Nature takes center stage on this pristine stretch of Pacific coastline
The 20-mile section of coastline known as Costa Ballena, aka “the whale coast,” boasts some of the most pristine beaches in Costa Rica. Once remote, it is now linked to the resort town of Quepos by a paved highway.
Hidden among the green coastal hillsides that rise from the sea are a smattering of eco lodges and boutique hotels. The area is a favorite with surfers, hikers and bird watchers, and it is home to Marino Ballena National Park. This marine reserve provides sanctuary for turtles, dolphins and the migratory whales that give the area its name.
A favorite destination within the reserve is Punta Uvita, a sandbar which local’s have named the whale tail based on its shape. At low tide, beachgoers can explore the rocks and tide pools, and may catch a glimpse of the namesake marine mammals broaching in the blue Pacific waters.
Inland, miles of hiking trails lead into the mountains, and a trio of beachside towns—Ojochal, Uvita and Dominical— provide a range of eclectic shops and eateries. Costa Ballena is a three-hour drive from the capital of San Jose, or a half-hour from the Quepos airport.
