Turn up the road from BCR bank and veer to the left at Mosaic Wind Bar. Last time we checked, the entrance fee was 1,000 colones.
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Catarata uvita
Calle BejucoLa Catarata is a waterfall 1km from Uvita. Turn up the road from BCR bank and veer to the left at Mosaic Wind Bar. Last time we checked, the entrance fee was 1,000 colones.
This long stretch of beach is just off the highway a few kilometers north of Uvita towards Dominical. It is popular with locals, particularly during Christmas and Semana Santa, and is a good spot for intermediate-to-advanced surfers. Be aware that there are frequent rip currents at Playa Hermosa. Though there are lifeguards on duty these days, it’s good practice to be aware of the conditions and know what to do if you are caught in a rip tide (don’t panic; swim parallel to shore until you leave the current). There are a handful of ceviche/coconut water vendors at the entrance. Look for signs and the entrances to Playa Hermosa on the left-hand side 4km north of Uvita.
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Playa Hermosisima
This long stretch of beach is just off the highway a few kilometers north of Uvita towards Dominical. It is popular with locals, particularly during Christmas and Semana Santa, and is a good spot for intermediate-to-advanced surfers. Be aware that there are frequent rip currents at Playa Hermosa. Though there are lifeguards on duty these days, it’s good practice to be aware of the conditions and know what to do if you are caught in a rip tide (don’t panic; swim parallel to shore until you leave the current). There are a handful of ceviche/coconut water vendors at the entrance. Look for signs and the entrances to Playa Hermosa on the left-hand side 4km north of Uvita.
Approximately 4km before Dominical is the beach of Dominicalito. This is a quaint little beach that is good for a stroll, lounging around, or surfing at high tide. It can be rocky at times, depending on the tide conditions, so be on watch for rocks when in the water. Dominicalito is also where local fishing tours are based. You can pick up fresh fish from local fisherman at La Macha across the highway and down the road a bit from the beach.
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Playa Dominicalito
Approximately 4km before Dominical is the beach of Dominicalito. This is a quaint little beach that is good for a stroll, lounging around, or surfing at high tide. It can be rocky at times, depending on the tide conditions, so be on watch for rocks when in the water. Dominicalito is also where local fishing tours are based. You can pick up fresh fish from local fisherman at La Macha across the highway and down the road a bit from the beach.
Playa Colonia, known by locals as “Playa Chaman”, is a beautiful stretch of beach just south of Playa Uvita. This beach break has good waves for beginning and intermediate surfers. This is our home beach and one of the local entrances to Marino Ballena National Park. Sometimes the park guards are not here to charge park entrance fees. But if they are, prepare to have 3,400 colones (~$6) for foreigners, or 1,000 colones if you're Costa Rican. Your ticket allows you same-day entrance to all of the park’s beaches, including Playa Uvita and Chaman, Playa Ballena and Arco, and Playa Pinuelas. This is a good place to learn to surf, and there are several outfits that offer surf lessons at Chaman.
Camino a Playa Chamán
Camino a Playa ChamánPlaya Colonia, known by locals as “Playa Chaman”, is a beautiful stretch of beach just south of Playa Uvita. This beach break has good waves for beginning and intermediate surfers. This is our home beach and one of the local entrances to Marino Ballena National Park. Sometimes the park guards are not here to charge park entrance fees. But if they are, prepare to have 3,400 colones (~$6) for foreigners, or 1,000 colones if you're Costa Rican. Your ticket allows you same-day entrance to all of the park’s beaches, including Playa Uvita and Chaman, Playa Ballena and Arco, and Playa Pinuelas. This is a good place to learn to surf, and there are several outfits that offer surf lessons at Chaman.
The closest beach to the whale tail. Whale watching tours take off from this beach. Walking to the end of the Whale Tail can be done at low tide (bring hat, sunscreen, snacks, and water!). Snorkeling is also possible around the Whale Tail reef at low tide. The nearby mangrove is good for easy kayaking or paddle boarding. You can rent kayaks, paddle/surf boards or do a tour from Uvita 360 before the park.
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Uvita Beach
The closest beach to the whale tail. Whale watching tours take off from this beach. Walking to the end of the Whale Tail can be done at low tide (bring hat, sunscreen, snacks, and water!). Snorkeling is also possible around the Whale Tail reef at low tide. The nearby mangrove is good for easy kayaking or paddle boarding. You can rent kayaks, paddle/surf boards or do a tour from Uvita 360 before the park.
