Dominical travel guide
Dominical, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A small, lively surf town where the ocean meets dense jungle hills, with great restaurants, Nauyaca Waterfalls nearby and an easy drive from San José.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 3.5 to 4 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
Hot: 85 to 95°F
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Our take
Who Dominical is for
Dominical has a small but lively downtown, beaches and dense jungle mountains. Even though it’s a small town, there are plenty of excellent restaurants and lots to do. We like it for the easy drive from San José, fun activities and relaxation.
One thing to keep in mind: There’s a powerful rip current here, so be careful swimming. And in the rainy season, the rivers can flash flood during heavy storms.
How long to stay: Two to four nights. It’s also a great place to spend a night on your way down to the Osa Peninsula.
Dominical or Uvita?
Choose Dominical if…
You want a surf-town vibe, a walkable little downtown, artisan stands and great food in a smaller, quieter place.
Choose Uvita if…
You want a bit more infrastructure, with more restaurants and hotels, plus Marino Ballena National Park right there.
Our take
They’re only about 20 minutes apart, so stay in one and easily visit the other.
Getting there
Getting to Dominical
Driving from San José
About 3.5 to 4 hours. Take the coastal route past Jacó and Manuel Antonio, with well-maintained highways the whole way and beautiful ocean views. You don’t need a 4×4. The mountain route through San Isidro is at least an hour longer, with lots of curves. As someone who gets really car sick, it’s a bit of a nightmare.
Driving from Liberia
About 5 to 6 hours. Take Route 1 south, then Route 23 toward Caldera and the coastal Route 34 past Jacó and Quepos.
For more info:
Rental car
Renting a car is the best way to explore. Adobe gives our readers 10% off and has an office in nearby Uvita.
Bus
The Tracopa bus leaves San José daily at 6 am and 3 pm (about $12) toward Uvita. Just ask to get off in Dominical.
Flights
Sansa flies from San José to Quepos, about 45 minutes north of Dominical.
Shuttles
Shared and private shuttles run from San José, Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna. Use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Dominical is on the South Pacific coast, south of Manuel Antonio and just north of Uvita.
Good to know: We always stop at El Pescado Loco for fish tacos when driving down to the Southern Pacific.
Weather
Dominical weather and best time to visit
Dry season (late Dec, early May)
The most popular time to visit, with extremely hot weather and no rain.
Rainy season (May: Nov)
Expect afternoon storms, and be careful of flash floods in the rivers during heavy rain.
Daytime
Hot: 85 to 95°F
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Whale season
Jul to Nov & Dec to Apr
Our tip
Our tip: Every time we’ve been to Dominical, it’s been really hot. Bring lots of strong sunscreen!
Where to stay
Where to stay in Dominical
Lapazul Boutique Hotel
High-end · Hills · Modern
In the hills above Dominical. Everything is modern, well maintained and nice, and the staff goes above and beyond.
Hotel Villas Río Mar
Mid-range · Pool · Tennis
Great amenities like a nice pool, tennis court, mini golf and outdoor gym. A larger place with about 50 rooms.
Cool Vibes Beach Hostel
Budget · Downtown · Pool
A nice hostel in downtown Dominical with a shared kitchen and a pool.
Tropical Sands Dominical
Budget · Downtown
Simple but nice rooms right in downtown Dominical.
Staying in nearby Uvita? Use code VIBES10 for 10% off at Rancho Pacífico, one of our favorite resorts.
See our 9 favorite Dominical hotels →
Our pick
Rent a house
We love renting a home here. Casa Linda sleeps 12 with an infinity pool and a short walk to the beach, and Caballitos del Mar is right on the beach with a private pool.
More we like: Sueños Pacíficos (bright, with a great pool), this modern luxury villa (game room and gym) and the all-stone Casa Pura Vida.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Dominical rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Dominical
Our favorite
Hike to Nauyaca Waterfalls
Expect an intense hike and a swim under an impressive two-tiered waterfall. You can go on your own with a car or on a tour.
Good to know
Wear good shoes. We like waterproof Keens so we can wear them at the waterfall too.
Surf
Go surfing
Dominical is a popular surf town, with plenty of places to take a lesson or rent a board for the day.
