Whale Watching in Costa Rica: The Best Time of Year and Places

Top Whale-Watching Destinations

The top places to see whales in Costa Rica are:

Uvita

Uvita is the most popular place to take a whale-watching tour in Costa Rica.

It is a bit ironic because Uvita also happens to be home to Marino Ballena National Park. The national park is known for its beach which resembles the tale of a whale. In fact, the national park classification was put into place mainly to protect the whales in the waters here. Cute coincidence, right?

Our recommended whale-watching tour in Uvita is put on by the company Dolphin Tours. This tour includes:

Uvita Whale Watching Festival

Every year for two weeks in September there is a whale watching festival in Uvita. If you happen to be in Costa Rica at that time, it is the best possible time to take a whale watching tour because the prices are about $70 for a three-hour tour instead of the usual $90.

Just be warned, this is a super popular event with locals (the rate is even cheaper for nationals) and hotels in the area tend to fill up fast at this time of year.

Drake Bay

Guanacaste Coast

Best Time of Year to Experience Whale Watching

Although it is possible to see Humpback whales year-round, the best time to see them is from July until November. This is when the humpback whales from Antarctica arrive to mate and breed.

I recently read that this is the longest migration for any animal in the world with several thousand miles of travel. Interesting, right?

The optimal time to see Humpback Whales is typically in mid-September.

Whales from the Northern Hemisphere (between California and Alaska) also use the calm waters in Costa Rica as a mating and breeding ground. These whales typically come between December and April. However, this population is smaller than the population from the Southern Hemisphere.

What to Bring and Wear for a Whale-Watching Tour

To Bring

• Binoculars: We have a pair of pocket binoculars which we love for Costa Rica travel. These are great for seeing whales that are far away and we love that they fold up small. Get Yours Here
• A Dry Bag: We have this dry bag that also is suitable as a day pack. I think this is an essential item for Costa Rica travel. It is great on boat rides when things get wet from splashing, perfect for the beach, and great for hikes when the weather turns rainy. Get Yours Here
• A Waterproof Phone Cover: Perfect for when you want to take pictures without worrying about splashing water.
• Motion Sickness Pills: Sometimes the waves can be rough in Costa Rica. I find that I sometimes get sick on whale-watching tours because the boat will stop to look at whales. This rocking motion while in one spot is worse for me than if the boat is moving. Purchase Here
• Reef Safe Sunblock: I like SunBum SPF 50 sunblock. It is reef safe, smells good, and works well. Purchase Here
• A Full Water Bottle: In this heat and humidity it is essential to stay hydrated. I like LifeStraw bottles. They are expensive, but the additional bacteria filtration is helpful in a tropical environment. Get Yours Here
• Microfiber Towel: We always travel with microfiber towels here because they dry quickly and can easily fit in your luggage. Buy Yours Now

To Wear

• A Sun Blocking Hat: I love this hat from Colombia. It is made of breathable fabric, offers great sun protection, dries quickly, and can easily fit in your luggage. Buy My Favorite Hat
• UV Blocking Shirt: The sun in Costa Rica is strong! Most boats are covered, but depending on the direction of the sun you might still be exposed. I like to wear a long sleeve swim shirt with UV blocking capabilities. Here’s a great one for women. And a great one for men.
• Bathing Suit: For swimming if your tour includes a snorkeling portion.
• Lightweight Shorts: I like breathable fabrics that dry quickly. Usually, board shorts or sport shorts are great for this.
• Sunglasses: To protect your eyes from the sun.
• Glasses Strap: To keep your sunglasses safe and secure on a windy boat ride. Get One Here

Tips for a Great Tour Experience

• Keep your expectations in check. we were very disappointed the first time we took a whale-watching tour because we only saw whales from far away. Plus, these tours are pricey. I think you need to go into this with the mindset that maybe you will see whales, but no matter what you will have a fun day on the water with snorkeling.

Our Experience Seeing Whales in Costa Rica

Humpback whales from Alaska and California begin their migration down to the warmer waters of Costa Rica in December each year. These whales typically stay until April before heading back home. 

The whales from both the north and the south use the warm waters of Costa Rica to mate and then to give birth the following year upon their return to Costa Rica.

From what I have read, it seems that researchers believe the Humpback whales not only like the warmer waters here, but they also have fewer predators in Costa Rica than in their normal seas. This makes Costa Rica a good spot for their young to start their lives.

This means that not only can you see adult Humpback Whales in Costa Rica, but you also have the chance to see the little babies as well. 

Other Activities You May Enjoy

If you are interested in whale watching you might also like:

• Seeing Sea Turtles:
• Hiking a National Park:
• Taking a Snorkeling Tour:
• Going Bird Watching:

If you have any questions about whale watching in Costa Rica, please leave them in the comment section below and we will help you out. Also, if you take a whale-watching tour in Costa Rica we would love to hear about your experience. 

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