Playa Ballena is a beautiful stretch of beach with vistas of the “Tres Hermanas” (Three Sisters) rock formations. The road to the Playa Ballena park entrance is ~5km south of Uvita and is marked with signs.
WARNING: there have been armed assaults at beaches in the area. Due to their isolation, Playas Ballena and Arco have become a hotspot for thieves waiting in the jungle to rob tourists. We strongly recommend leaving all valuables at home when visiting these beaches.
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Playa Ballena
Carretera Pacífica Fernández OreamunoPlaya Ballena is a beautiful stretch of beach with vistas of the “Tres Hermanas” (Three Sisters) rock formations. The road to the Playa Ballena park entrance is ~5km south of Uvita and is marked with signs.
WARNING: there have been armed assaults at beaches in the area. Due to their isolation, Playas Ballena and Arco have become a hotspot for thieves waiting in the jungle to rob tourists. We strongly recommend leaving all valuables at home when visiting these beaches.
With its pristine white sands, Playa Arco is a one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. It is accessible only at low tide. To get there, walk to the right from the main entrance at Playa Ballena until you reach the end of the beach. From there, there is a little foot path over the hill and through the woods until you get to beach on the other side. Playa Arco has a small waterfall and a cave accessible at low tide. WARNING: there have been armed assaults at beaches in the area. Due to their isolation, Playas Ballena and Arco have become a hotspot for thieves waiting in the jungle to rob tourists. We strongly recommend leaving all valuables at home when visiting these beaches.
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Arch Beach
With its pristine white sands, Playa Arco is a one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. It is accessible only at low tide. To get there, walk to the right from the main entrance at Playa Ballena until you reach the end of the beach. From there, there is a little foot path over the hill and through the woods until you get to beach on the other side. Playa Arco has a small waterfall and a cave accessible at low tide. WARNING: there have been armed assaults at beaches in the area. Due to their isolation, Playas Ballena and Arco have become a hotspot for thieves waiting in the jungle to rob tourists. We strongly recommend leaving all valuables at home when visiting these beaches.
One of the Marino Ballena National Park beaches. A protected beach with small, local fishing boats in the backdrop. Calm waters here are usually good for swimming.
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Playa Piñuelas
One of the Marino Ballena National Park beaches. A protected beach with small, local fishing boats in the backdrop. Calm waters here are usually good for swimming.
Just south of Playa Pinuelas, Playa Ventanas is another great swimming beach with two spectacular sea caves in the surrounding volcanic rocks that can be entered at low tide. It is not part of the park system, so there is no fee to enter the beach, but there is a parking fee (currently 2,000 colones or $4 per car). The beach has become quite popular with locals.
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Playa Ventanas
Just south of Playa Pinuelas, Playa Ventanas is another great swimming beach with two spectacular sea caves in the surrounding volcanic rocks that can be entered at low tide. It is not part of the park system, so there is no fee to enter the beach, but there is a parking fee (currently 2,000 colones or $4 per car). The beach has become quite popular with locals.
Deeply impacted by a hurricane many years ago, this beach is not at all on the tourist map. It’s worth a stop if you are interested in the diversity of the coastline as you can get a view of Boca Coronado, where the Terraba-Sierpe wetlands start. I have heard that there are caves that you can reach at low tide (maybe ask around). The beach is named for the sea turtles that nest here. If you’re in the area for a while and looking to volunteer to help the turtles, Reserva Playa Tortuga, based at this beach, is the place to do it.
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Playa Tortuga
Deeply impacted by a hurricane many years ago, this beach is not at all on the tourist map. It’s worth a stop if you are interested in the diversity of the coastline as you can get a view of Boca Coronado, where the Terraba-Sierpe wetlands start. I have heard that there are caves that you can reach at low tide (maybe ask around). The beach is named for the sea turtles that nest here. If you’re in the area for a while and looking to volunteer to help the turtles, Reserva Playa Tortuga, based at this beach, is the place to do it.
Entertainment & Activities
Rancho Merced runs horseback tours on the beach and along trails through the lush jungle reserve. Evidently there are also hiking trails on the property.
