01Whale Tail Sandbar
Only a low tide reveals it and the rising water covers it again. The tide table has to be read before walking out, or there is no way back.
OPEN IN MAPS© arlin gama bender · Pexels License · PexelsPUNTARENAS
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At low tide a sandbar shaped like a whale tail appears and can be walked out on. On this southern Pacific coast the rainforest carries right down to the water. The rain quits for January, February, March and December.
02Humpback Whale Boat
Whales from the southern and the northern hemisphere come into this bay at different times. Two seasons a year means a long stretch of months when they can be seen.
OPEN IN MAPS© Jaylen Giachello · Pexels License · Pexels03Uvita Waterfall
A walk into the forest behind the village reaches a stepped waterfall. From the upper ledge a slide drops into the pool below.
OPEN IN MAPS© Enrique · Pexels License · Pexels04Corcovado National Park
It counts among the most biologically dense places on earth. Nobody enters without a guide and the daily number is capped.
OPEN IN MAPS© Katerina Klemsova · Pexels License · Pexels05Cano Island Diving
An hour offshore the water clears enough to see past 20 metres. Rays and turtles pass through along with the coral.
OPEN IN MAPS© Apex 360 · Pexels License · Pexels06Terraba Mangroves
The largest mangrove forest in Central America spreads across this river mouth. A boat goes in and the birds and crabs among the roots come into view.
OPEN IN MAPS© Djimmer Koster · Pexels License · Pexels07Stone Spheres
Ancient people cut granite into shapes that are almost perfect spheres. How the roundness was achieved has never been explained.
OPEN IN MAPS© Mikhail Nilov · Pexels License · Pexels08Dominical Beach
Strong surf brings people here to learn to ride it. Hard current means entry happens only where the lifeguards mark.
OPEN IN MAPS© Palu Malerba · Pexels License · Pexels09Scarlet Macaws
Pairs of red macaws sit in the coastal almond trees cracking the nuts. They are loud enough to be heard well before they are seen.
OPEN IN MAPS© Tomáš Malík · Pexels License · Pexels10Sandbar Sunset
When low tide and sunset fall together, the end of the sandbar is where people watch. Water lies to either side and it feels like standing out at sea.
OPEN IN MAPS© Laura Lee Van Herck · Pexels License · Pexels11Playa Ventanas Sea Caves
South of Uvita, the cliff closing off this beach has two caves bored by the waves. At low water, walkers pass through to the far side. Currents run too strong for swimming, so people stroll and look instead, so look up tide times before going.
OPEN IN MAPS12Ojochal Village
A small village in the forest south of Uvita, where settlers from abroad have opened a cluster of restaurants. For its size it offers plenty of dinner choices, so people staying at nearby beaches drive over. Roads are unlit, so go slowly at night.
OPEN IN MAPS13Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge
A former farm just north of Dominical turned into a refuge, holding mangrove, beach and forest within one property. Trails lead through the forest for birding, and guided night walks are offered as well.
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