Planning a trip to Uvita in Costa Rica? Our guide’s got you covered!
Updated April 2024
With so many options, it can be difficult to choose where to base yourself or prioritise along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
After much research, and with the call of wild whales sealing the deal, we settled on Uvita as the best place to head to after a few days in San José.
Very much a place of dusty roads suited to the backpacker or independent traveller, the spread-out small town by the ocean borders the beautiful Marino Ballena National Park in the Puntarenas province, and is ideally situated for several excellent day trips along the coastline (including to one of Costa Rica’s best waterfalls).
For us, Uvita offers all the sorts of experiences that Costa Rica is about - nature immersion, untouched paradise beaches, waterfalls, surfing, wildlife spotting - with a laid-back vibe that isn’t at all like the built-up, commercialised holiday towns further north.
For Costa Rica road trippers, it’s also an excellent pick as a coastal base for a few nights.
However, what really elevates Uvita beyond lots of other places on this western stretch of Costa Rican coastline, is that its reputation as one of the best places in Latin America to see humpback whales is absolutely deserved.
In this post, we’ve shared everything you need to plan a better stay in Uvita. From advice on spotting whales and finding the best beaches, to accommodation recommendations and transport options for day trips and onward travels.
This is our traveller’s guide to the best things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica.
The Uvita Essentials
Vibe / Laid back town popular with expats
Know / The layout is a little confusing & wherever you stay, you’ll need to walk or take taxis
Watch / Best place to spot whales in Costa Rica - you can book a tour online or organise when you arrive
Sand / Beautiful beaches but mostly in National Parks
Trip / Good base for Manuel Antonio and Nauyaca Falls
Stay / We love the excellent hostel Cascada Verde but if you’re looking for a little more luxury consider Vista Celestial or the stunning Airbnb Fruta del Cielo Villa
Best Time To Visit Uvita
As we explain more in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Costa Rica (published soon), the country’s Pacific and Atlantic coastlines have distinctly different rainy and dry seasons.
The best time to visit Uvita for beach weather and generally good conditions is December-March, and it’s best to book accommodation in advance for any visits during this season.
The rainy season affects Costa Rica’s Pacific coast between the months of May to mid-December, with a dramatic peak from September to November. Visiting Uvita during these months is certainly still possible as there are often several hours a day of sunshine and far fewer tourists, but it does mean no full days of lying in the sun, especially muddy trails (some of which are closed during the rainy season), and rougher seas during storms.
There are also specific times of year to visit Uvita to spot humpback whales; we discuss these below and in more depth in this dedicated article: How To See Whales in Uvita.
The Layout of Uvita
In the next section, we’ve shared our favourite things to do in Uvita, but we think it’s really important for every traveller appreciate a few idiosyncratic aspects of the beach town which isn’t really a beach town, its layout, protected status, and the subsequent logistics.
If anyone had explained it properly to us before we visited, it would have saved us an extra night on our Costa Rica itinerary, as well as helped us travel better in Uvita.
The Costanera Sur highway bisects Uvita, and is really the centre of activity. On both sides of it, you’ll find the bus station, the banks, several supermarkets, restaurants, shops and banks, taxis, and access roads. It isn’t pretty or terribly nice, but you will visit or pass through it several times a day.
From the highway, you can access Calle Uvita (here on Google Maps), which leads onto a dusty road with several of our favourite restaurants, homes, small supermarkets and accommodations spread out along it. The road goes on for a wee bit through this village until you hit Calle Bejuco at the bottom of a hill (maps): this brings you up to a handful of excellent accommodation options as well as a lovely waterfall (it’s where we were based). To access any place along the road or up the hill, you can walk for 10-30 minutes, drive your car, bike, or grab a taxi.
Back in the ‘centre’ by the side of the busy Costanera Sur, you can also turn right out of the bus station, walk along the road, cross the bridge over the river, and then turn right on any road. This will bring you into another village area known as ‘Bahia’ or ‘Bahía Ballena’, which has the majority of the accommodation, restaurants and tour companies. It’s also where you’ll find the main entry point to the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena and its gorgeous beach. Everything is a little spread out though, and we found it quite easy to get a little lost or confused about the quickest way from A to B or on the search for a specific restaurant in the is area.
To walk from the bus station by the side of the highway to the Bahía park + beach entrance, it takes about 35 minutes to cover the 3km distance.
All three areas collectively constitute what most travellers refer to as ‘Uvita’.
So, due to the spread out nature and a busy highway and river splitting it in two, where you stay in Uvita will define several of the things you do, where you eat and, wherever you stay, you’ll probably have to take an affordable taxi or two to get around. We walk a lot when we travel, but even for us spending an hour to go from the top of the hill to the start point for our whale-watching tour wasn’t worth it, with a taxi being the sensible option.
