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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (whale season, dry)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy, some road closures)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡15,000–25,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡25,000–45,000 excl. bed · High ₡45,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ballena Marine National Park entry | US$6 (card only) |
| Waterfall access fee | US$2 per person |
| Taxi (2 km (1.2 mi) town‑center to beach)Taxi (1.2 mi (2 km) town‑center to beach) | US$5–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PLM · Palmar Sur Airport
- Served by Nature Air and Sansa; about 2 h drive to Uvita
Typical fares
- Bus Quepos → Uvita
- about CRC 1,200, 2 h (check)
- Shuttle San José → Uvita
- about US$45, 3½ h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town centre and Bahía are ~2 km (1.2 mi) 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.Town centre and Bahía are ~1.2 mi (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.
See and do
Known for
- Ballena Marine National Park
- Whale‑tail beach (Punta Uvita)
- Local waterfalls
- Eco‑lodges and surf vibe
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Hermosa (Osa) | 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) | ≈15 min |
| Nauyaca Waterfalls | Shuttle or organized tour north from Uvita, 10 km (6.2 mi)Shuttle or organized tour north from Uvita, 6.2 mi (10 km) | ≈45 min each way |
| Dominical | Bus south along Highway 34, about 8 km (5 mi)Bus south along Highway 34, about 5 mi (8 km) | ≈20 min |
| Corcovado National Park (Puerto Jiménez gateway) | Shuttle to Puerto Jiménez (≈1 h 30 min) then boat | ≈3 h total |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
| I would like a bottle of water | Quisiera una botella de agua |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Uvita is generally safe for tourists; watch for strong currents at the beach and keep valuables locked in accommodation.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Uvita yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ballena Marine National Park
- Whale‑tail beach (Punta Uvita)
- Local waterfalls
- Eco‑lodges and surf vibe
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Uvita coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Uvita, revision 5274184 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5274184
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Uvita
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US emergency assistance via 911; US consulate in San José.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/uvita). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.