In a nutshell
- Uvita is a small, laid-back town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica — and one of the most beautiful spots in the country.
- The surrounding area is packed with natural highlights — from pristine beaches and rushing waterfalls to dense jungle teeming with wildlife.
- Some of the best things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica include a snorkeling trip to Isla del Caño and a day trip to Corcovado National Park.
- Our top hotel pick is Tamandua Homes — we stayed in one of the three self-catering cottages, each with its own terrace and access to a great pool.
Where Is Uvita in Costa Rica?
Uvita is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the southern part of the country.
To give you a better sense of exactly where it is, we’ve marked Uvita on a map of Costa Rica for you.
Attractions in Uvita
Wondering what to do in Uvita, Costa Rica? No problem — we’ll walk you through every highlight you shouldn’t miss. Pure nature, guaranteed.
Note: On-site, some admission prices are listed in colones and others in US dollars, depending on the vendor. We’ve followed that same approach in our price listings. Either way, you can almost always pay easily by credit card.
Punta Uvita (Whale Tail)
- Admission: $6 for the national park (approx. €5)
- Hours: 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
Punta Uvita is the standout highlight of Marino Ballena National Park, a protected stretch of coastline surrounding Uvita. The natural sandbar is shaped like a giant whale’s tail — which is exactly why it’s called the Whale Tail.
You can really only appreciate that shape from a drone, but it’s still seriously cool to walk out along the sandbar toward the open ocean while waves crash in from both sides.
The catch: Punta Uvita is only visible and walkable at low tide. Be sure to check a current tide chart beforehand so you don’t show up at the wrong time.
Playa Uvita
- Admission: $6 for the national park (approx. €5)
- Hours: 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
Playa Uvita is also located within Marino Ballena National Park and is a true natural paradise. The beach stretches endlessly in both length and width, with dense jungle running right along its edge — absolutely stunning!
You can take long walks along the shore, explore jungle trails, or simply stretch out under a palm tree and take the occasional dip in the bathtub-warm ocean.
Our tip: Playa Uvita is completely untouched — there are no beach bars or anything like that. Make sure to bring plenty to drink and a few snacks.
Whale Watching in Uvita
- Price: €84
- Whale season: December through April & July through October
Whale watching tours are among the most popular things to do in Uvita — and for good reason. The bay is one of the best spots in all of Costa Rica to see humpback whales in the wild.
The meeting point is at the operator’s location in town. From there, you head out with the group to Marino Ballena National Park, where the boats depart.
Our tip: Book your tour online in advance, as demand is especially high during peak season.
The ocean was pretty rough on several days during our visit, so we didn’t end up doing a tour ourselves. But we did find one that is truly top-rated — partly because it respects the animals and approaches them with distance and care.
Book a whale watching tour in Uvita online
Catarata Uvita
- Admission: 2,000 colones (approx. €3.50)
- Hours: 7:00 AM–6:30 PM
Right in the heart of Uvita you’ll find this small but truly beautiful waterfall — perfect for a refreshing cool-down.
Catarata Uvita is not only easy to find (just follow the signs from the main road), it’s also super accessible: you can drive right up to the entrance or walk there at a leisurely pace.
On-site, you’ll find a natural rock slide, several small natural pools, and a really relaxed spot for swimming and hanging out.
Day Trips from Uvita
Uvita itself is great, but the surrounding area has so much to offer too. Here are our recommendations for day trips in the region.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
The Nauyaca Waterfalls are among the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica — and for good reason. They tumble down in two tiers into natural pools where you can swim to your heart’s content, surrounded by nothing but dense jungle. A true must-see in Costa Rica!
There are two entrances with different admission prices: the Don Lulo’s entrance (from $10 USD) on one side of the falls and the Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park entrance (from $28 USD) on the other.
We highly recommend the Nature Park entrance. It’s more expensive, but also far less well-known — meaning it’s significantly less crowded, especially if you arrive early. We got there at 9 AM and practically had the waterfalls to ourselves at first.
From Uvita, it takes about one hour by car to reach the Nature Park entrance (Google Maps). We strongly recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle (4×4) for the route, as the road turns into a pretty bumpy gravel track toward the end.
Day Trip to Corcovado National Park
One of the real highlights of our Costa Rica trip was our day trip to Corcovado National Park — the largest national park in Costa Rica and one of the most biodiverse places on the entire planet. If you want to experience pure nature, this is an absolute must.
Day trips depart directly from Uvita, and we can fully recommend the tour we did!
Things kick off early, around 6:30 AM. You take a boat ride of about 1.5 hours across the open ocean to the ranger station inside the park. With a bit of luck, you might even spot whales along the way.
Once in the park, a guided hike through the dense rainforest awaits, where you’ll encounter an amazing variety of wildlife. We spotted a tapir, a boa constrictor, an anteater, crocodiles, and tons of colorful birds, among other things.
At midday, there’s a delicious meal on-site before heading back to Uvita in the afternoon.