If you’ve got a rental car in Costa Rica though, getting from one end of Uvita to the other is simpler.
Lastly, as the stunning Uvita beach is protected + ticketed, it means that Uvita in and of itself is also not really a ‘beach town’ where can stay at a hotel by the sand, roll out, and be in the sea straight away (if that’s what you’re after, nearby Dominical may be a better option, and you take day trips to Uvita). Related to this, several of the best or most luxurious accommodations in Uvita are actually set up in the hills amongst nature and wonderful views.
You don’t have to worry too much about any of the above, and Uvita is still one of our favourite places in Costa Rica, but it is necessary to know about the layout to help you have the best stay!
We don’t want to bore you now with more details on transport + logistics, so you’ll find the essential information for each of our best things to do in Uvita in the relevant sections, plus more general info on prices, options, and rental car tips in the ‘How To Get To Uvita’ section at the end of the post.
Right - on to the fun stuff!
Our favourite Things To Do in Uvita, Costa Rica
Swim IN Uvita Waterfall
Starting the day with a dip in natural pools covered by a canopy of trees, with tropical birdsong, the rustle of monkeys, and the rush of water providing the soundtrack is a very Costa Rica moment.
The relatively secluded Catarata Uvita (Uvita Waterfall) is a chilled out place to have it, and to spend an hour or two hanging out on the rocks amongst the lush greenery and peaceful natural setting; we loved it.
There are two separate natural swimming areas, and the walk from the entrance to the first is easy; the trail to the second does involve some steep steps and very slippy parts, so just take it slow and pay attention.
The fearless amongst you can climb up the largest waterfall on a rope/metal ladder and freejump or slide down the waterfall steam into the pool at the bottom, but it’s quite a scary experience - we wouldn’t recommend trying it until you see a local guy who knows the right spot / technique and following him!
Where | You can find the main entrance to the Uvita Waterfall here on Google Maps.
If you’re staying in the fantastic Cascada Verde, then you’re only a five-minute walk to the Uvita Waterfall entrance and ideally situated to get there first thing in the morning. Otherwise, it’s a very do-able 15 to 20-minute from the main road up the hill, or quite a bit further if you’re staying in Bahia or closer to the Marino Ballena National Park. A taxi will happily run you up the hill from the supermarket car park, but it’s a nice walk and you really don’t need a ride if you’re fit and able.
If you’re arriving by rental car, you’ll find a reasonably large free car park by the main entrance.
Be aware that there are technically two entrances to the Uvita Waterfall, which are privately owned by separate people:
· Entrance 1 | The main and original entrance mentioned above, called ‘Restaurante La Catarata acceso a la Catarata Uvita’ on Google Maps. They have a small carpark, but most people just pull on to the side of the road.
· Entrance 2 | This entrance offers a large carpark off the main road, and is called ‘Catarata Esmeralda Uvita’ on Google Maps. It used to have a restaurant and butterfly garden, both of which appear to have shut in the last 12 months. We’ve also be informed that due to potential arguments between the owners, if you use this entrance you’re also unable to use the wooden platforms to access the waterfall. If anyone can confirm this either of these point in the comments, that would be fantastic - thanks so much!
When | The waterfall is open from 7am - 5pm, seven days a week.
We like to arrive early at places like this, and we recommend you try to do the same. When we left the site at 10am, there were loads of road trippers just arriving in the car park as well as a couple of tour groups, which would have made it a less enjoyable experience comparatively given that the trails are short and narrow, and the swimming holes relatively small. If you’re not an early riser, another good option to avoid the crowds is to arrive a few hours before closing.
Note that the impressiveness of the waterfall will vary depending on whether it’s dry or rainy season on the west coast.
Cost | 2,000 colones ($4 USD) entry fee per person, which includes the butterfly garden. It’s best to bring cash.
Facilities | There’s a small restaurant at the first entrance.
There are no changing rooms but there are toilet cubicles in the carpark which you're able to use (or arrive with a swimsuit already on).
Whale-Watching & Dolphin-Spotting
One of the best places in Latin America to spot whales, if things go to plan on the water then Uvita could deliver one of most memorable moments you’ll have on your adventures.
Neither of us will forget hearing a humpback’s song for the first time before its massive tail breached the water as cheeky dolphins played around him (and then did it all again another five times).
The main reason Uvita is considered such an excellent spotting location is because it has two distinct seasons for whales; in comparison, most other locations around the world are limited to a single one. The Northern Hemisphere humpbacks arrive here from December to April, then the Antarctic whales replace them from July until mid-November. This is the reason for the creation of the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena along nine miles of Uvita’s gorgeous Pacific coastline back in 1990 (ballena means whale in Spanish).
The dual seasons means that you have a good chance of seeing whales in Uvita year-round but, if you’re really dreaming of seeing whales in the wild (the only way they should be seen anywhere), then try your best to visit in the middle of these cycles. Visiting at the start or tail end of these seasons reduces the likelihood of sightings.
