19 BEST Things to Do in Uvita, Costa Rica for All Interests

1. Visit Marino Ballena National Park and See the Whale’s Tail

Marino Ballena National Park is the main highlight of Uvita. It consists of the main beaches in Uvita and several miles of ocean.

This park is most famous for its unique whale tail-shaped sandbar that is visible at low tide (pictured above).

If you opt to go out to the tip of the sandbar, just make sure you start walking back before the tide comes in so you don’t get stranded.

Keep in mind that you have to pay for entry to the national park. There is a $6 entrance fee for everyone over 11 years of age. If you are a Costa Rican resident the entry fee is 1,000 colones. You can pay this at the main ranger station. 

This admission fee is good for one day and also gives you access to Playa Arco, Playa Ballena, and Playa Piñuelas which are all just south of Uvita (you will need to drive to them). 

The national park’s waters are also a prime location for spotting humpback whales during the migration season. So, let’s move on to our number two activity…whale watching.

Get More Info in Our Marino Ballena National Park Guide

2. Take a Whale Watching Tour

Uvita is one of the best places in Costa Rica to go whale watching.

Humpback whales can be spotted in Uvita year-round, with two primary migration periods:

• July to November: This is the peak migration period for humpback whales from the Southern Hemisphere, especially from breeding populations in the waters off Chile and Argentina. September is the absolute best month to see them.
• December to April: Another decent season for the Northern Hemisphere humpback whales, migrating from feeding areas in Alaska and other northern waters to mate and give birth in warmer tropical waters.

We have done these whale-watching tours a few times and have had mixed experiences. This has always been no fault of the tour guides (who are so knowledgeable and well organized).

However, this tour is not cheap and it can be disappointing to spend so much and then not see any whales, which of course can happen.

The tour we recommend includes snorkeling, which is so awesome during the dry season! However, if you go in September during peak whale season the rain can be heavy and the water is often not as clear.

So, just keep your expectations in check when booking.

Check Availability and Book Your Whale Watching Tour

3. Go Beach Hopping

One of our favorite things to do in Costa Rica is to go beach hopping.

Did you know that all beaches in the country need to have public access by law? That means that the entire coastline is yours to explore!

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.

A few of our favorite beaches in the Uvita area are:

Playa Arco: The beach gets its name (“Arco” means “arch” in Spanish) from the stunning natural stone arch that is a prominent feature on the beach. This arch, formed by erosion, is not only a beautiful natural structure but also a popular spot for photography.

Note: Recently, there has been a major uptick in theft at Playa Arco. If you would like to visit, I suggest parking your car at La Cusinga Lodge and walking to the beach from their path. They will charge you to park here, but it is the safest option so that your car is protected. 

Playa Ballena: This is a long beach just south of Playa Arco. It’s a wide beach and the water is generally calm. It is a popular place for families and is usually somewhat crowded.

Playa Piñuela: Playa Piñuela is another beautiful beach located in the area. The beach is known for being more tranquil and less crowded compared to some other popular beaches in the region.

4. Visit Uvita Waterfall

Yes, that is Thomas sliding down the Uvita Waterfall. And yes, you can also slide down this waterfall if you aren’t too scared.

The Uvita Waterfall is a must-visit spot and it is located just up the road from the downtown area. It is a great spot to visit for an hour or two and it only costs a few dollars to enter.

You can find it on Google Maps here

If you do not have a rental car, you can opt to book a fun half-day trip to two secret waterfalls with transportation included.

Check Availability and Book Waterfall Tour

5. Take a Day Trip to Nauyaca Waterfall

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are amazing to see, plus you can swim under them!

The falls are located just a short drive from Uvita above the town of Dominical.

The hike here and figuring out the access points can be a bit confusing. So, we suggest reading our complete Nauyaca Waterfalls visitor guide to get all the details.

Also, if you do not have a rental car you can opt to visit the waterfall with a guided tour with transportation included.

Check Availability and Book Your Day Trip to Nauyaca Waterfall

6. Check out Nearby Dominical

Dominical is a small beach town located just north of Uvita that is known for its laid-back vibe and great surfing spots.

I like the downtown area of Dominical because it is somewhat secluded and has so many great restaurant options within a small area. You can find almost any kind of food you possibly want here.

One of our personal favorite things to do is to get a craft beer and some appetizers at Fuego Brew Co.

The road to the beach in Dominical is also a great place to look for souvenirs. There are often people selling crafts at stands (like pictured above).

For more info check out our Complete Dominical Travel Guide

7. Watch the Sunset

You can’t come to Costa Rica and not take advantage of the beautiful evening sunset display!

In Uvita, the sun sets every evening between about 5:15 PM and 6 PM year round.

We like to go to the beach and enjoy the view before going out to dinner. Unfortunately, there aren’t any decent restaurant options (that I know of) in Uvita for enjoying the beach sunset view while eating.

However, maybe you will discover a great place! If you do, please let us know. 🙂

8. Take a Surf Lesson

In Uvita, the waves aren’t typically that big, which makes it a great place to learn how to surf.

We recommend taking a two-hour lesson with Leandro. He’s a great teacher for beginner to intermediate-level surfers. He will walk you through the basics, help you stand on the board for the first time, give you pointers, and hopefully get you riding your first wave!