Book a day trip from Uvita to Corcovado National Park online
Everything you need to know about Corcovado National Park:
Snorkeling Tour to Isla del Caño
Isla del Caño is a small nature reserve off the coast of Costa Rica, known for its stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life. From Uvita, you can book snorkeling excursions to Isla del Caño.
After about a 1.5-hour boat ride, you jump into crystal-clear water and swim alongside sea turtles, rays, and all kinds of colorful fish. You might even spot one of the whitetip reef sharks that live around the island!
Isla del Caño is only accessible on a guided tour to help preserve the protected area. Free snorkeling or diving without a guide is not permitted.
Book a snorkeling tour from Uvita to Isla del Caño online
Hotels and Accommodations in Uvita
Whether you prefer a cozy jungle setting or a spot right near the beach, Uvita has great places to stay for every taste. Here are our top four favorites:
Tamandua Homes: Small vacation cottages with private terraces, a pool, and a central location. Where we stayed.
La Uvita Perdida: Set right in nature, with breakfast included and a pool with ocean views. A ten-minute drive to the center.
Ibiza Tropical Beach Villas: A great beach hotel in Costa Rica with cool design and a delicious breakfast.
Ballena Rey Hotel: A popular apartment-style complex with a lovely pool and a varied breakfast spread.
Restaurants in Uvita
Uvita has a solid selection of restaurants, and we found something we loved pretty quickly. These are our two favorite spots in Uvita:
Kinsu Restaurante: It was so good we went back multiple times. The casado and the shrimp tacos are our favorites. Portions are generous and the prices are super reasonable.
Indómitos Café & Bar: Great vegetarian and vegan dishes in a lovely atmosphere. We especially recommend the burgers.
Getting to Uvita
The easiest way to reach Uvita is by rental car, but getting there by public transportation is also possible. Here’s how to get from San José — where the international airport is located — to Uvita.
Getting to Uvita by Rental Car
The drive from San José to Uvita takes about 3.5 to four hours, depending on traffic.
The most popular route runs along the well-maintained Costanera Sur (Route 34), passing through towns like Jacó and Dominical. The road is generally easy to drive and a 4×4 is not required.
Our tip: It’s worth making a quick stop at the Crocodile Bridge along the way. From the bridge, you can spot enormous crocodiles living in the Tarcoles River (Google Maps).
Getting to Uvita by Bus
From the Tracopa LTDA bus terminal in San José (Google Maps), Tracopa runs direct buses every hour to Uvita. The journey takes four to five hours.
You can find exact departure times at the terminal or on the Tracopa website.
You can buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal. It costs approximately €10 and cash is the only accepted payment method.
Getting to Uvita by Shared Minivan
A more relaxed and comfortable option is the shared minivan, which drops you off directly at your hotel in Uvita. It’s about as fast as the bus but more comfortable — and more expensive.
With this option, you can also depart directly from the airport in San José. The easiest way to book is online in advance through our favorite platform, 12Go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uvita in Costa Rica
Is Uvita worth visiting?
Absolutely! The mix of wild beaches, dense jungle, and waterfalls totally blew us away — a genuine natural paradise.
For us, the area around Uvita ranks among the most beautiful in the country, and it’s one stop you really shouldn’t skip on your road trip through Costa Rica.
When is the best time to visit Uvita?
The dry season from December to April gives you the best weather in Uvita — and it’s also generally the best time to visit Costa Rica overall.
You can visit during the rainy season from May to November too. It’s even greener and a bit quieter, but be prepared for more frequent showers.
How many days should you spend in Uvita?
We spent four nights in Uvita — that’s three full days on the ground — and found it to be just right.
That leaves plenty of time for the beach, waterfalls, and even a tour, such as a day trip to Corcovado National Park.
Does it rain a lot in Uvita?
It depends on the time of year. During the dry season from December to April, rain is infrequent. We were there in April, right before the rainy season begins, and while we did have a few showers, most came at night.
From May to November, it can rain more frequently and heavily — but the showers usually don’t last all day, and the rain keeps everything lush and green.
Can you swim in Uvita?
Yes, swimming is possible at most beaches around Uvita. Playa Uvita in Marino Ballena National Park is especially popular.
The waves and currents can be quite strong, so stay alert in the water and only swim where you feel comfortable.
Do you need a car in Uvita?
Having a car makes your time in and around Uvita much more flexible — you can easily drive to beaches and waterfalls on your own schedule.
That said, if you stay centrally in Uvita, you can reach quite a bit on foot: supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, and tour operators are usually just a few minutes’ walk away.
Are there crocodiles in Uvita, Costa Rica?
Yes, crocodiles live in and around Uvita — especially in rivers and mangroves. Be particularly careful near river mouths and follow any warning signs. Encounters with crocodiles on the beach are very rare, but staying alert never hurts.
Are there sharks in Uvita, Costa Rica?
Yes, there are sharks in the waters off Uvita, but encounters are very rare.
Most sharks in the area pose no danger to humans. Still, it’s a good idea to pay attention to local warnings and follow any safety guidelines.
Are there jaguars in Uvita?
Jaguars do live in the region around Uvita, but they are very shy and nocturnal. In Uvita itself, you’ll almost never see one.