As the mammals generally don't pass close enough to see from the shore, the only way to spot them is to head out on a specialist whale watching tour within the protected waters.
The cost of tours (starting at around $60-80 USD per person) may be too big an expense for anyone backpacking on a budget in Costa Rica, but after our own experience we would 100% recommend the splurge if you can afford it. The tour companies are all located in the village of Bahia, and you have three options:
take yourself down to Bahia and visit the tour companies personally to enquire about rates
book online and in advance here
book via your accommodation upon arriving in Uvita.
The two tours below have great reviews, last three to four hours, cap group numbers at around 15 people, and offer very similar experiences:
Tour One | Three hours, includes entry to the national park. Find out more here.
Tour Two | Three to four hours, includes entry to the national park. Find out more here.
We’ve shared a lot more information about our experience, what to expect, tours, what to bring, and how to plan ahead for the seasons in this dedicated post: An Essential Guide To Whale-Watching in Uvita Costa Rica.
Chill Out on Uvita Beach
There are several good free beaches near Uvita, but they pale in comparison to the private paradise beach within the Ballena National Park.
The sort of place you dream about once your return home to grey, drizzly skies, this huge expanse of powdery soft golden sand, backed by towering palm trees and verdant jungle reminded us of of beaches we’ve hiked for hours to reach (Tayrona, we’re thinking of you); we’d also say it’s as good as those you’ll find further north in Costa Rica at the popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
The only downside is that, like Manuel Antonio, you have to pay to enjoy it. As it’s part of the protected national park, there’s a charge for tourists of of just over $6 USD per person to enter for a single day.
Now, if you met Along Dusty Roads of the 2014-16 vintage, we would have ranted about the fact you have to pay entry to sunbathe, and recommended that you instead walk or bicycle to the free ones nearby. And, although we also did that whilst in Uvita, we recognise that sometimes you get what you pay for.
Indeed, Playa Uvita’s status within the national park protects it from the worst of human nature: there’s no litter, no parties, no barbecues and, even on a busy Saturday, there was space enough for everybody. The tickets, controls, and curfew means the beach is pristine.
So, when the downside helps to create a big part of the upside, we can’t really complain.
Where | Although the park can be accessed via four separate sectors - Uvita, Colonia, Ballena and Pinuela - almost all of you reading this guide will arrive at the Uvita entrance point (maps).
Cost | The entry fee for Marino Ballena National Park is $6 USD + IVA per person. This is payable upon arrival to the ticket office, and at the time of writing, must be paid by card. Children under 11 do not pay to enter.
Note, the whale watching tours will deposit you on the beach at the end of the experience, and your entry is usually included in the tour price. So, if you’re short on time it makes a lot of sense to pair your beach day + sunset with your Uvita whale-watching tour.
When | Entry is from 7am - 4pm, but you can stay within it until 6pm; about half an hour before this, police on motorbikes will start asking people to leave the beach.
Come for the day and, when you're hungry, you can nip outside the park and grab some lunch at one of several nearby restaurants, and then when you're ready to head back, just show your ticket to the guard at the ticket office who will wave you back through.
Tip | The riptides which plague Costa Rica’s pacific coastline are no joke. For even experienced swimmers, it’s advisable to remain in the shallows here and educate yourself on what to do should you encounter a rip current you cannot immediately escape from.
The tide differential is high here as well, narrowing the beach quite significantly when it’s ‘in’, so don’t settle your towel down too far out at low tide or you’ll be in for soaking. However, do also be aware of setting up directly under a palm tree (falling coconuts are also no joke!).
Plan | We’ve shared more information, advice, and photos about accessing + visiting Uvita beach and the Pprk, in this dedicated post: A Short Guide To Marino Ballena National Park.
Stay At Cascada Verde
In our guides, we like to include a few accommodation recommendations to help you plan ahead, but it’s rare for us to feature the place we personally stayed at as one of the best things to do in the destination.
However, Cascada Verde was really quite special.
(fyi: we paid for this place and every accommodation + experience in Costa Rica, none of this is sponsored).
Situated atop a hill at the end of a long dusty road, this pirate-ship treehouse structure is isolated amongst nature and a haven for travellers. Although it may be a little rustic for some, its peaceful, verdant location, comfy common areas, and two viewing decks out into the trees (where we saw monkeys playing every day of our stay) make it an experience all on its own in Uvita. Also, there’s several adorable resident dogs and cats.
It’s got a few private rooms and lots of dorm beds, and is definitely a place that’s more suited to backpackers; the slightly ramshackle and open-sided build of the place is part of the appeal and contributes to feeling like you’re immersed in nature, but may not be what everyone wants after a day of adventures. We would not recommend it to families.
