Uvita travel guide
Uvita, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A relaxed beach town backed by dense jungle, home to the famous Whale’s Tail, humpback whale tours and some of the prettiest beaches on the South Pacific.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 4 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
Hot: 85 to 95°F
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Our take
Who Uvita is for
Uvita is everything you imagine when you think of Costa Rica. The beaches are beautiful long stretches, the forests are dense and jungle-ish, the waterfalls are plentiful and the people are the sweetest. It’s a great place for a relaxed vibe while exploring some amazing Costa Rican gems.
Part of Uvita’s charm is that the mountains run right down to the coast. The beaches aren’t fine white sand. They’re a little more raw, with driftwood and jungle right behind them, and we love that about them. You get jungle, mountains and ocean all in one place.
One thing to keep in mind: Check the dates for Envision Festival (early spring in nearby Dominical) before booking. Hotels sell out and the area gets very crowded.
How long to stay: You could easily explore Uvita in three days, or stay longer and just soak in the beach and jungle vibes.
Uvita or Dominical?
Choose Uvita if…
You want more infrastructure (more restaurants and hotels), the Whale’s Tail and calmer beaches for beginner surfers.
Choose Dominical if…
You want a smaller, quieter surf town with a walkable downtown and artisan stands.
Our take
They’re only about 20 minutes apart, and Ojochal’s great restaurants are just south too.
Getting there
Getting to Uvita
Driving from San José
About 4 to 5 hours. We 100% suggest the coastal road (Route 27, then Route 34). There are tolls until Jacó (start with a $10 bill), and the highway switches between two lanes and one lane each way, so merge carefully. For a food break, stop in Playa Hermosa or Esterillos (put “El Chiringuito” in your GPS).
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
You don’t need a 4×4 on the coastal road, but you might want one if you’re staying up in the hills.
Bus
The air-conditioned Tracopa bus runs from downtown San José to Uvita throughout the day. It’s about $12 and takes 4 to 5 hours.
Flights
Sansa flies from San José to Palmar Sur, about 40 minutes south of Uvita, and to Quepos, about an hour north.
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
Uvita is on the South Pacific coast in the Puntarenas province, an area also called Costa Ballena (Whale Coast). It’s south of Manuel Antonio and Dominical, and north of Ojochal.
Good to know: In Costa Rica, an attendant pumps your gas for you. Just stay in your car.
Weather
Uvita weather and best time to visit
Dry season (late Dec: Apr)
Ridiculously hot, sunny and rain-free, with calmer, clearer water that’s great for walking the Whale’s Tail and snorkeling. Things get drier and browner by April. It’s also the busiest time of year, so book hotels early, especially around Envision Festival in late February and early March.
Rainy season (May: Dec)
Until mid-August, expect sunny mornings, hot and humid days and an afternoon storm. From mid-August to December, some days are washouts and others are fine, and thick fog sometimes rolls in off the mountains. The upside is that everything is lush and green, the waterfalls are at their best, it’s whale season and hotels are cheaper and quieter.
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: The sun sets between 5:15 and 5:45 year-round. Have an early dinner at a restaurant in the hills for impressive sunset views.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Uvita
Rancho Pacífico
Luxury · Adults-only · Spa
Our top choice for high-end stays. A world-class adults-only resort with an award-winning spa and a pool overlooking the ocean far below. Use code VIBES10 for 10% off.
Kura
Luxury · Adults-only · Infinity pool
An adults-only resort with a ridiculous infinity pool. The rooms and restaurant are top-notch.
Vista Celestial
High-end · Jungle · Private pools
A beautiful small resort in the jungle with an infinity pool and restaurant. Every room has its own pool and kitchenette.
Hotel Marino Ballena
Mid-range · Pool · Shared kitchen
A nice, modern hotel just off the main road in Uvita, with a pool and shared kitchen.
Also worth considering: Oxygen Jungle Villas (adults-only, spa) and Nature’s Edge Cabinas (jungle cabins, 4×4 needed). On a budget, try Flutterby House (social, backpacker feel, 2 minutes to the beach) or Osa de Río (walk to the Uvita waterfall).
See our 13 favorite Uvita hotels →
Our pick
Rent a house
For groups, we love La Libélula (sleeps 10, pool, chef available) and Lattice House (insane views, concierge and chef).
