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15 Best Tours in Uvita

These are the 15 tours you’ll want to book during your time in Uvita. The first eight are on the ocean, with whales, islands and mangroves. The last seven are on land, in the rainforest, on the rivers and at the waterfalls.

1. Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Marino Ballena

This is the tour Uvita is known for. A boat heads out into Marino Ballena National Park, looking for humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles. It also passes Piedra Ballena, a rock where seabirds nest.

Our pick costs around $95 and takes 3.5 hours. The park fee, a guide, coffee, juice, pastries and fruit are included. Snorkel gear isn’t, so bring your own if you want to swim.

Humpbacks come in two seasons each year, but no one can promise a whale on any one trip.

The route also passes the Tres Hermanas rocks, the Ventanas caves and the Whale’s Tail. On Piedra Ballena, look for iguanas and lizards too. If the sea is calm, there’s a snorkel stop over the reef. Groups can be large, with up to 80 people. Pregnant women and babies under 1 can’t join.

2. Caño Island Snorkeling Trip

Caño Island is a biological reserve off the coast, with some of the clearest water on the Pacific side. On a snorkel trip, you can see turtles, rays, reef sharks and big schools of fish.

Our pick costs around $160 for a full day, with up to 21 people. The park ticket, snorkel gear, a guide, lunch, water and fruit are included. Other operators charge around $132 to $175.

Before you leave, there’s coffee and a snack at the office. The boat ride takes around 80 minutes, and whales, dolphins and seabirds are possible on the way. At the island, the guide gives a safety talk before you get in. Snacks and fruit are on board all day, and lunch is served back in Uvita.

3. Corcovado Day Trip to San Pedrillo

Corcovado National Park is a big rainforest park on the Osa Peninsula. You can visit it on a day trip from Uvita. A boat takes 1.5 hours each way to the San Pedrillo sector. Then a certified guide leads you on a rainforest hike, since the law requires one.

Our pick costs around $185 and takes 8 hours, with up to 12 people. The park ticket, a packed breakfast, lunch and a guide are included, but hotel pickup isn’t.

San Pedrillo has a daily cap on numbers, so book early. Our guide to the best places to visit in Costa Rica has more on Corcovado.

Check-in is at the office, with coffee, juice and cookies while the group gathers. On the boat, dolphins and sea turtles are common, and humpbacks are possible July to November and late December to March. On the hike, look for howler monkeys, scarlet macaws and tapirs. Bring hiking shoes, insect repellent and a waterproof bag for your phone.

4. Térraba-Sierpe Mangrove Boat Tour

Térraba-Sierpe is one of the largest protected wetlands in Central America. On a boat tour through the mangroves, you can see crocodiles, caimans, snakes, monkeys, sloths and lots of birds.

Our pick leaves from the dock in Sierpe and costs around $110 for 3 hours. Tours also leave from Coronado, around 25 minutes south of Uvita. Other operators charge around $65 to $120.

The river winds through wetland, mangrove forest and gallery forest. Besides the reptiles and monkeys, look for herons, toucans, macaws, kingfishers and lots of water birds. The guide explains why mangroves matter for the climate. You also hear about Sierpe’s history and the stone spheres found in the area. Parking at the dock is free.

5. Marino Ballena Boat Tour to the Sea Caves

This boat tour follows the coast of Marino Ballena National Park. You see the Whale’s Tail from the sea, look for whales and dolphins, and stop at Whale’s Rock, where seabirds nest. Some trips also visit the Ventanas sea caves.

Our pick costs around $92, with the park fee, a guide, fruit and water. From late December through April, there’s time for a swim or a snorkel. Lunch and snorkel gear aren’t included.

The tour starts at the operator’s office with coffee and a safety talk. Then it’s a 5-minute transfer to the beach and 3 hours on the water. Look for spotted and bottlenose dolphins, plus green and olive ridley turtles. People prone to seasickness and pregnant women can’t join.

6. Kayak and Snorkel Tour in Marino Ballena

A guided kayak tour lets you paddle along the coast of Marino Ballena at your own pace. You paddle close to the Whale’s Tail and stop to snorkel, looking for tropical fish, lobsters and starfish.

Our pick costs around $90 for 3 hours. The park fee, kayaks, a mask and snorkel, life jackets and a snack are included. Kids can join from age 8.

Kayaks leave from the beach, so water shoes are a big help.