In terms of downsides: the breakfasts are overpriced (but there’s a very decent communal kitchen to use) and its location up the hill will be too far or inaccessible for some of you, but an appealing part of the stay for others. We like to challenge ourselves, so walked with our backpacks all the way along the dusty road from + to the bus station, but you can also easily get a taxi to take you up there for 2,000 colones (or the hostel will arrange one to collect you if going the other way).
If you’re on a Costa Rica road trip, it’s easily accessible if you’ve got a 4WD and they’ve got plenty of space for parking too.
You can book Casacada Verde on Hostelworld here, on Booking.com here, or on Airbnb here.
If it doesn’t look like a good fit for your travel style, we’ve shared a few more special and highly-rated Uvita accommodation options for all travel styles later in this post! However, two more luxurious and romantic tropical hideaways in the hills are Kura Boutique Hotel and Vista Celestial.
There’s also this Airbnb - Pura Uvita - which has incredible views.
SUNSET ON THE WHALE TAIL
Which came first: the whales or the whale tail?
Here in Uvita, there’s a most curious case of nominative determinism. Yes, the humpback whales swim toward the warm waters in order to mate or give birth. But, when the tides are low in a corner of this paradise, the waters part to reveal something that really can only be described as a whale tail.
Not an actual whale’s tail, though that would be more expected, but a strip of sand stretching out to a stage of rocks which, when viewed from above, does look remarkably like the tail of a whale.
Is this what first attracted the giant creatures here so long ago? Or, did the land take its inspiration from the shapes seen in the depths? Or is it just a fateful, happy coincidence, a serendipitous quirk of nature?
Whatever it was, Uvita’s ‘Whale Tail’ is quite famous in Costa Rica, and you’ll find it on Uvita Beach. You really won’t be able to see or photograph its shape at sand-level though, with a drone really necessary to capture it as there’s no elevated viewing point / deck.
However, the Tail section on Uvita beach is also one of the prettiest areas and we highly recommend have a walk there until as close to sunset as possible, when deep pinks and purples in the sky transform the beach and surroundings. Two hours before low tide is however generally regarded as the best time to photograph it at peak ‘whale-ness’.
You can find the Uvita Whale Tail here on Google Maps.
Visit THE AMAZING Nauyaca WaterfallS
After travelling in Latin America for two years, and then returning for several other shorter backpacking trips, we know that ‘waterfall fatigue’ is a thing. In Costa Rica, it’s perhaps at its most pronounced, and the fact of the matter is that you can’t simply visit - or be impressed by - every single bloody waterfall there is.
However, we’d really, really like you to take our advice when it comes to Nauyaca waterfalls: this is one of the best waterfalls we’ve ever visited.
It’s also the reason we extended our stay in Uvita by an extra night, and we’ve got zero regrets about that decision.
Part-hike, part-adventure, part-picture postcard sunbathing and swimming spot, you need at least half a day for it but, with the falls situated 30kms away, Uvita is thankfully one of the most convenient bases to visit it on a day trip.
We've written this dedicated guide to the Nauyaca Waterfalls which is essential reading for anyone planning to head there, whether by car or public transport.
Plan // How To Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
Dusty Roadside Coffees & Craft Beers
Due to Uvita’s layout, you’ll likely end up cooking in your accommodation or eating out in the evenings close to where you’re staying. There’s a diverse range of restaurants available, many set up by foreigners and catering to travellers, with prices generally on the toppy side.
Several of our favourites were on the long dusty road to the hill, including a little pizza + pasta place by an actual Italian (Restaurante Por El Camino - find it here) and Indómitos Café & Bar (maps) for excellent vegetarian options in a lovely setting. There’s also the Whale Tail Microbrewery (maps) for social drinks and Mosaic Wine Bar & Cafe (maps). For digital nomads or decent coffee, go to Café Vivo Uvita (maps).
A personal favourite of ours for lunch, catered very much to local tastes, was also along this road in a nondescript little house.
By the highway isn’t the most pleasant place to sit and eat, but it’s got several more generic, American-ised eating out options and fried chicken place that was bizarrely popular with several people at our hostel. We did have a pretty enjoyable lunch with several refreshing beers at Restaurante Maracuya (maps) when we first arrived on the bus from San José though.
In the Bahia + national park area, there are lots more options but, truth be told, we couldn’t find several we went in search of, some weren’t open when we did find them, and we also didn’t eat here in the evenings! A falafel place was highly recommended, but feel free to share your favourites in the comments!
For those of you spending the day at Uvita beach in Bahía, you’ll find several typical restaurants on both sides of the road leading up to the entrance and this is the most convenient place to head out for lunch before returning to the sand. The menus are all pretty similar and affordable, and we opted for Los Almendros Restaurant (maps) where the fresh ceviche and tostadas were good.