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Rancho La Merced /
Ruta Nacional Primaria 34Rancho Merced runs horseback tours on the beach and along trails through the lush jungle reserve. Evidently there are also hiking trails on the property.
Terraba-Sierpe is one of the largest mangroves in Central America. Boat tours offer a relaxing way to spot monkeys, sloths, caiman, a variety of wetland birds, and other mangrove animals. Tours operate out of Kokopelli in Sierpe or can be booked in Uvita. If you’re interested in Pre-Columbian history, Finca 6 is a UNESCO archeological site and small museum near Sierpe where you can see perfectly formed stone spheres.
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Sierpe
Terraba-Sierpe is one of the largest mangroves in Central America. Boat tours offer a relaxing way to spot monkeys, sloths, caiman, a variety of wetland birds, and other mangrove animals. Tours operate out of Kokopelli in Sierpe or can be booked in Uvita. If you’re interested in Pre-Columbian history, Finca 6 is a UNESCO archeological site and small museum near Sierpe where you can see perfectly formed stone spheres.
Caño Island is known as one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Costa Rica and Central America. The island features white-hot sandy beaches with inshore coral reefs with good visibility to see colorful fish and marine life such as turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and more. There is also a maintained nature trail through the primary, protected rainforest. This island was used as a funeral sanctuary in Pre-Columbian times. Tombs and some stone spheres can still be seen on the island. Cano Island is a 1.5-hour boat ride from Uvita. Tours to the island generally include boat ride, a couple of snorkeling (or diving) sessions, lunch, and time on the island before returning to Uvita.
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Caño Island Biological Reserves
Caño Island is known as one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Costa Rica and Central America. The island features white-hot sandy beaches with inshore coral reefs with good visibility to see colorful fish and marine life such as turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and more. There is also a maintained nature trail through the primary, protected rainforest. This island was used as a funeral sanctuary in Pre-Columbian times. Tombs and some stone spheres can still be seen on the island. Cano Island is a 1.5-hour boat ride from Uvita. Tours to the island generally include boat ride, a couple of snorkeling (or diving) sessions, lunch, and time on the island before returning to Uvita.
Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge is a private reserve has a canopy (zip-line) tour, tree rappelling, and rainforest, mangrove and beach hikes.
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Hacienda Barú Lodge
Costanera SurHacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge is a private reserve has a canopy (zip-line) tour, tree rappelling, and rainforest, mangrove and beach hikes.
Osa Canopy Tour, approximately 35 minutes south of Uvita, offers canopy tours.
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Osa Canopy Tour
Osa Canopy Tour, approximately 35 minutes south of Uvita, offers canopy tours.
Uvita Information Center
Local information and tour bookings.
Arts & Culture
Learn about the southern zone's pre-colombian history, the tribes who live in the region, and the giant stone spheres at this UNESCO site and small museum.
Finca Seis
Learn about the southern zone's pre-colombian history, the tribes who live in the region, and the giant stone spheres at this UNESCO site and small museum.
Essentials
Closest grocery store to Casita Bahia. Has all the basics.
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Mini Super Tatiana
Closest grocery store to Casita Bahia. Has all the basics.
BM Uvita
One of Uvita's two main grocery stores.
Sunset Body Works
spa services including massages, mani/pedi, facials
Feeling Good Spa
massages and spa services
Serendipia Hair Spa
Haircuts and color
Dr. Mauricio's office is located next to the pharmacy at the Dome Plaza.
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Farmacia Ibarra Uvita
Ruta Nacional Primaria 34Dr. Mauricio's office is located next to the pharmacy at the Dome Plaza.
Getting Around
Tracopa bus terminal. Direct buses to San Jose or Paso Canoas leave regularly. Check Ballena Tales magazine for times. The public "cooperativa" bus stops at the bus stop across the road from Flor de la Sabana.
Restaurante Flor De La Sabana Uvita
Carretera Pacífica Fernández OreamunoTracopa bus terminal. Direct buses to San Jose or Paso Canoas leave regularly. Check Ballena Tales magazine for times. The public "cooperativa" bus stops at the bus stop across the road from Flor de la Sabana.
There are several car rental companies in Uvita. We've always had good experiences with National.
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National Car Rental
Ruta Nacional Primaria 34There are several car rental companies in Uvita. We've always had good experiences with National.