Intensity: Moderate 
Enjoy the Marino Ballena Marine National Park in Uvita
Marino Ballena National Park is a unique marine and coastal protected area located in Uvita on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. The park was established to provide a safe sanctuary for migrating humpback whales, which visit these waters twice a year to mate and give birth. It is one of only two specially designated marine national parks in Costa Rica, protecting over 13,000 acres of ocean and approximately 270 acres of land, which include golden beaches, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and rocky shorelines.
Visit the Whale's Tail Formation
One of the park’s most iconic features is the Whale’s Tail, a naturally formed sandbar visible at low tide. The formation occurs where two beaches connect to create a shape resembling a whale’s fluke. Walking along the Whale’s Tail, visitors can explore tidal pools filled with marine life and enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. This geological formation is one of the park’s most photographed spots and a highlight of any visit.
Wildlife Galore
The park is renowned for its marine life. Humpback whales migrate here from the northern hemisphere from December to March and from the southern hemisphere from July to October. Dolphins are frequently seen in the same waters, as are sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and a variety of tropical fish. The park’s waters are also popular for snorkeling, swimming, and boat tours, particularly near coral reefs and nearby islets such as Isla Ballena and the Tres Hermanas rock formations, which serve as nesting grounds for seabirds and habitats for iguanas.
On land, Marino Ballena encompasses a mix of coastal rainforest and mangrove ecosystems. Wildlife includes howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, sloths, raccoons, bats, scarlet macaws, and other tropical bird species. The combination of terrestrial and marine habitats makes the park a haven for biodiversity, offering visitors opportunities for both wildlife observation and beach exploration.
Touring the Park
A popular way to experience the park is on a guided hike through the Punta Uvita area. This three-hour walk begins in the nearby community of Bahía, where guides provide local history and context about the park. After roughly a mile, the trail enters the park at Playa Uvita, crosses a creek, and continues through paths lined with rainforest and mangroves. Along the way, guides point out local wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, raccoons, bats, and tropical birds, while explaining the ecological significance of mangroves and other coastal habitats. The hike culminates at the Whale’s Tail sandbar, where visitors can explore the formation, observe tidal pools, and enjoy views of the ocean before returning along the same trail to Bahía.
Marino Ballena’s beaches are calm and ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and peaceful walks. Snorkeling is possible in designated areas, though fins are typically prohibited near sensitive coral zones to protect marine ecosystems. Visitors can also enjoy boat tours for closer encounters with humpback whales and other marine life. The park has four main entrances: Uvita, Colonia, Ballena, and Piñuela, with Uvita and Colonia being the most commonly used. Basic facilities include restrooms, picnic areas, parking, and some camping zones, but amenities are limited, so visitors should bring essentials like water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and appropriate footwear for sand and rocky terrain.
Marino Ballena National Park is not just a natural attraction; it plays a crucial role in protecting marine and terrestrial wildlife. Its combination of coral reefs, mangroves, rainforest trails, golden beaches, and the Whale’s Tail formation offers a diverse and memorable experience for nature lovers, families, photographers, and adventure seekers alike.
FAQs about Marino Ballena Marine Park
Some common questions about Marino Ballena:
How do you get to Marino Ballena National Park?
The park is located south of Dominical in Costa Rica’s southern zone. Visitors can reach it via the coastal highway from Quepos or by traveling inland through San Isidro and down to Dominical.
When can you see whales in Uvita?
Humpback whales migrate to Marino Ballena twice a year. Northern hemisphere whales arrive from December to March, and southern hemisphere whales visit from July to October.
How do you access the Whale’s Tail?
The sandbar is accessed from Playa Uvita inside the park. Visitors should plan to walk along the beach at low tide to see the full formation and explore the tidal pools.
What wildlife can you see in the park?
On land, common sightings include howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, sloths, raccoons, bats, and tropical birds such as scarlet macaws. Marine life includes humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and tropical fish.
What facilities are available for visitors?
Marino Ballena has four main entrances with basic amenities such as restrooms, picnic areas, parking, and some camping zones. Visitors are advised to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sturdy footwear for walking on sand and rocky areas.