If you’re staying in the village, by the beaches, up the hill, or along the highway, it may be best and safest to take a taxi to/from a specific restaurant a decent distance away in the evening. It’s also a good idea, especially if staying up the hill or in Bahia, to bring a headtorch with you (our Petzl ones have done the job across several Latin America trips).
Other Amenities | For groceries, banks, and ATMs, you can find several of them on the side of the Costanera Sur highway. We used the Banco de Costa Rica Uvita (maps), which has an ATM inside as well as outside, and it didn’t charge withdrawal fees for our cards.
For hostel cooking and snacks, one of the supermarkets is quite a bit cheaper than the other, but we unfortunately can’t remember which was which! There are also smaller shops on the road leading up to Cascada Verde, and it’s good practice to spread your spend and support them with some purchases. There was also a fruit guy by the road sometimes and, although his prices definitely vary according to your accent, you should stop by if you see him.
Travel Better Tip // We swear by our travel filter water bottles, and have used them for the last five years when travelling in Latin America, India, Africa, Asia, and the Middle-East. As well as providing quick, easy access to safe, clean drinking water everywhere, they help travellers to reduce their single-use plastic footprint and save a lot of money overall.
We have these 75cl Water-to-Go Bottles, and you can find out more on how they work, alternatives, and a full product filter bottle comparison in this post: The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip
Go Surfing on Playa Hermosa…
In our opinion, this is the best free beach to access from Uvita.
Although the dark sand may not instantly appeal, Playa Hermosa’s got a good local vibe, is relatively clean, and is blissfully undeveloped for tourism in comparison to many other better-known beaches on the Pacific Coast.
We spent a lovely chilled out afternoon there after a busy morning exploring.
Amongst the trees and dusty opening at the entrance, there's a ceviche truck and a man selling coconuts for 500-1,000 colones depending upon what time of day you ask, but it’s a good idea to bring along some snacks and supplies of your own if you’re bunkering down for the day (there isn’t really anything else on offer).
Playa Hermosa is also the best option for beginner surf waves near Uvita, and there are several guys offering board for rent or lessons. However, if you’re backpacking in Central America, we recommend saving your pennies on surf lessons for Nicaragua, where it’s quite a bit cheaper (a few of our favourite destinations for surfing there are Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur, and Las Peñitas). There were also some sunbeds + parasols available for rent when we visited, but we don’t know the prices.
The beach is long and more isolated the further north you headed: we recommend that you watch your valuables at all times and don’t leave them unattended if going for a swim or a walk (there are regular reports of people getting their belongings stolen whilst not paying attention).
As this beach is free and popular with local, crowds will swell on weekends and national holidays.
Top Tip // If you’re not heading to Nicaragua, and would love to get an Uvita surf lesson booked in, consider joining this highly-rated two-hour private lesson. Alternatively, you can pre-book your surfboard rental here.
Where | Ten minutes north of Uvita, you can find Playa Hermosa here on Google Maps.
We took a taxi out from the supermarket meeting point (3,000 colones), but you could also catch a bus heading north of Uvita and get dropped off (not all companies / routes will do this though). Ask for ‘la entrada de Playa Hermosa’.
For the return journey, as we couldn’t find any ride or taxi, we walked back to Uvita in the late afternoon for an hour along the side of a very, very busy road which had a few too many big trucks and buses and no defined side. We really don’t recommend doing that unless you’ve got no option (quite scary at times when they rumbled past) - instead wait at the side of the road and try to jump on any bus heading toward Uvita - please just stand somewhere sensible and with space for the bus to pull over. If in doubt, ask a local. Another alternative is to arrange for your taxi to collect you at a certain time, but that will add a bit extra.
A girl in our hostel rode her rental bike from Uvita to Hermosa and said she didn’t enjoy it because of the busy road and Google Maps mistakenly sending her along private land and two rivers.
For cars, you can get in and park up amongst the trees but the road is largely sand, so be cautious.
Alternative | Dominical + Dominicalito (maps) are two other free, public beaches north of Uvita. We passed through on the bus to / from Nauyaca, and Dominical seemed like a pretty good option for a beach holiday base, with lots of restaurants + beachside holiday accommodation in a compact village area, but we didn’t actually visit it so can’t give too strong an opinion either way! However, this may be a better option than Hermosa if you’d like to have a proper lunch or a bit more facilities to hand. For surfers, Dominical has more advanced waves than Hermosa.
…Or Visit The SOUTHERN Beaches in Uvita
If you’re here for more than a few days, you may wish to also check out the free, public beaches to the south of Uvita.
Playa Ventanas (maps) lies just outside the Ballena National Park, and probably the most popular option with locals on this section of the Pacific coast. However, it pales in comparison to Uvita beach and isn’t as pristine, with the presence of various vendors and stalls making it more like other beaches. The rock tunnels / windows which gave the beach its name are pretty cool though.