You spend around 2.5 hours paddling and snorkeling, then 30 minutes on the beach. The break is at the Whale’s Tail, with fresh fruit and water. Back on shore, the guide talks about the mangroves and opens a coconut by hand. The weight limit is 243 lb (110 kg), and the tour isn’t for people over 65.

7. Surf Lesson Near Uvita

Dominical, just up the coast, is the big surf town, but its waves and rip currents are strong. Beginners do better on gentler beaches. Our pick teaches at Playa Chamán, inside Marino Ballena National Park.

It’s a private lesson of 2 to 3 hours, for around $120. A board, a rash guard, fruit and drinks are included, and you practice on the sand first. Kids can join from age 7.

Playa Chamán is a quiet stretch of the park with warm water and gentle waves. Instructors are certified, and a lifeguard stays close. The lesson covers ocean safety, surf manners and paddling before you head out. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, a hat and sunscreen. Non-swimmers can’t join.

8. Sportfishing Charter

A sportfishing charter is a splurge, but it gets much cheaper with a group. Our pick takes 5 hours and costs around $900 for the boat, with room for up to 5 anglers. Split five ways, that comes to around $180 each.

The park fee, fishing gear, water and fruit are included. Dolphins, sea turtles and coastal birds are common on the way out.

The crew explains the day before you leave the park. Out at the fishing spots, the captain sets up the gear and helps with every bite. Tuna, mahi-mahi, snapper and mackerel are common targets. Bring a towel, sunscreen and comfortable clothes. Parking isn’t included, and it’s not for anyone prone to seasickness.

9. Whale’s Tail Guided Nature Walk

The Whale’s Tail is the sandbar at Punta Uvita, and it looks like a whale’s tail from above. A guided walk takes you through the park and out to the point.

Our pick costs around $59 and takes 3 hours, with up to 12 people. The park fee, a snack and photos of what you see are included.

On the walk, the guide covers the park’s habitats: beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and forest. You learn why the mangroves matter as a nursery for sea life. The walk is shared with other people, so it isn’t private. Parking is included. Pregnant women and people with limited mobility can’t join.

10. Nauyaca Waterfalls 4×4 Tour

Nauyaca is a two-tier waterfall with a big swimming pool below, around 30 minutes from Uvita. A tour takes care of the drive and the trail.

Our pick is a full-day 4×4 tour for around $135, with pickup, lunch and entry fees. It starts with a swim at a natural pool near Dominicalito, then spends around 2 hours at Nauyaca.

The falls are 150 feet high, and the pool below is 18 feet deep. After the hike, lunch is a typical Costa Rican meal out in nature. The day ends with an afternoon on the beach and fresh coconuts. Bring a towel, a change of clothes and closed shoes. Groups are capped at 15 people.

11. Rainforest Night Tour

After dark, the rainforest near Uvita is full of frogs, snakes and insects. On a night tour, a guide with a flashlight finds them for you.

Our pick costs around $85 for 2 hours, with up to 6 people. Flashlights, rubber boots and the entry fee are included. The walk starts at a property a 15-minute drive out of town. You’ll need a 4×4 or a ride to get there.

At Hacienda Barú, near Dominical, a 2-hour night hike costs $41, Monday to Friday.

The trails follow springs and small streams in the hills above Uvita. Guides help you find insects, spiders, frogs, reptiles and mammals. They also explain the trees, plants and fungi. It’s 2 hours of hiking, so you need a moderate level of fitness. Wheelchair users can’t join.

12. Zipline Tour Near Uvita

This canopy course is in the rainforest south of Uvita. It has 7 ziplines, and the longest one is 1.1 km. There are also 2 rappels and 2 suspension bridges.

It costs around $133 and takes 3.5 hours, with tours at 8 AM and 1 PM. The weight limit is 230 lb (105 kg). For something cheaper near Dominical, the Hacienda Barú canopy tour costs $85.80, with 7 ziplines.

Check-in is 15 minutes early, at 7:45 AM or 12:45 PM. You move across 13 platforms in the canopy. The rappels are controlled, so you go down slowly. Bottled water is included. Wear closed shoes, and bring sunscreen. People with high blood pressure or a fear of heights can’t join.

13. Naranjo River Whitewater Rafting

The Naranjo River is the big rafting trip from Uvita and Dominical. Between May and December, trips use the Naranjo section, with Class III and IV rapids. That’s the season for families. In the dry season, trips move to El Chorro, a canyon higher up the same river. It’s a much harder trip, with Class IV to V rapids, and it’s only for ages 16 and up.