More we like: Aracari Villa (modern, sleeps 8), Casa Cola Ballena (ocean views), Casa Vista Verde (jungle vibes) and budget-friendly Ocean Melody.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Uvita rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Uvita
Our favorite
Walk out to the Whale’s Tail
The most famous thing to do in Uvita. At low tide, you can walk out on a sandbar point in Marino Ballena National Park that looks like a whale’s tail from above. Entry is paid at the ranger station.
Good to know
Check the tide chart and go at low tide. The beaches on either side, Playa Uvita and Playa Hermosa, are perfect for a long walk.
Whales
Go whale watching
This is the Costa Ballena for a reason. Humpback whales pass by from July to November and December to April, and tours leave right from the beach.
Good to know
Our whale watching guide covers the best months and what to expect.
Slide down the Uvita waterfall
A waterfall you can slide down like a slide! Type “Catarata Uvita” into your GPS. It’s close to downtown, entry is about $2 and the walk takes five to ten minutes.
Visit Playa Ventanas
A family-friendly beach just south of Uvita, with a cave in the water that you can walk into.
Hike Nauyaca Waterfalls
Near Dominical. The hike can be intense in the heat, but it’s so worth it!
Learn to surf
The conditions are fairly safe here, so it’s great for first-timers. For a private lesson, we suggest Josue, who’s an excellent coach.
Go bird watching
The jungle above Uvita is full of birds. Book with Pure Birding for an experienced, knowledgeable guide.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Uvita
Restaurant Los Laureles
Mid-range · Fish tacos
The owner, Cindy, is the sweetest. Get the fish tacos, because they’re perfection. Super relaxed, even if you’re sweaty from the waterfall.
Sabor Español
Spanish · Paella · Dinner
Seriously good, authentic Spanish food, with excellent paella and tapas. Dinner only, and it fills up fast, so reserve.
Mosaic
Sushi · Cocktails
Top-notch sushi in a relaxed setting, with excellent cocktails.
Indómitos Café
Vegetarian · Garden · Breakfast all day
Delicious vegetarian and vegan food in a garden setting, with breakfast served all day.
For fine dining, head south to Ojochal, where Citrus (French) and Exotica are amazing. On a budget, Five Maes (burgers) and Soda Ranchito Doña María (Costa Rican) are great, and The Baker’s Bean has excellent cakes and Italian food.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Uvita
Sun coverage
High-SPF sunscreen, UV shirts and hats. It’s very hot.
Extra clothes
Nothing ever dries here. Bring extras and a plastic bag for damp things.
Travel backpack
Some hill hotels have lots of steps from the parking, so a backpack beats a suitcase.
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
Uvita is generally safe, but petty theft sometimes happens. In the rainy season, rivers here are prone to flash floods.
Getting around
Getting around Uvita
We usually suggest a rental car in Uvita, especially for restaurants, groceries and exploring on your own. At an all-inclusive resort, you may not need one.
Rental car
Adobe has an office in Uvita and delivers free within 12 miles, so you can come by bus or shuttle and still have a car.
Taxis
Only take official taxis, which are red (or orange from the airport) with a yellow triangle on the doors.
FAQ
Uvita FAQ: your questions
Is Uvita safe?
In general, yes. Keep an eye on your belongings, since petty theft sometimes happens, and be careful of flash floods in the rainy season.
Is Uvita worth visiting?
Yes! Uvita is a really nice beach town, the jungle behind it makes a beautiful backdrop, and the Whale’s Tail is one of the most unique spots in Costa Rica.
Can you swim in Uvita?
Yes, but there can be rip currents. Look for red flags and ask a local before swimming.
How many days do you need in Uvita?
About three days is enough to explore, or stay longer to just relax and soak in the beach and jungle vibes.
When can you see whales in Uvita?
Humpback whales pass by from July to November and from December to April.
How do I get from San José to Uvita?
Drive the coastal route (about 4 to 5 hours), take the Tracopa bus (about $12), fly to Quepos, or book a shuttle.
Every guide
All our Uvita guides
Keep exploring
More towns in South Pacific
Planning more of the region? See our full South Pacific guide.