There’s also the little and lesser-known Playa Arco (maps) but quick bit of research makes us hesitant to suggest it over the beaches we visited given the apparent frequency of robberies there.
As with the northern beaches, and Uvita beach itself, we recommend not leaving valuables unattended. Tide levels in this part of the coast vary quite significantly too, changing the appearance of all the beaches quite dramatically, whilst all have a risk of severe rip currents (you’ll see signs for this everywhere) so swimming is not generally advised unless in safe, shallow areas.
Playa Ventana, according to our whale-watch guide, is particularly dangerous for swimming at high tide, but low tide also poses grave risks due to the riptides.
Consider A Trip To Corcovado
Our ‘big ticket’ activity for this Costa Rica trip was heading down to the off-the-beaten-path Drake Bay and spending a night within Corcovado National Park - an experience which some people recommend as a day trip from Uvita.
Whilst we think a day trip to Corovado from Uvita would be a bit tight on time to be worthwhile, for those of you without a car or a little daunted by the public transport route, Uvita is the most convenient start point to arrange or start an overnight or multi-day tour into one of the world's most biodiverse regions.
If you are already planning to head to Uvita and Drake Bay independently on this Costa Rica trip, then we’d recommend travelling to Uvita first, then Drake Bay, and then going from Drake Bay straight back up the coast or inland. There’s no wrong way to do it, and lots of people we met did it in reverse, but that’s what we think’s the best option to help you make the most of each place.
Top Tip // If you really really have your heart set on Corocvado National Park but won’t have the time to do anything but a day trip, then be sure to take a look at this highly-rated and popular tour from Uvita. It includes breakfast, lunch, transport, park entry and an English speaking guide.
Take a Day trip to Manuel Antonio National Park
Perhaps Costa Rica’s most famous National Park, we don’t actually think most of you should factor it into your plans whilst you’re in Uvita. Although Manuel Antonio is undeniably an excellent option for guaranteed nature + wildlife spotting (you can’t leave Costa Rica without seeing a sloth in the wild right?) and its national park has lovely beaches, Uvita has a better vibe, as good beaches, and is far less touristic and developed, so it would seem a bit silly to go away from one for a day in order to visit the other.
The exception to this would be for those who have already decided to use Uvita as a base to explore the Pacific Coast, rather than changing beds and accommodations every couple of days - this is especially pertinent if you’re travelling in Costa Rica with a rental car, as it’s just an hour’s drive away up the coast.
If you’d like to visit Manuel Antonio from Uvita and don’t have your own vehicle, you have two options:
Public transport | Although it would be a long day, it is absolutely possible to reach Manuel Antonio on a day trip form Uvita with public transport. First you’d need to take the 5.30 am bus from the highway to Quepos and then either hop on the local bus to Manuel Antonio or take a taxi.
A tour | This highly-rated four-hour tour can include transport from Uvita (if selected) alongside your park entrance fee, and guided nature tour. Find out more here.
Find out the essentials, our favourite beaches, scams and mistakes to avoid with nature tours there in our dedicated guide: 7 Things To Know Before Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
Travel Tip // A better, more impactful alternative may be to visit Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates injured or orphaned wildlife, or those which have been trafficked or used as pets. This is a topic very close to our hearts at Along Dusty Roads, and we donate annually to a similar sanctuary in Bolivia (Inti Wara Yassi). Importantly, Alturas shares the same ethical stance around visits, whereby it’s an educational experience with no touching or handling of its wildlife.
Situated between Uvita and Dominical, the sanctuary runs English-speaking tours run three times a day, Tuesday to Sunday. Find it here on Google Maps, and visit their website to book or find more information about visits, internships, or volunteering.
Where To Stay in Uvita
As we discussed in the ‘Uvita Layout’ section of this guide, where you stay inevitably has in an impact on what you do whilst you there, where you eat and how much driving / how many taxis you take.
Due to this, we’ve broken down Uvita accommodation options into three sections: near Uvita Beach, Central Uvita and in the hilltops above Uvita.
Do note that this is only a selection of our accommodation picks from Uvita, especially regarding Airbnbs as there is such a large number of these private properties in the Uvita area. You can find the rest in our guide, ‘Where to Stay in Uvita’ (published soon).
Accommodations Near Uvita Beach
LUXURY
There aren’t really any truly luxurious hotels or resorts located near the beach, however there are several excellent villas and Airbnbs.
Fruta del Cielo Villa | This beautiful bamboo villa - located in Bahia - has two bedrooms and has stunning design throughout. Light and bright, it has a beautiful outdoor area including plunge pool. Also has dedicated work space, ideal for those working remotely.
Amazing Home | This stunning four-bedroom property is ideal for large groups. Located a short walk from Playa Colonia, it has a contemporary design, gorgeous pool area, outdoor living space and all mod-cons throughout.
