Uvita
Uvita is a small Pacific town in southern Costa Rica and a base for humpback whale watching, horseback rides and wildlife trips.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Uvita de Osa is a small town on the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica, on the shore known as Bahía Ballena. It is the tourist and adventure tour hub of the Costa Ballena region, so travelers use it as a base for tours. Restaurants and places to stay are easy to find in town. Local operators run tours ranging from whale watching to horseback riding.
Humpback whales pass through regularly. Some spend the season off Alaska and California, while others come up from Antarctica, each group at a different time of year, so the season you visit shapes which whales you may see. Dolphins, sea turtles and other whales, such as false killer and pilot whales, also share these waters. Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Preserve lies about fifteen minutes north of Uvita, and more than 350 bird species have been recorded there, including scarlet macaws and many hummingbirds. Venomous snakes live in the area, so watch your step on trails.
Uvita in five
- Plan the whale tail around low tideSINAC's Spanish page says the tombolo can be entered only during the six hours of low tide, and Playa Arco only at low tide via the Ballena sector. Check the tide table at the entrance before you set a time.
- Carry a card for the park ticketSINAC's Spanish page lists $6.78 for non-resident adults, tax included, payable only by credit or debit card. The ticket is valid all day, and the English page says it covers the four sectors.
- Book whale watching for the right monthsSINAC gives two humpback seasons: December to April from the north and July to November from the south. Resident dolphins are seen all year. Pick a licensed operator and ask about its viewing distance.
- Snorkel at low tide, with mask onlySINAC's English page says snorkeling near the tombolo is allowed at low tide with a mask and snorkel, and that diving fins are not allowed. Ask rangers if the rule has changed before you buy gear.
- Arrive by coach and plan the last legSINAC says Tracopa coaches from San José via the Costanera stop in Uvita, and Transportes Blanco runs San Isidro to Uvita. From town you arrange private transport to the sector you want.Quepos
Need to know
- Airport
- San José (SJO); SANSA lists Quepos (XQP) and Puerto Jiménez (PJM)
- Getting there
- Tracopa from San José; Transportes Blanco from San Isidro
- Getting around
- Taxi or car between Uvita town and the park sectors
- Best base
- Uvita or Bahía Ballena; Dominical for surf
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Dry, whalesJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Dry, whalesFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Driest, whalesMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, whales
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Whales fadeAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales fade
- MayRain31 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Rains beginMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 688 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Green seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 764 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Whales returnJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 810 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales return
- AugustRain31 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Veranillo, whalesAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 950 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Veranillo, whales
- SeptemberRain30 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Very wet, whalesSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 833 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very wet, whales
- OctoberRain31 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Very wet, whalesOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 1,153 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very wet, whales
- NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Rains easeNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 1,004 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Dry, whalesDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
Average daily high and low in Uvita, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Uvita
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Uvita
03:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°21°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue26°20°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed23°21°96%Wednesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu23°21°84%Thursday: Rain. High 23°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Fri25°20°98%Friday: Rain. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat22°20°100%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun27°20°95%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 95%.
Updated 02:16 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Marino Ballena sectorsa morning around low tideUvita, Colonia, Ballena and Piñuelas share one daily ticket, per SINAC.
- Nauyaca Waterfallsinland drive from DominicalICT places the falls 12 km from Dominical on a private estate, with a swimming pool.
- Quepos and Manuel Antonionorth on the coast roadThe coast road continues to Quepos; plan the park ticket separately.Read the guide
Before you go to Uvita
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Uvita, checked
- Marino Ballena: $6.78 non-resident adults, tax included, card payment only; the whale tail opens only at low tide; humpbacks Dec–Apr and Jul–Nov.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Marino Ballena is open daily; the Uvita sector runs 7am to 5pm, Colonia 7am to 6pm, and Ballena and Piñuelas 8am to 4pm.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Uvita
The coast road's gateway town, north of Uvita
Read the guideSouthern Costa Rica and the OsaHow to link the whale coast with Corcovado
Read the guidePuerto JiménezThe Osa town base for Corcovado reservations
Read the guideManuel Antonio National ParkTimed tickets, beaches and wildlife to the north
Read the guideCentral Pacific CoastHow the coast north of Uvita fits together.
Read the guideAll of Costa RicaUvita among the Pacific parks and beaches
Read the guideUvita FAQ
When can you walk out to the whale tail?
Only at low tide, for roughly six hours a day on SINAC's reckoning. Arrive early, check the tide table posted at the entrance and walk back before the water returns.
What is the best time for whale watching in Uvita?
SINAC gives two humpback seasons, December to April and July to November, with resident dolphins year round. December to April falls in the dry season and July to November in the green season, so the weather differs.
How much does Marino Ballena cost?
SINAC's Spanish page lists $6.78 for non-resident adults and $5.65 for children, tax included, payable by card only. Check the entrance booth for the current rate and whether the sector you choose is open.
How do you get to Uvita from San José?
By Tracopa coach on the Costanera route, which SINAC says stops in Uvita, or by road. From San Isidro, Transportes Blanco runs to Uvita. Arrange a taxi or private transport from town to the park sector.
Is Uvita good for a first Costa Rica trip?
Yes if you want a quieter Pacific stop with a marine park, but it is far from the main airports. Combine it with Quepos and Manuel Antonio to the north, and give the southern Osa its own trip.