Ojochal travel guide
Ojochal, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A quiet jungle village on the South Pacific coast, known for raw coastal beauty, whale watching and some of our favorite restaurants in Costa Rica.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 5 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
Hot: 85 to 95°F
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Our take
Who Ojochal is for
Ojochal is one of those places that grows on you. When you first pull in, there are a few restaurants and shops near the beach, and then the village spreads out and climbs up into the hills, where most of the places to stay (and most of the people who live here) are. We recently rented a house here for a few weeks, worked from home and loved how peaceful it was. Having a pool helped, and Thomas loved all the birds. The beaches are fine, but they’re not the most glorious in Costa Rica, so think of Ojochal as a peaceful escape and a jumping-off point for day trips.
One thing to keep in mind: Most hotels are up steep side roads, and some are unpaved, so you may want a 4×4 once you’re here.
How long to stay: At least three nights. You’re in between a lot of amazing places, so squeeze in multiple day trips.
Ojochal or Uvita?
Choose Ojochal if…
You want very relaxed beach vibes with an air of luxury, beautiful hotels and some of our favorite restaurants on this coast.
Choose Uvita if…
You want a bigger town with more restaurants, hotels and things to do within easy reach.
Our take
They’re close, so many people stay in one and eat in the other. Ojochal’s restaurants are worth the drive.
Getting there
Getting to Ojochal
Driving from San José
About 5 hours. Take the coastal road, which has well-maintained highways the whole way, past Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Dominical and Uvita, with beautiful ocean views on a sunny day. We don’t suggest the mountain road, since it’s very curvy and can be scary, especially in the rain.
Driving from Liberia
About 6 to 7 hours. Take Route 1 south, then Route 23 toward Caldera and the coastal Route 34 past Jacó, Dominical and Uvita.
For more info:
Rental car
You don’t need a 4×4 on the coastal road, but you might want one in Ojochal, since most hotels are up steep side roads, and some are unpaved.
Bus
The Tracopa bus runs from San José toward Uvita and beyond, and can drop you on the highway at Ojochal. Most hotels are up the hill, so plan a taxi from there.
Flights
Sansa flies from San José to Palmar Sur, about 25 minutes south of Ojochal.
Shuttles
Private shuttles are the easiest way to get here without a car. Use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Ojochal is on the South Pacific coast in the Puntarenas province, just south of Uvita.
Good to know: Adobe has an office in Uvita and delivers free to Ojochal hotels within 12 miles.
Weather
Ojochal weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Ojochal. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (mid-Dec: Apr)
Almost no rain, with sunny, hot days and calmer water for beach hopping and the Whale’s Tail. It’s also the busiest time of year, so book popular hotels and restaurants like Kua Kua ahead.
Rainy season (late Apr: Nov)
Expect afternoon storms that start around 2 pm and last about two hours. It can get very cloudy as the fog rolls in off the mountains.
Daytime
Hot: 85 to 95°F
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rain usually starts
Around 2 pm
Our tip
Our tip: Book an early dinner (around 5:15) at a hillside restaurant like Kua Kua for amazing sunset views.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Ojochal
El Castillo
Luxury · Adults-only · 8 rooms
A level of luxury that’s hard to find in Costa Rica. With only eight rooms, it feels intimate, with a nice pool and amazing views.
Three Sixty Boutique Hotel
Luxury · Infinity pool · Ocean views
The nicest hotel in the area, with 12 rooms, an infinity pool and amazing Pacific views. Home to Kua Kua restaurant.
Yaba Chigui Lodge
High-end · Amazing service
On the more affordable side of high-end, with service that’s beyond impressive, unique buildings, a perfect pool and stunning views.
Vista Villas
Mid-range · Pool · Breakfast
A small hotel with a pool, breakfast included and nice sea views. The rooms are simple but nice.
Also worth considering: Boutique Hotel Tangara Azul (pool, restaurant and spa) and, on a budget, the rustic but charming tent cabins at El Pulpo Safari.