MID-RANGE
Bungalows Ballena | This small collection of two and one-bedroom wooden bungalows are a super popular accommodation option near the beach. Full kitchens, each bungalow also has a patio area and there’s a communal pool. It’s close to shops and a few minutes walk from the National Park.
Uvita Paradise | This new and modern apartment complex is relatively basic in its design but has everything you need for a pleasant stay in Uvita, including a great outdoor pool area. It’s also super close to the beach.
Another good apart-hotel option is Ballena Paradise.
Dolce Uvita | We’ve put this super popular, small and friendly guest house in the mid-range section, but it’s actually fantastically good value and would be ideal for a family looking for somewhere comfortable that isn’t going to break the bank. Set in wonderful gardens, close to the ocean, and there’s even an excellent on-site Italian restaurant!
Prana | One of five modern casitas on surrounded by lush gardens but only a short walk to the beach, this one-bedroom Airbnb with a great kitchen and large bedroom. Large and deep communal pool and it even has access to a yoga shala!
BUDGET / BACKPACKER
Koru Village Uvita Hostel | A hostel with a difference, Koru offers individual little sleeping pods alongside an excellent shared kitchen, communal areas and even an outdoor pool. Within walking distance to the beach.
Tropical Beach Apartments | A selection of decent and exceptionally well-priced apartments and rooms (less than $60 a night for a double with private bathroom) in a small complex with large outdoor pool. Decor is a little basic, but the rooms are bright, comfortable, clean and colourful. Right next to one of the National Park entrances.
Lotus | This little cabin is definitely rustic, but if that’s your bag it could be ideal. Set amongst a lush garden, it features an outdoor kitchen with access to an outdoor pool and is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the beach.
Wooden Casita | This gorgeous casita is small but perfectly formed and ideal for a lone traveller or couple. Lovely touches throughout, and individual patio but guests also have access to the outdoor pool and shared kitchen.
Yuli Hotel | Offering a wide variety of room types (including doubles, apartments and dorms) this new, modern hotel caters to a variety of different travellers. Rooms are large, well-furnished and bright and the communal pool area great.
Accommodations in the Hilltops Above Uvita
LUXURY
Kura Boutique Hotel | A tropical hideaway, this stunning 5* hilltop paradise offers private villas and bedrooms with views to the South Pacific. Facilities include top-notch restaurant, exquisite communal areas, infinity pool and small spa. If you’re looking for a remote and romantic retreat, Kura is it!
Vista Celestial | Another beautiful 5* property, this one composed of a small number of large and contemporary villa, each with small kitchen and seating area plus large deck offering incredible views. Guests also have access to a stunning communal infinity pool and excellent restaurant.
If you’d prefer to rent a villa up in the hills, there are a handful of truly excellent properties on Airbnb including: Oceanview Retreat, Pura Uvita (the views from this house are incredible!).
MID-RANGE
Manoas | Part guest house, part glamping, Monoas offers a variety of good quality large, permanent tent-like structures set amongst lush jungle - with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities from the accompany private decks. There’s a pool and excellent restaurant. Truly a place to get away from it all!
Oasis Uvita | A true oasis in the jungle, this highly-rated small guest house offers excellent private rooms from which you have wonderful views of the gardens. Great little pool, lots of wildlife and a restaurant with a farm-to-table approach.
Balcony Villa Whale | This large one-bedroom house set over two floors is ideal for a couple looking for a special, private escape amongst the jungle. Really beautiful outdoor area with own pool, great kitchen and dining facilities and wonderful views!
BUDGET / BACKPACKER
Cascada Verde | A hostel we loved so much, it’s one of our recommended things to do in Uvita! Check availability and book on Hostelworld here or on Booking.com here.
There are a couple of other budget options in this area, but honestly, just stay at Cascada!
Central Uvita
Whilst this isn’t our favourite area of town, there are some decent, good value accommodation options in Central Uvita - we just recommend avoiding anything right on the highway and anything situated beyond the Servicentro Bahía - Uvita. The former will be noisy and not pleasant, whilst the latter will feel too removed on the outskirts and inconvenient for getting around.
LUXURY
As with the Uvita Beach area, if you want luxury, you’ll find much more choice on Airbnb, including:
Cocomo | A thoughtfully designed three-bedroom villa in a quiet residential area, at the far northern section of Central Uvita. This villa is the largest home of three on this property and has its own dipping pool. Note that the house can be rented separately or all three can be rented together if more space is needed making it ideal for a large group.
Central House | This brand-new two-storey contemporary home is fully furnished, with mix of custom hand-crafted furniture and modern decor, and has three bedrooms. Bright living space with a kitchen, lounge area and dining room, with glass doors flowing into a spacious backyard with in-ground swimming pool.
