Major city · Costa Rica
Uvita
Spend 2 days in Uvita: one day for Ballena Marine National Park and waterfalls, second day for beach, local food and a short hike.
Uvita is a small coastal town on the Osa Peninsula, centred on Ballena Marine National Park. The main attractions (whale‑tail beach, waterfalls, and a few short hikes) fit comfortably in two days. Longer stays are only needed for deeper rainforest excursions.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (whale season, dry)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy, some road closures)
- Airport
- PLM
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Uvita911 ▾
- Police / Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Uvita, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyUvita is generally safe for tourists; watch for strong currents at the beach and keep valuables locked in accommodation.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPLM Palmar Sur Airport (Served by Nature Air and Sansa; about 2 h drive to Uvita).
- Getting aroundTown centre and Bahía are ~2 km (1.2 mi) apart; walk or rent a bike for short trips.Town centre and Bahía are ~1.2 mi (2 km) apart; walk or rent a bike for short trips.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PLM Palmar Sur Airport (Served by Nature Air and Sansa; about 2 h drive to Uvita)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Uvita: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre and Bahía are ~2 km apart; walk or rent a bike for short trips. Taxis are cheap for the 2‑km stretch to the beach. Buses run north‑south along the coast.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Playa Hermosa (Osa)
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Taxi or bike north along the coast, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi or bike north along the coast, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Quiet beach, good for swimming; watch for currents
Nauyaca Waterfalls
goDoor to door: ≈45 min each way
Shuttle or organized tour north from Uvita, 10 km (6.2 mi)Shuttle or organized tour north from Uvita, 6.2 mi (10 km)
Two large waterfalls, short hike; bring water and sturdy shoes
Dominical
goDoor to door: ≈20 min
Bus south along Highway 34, about 8 km (5 mi)Bus south along Highway 34, about 5 mi (8 km)
Surf town with restaurants and nightlife
Corcovado National Park (Puerto Jiménez gateway)
overnightDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Shuttle to Puerto Jiménez (≈1 h 30 min) then boat
Full day insufficient; plan at least one night in Puerto Jiménez
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mar y Selva Ecolodge
Rain‑forest ecolodge, US$85–120 per night, 10‑15 min from beaches.
Tucan Hotel
Budget rooms US$25–50, near bus station and park.
La Cusinga Eco Lodge
Mid‑range eco‑lodge US$90, close to Ballena Park.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡45,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Ballena Marine National Park entrycheck | US$6 (card only) |
| Waterfall access feecheck | US$2 per person |
| Taxi (2 km town‑center to beach)check | US$5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Park entry is US$6, card‑only; bring a card.
- Crocodile warnings at the estuary – stay in designated swimming areas.
- Road to Playa Hermosa can be rough in the rainy season.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
UvitaUvita
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US emergency assistance via 911; US consulate in San José.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Quepos → Uvita: about CRC 1,200, 2 h (check)
- Shuttle San José → Uvita: about US$45, 3½ h (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
- Quisiera una botella de agua — I would like a bottle of water
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Uvita. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (whale season, dry) · avoid May–Oct (rainy, some road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Uvita
Loading…