17 Fun Things to Do in Dominical, Costa Rica

1. Hike Nauyaca Waterfalls

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful natural attractions and they are located just north of downtown Dominical. The falls feature two dramatic cascades: an upper waterfall plunging over 40 meters, and a lower one with a wide pool perfect for swimming.

You can reach the falls by:

• Hiking: Our preferred option if you’re in moderate-to-good shape, but on a hot day this is intense!
• Horseback tour: Includes a scenic ride and guide.
• Truck ride: A good choice if you want the view without the workout.

Travel Tip: Bring water shoes for the slippery rocks and a waterproof bag for your belongings.

Find out more in our guide to visiting the Nauyaca Waterfalls.

2. Go Beach Hopping

The area around Dominical is filled with plenty of amazing beaches. Beach hopping is one of our favorite things to do in Costa Rica because all the beaches in the country are required to have public access by law.

This means that the entire coast is yours for exploring!

Travel Tip: We always suggest renting a car in Costa Rica. This is by far the best way to get around without having to depend on day tours. Plus, this will allow you to explore cool off the beaten path destinations like the beaches listed here. Book with our favorite company, Adobe and receive a 10% discount plus other great perks.

We suggest just getting in your rental car and driving north or south. Pull off your car when you find a nice beach to check out.

I made a map for you to see a few of our favorite nearby beaches. Check it out here.

Just Note: If you head south to Uvita and visit Marino Bellena National Park there is an entry fee to access the beach. This is because it is a national park.

3. Go Surfing

Surfing is one of those quintessential Costa Rica experiences, and Dominical is the perfect place to give it a try. The waves here are consistent year-round, and the warm Pacific waters make it easy to spend hours in the ocean without ever feeling chilled.

If you’re new to surfing, you’ll find plenty of local schools offering lessons from the surf shops in town. Board rentals are also easy to find in town and most shops are just a short walk from the sand.

For beginners, the waves at Dominicalito Beach and Uvita are a bit gentler and easier to learn on.

4. Buy Souvenirs

There are a few nice souvenir shops in Dominical, but our absolute favorite place to buy souvenirs is from roadside vendors.

If you drive through the downtown area and keep driving to Dominical Beach you will come to this section of road that usually has local vendors selling various crafts, clothing, towels etc.

Keep in mind that haggling isn’t really a think in Costa Rica. It often makes locals somewhat uncomfortable. However, don’t hesitate to say, “Oh that is too expensive.” If the seller than offers a lower rate, then that’s awesome. If not, move on to the next vendor.

5. Visit Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park is the highlight of Uvita. It covers several beautiful beaches around Uvita and stretches several miles out into the ocean.

The park’s claim to fame is its iconic whale tail-shaped sandbar, which you can clearly see at low tide (as pictured above).

If you decide to walk out to the end of the sandbar, just remember to start heading back before the tide rolls in. You definitely don’t want to get stuck out there!

Also, keep in mind there’s an entrance fee for the national park. It’s $6 per person for anyone over 11 years old. Costa Rican residents only need to pay 1,000 colones. You can purchase your tickets directly at the main ranger station.

Your entry ticket is valid for the entire day and also includes access to nearby Playa Arco, Playa Ballena, and Playa Piñuelas, located just south of Uvita (you’ll need a car to reach them).

For more details, check out our full Marino Ballena National Park Guide.

Insider Tip: Want to get a nice aerial view of the Whales Tail? Head to this spot we marked on Google Maps for a great coastal view. Just pull your car off and enjoy. Make sure to go at low tide.

6. Take a Whale Watching Tour

The waters around Dominical are one of the top spots in Costa Rica for whale watching.

Humpback whales frequent the waters throughout the year, with two main migration seasons:

• July to November: This is prime viewing time for humpback whales migrating from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly from breeding areas off Chile and Argentina. September is usually the best month for spotting them.
• December to April: You can also catch whales migrating from the Northern Hemisphere during this period, as they travel from feeding grounds near Alaska to the warmer tropical waters for mating and calving.

