The vegetation and climate of the South Pacific are classified as tropical rainforest, with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. It is a very wet region, with an average annual rainfall of around 4,000 mm (157 inches). The region can be visited year-round, but mid-September to mid-November is the rainiest period, and if you are planning to visit during this period, it will be wise to check if the tours and hotels you want are available. 

Temperature and rainfall statistics are averages over a longer period of multiple years. The 'Average Days with Rain' statistic shows the average number of days per month that had rain, but this does not say anything about the duration of rain per day. Weather, especially rainfall, is difficult to predict and varies per year due to different influences. Visit the Seasons page for more information regarding weather and climate.

Dominical & Uvita

When traveling down ruta 34 along the Pacific coast or from the direction of Cartago and San Isidro del General (ruta 2 & 243), you will find two interesting beach towns close to the Osa Peninsula called Dominical and Uvita. These towns are definitely worth staying in to experience the relaxed, laid-back beach town vibe, the surf culture of Dominical, and the nature at Uvita. The towns are located close to each other, so if you are planning to visit both, you can choose one as your base. There are some distinct differences between the two. Uvita is more popular due to the location of Marino Ballena National Park. The town is more decentralized and spread out, whereas Dominical is a smaller, more surf-vibed town with a more centralized town center. 

Dominical

Dominical is a coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back surf town vibe. The town is relatively small, with a few restaurants, bars, and shops, but it has a thriving surfing community and is popular with tourists seeking a more relaxed and low-key vacation experience.

Uvita

Uvita is also a small town, surrounded by nature, but it is bigger than Dominical and, as mentioned, less centralized and recommended if you seek peace and tranquility. The most famous beach in the area is probably Playa Uvita, which is part of the Marino Ballena National Park. This beach features a distinctive whale's tail-shaped sandbar, which appears at low tide.

Whale Whatching

This whale tale beach is not the only whale that appears in this area. Uvita is quite famous for whale-watching tours. The season to observe California humpbacks is from December to April, and the viewing season resumes in July with the arrival of Antarctic whales, who remain until approximately November.

Nauyaca Waterfalls

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are a beautiful and popular attraction located near the town of Dominical. The Nauyaca Waterfalls consist of two impressive cascades. The upper waterfall is approximately 45 meters (148 feet) high, while the lower waterfall is slightly shorter but equally stunning. The two tiers create a breathtaking natural setting surrounded by beautiful rainforest. The base of the waterfall forms a natural pool where you can swim, cool off, and enjoy the natural surroundings. 

Credits for the photos of Nauyaca: Familia Santamaria Calderon

Located along ruta 243 between Dominical and San Isidro del General, there is an office with Nauyaca in large letters next to it. Here you can buy your entrance ticket. From the office, it is a 6-kilometer (4-mile) walk. If you have a car and are not much of a hiker, you can drive up another 2 kilometers, where there is a parking lot and the entrance to a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) long trail to the waterfalls, which will take approximately one hour. 

The hike is not that easy but is definitely worth it, as it takes you through beautiful rainforest with panoramic views of the coastline and the waterfalls as a final reward. There are several tour operators in the area that offer guided tours to the waterfalls, including the option of horseback riding. Be aware of visiting the waterfalls during the heaviest months of the rainy season (September and October) because the trails will be more difficult and swimming might be dangerous after heavy rains (which, by the way, is something to keep in mind when visiting every waterfall in the country throughout the year). The picture with the airplane is the Gate One Charter Restaurant & Bar, located between Dominical and the Nauyaca Waterfalls.

Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park is a protected area located near Uvita. The park was established in 1990 and covers an area of approximately 270 acres (110 hectares) of land and 13,300 acres (5,400 hectares) of ocean. One of the most distinctive features of Marino Ballena is its iconic whale-tail-shaped sandbar, also known as Punta Uvita. This natural formation, created by a series of sandbars and submerged coral reefs, is what gave the park its name. Marino Ballena means marine whale in Spanish. Another reason why this name is spot-on is because of the opportunity to spot humpback whales during their migration season, typically from December to April, and Antarctic whales from July until approximately November.