See our 12 favorite Ojochal hotels →
Our pick
Rent a villa
For views, we love Villa Cascadas (sleeps 6, great pool) and Villa Vista Milagrosa (sleeps 8, two pools).
More we like: Casa de las Mariposas, the very modern Casa Everlong and this secluded ocean-view home on 10 acres.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Ojochal rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Ojochal
Our favorite
Go beach hopping
Spend a day hopping between nearby beaches like Playa Uvita, Arco Beach, Playa Piñuelas, Playa Ventanas and Playa Tortuga.
Good to know
All beaches in Costa Rica are public, so just drive and pull over wherever looks good.
Whales
Go whale watching
The waters off Ojochal are a great spot for humpback whale sightings, especially in the fall.
Good to know
Tours usually leave from nearby Uvita. Our guide covers the best months.
Visit Uvita’s Whale’s Tail
Just north in Marino Ballena National Park, a point of land that looks like a whale’s tail at low tide.
Hike Nauyaca Waterfalls
An intense hike near Dominical, with impressive falls you can swim under as your reward.
Slide down the Uvita waterfall
Near downtown Uvita. If there’s enough water, you can slide down it. It’s really fun!
Swim at Cascada El Pavón
On the property of Tilapias El Pavón. Park and visit the waterfall for free if you eat at the restaurant afterward.
Day trip to Manuel Antonio
About 1.5 hours north, with a ton of wildlife in a small area and beautiful jungle and beach backdrops.
Day trip toward Corcovado
Head south to Sierpe, about 40 minutes away, where boat tours leave for Corcovado National Park. There’s plenty to stop for along the way.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Ojochal
Kua Kua
Date night · Sunset views
At Hotel Three Sixty, and our number one date night spot in the area. Go for an early dinner around 5:15 for sunset, and get the fresh raw tuna to start.
Citrus
French · Seafood
A delicious, beautiful French restaurant where everything is extremely fresh. Great for shrimp and octopus.
The Bamboo Room
Live music · Fun crowd
A great spot for a relaxed party, with amazing live musicians and excellent food. Reserve ahead, because it fills up fast.
Ceviche Piñuelas
Budget · Ceviche · Fried snapper
A small, unassuming shack with excellent ceviche and whole fried red snapper. That’s basically the menu, and it works!
Other good options are Heliconia, a little gem with Costa Rican specialties, and Tilapias El Pavón, which is great with kids since they can try to catch their own fish.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Ojochal
Light, breathable clothes
Shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits for most days.
Something nicer
For the great restaurants in the evening.
Bug spray
The mosquitoes are nasty once the sun goes down.
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
We always feel extremely safe in Ojochal. We still keep our belongings close and don’t carry anything worth a lot.
Getting around
Getting around Ojochal
We suggest a rental car here. Most of the activities you’ll want to do are in the surrounding towns.
Rental car
Coming by shuttle? Choose Uvita as your Adobe pickup, and they’ll deliver free to your Ojochal hotel within 12 miles.
Resort stays
At a resort with an on-site restaurant, you probably don’t need a car. Book day tours with transportation.
FAQ
Ojochal FAQ: your questions
Is Ojochal safe?
Yes, Ojochal is generally very safe. Use normal caution, but you should feel very comfortable here.
Is Uvita or Ojochal better?
It depends. Ojochal is better for very relaxed beach vibes with an air of luxury. Uvita is bigger, with more restaurants, hotels and things to do.
How do you pronounce Ojochal?
Oh-ho-CHAL.
How far is Ojochal from San José?
About 5 hours by car on the coastal road.
What is Ojochal known for?
Its restaurants. A large community of foreigners runs some of the nicest restaurants in Costa Rica here. It’s also great for whale watching and beach hopping.
How many days do you need in Ojochal?
At least three nights, so you can explore the beaches, waterfalls and the Whale’s Tail nearby.
Every guide
All our Ojochal guides
Keep exploring
More towns in South Pacific
Planning more of the region? See our full South Pacific guide.
