Around Uvita

RECOMMENDED DAY TOURS AROUND UVITA

Night Hiking
Go on a nocturnal hike through a rainforest jungle or in the Drake Bay area to experience amazing insects, snakes, lizards, frogs and mammals such as opossums, raccoons, kinkajous, anteaters, bats and sloths, etc. By chance you might even encounter one of Costa Rica’s wild cats. You will be given an expert’s in-depth look at how insects mate, defend and impact the environment. Tours usually depart at around 7.00pm in the evening and last around 3 hours.

Corcovado National Park
A hike through the world’s most biologically diverse spot means a chance to encounter a myriad of wildlife such as squirrels, howler and capuchin monkeys, peccaries, lots of birds, as well as spotting whales, sea turtles and dolphins during the boat journey there and back. Departing early in the morning from either Uvita beach or Sierpe, you will enter the park at Drake Bay and spend 3 to 4 hours immersed in the rainforest. The tour includes ground and boat transfers, a bilingual guide, park fees and lunch.

Birdwatching in the Mangroves or in the Rainforests
Birdwatchers will have an opportunity to observe species such as toucans, owls, osprey, woodpeckers, parrots, tanagers, water and shore birds. In the mangroves and lowland areas you will spot several species of aquatic birds, especially abundant during the rainy season. Departure is usually early when the birds are just waking up. With the help of a naturalist guide, it is possible to encounter up to 50 bird species in an outing. Some birdwatching tours include breakfasts too.

Deepsea Sportfishing
Your destination will depend on the targeted species and the season; from Uvita and Dominical you may head for the fishing banks around Golfito or Quepos; Roosterfish, Wahoo, Marlin, Snapper, Sail fish, Tuna, Jack Crevalle are the common finds. You will have the options of going out for half a day, a full day or short of a full day. Prices usually include bait, fishing equipment, captain and crew, specialized guide, lunch, soft drinks, fruit, fishing license and insurance.

River Fishing
Experience fishing in the largest wetland of Costa Rica and Central America at the delta of the Terraba and Sierpe rivers; at least fifty fish thrive in these channels, including Snook, Red Snapper, Rainbow Bass, Grouper.

Watch Whales and Dolphins aboard a boat
You may spot several different species of dolphins and a good chance to come across some whales; some tours include a chance to see crocodiles and monkeys in the Sierpe mangrove swamp or include snorkeling. Lunch, bottled water and snorkeling equipment are included if it is a full day tour.

Snorkeling
Snorkel in the Ballena Marine National Park include visiting several popular snorkeling sites, visiting the 3-sisters island, Ballena island and sea caves. You will see colorful parrot, puffer and porcupine fish, as well as tuna, scarlet and starfish. Water, park fee, snorkeling equipment and a guide come with the tour.

Scuba Diving around Caño Island
Caño Island National Park offers five dive sites, some with rock pinnacles and arches. An experienced guide will help you explore at least two options. Parrot fish, king angel, barracudas, eels, reef sharks and stingrays inhabit these waters. During the 90-minute ride to the island, dolphins, turtles and whales may also be spotted. PADI Certification, open water and non-certification courses are available.

Kayaking
Paddle from Piñuelas Beach to Ballena Island (90 minutes), then snorkel around Ballena Island to discover a colorful underwater world, or paddle from Ventanas Beach out to explore a number of caves (60 minutes) n the area.

Horseback Riding
Horseback riding can be experienced at a working cattle ranch such as Rancho La Merced, where you will experience riding with true cowboys, driving cattle, checking calves and cows on the pastures and learning to rope calves. The tour includes a long ride on the picturesque Hermosa Beach or towards a waterfall. Other horseback riding options involve traversing primary rainforest in the Oro Verde Biological Reserve or riding along the peaceful Morete River near Uvita.

