Why Honeymoon in Uvita
Uvita offers something rare on Costa Rica's Pacific coast: a beautiful setting without heavy development. The beaches of Marino Ballena National Park are long, quiet and lined with palms. Behind them, the coastal mountains rise steeply, so many hotels sit high on the slopes with long ocean views from nearly every room.
The whales are the headline. Humpbacks visit from both hemispheres, which gives this coast one of the longest whale seasons anywhere. Watching a mother and calf surface near your boat tends to become the story you tell at every dinner party afterward.
There is plenty to fill the days: waterfalls, surfing in nearby Dominical, snorkeling at Caño Island and a growing food scene in Ojochal. Yet evenings are calm, ending with sunset from your terrace.
When to Go
The dry season, from December to April, brings sunny days and the best beach weather. Northern hemisphere humpbacks visit roughly from December to March, so whale watching is good then too.
The green season runs from May to November. Mornings are often clear, afternoons bring rain and the forests turn lush. Southern hemisphere humpbacks arrive from about July to October, with peak sightings around August and September. The Whale and Dolphin Festival is held in September.
September and October are the wettest months. Some roads and trails can be muddy. Rates are lower and the coast is quiet. For the best balance of weather and whales, consider December to March or July to August.
Where to Stay
Most romantic stays sit on the hills above Uvita, Ojochal and Dominical, with ocean views and private pools.
Kurà Design Villas is a kid-free hilltop boutique hotel above Uvita, known for its modern design and an infinity pool that faces the Pacific. Oxygen Jungle Villas, also kid-free, offers private villas with plunge pools set among the trees.
Ojochal, about 15 to 20 minutes south, has several boutique lodges and a good concentration of restaurants. Dominical, to the north, is a surf town with a lively, backpacker-friendly feel and a few comfortable hotels.
Be aware that many hillside properties are reached by steep roads. A 4x4 is often recommended. Ask your hotel about access and transfers before booking.
Romantic Things to Do
- Walk the Whale's Tail sandbar in Marino Ballena National Park at low tide.
- Take a whale-watching boat tour in season, often combined with snorkeling and dolphin spotting.
- Swim at Nauyaca Waterfalls, a two-tiered falls near Dominical with a big swimming pool below.
- Visit the Uvita Waterfall for a short hike and a natural slide.
- Book a day trip to Caño Island for snorkeling in clear water.
- Take a surf lesson in Dominical.
- Kayak the mangroves of the Térraba-Sierpe wetlands.
- Watch the sunset from your hotel's infinity pool with a cocktail.
Getting There and Around
Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. The drive to Uvita takes about three and a half hours via the Costanera highway, which follows the coast south from Jacó and Quepos.
You can also fly to Quepos (XQP) on a short domestic flight, then drive about an hour south. Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia is farther, at five hours or more by road.
A rental car, ideally a 4x4, is the best way to explore, since hotels, beaches and waterfalls are spread out and some hillside roads are steep and unpaved. Private transfers and shuttles are available if you'd rather not drive. Uvita combines well with Manuel Antonio to the north or the Osa Peninsula to the south.
Food and Drink
The Costa Ballena food scene is small but surprisingly varied. Ojochal in particular has a cluster of restaurants run by chefs from around the world, with French, Asian, Italian and Costa Rican cooking.
In Uvita, look for sodas serving casados with rice, beans, plantains and fresh fish, plus ceviche made with the day's catch. Fruit stands sell mangoes, pineapples and coconuts.
The Uvita farmers market is a good stop for local produce, bread and treats. Many hillside hotels have excellent restaurants of their own, which is a relief after dark, when steep roads make driving less appealing. Reserve ahead for popular spots in high season.
Honeymoon Tips
Check tide tables before visiting the Whale's Tail. The sandbar is only walkable at low tide. The national park charges a small admission at the entrance.
Swim with caution. Some beaches have strong rip currents, especially Dominical. Marino Ballena's beaches are usually calmer, but ask locals about conditions.
Book whale-watching tours with reputable operators that follow responsible guidelines.
Mosquitoes are common, especially in the rainy season. Use repellent and cover up at dusk. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Don't leave valuables in parked cars at beaches or waterfalls, where break-ins happen. Plan at least four nights to enjoy both whales and waterfalls.
