Uvita de Osa is a small, quiet town on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Although Uvita is no longer an insider tip among visitors, the town is definitely not overcrowded and retains its original and natural charm. In my opinion, Uvita is the perfect starting point for some of the most beautiful attractions the country has to offer and should be part of every Costa Rica itinerary. Even though the place may be small, there are numerous things to do in Uvita and in the surrounding area. Scroll down for the best experiences as well as insider tips on how to get to Uvita, when to visit and where to stay.
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How to Get to Uvita
From San José: If you’re having a rental car, then you can just drive along Route 27 towards Caldera, take the exit for Route 34 (Costanera Sur) and continue south. Follow the signs to Uvita, which is about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive from San José. If you don’t have your own car, there is a good bus connection from San José to Uvita starting at the bus terminal Tracopa in San José and departing several times per day. Bus tickets can be bought directly at the bus station and cost around $13 for a 4–5-hour ride.
From Puerto Viejo: Travelling by rental car from Puerto Viejo, the total drive is approximately 7 to 8 hous. You can drive on Route 36 towards Limón, then take Route 32 towards San José. Near San José, switch to Route 27 (Carretera José María Castro Madriz) towards Caldera and take the exit for Route 34 (Costanera Sur) and continue south where you can follow the signs to Uvita. If you prefer travelling by bus, you can take the MEPE bus to San José and continue your journey with the Tracopa bus (as mentioned above). Another option is to book a private shuttle.
From Jacó: Driving by car, you can get to Uvita in about 2.5 to 3 hours. Drive south on Route 34 (Costanera Sur) and continue along the coast past Quepos and Dominical until you reach Uvita. There’s also the option to hop on the bus that transfers between San José and Uvita and will take a stop in Jacó. You can also take a bus from Jacó to Quepos, and then transfer to a bus heading to Uvita. The journey usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, including transfer times.
Best Time to Visit Uvita
The best time to visit Uvita depends on your interests and the type of activities you want to experience. If you prefer warm, sunny weather and a wide range of outdoor activities like surfing, snorkeling, and hiking, the dry season from late November to April is ideal. This period offers the best weather and conditions for these activities, but it also means more crowds and higher prices. On the other hand, if you enjoy a quieter atmosphere, lush landscapes, and adventure activities like whitewater rafting, the green season from May to November is a great choice. Although there is more rain, which brings the jungle to life and creates vibrant scenery, this season offers fewer crowds, discounts on various services and the chance to see humpback whales along the coast. Both seasons have their unique charm and advantages, making Uvita a wonderful destination year-round.
Where to Stay in Uvita
Low budget: Shipwrecked Hostel, Nomadic Surf Camp, Yubarta Lodge
Mid-range: Ballena Rey Hotel, Tropical Beach, Rooms & Pool Macaws
Luxury: Golden Pineapple Villas, Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge
11 Best Things to do in Uvita Costa Rica
Marino Ballena National Park & Whale’s Tail Beach
One of the highlights of visiting Uvita is exploring the unique Whale’s Tail Beach, aptly named for its distinct whale-tail shape that is even visible on Google Maps. The famous beach is located within Marino Ballena National Park (Ballena is the Spanish word for “whale”). To access the area, you need to pay a $6 entrance fee, which allows multiple entries throughout the day. You can also choose to join a guided walking tour which allows you to spot wild animals and learn more about the protected area.
The path to the beach takes you through a short stretch of jungle, where you might spot some local wildlife. During our visit, we were lucky enough to see two small raccoons. Once you reach the beach, you’ll be greeted by rows of palm trees seamlessly blending into the sand. It’s best to visit at low tide to fully appreciate the beach’s unique shape (check the tide times here). For those with a drone, one of the best things to do in Uvita is to capture aerial views of the iconic whale-tail formation.
Corcovado National Park
A visit to Corcovado National Park is one of the best activities to do near Uvita, offering an unforgettable adventure in one of the most biodiverse areas of Costa Rica, which accounts for 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Since the national park can only be visited with a guide, we decided to book a tour. The daytrip, which included a 1.5-hour boat ride from Uvita (3 hours in total), lunch, entrance fee and guided tour cost $145, and I can absolutely recommend it.
Even though we weren’t so lucky with the weather in the beginning, we had an amazing time with our guide and the small group. We learned so much about Costa Rica’s wildlife and nature and were enveloped by the intense green of the rainforest and the fresh scent of rain and trees. Right at the start of our hike, we encountered a family of coatis, completely unbothered by our presence. We were amazed by the massive roots of the trees and saw numerous bird species, a sloth, a tapir and some playful monkeys.
Our guide was able to detect the slightest movement or sound in the treetops and knew exactly where to look for hidden creatures. He even showed us sleeping bats hidden beneath leaves. For animals farther away, he provided a telescope, allowing us to take turns looking and even capturing close-up photos with our phones. I especially liked the parrots, which looked like they had flown straight out of a pirate movie. And to my relief, we didn’t encounter any snakes or other poisonous animals and managed to avoid mosquito bites. This immersive experience in Corcovado National Park was truly impressive and is a must-do for nature lovers visiting Uvita!