Our pick costs around $95 and takes 4 hours, with pickup in Uvita or Dominical as an option. A safety kayaker goes with every group, and there’s a snack. On the Naranjo section, kids must be at least 10.

The guides have 22 years of rafting behind them. You get a helmet, a life jacket and a paddle, plus a safety talk before you start. The section you raft depends on rainfall and river levels, and the guides make the call. Note that photos and tips aren’t included, and people over 75 can’t join.

14. Birdwatching Tour in Bahía Ballena

Uvita is great for birds, with toucans, parrots and scarlet macaws. A birding guide knows where to look, and early mornings are the best time.

Our pick costs around $75 for 3 hours, in small groups. The morning tour starts at 5:45 AM and includes a typical breakfast. The afternoon tour starts at 2:30 PM, with fruit and a snack. You also get a list of the birds you saw.

The walk is in the community of Bahía Ballena. Your guide shows you how to tell the birds apart and explains the forest around them. You also get some photos of the birds you saw. The tour is shared with other people. Pregnant women and people with back problems can’t join.

15. Cacao Farm and Chocolate Workshop

A cacao tour is a nice pick for a rainy afternoon. You walk through a plantation near Uvita and learn how cacao is grown and harvested. Then you grind the beans by hand and make a chocolate drink.

It costs around $67.50 and takes 3 hours, with tours at 9 AM and 2 PM. You taste the cacao at each stage, as it’s fermented, dried and roasted. Transport isn’t included.

The farm is in Playa Hermosa, in the hills above Uvita. You grind roasted cacao by hand on a traditional stone metate. The guide also shares the stories behind cacao in Costa Rica. There’s a short hike through the plantation, so wear hiking shoes. Bring water and comfortable clothes.

Which Uvita Tours Should You Book First?

Book by season. In whale season, the whale tour comes first. At around $95 with the park fee and snacks included, it’s great value.

Outside whale season, make Caño Island your first pick for the clear water and turtles. For one big day, go to Corcovado instead, for around $185.

Save the land tours for the afternoons, or for a day when the sea is rough. Nauyaca on your own and the Hacienda Barú night hike make a great budget day.

For more ideas between tours, see our list of things to do in Uvita. The 2-day Uvita itinerary shows how to fit the whale tour and the waterfalls into a short stay. To plan the trip down, see how to get to Uvita. Our picks for the best hotels in Uvita can help you choose a base.

Uvita Tours FAQ

How Much Do Tours in Uvita Cost?

Most tours in Uvita cost around $60 to $185 per person. A guided walk to the Whale’s Tail costs around $59, and whale tours cost around $90 to $95. Kayak, rafting and night tours cost $85 to $95. Full days to Caño Island or Corcovado cost $160 to $185. A private fishing boat costs around $900, but you can split it between up to 5 people.

When Is Whale Watching Season in Uvita?

Whale watching in Uvita has two seasons. Southern humpbacks come July to November, and northern humpbacks come late December to March.

Your best chances are August to October and December to March. Whales are never guaranteed, even in season.

Are Boat Tours in Uvita Canceled in Bad Weather?

They can be. The dry season, December to April, is the easiest time for boat trips. September and October are very wet, and landslides can close the coastal highway.

Plan Caño Island or Corcovado early in your stay, so a canceled trip still leaves a spare day. Our guide to the best time to travel to Costa Rica has more on the seasons.

What Should You Bring on a Boat Tour in Uvita?

Boats leave from Playa Uvita, inside the national park, and you climb in from the sand. Your legs get wet, often up to the knees, so wear water shoes.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes and a dry bag for your phone. For long trips to Caño Island or Corcovado, take seasickness medicine if boats bother you.

Can You Walk the Whale’s Tail Without a Tour?

Yes, you can walk the Whale’s Tail on your own for the $6.78 park fee. The booth takes cards only, and the Uvita sector is open 7 AM to 5 PM.

The sandbar is only walkable around low tide, so check a tide table first. Start an hour before low tide, and head back as the water rises.

Can You Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls Without a Tour?

Yes. On your own, the hike costs $10, plus $5 for parking. It’s 3.5 km each way on foot, which takes around 1 hour each way.

A 4×4 ride back costs $12 in cash, or the full truck ride costs $32. Entry is 7 AM to 2 PM, or 8 AM to 2 PM on Sundays. You need to be out by 3:30 PM.