There are several beaches, such as Playa Uvita with the Whale tale. Besides tropical beaches, the park also has mangrove forests along the coastline. These mangroves serve as crucial breeding and feeding grounds and provide a unique ecosystem to explore. Last but not least, the Marino Ballena National Park is an important nesting site for sea turtles, including Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, and Pacific Green turtles. 

In the surroundings of Uvita and Marina Ballena National Park, you will find various waterfalls, one of which is Cascada El Pavon, shown in the picture below. From Ojochal at ruta 34, you take a turn on a secondary road, and after a 10- to 15-minute drive, you will find a restaurant called Restaurante Tilapias El Pavon. Across the road from the restaurant, it is just a short walk to the waterfall. A wonderful hidden gem with no entrance fee. You will find a similar kind of experience just outside Dominical called Poza Azul. Located just a few steep steps from where you park your car, and no entrance fee.

Credits for the photos of Marino Ballena National Park: Familia Santamaria Calderon

Explore Dominical & Uvita

• ✓ Dominical is popular for surfing and has some nice beaches like Playa Dominical and the more beautiful Playa Dominicalito.
• ✓ The Nauyaca waterfalls, the most famous and as far as I know tallest waterfalls in the area and a true hiking experience to get to them.
• ✓ Cascada El Pavon, El Pavon waterfall. A lovely waterfall that does not require a hike. No entrance fee.
• ✧ Poza Azul, a similar experience like Cascada El Pavon but located just south of Dominical. No entrance fee.
• ✓ Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, Marino Ballena National Park with the famous Punta Uvita a sand bar in the shape of a whale tail. 
• ✓ Uvita has some beautiful beaches like Playa Hermosa, Playa Uvita with Punta Uvita and Playa Ventanas with the cave formations shown in the picture above.
• ✧ Uvita is famous for whale watching tours.
• ✧ From Uvita you are also able to go on a tour to Reserva Biologica Isla del Caño, or Caño Island, one of the best snorkeling and diving spots of Costa Rica.

✓: Based on experience | ✧: Based on research. Follow the links to check recent visitor photos and reviews on Tripadvisor.

The Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula is a remote and wild region located on the southern Pacific coast. The peninsula is known for Corcovado National Park, one of the largest national parks in Costa Rica and one of the most biologically diverse regions in Central America. The peninsula is surrounded by the Pacific on the west and the Golfo Dulce to the east. The region is a popular destination for ecotourism and adventure travel, but despite its popularity, the Osa Peninsula remains relatively untouched and remote, making it a true paradise for nature lovers.  There is much to tell about the Osa Peninsula, which I have done separately on The Osa Peninsula page.

Golfito & Pavones

Places I’m not yet familiar with but which are worth mentioning are Golfito and Pavones. These two small towns are located south of the peninsula on the Golfo Dulce, near the border with Panama. The town of Golfito is becoming a popular destination for ecotourism and sport fishing. The town is surrounded by rainforest and is a good starting point to explore the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Golfito Wildlife Refuge. There are boat connections and tour operators in Golfito that offer day trips and multi-day tours from Golfito to the Osa Peninsula. 

Pavones is a small surfing village located about 50 kilometers south of Golfito. It is known for having one of the longest left-hand point breaks in the world. The village has a laid-back vibe and is becoming popular with backpackers and surfers. The town has a few small shops and restaurants, but it is mostly a quiet, secluded retreat. I'm not much of a surfer (although I love the vibe), but if you are, this appears to be a place you need to check out.

What to Explore Next

• North of the South Pacific you will find The Central Pacific with nice beaches and the most famous national park of the country. 
• East of the Central Pacific you will find The South Central Valley, a mountainous region with lush rainforests, volcanos, and beautiful valleys. This region is a great place to spend the night on your way to The South Caribbean.
• One of the most impressive national parks of Costa Rica is located in this area, on The Osa Peninsula.