If you are a more advanced surfer, Dominical (just north of Uvita) is a better spot for you.

Check Availability and Book Your Surf Lesson with Leandro

9. Go Bird Watching

If you are a bird lover, Costa Rica is going to be the perfect place for you!

If you would like to take a birdwatching tour in Uvita, we suggest arranging a birdwatching tour with Greivin of Pure Birding. He is really passionate about birds and is really just an awesome guy. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop of and the use of professional birding equipment.

Check Availability and Book Your Bird-Watching Tour

10. Go Mangrove Kayaking

The waves along the coast here are a bit too big for kayaking comfortably, but luckily there are tons of unique mangrove channels near Uvita that are perfect for a unique kayak adventure.

This fun experience needs to be done with a guided tour. We suggest booking your tour with Whalewatching Uvita.

You will spend about 3 hours paddling along the waterways with an experienced guide. Along the way you will likely see plenty of wildlife, enjoy a leisurely paddle, and learn about all the plants.

Keep in mind that this tour does not include transportation to the meeting point at Coronado (a town about 20 minutes south of Uvita by car).

Check Availability and Book Your Mangrove Kayak Tour

13. Take a Day Trip to Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and is home to species like jaguars and tapirs. The park is a must for nature lovers.

If you’re hoping to visit Corcovado, keep in mind it’s a long drive from Uvita, and you’ll need a guide to access the park. If you have extra time, consider spending a couple of nights in Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez instead.

However, I get it. You probably want to see as much as possible within the time you have here and maybe that includes a day trip to Corcovado National Park.

For a day trip, I suggest booking a tour with transportation included. While it’s on the pricier side, our favorite tour from Ballena Tour Costa Rica offers a great experience with a bilingual guide, a boat ride, meals, and the chance to spot wildlife and marine life.

Breakfast, lunch, transportation, guide, and park entry are included.

Check Availability and Book Your Corcovado Tour

14. Visit Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

The Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife. 
They provide medical care and rehabilitation. Whenever possible, they release animals back into their natural habitat. For those that cannot be released, Alturas offers a permanent home.

The sanctuary cares for a variety of animals, including monkeys, sloths, birds, and reptiles.

Tours are available daily at 9:00 am., 11:00 am., and 1:00 pm. Reservations are recommended. They are closed on Mondays.

Get More Info on Alturas Willdlife Sanctuary

15. Go Snorkeling at Caño Island

Caño Island is one of the best places to go snorkeling or diving in the country. The island is located about an hour away from Uvita by boat.

We highly suggest the 6-hour tour with Dolphin Tours. It is awesome, especially during the dry season when the waters are clear and you don’t have to worry about rain.

The tour begins with a scenic boat ride through the beautiful Pacific waters.

Once at Cano Island, you’ll be fitted with high-quality snorkeling gear before entering the water with a professional guide. You might see colorful fish like parrotfish, moray eels, angelfish, and a variety of other tropical species. If you’re lucky, you might also spot larger marine creatures such as manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks

This tour includes boat transportation, snorkeling time, lunch, snacks, and amazing professional guides.

Check Availability and Book Your Caño Island Tour

16. Take a Coffee Tour

If you are a coffee drinker, I highly recommend taking at least one coffee tour while visiting in Costa Rica. I really like the tour offered by the Fallas family at their family farm and cafe called Dom Emilio.

🧭 Not sure where to start? Download the Trip Kit (airports, routes, packing, phrases)

I suggest this tour because it feels like a very authentic experience with a family that actually does this for a living.

You will learn all about the process of producing coffee from bean to cup (and of course get to taste the finished product).

Check Availability and Book a Coffee Tour at Cafe Don Emilio

17. Take a Yoga Class

Uvita offers several options for yoga classes and retreats. If you are looking for a drop-in-class experience, I suggest Bienestar Yoga. They offer retreat packages, but they also have drop-in classes daily for $14. These are held Monday – Saturday from 8:00 – 9:30 AM.

Bienestar is located in the hills above the town of Uvita with epic coastal views but is just a short drive from the downtown area.

Find out More About Bienestar Yoga Classes

18. Visit the Farmers Market

One of our favorite things to do with family and friends when they visit is to take them to a famers market. This a great way to get a feel for the culture, and you can most likely find some unique tropical fruits to buy that you likely have never seen or eaten before.

Every Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00AM – 1:00PM, Uvita hosts a vibrant farmers market where you can buy fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local goods. You can find the location on Google Maps here.

19. Go on a Wildlife Night Tour

We love taking wildlife night tours in Costa Rica for two main reasons.

1. The sun sets by 6PM year round, so it is always nice to have something to do after dark.
2. There are a lot of night active animals here and a night tour is the perfect way to see them.

In Uvita, we suggest a wildlife night tour with the aptly named Uvita Night Tours. The tour departs at 6PM with an experienced guide. Along your walk, you might see animals such as insects, arachnids, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and arthropods.

Your guide will also tell you about the identification of trees and plants, mushrooms, and a lot of natural history of Costa Rica.

Keep in mind that this tour does not include transportation. You will need to meet at the designated meeting point for the tour.

Check Availability and Book the Guided Night Tour