We’ve done whale-watching tours here several times and have had varied experiences. The guides have always been fantastic, knowledgeable, and organized.

However, whale sightings can never be guaranteed, and these tours aren’t cheap. It can be really dissappointing if you don’t see anything.

We highly recommend tours that include snorkeling, which can be incredible during the dry season. Keep in mind, though, if you’re visiting during the peak whale season in September, heavy rains can make snorkeling conditions less than ideal.

Basically, just set realistic expectations when booking your tour, and you’ll have a great time regardless!

Check Availability and Book Your Whale Watching Tour

7. Take a Guided Rainforest Hike

Hacienda Ébano is a private nature reserve and ranch tucked away in the mountains behind Dominical.

They offer daily guided hikes through their scenic property, where you’ll likely spot wildlife, explore two impressive waterfalls, and cool off with a swim in the natural pools at the base of each fall.

Just keep in mind: Transportation to Hacienda Ebano isn’t included in the tour, so you’ll need to arrange your own ride.

Check Availability and Book Your Hike

8. Visit a Wildlife Sanctuary

If you’re an animal lover, a visit to Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a must while in Dominical. This non-profit organization rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife from all over Costa Rica.

During a guided tour, you’ll get to learn about the animals’ stories, see species like sloths, monkeys, toucans, parrots, and anteaters up close, and learn about the conservation work happening behind the scenes.

This is a rescue and rehab center, so the animals you see are there temporarily or because they can’t safely return to the wild.

Find Out More on Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

9. Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset is the perfect free activity that you should enjoy every day of your vacation! Keep in mind that the sun sets between 5:15 and 6:00 PM year round.

In Dominical, we like to either head to the beaches and watch the sunset before dinner or enjoy an early dinner at a restaurant with coastal views.

Unfortunately, this town doesn’t have many restaurants directly on the beach. The one place we know of is Restaurante El Coco. There are some trees between the restaurant and the beach, but you can still get a decent view.

Travel Tip: One the sun goes down, the mosquitos can be really bad in this area. Definitely carry bug spray with you!

10. Go Whitewater Rafting

This white-water rafting trip on the Savegre River is such a fun mix of adventure and scenery. On this tour you’ll paddle through class II and III rapids with the help of experienced guides (one of the guides is even a former member of Costa Rica’s national rafting team!).

Midway through, you’ll stop at a peaceful waterfall pool which is perfect for a quick swim to cool off.

All the gear is included, and the day wraps up with a delicious meal at a local restaurant. No need to worry about logistics. Just show up ready to have a great time.

Check Availability and Book Your Rafting Experience

11. Take a Day Trip to Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is the most popular national park in the country. This park is also located just 30 minutes north of Dominical.

The reason Manuel Antonio National Park is so popular is due to its pristine beaches, variety of trails for all physical levels, and abundance of wildlife. Here, you can see monkeys, sloths, deer, snakes, a variety of birds, and so much more!

It is necessary that you pre-book your national park tickets online ahead of time (and they sell out fast, so book early).

For more info, I suggest reading our guide to visiting Manuel Antonio National Park.

12. Get a Massage

I am all about mixing fun adventure activities and relaxation in my vacations. I feel like after a few days of hiking to waterfalls, surfing, and enjoying national parks, sometimes you just need a massage. It’s the perfect relaxing vacation experience.

In Dominical, there are two spas that I recommend. These are BRI Day Spa & Wellness Center and Angelica Spa and Wellness.

13. Go to Envision Festival

Envision Festival is one of Costa Rica’s most famous events, held each year in Dominical. It’s a celebration of music, art, education, and community that draws thousands of people from all over the world.

Picture world-class DJs and live musicians playing under the stars, yoga and wellness workshops during the day, art installations, and a beach backdrop.

Find Out More on the Envision Website

Travel Tip: If you plan to visit Dominical in February or March, I suggest checking to see if your trip will coincide with Envision. The town gets very crazy during this time.