Riding to the Nauyaca Waterfalls
This tour was pioneered by Don Lulo and his family whose family farm borders two gorgeous waterfalls; one is a free-fall, 147ft waterfall and the other is a tiered 65ft waterfall with a 20ft deep swimming hole; remember to pack your swimmers. On the ride in, observe the abundant flora and fauna, then stopover at the farm for breakfast. Costa Rican breakfast and lunch cooked on a firewood stove at Don Lulo’s house are included.

White Water Rafting
Experience class II, III and IV rapids in pristine rivers surrounded by beautiful scenery, waterfalls, lush vegetation and canyons; select from one of three rivers; Guabo River (Class II and III), Coto Brus River (Class III and IV) and Savegre River (Class II and III). You must know how to swim to participate in these tours.

Learn Surfing
Surf lessons for beginners and intermediate surfers are offered on Dominical Beach; you can choose short 2-hour lessons, full -day classes, or multi-day classes. You can also choose one to one private lesson, semi-private (2-3 people) or group lessons. Surf boards will be provided. For beginners, the surf school in Uvita is another option, where the Ballena Marine National Park offer beaches that have the perfect wave size and shape for beginners.

Fly in an Ultralight Aircraft
Take a short 20-minute flight around Ballena Bay or a 30-minute flight over Ballena Marine National Park, with beaches, estuaries, mangroves, rocky reef, islets and the famous Whale’s Tail beneath. Longer flights will cover the mangrove forest south of the park. Or design your own flight to any of the following destinations: Osa Peninsula (including attractive destinations such as Drake Bay, Corcovado National Park and the Golfo Dulce); along the Central Pacific coastline (Manuel Antonio National Park, Herradura Bay, Carara Biological Reserve, Grande de Tárcoles River); and the ultralight stations in Tambor and Sámara.

Canyoning
Descend a series of waterfalls using techniques like rappelling, jumping, sliding, and boulder scrambling to pristine swimming holes. The waterfalls vary in height from the smallest of about 15 feet high to the longest at about 75 feet high. Professional guides who lead these tours are certified in wilderness first aid and CPR. Tours involve a 15 minutes ride in a 4×4 to a base camp.

Wildlife Tour in the Mangrove
Nature lovers will enjoy boating through a wildlife haven navigating the waterways of the Sierpe River; toucans, parrots, herons, egrets, jacanas, white-faced capuchin monkeys, squirrel and howler monkeys, snakes, crocodiles and fruit bats, etc. are easily sighted.

After-dark River Tour
Observe crocodiles, bats, opossums, sloths, owls, snakes, raccoons, frogs in the mangrove swamps of the Terraba River, the longest river in Costa Rica, or in the mangrove swamp of the Sierpe River. Tours depart after sun down.

ATV Tours
Rove through streams, rivers, mountains, and valleys enjoying amazing views of waterfalls, ocean and jungle and exuberant wildlife and vegetation. Visit the indigenous village of the Boruca tribe, or stay overnight in the mountain town San Vito. You will be in good hands with an expert in ATV adventures.

Canopy Zipline Tour
Experience flying through the rainforest high up at canopy level; there are various locations to choose from: the Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge near Dominical, an 800-acre private reserve south of Uvita, or the cloud forest at 5,250 feet above sea level near San Isidro.

Self-guided Walks
Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge near Uvita offers nature trails for self-guided walks through a variety of habitats: primary and secondary forest, mangrove, pasture, river, and Hermosa beach.

Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge has a system of rainforest trails which extend out to the Baru beach, birdwatching tower, orchids and butterfly gardens.

2km from Uvita, Uvita Beach and the whale’s tail beckon; walk along the whale’s tail and watch the waves roll in from both sides of the sandbar.

At low tide, you can hike from Ballena Beach to Arco Beach which offers a wondrous sight of towering cliffs, primary forest and caves.

At low tide, explore the blow hole at Ventanas Beach, bout 15 km south of Uvita; this is a safe beach for swimming.

There is a beautiful waterfall 2 km inland from the center of Uvita; a great spot to take a cool dip on a hot day. Ask any local person to point the way.