Activities  |  Beaches  | Restaurants

There are four fabulous beaches within five to fifteen minutes drive of the house and many more not far beyond. We love each one for different reasons. One thing that adds to their charm is that there are very few people on them, even in the busiest season. Here is some information on just a few…

PLAYA TORTUGA: 5 minutes away by car. A wide and beautiful beach, containing one of the outlets of the Térraba River. This beach is also popular with sea turtles, which come here every season to lay their precious eggs. Tortuga or Turtle Beach is also called Playa Ojochal by the locals.

PLAYA VENTANAS: 5-10 minutes away by car. Our favorite beach in the immediate area. The setting is magnificent- the beach is lined by coconut palms, and hugged on either end by primary rainforest-covered rocky cliffs. When the tide is low, caves that go from the beach all the way through to the ocean are revealed, and can be entered and explored on foot (great fun to sing in!). From the vantage point of the waves looking back towards the beach, the unspoiled mountains behind add to the
components that make this the quintessential tropical beach. There is also a small river that runs into the ocean here - great for a fresh water rinse after an ocean swim. The ocean here is fairly calm with small waves, and is a perfect place to take the family swimming. It is still important to beware of rip tides at certain times of day.

PLAYA PIÑUELAS: 10 minutes away by car. Playa Piñuelas is located within the marine boundaries of the
Marino Ballena National Park, which was created in 1990 to protect the coral and rock reefs in
5375 hectares of ocean around the Isla Ballena, south of Uvita. It is a beautiful and tranquil bay,
also with a river, and has received a Blue flag, or ecological flag. To obtain this reward a beach
must excel in cleanliness, security, and beauty and must offer basic services to the public.
Camping, clean running water, outdoor showers and restrooms are available.

PLAYA BAHÍA BALLENA: 10-15 minutes away by car. Playa Bahía Ballena is also within the marine
boundaries of the Marino Ballena National Park. Ballena Island is visible off shore and has nesting
colonies of magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and other seabirds, as well as many
green iguanas and basilisk lizards (great to visit by kayak). Humpback whales migrate through
the area and may be sighted from December to March.

A BIT FURTHER OFF -

PLAYA UVITA: 20 minutes away by car. More secluded, this long, sandy beach in the shape of a whale’s tail, and bordering Ballena Marino National Park offers plenty of activities, as well as some great opportunities for rest and relaxation.

PLAYA DOMINICAL: 30 minutes away by car. This long, beautiful California-style sandy beach is the
best beach nearby for surfing. Swimmers must be aware of the rip-tides when the tide goes down.
If you like snorkeling, go at low tide to Dominicalito Beach (just south of Dominical) to see the coral rocks.
The town of Dominical has lots of restaurants and shops for a change of pace.

AND OTHERS…