Whale Watching Tour
If you’re visiting Uvita sometime between mid-July to mid-November, chances are high you’ll be able to see humpback whales in their natural habitat. Whales from the Northern Hemisphere swim thousands of miles through the Pacific Ocean to the warm waters of Marino Ballena National Park to give birth and nurture their young. Taking part in a whale watching tour is one of the best things to do in Uvita during this time of the year. There are various tour agencies offering whale watching tours led by knowledgeable guides who not only provide close-up views of these incredible animals but also offer insights into their behaviors. You can book a tour directly in Uvita at one of the many offices. Or, if you want to make sure to save your spot, you can book it online in advance.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
If you have your own car, you can directly drive from Uvita to the parking lot. If you don’t have a car or simply want to join a guided tour, you can choose to book a Nauyaca Waterfalls Tour (hotel pick-up, entrance fee, water and snacks included). The 4-kilometer hike from the parking lot is relatively easy to manage. However, be sure to wear comfortable shoes as most of the path is unpaved. After about 1.5 hours, we reached the waterfall, which is divided into two areas. An upper section accessible via a viewing platform and a lower section where you can take a swim. It was truly impressive to witness the force and volume of the water cascading down incessantly. Since we visited during the rainy season, the waterfall appeared even more powerful.
I recommend arriving as early as possible, especially if you want to take photos without too many other people. We visited around 10 a.m. (during the low season) and there were already many tourists. What I probably liked most about the waterfalls was that, like many tourist attractions in Costa Rica, the surrounding area is very natural, and you get the impression that the landscape has been minimally disturbed. There are no kiosks or similar structures, just a footbridge that takes you through the middle of the rainforest for the last stretch to the waterfall. Visiting this place is definitely one of the best nature activities to do in Uvita!
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is another great park to experience Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity on a day trip from Uvita. Located about an hour and a half drive from Uvita, the park is one of the country’s most popular destinations offering a mixture of lush rainforests and stunning beaches. As you hike along the well-maintained trails, keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and various bird species. The national park’s beautiful beaches, such as Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur, are perfect for relaxing or taking a refreshing swim. The entrance fee is 18USD if you want to go on your own. However, I recommend taking a guided tour (55USD for group tour, and 95USD for private tour) as a naturalist guide knows exactly where to spot the animals and give you a lot of background information.
Yoga Class
With its laid-back, quiet and peaceful atmosphere, one of the best things to do in Uvita is practicing yoga. I haven’t personally joined a yoga class in Uvita, but both Yoga Maya and Bodhi Surf + Yoga were very present in the town and showing very good reviews on Google and Tripadvisor. Yoga Maya offers drop-in classes for you to join and book spontaneously. At Bodhi Yoga + Surf you can directly book a stay for several days including surf and yoga lessons.
Surfing
Costa Rica is considered one of the best surfing destinations around the world. Uvita promises consistent waves, warm waters, and beautiful beaches such as Playa Hermosa and Playa Uvita, making it an ideal destination for surfers of all skill levels. The area is less crowded than other popular surf spots in Costa Rica such as Santa Teresa or Jacó, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable surfing environment, especially for beginners. You can easily book your surf class online online and join the course, no matter if you’re a beginner or already have some surfing experience. If you want to surf on your own, there’s also the possibility to only rent a board. Before surfing, always make sure to check the current weather conditions and tide times.
Explore Uvita by Bike
As Uvita is relatively small, you can easily explore it by bike. Rent yours at Uvita Scooter & Bicycle Rental and enjoy driving around the town. If you want to explore more of the surrounding area as well or simply want to ride more comfortable, you can also choose to rent a scooter at the same place.
Relaxing at Uvita’s Beaches
Don’t feel like doing anything active today? As much as Costa Rica is known for adventure and action, it’s also possible to spend an amazing and relaxing day at the beach, sunbathing and reading underneath the palm trees. Both of Uvita’s beaches, Playa Hermosa and Playa Uvita, are perfect for unwinding. Just make sure to take the tide schedule into consideration before heading to the beach, as the beach is much wider at low tide. You can check the tide times here.
Snorkeling at Caño Island
Central America, and especially Costa Rica, is well known for its spectacular biodiversity – both on land and in the water. And Caño Island is the perfect place to explore more of Costa Rica’s underwater world. Located 50 km off the coast, it’s a breathtaking marine biological reserve with pristine blue waters. An ideal tropical paradise for snorkelers and divers. The place is known for having the highest concentration of coral-building organisms along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. You can explore this beautiful place on a day trip from Uvita.
Enjoy Uvita’s Cuisine
There are plenty of cute coffee shops and great restaurants to explore in Uvita. Whether you’re looking for typical Costa Rican dishes, Asian food or Italian pizza – there’s something for everyone. Why not starting your day with a delicious breakfast at Que Tuanis Café, enjoying an iced coffee at Le French Café in the afternoon and ending with a typical Costa Rican dinner at Las Esferas?
What would be your favorite things to do in Uvita? Let me know in the comments down below! 😊
And don’t forget to save this post for the best things to do in Uvita
Hello!
Could you share the company you used for Corcovado National Park?
Thank you!
Hi Kelsey,
I’ve booked the tour directly in Uvita at the office of “Ballena Tour Costa Rica”. This is their website: ballenatourcostarica.com
Great blog, thanks for the tips!