MID-RANGE
Hotel Marino Ballena | This excellent hotel is set a couple of streets back from the highway (on the beach side), is new, sparkling clean with big, bright and modern rooms and large bathrooms. Also has a good size swimming pool.
Hotel Daleese | An exceptionally well-rated and relatively new guest house with a number of modern and good-sized apartments (kitchenettes not kitchens though). There’s a good size swimming pool and guests speak highly of the couple that run it.
Cabinas Costa Tropicana are another popular option.
Bambura | A gorgeous, brand new studio style villa in a quiet spot with spacious gardens and a beautiful shared pool. Located within a gated community.
BUDGET / BACKPACKER
Whale Tail Hotel | Whilst this is called a hotel (and previously known as ‘Suenos Tranquilos’), it’s much more of a hostel with a variety of private rooms and dorms. Set within gardens and around a lovely pool area with hammocks for chilling out, it also has a shared kitchen, restaurant and bar. A popular choice!
Tucan Hotel | Another popular option in Central Uvita, Tucan Hotel offers dorms, private rooms and even a caravan! Bright colourful designs throughout with lots of hammocks, and a great chill-out area.
How To Get To Uvita
There’s no airport, so journeys have to be made from elsewhere in Costa Rica.
By Rental Car
If you’re doing a road trip, it’s pretty straightforward, and you’re likely going to be a 1-2 hour journey away from your previous base further north along the Pacific Coast i.e. Manuel Antonio (70km) or Jaco (125km / 2 hours).
Sierpe in the south is 1 hour/57km away, whilst the quickest route from San José is 4 hours/222km.
Top Tip // We rarely go direct when hiring cars, instead preferring to use two popular rental aggregators to compare costs and find the best deal. The two companies we use are AutoEurope and RentalCars - both of which we have had excellent experiences with and saved substantial amounts over going direct (never entirely certain why, but it’s a common outcome when we do a comparison).
We also recommend you take a read of 9 Essential Car Rental Tips for Travellers to save money + reduce stress.
By Bus
There are pretty good bus connections to other popular traveller destination in Costa Rica, but the number of departures each day can be a bit limited on certain routes. Due to this, it’s best to plan your route the night before and aim for an early morning departure, rather than just turn up.
From San José / Travel time by bus from the capital is about 4 hours, and we’ve shared more info in this post: How To Get From San José to Uvita
From Manuel Antonio / Further up the Pacific Coast, you need to get to Quepos first and then take a bus south to Uvita. Travel time is about an hour if you connections go smoothly. This post explains how to get from Manuel Antonio to Quepos.
From Drake Bay / A common route for backpackers, it involves a boat then a bus. We’ve shared all the details in this post: How To Get to Drake Bay From Uvita (just follow it in reverse)
Getting Around Uvita
Although you don’t need a rental car for Uvita (we didn’t have one), it will make several day trips easier as well as generally getting around the area to a few beaches, restaurants, accommodation, and experiences. It also means you can shave one day off quite easily from your total time needed here.
Those of you without a rental car will have to walk quite a bit, rent a bicycle, or rely on a mix of taxis and public buses. The exact balance depends on the location of your accommodation and what you plan to do! If relying on public transport and planning on a day trip to Nauyaca Waterfalls, you may also have to stay in Uvita a little longer to do everything you want.
For taxis rides to day trips, tour meet-ups or your next destination, the best place is to find them in the car park outside the Pacifico Supermarket (maps) on the highway. They seemed to charge fairly consistent amounts, and only required minimal negotiation to get to prices we’d been recommended i.e. 3,000 to Playa Hermosa. It’s cash only and always agree the rate before setting off: alternatively, your accommodation will have a rota of drivers to call if you’d prefer them to arrange a taxi to collect you. If you’re staying up the hill or on the dusty road, a taxi from the car park isn’t a bad idea to bring you to the national park entrance and save time.
There are three places to catch buses in Uvita for onward travel or day trip, and they’re all situated around the Costanera Sur highway. Remember though, buses in Costa Rica are often late, and day trips from Uvita usually require a very early rise and departure:
Uvita Bus station | Buses to San Jose, Manuel Antonio, Palmar Norte (the expensive option). These are 'proper buses' and more expensive, fewer stops. Buy tickets in advance for long-distance journeys on early departures. There’s a waiting area, snack shops, and small restaurant inside. Find it here on Google Maps.
The Bus Stop North | For northern connections. This brightly coloured bus stop across road from bus station is easy to spot (maps), and you just need to stand and wait here for the right bus to pass (it’s a good idea to flag it down). This is where you need to stand to get to Nauyaca.
The Bus Stop South | By the vets, this is where to catch the local bus to Drake Bay or Palmar Norte. Find it here on Google Maps.
For onward bus times and connections, head to the bus station or the nearby Uvita tourist information office (maps). Tickets for day trips will just be purchased on board from the drive, and it’s best to have cash in small denominations for this.