Good to know
The rip current here is powerful. If you’re a beginner, take a lesson so you know where it’s safe.
Go whale watching
This is the Costa Ballena (Whale Coast). Humpbacks pass by July to November (September is best) and December to April.
Browse the artisan stands
Artists line the road to the beach with their creations. Perfect for unique souvenirs, but it’s hard to leave without buying something!
Beach hop to Dominicalito
For a calmer beach day, drive a few minutes south to Playa Dominicalito, or just drive north or south and pull over at beaches you like.
Visit Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
A non-profit that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured or orphaned wildlife. On a guided tour, you’ll see sloths, monkeys, toucans and more up close.
Go to Envision Festival
The big yearly festival in February, with music, workshops and artistic expression. A really fun and unique experience.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Dominical
Dominical Sushi
Sushi · Cocktails
Some of the best sushi I’ve ever eaten, which I never expected in Costa Rica. Nice cocktails too.
Phat Noodle
Thai · Big portions
If you’re into Thai food, head here. The portions are huge and the vibe is perfect.
Fuego Brew Co
Craft beer · Cool architecture
Their own craft beer with a Costa Rican twist and decent food, but the real draw is the architecture.
Del Mar Taco Shop
Tacos · Budget
Two words, Taco Tuesdays! But everything here is super tasty, any day.
Other good options are Café Mono Congo for a fresh breakfast or lunch, gluten-free Cuna del Ángel just south of town for fine dining and El Pescado Loco for quick fish tacos.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Dominical
Fast-drying clothes
It’s ridiculously humid here, and nothing ever seems to dry.
Good shoes
If you’re hiking to Nauyaca, wear proper shoes you can also get wet.
Room for souvenirs
Save some suitcase space for the artisan stands.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Dominical is generally very safe, but petty crime does happen. The biggest dangers here come from nature, like strong rip currents and flash floods in the rainy season.
Getting around
Getting around Dominical
The downtown is cute and walkable, but you’ll want a car to explore the surrounding area.
Rental car
Came by bus or shuttle? Choose Uvita as your Adobe pickup, and they’ll deliver free to your Dominical hotel within 12 miles.
Shuttles and tours
Many tours, like Nauyaca and whale watching, include pickup from Dominical hotels.
FAQ
Dominical FAQ: your questions
How far is Dominical from San José?
About 3.5 to 4 hours by car, depending on traffic and the route. The coastal route is easier than the mountain route through San Isidro.
Should I stay in Uvita or Dominical?
Both are great. Uvita has a bit more infrastructure, with more restaurants and hotels. Dominical is a bit quieter.
Is Dominical safe?
Yes, Dominical is generally very safe, but petty crime does sometimes happen. Be careful of rip currents and flash floods in the rainy season.
Is Dominical worth visiting?
Yes! You get the best of beaches and lush jungle, plus plenty of day trips nearby, like Nauyaca Waterfalls and Marino Ballena National Park.
When is whale watching in Dominical?
Humpback whales pass by from July to November (September is usually best) and from December to April.
Can you swim at Dominical beach?
Be careful. Dominical has a powerful rip current. For calmer water, head to Playa Dominicalito just south of town.
Every guide
All our Dominical guides
Keep exploring
More towns in South Pacific
Planning more of the region? See our full South Pacific guide.
Would love to know about fishing guides in the area! I am planning a trip in January 2020 for my 40th birthday and want to do some sailfishing and big game sport fishing. Planning to rent a house so we can eat what we catch. Any tips on how to go about this? Prices? Places? Anything would be helpful. I have never been to Costa Rica so I am learning all I can from the internet before I get there.
Hi Marie! There are plenty of companies in the area that do sport fishing BUT they are expensive. I have heard good things about this company, but we have not personally used them so I can’t really say. https://fishingqueposmanuelantonio.com/dominical-fishing-charters/ However, we are working on partnering with more fishing companies to bring our readers discounts, so I’ll keep you posted if we partner with one in Dominical.
Also, definitely check out AIRBNB for a house. We have had great luck with airbnb in the Dominical/ Uvita area. If you haven’t used Airbnb before you can use our link for $30 off your first stay. https://www.airbnb.com/c/sarahm4715
Let us know what other questions you have as you plan your trip! We are happy to help!