Traveling to Dominical, Costa Rica

A VIRTUAL TOUR OF DOMINICAL DOWNTOWN

As you arrive from Manuel Antonio on the new coastal highway, you first come across the traffic police check point just before crossing the Baru River. After crossing the bridge, you come to a turning on the right hand side which takes you into the town itself.

The dirt road is full of pot holes so take it slow. First up on the right is a real estate office and next to it a tour booking center where you can rent ATVs. Café Delicias is up next, the best place for snacks and coffee; it’s part of a chain of similar cafes in Costa Rica. Hotel Rio Lindo and its Rum Bar follow - a popular drinking spot in the evenings. They serve basic bar foods and do a special roast and vegetables occasionally.

At the T intersection you are facing the Pueblo del Rio shopping complex, if you turn to the right you can walk for about an hour all the way on a quiet riverside road, which is the old road from Dominical to the village of Baru. A most pleasant walk to escape the heat of the day as it is shaded most of the way, and halfway there is a turnoff to a picnic spot on the riverbank, a perfect place to cool off. If you have dogs with you, they will enjoy the river which for most of the year is safe for a dip. One of the better hotels in the area, Hotel Rio Mar is situated on this riverside road.

Turn left at the Pueblo del Rio and you will be on the main downtown road which leads to the main beach, Playa Dominical. Immediately on your right is Pueblo del Rio where you find the Land Assurance real estate office, a souvenir shop, the Coconut Spice Thai Restaurant, Andy Mar beauty salon and some mini self-storage. There is a local soda as well. The Thai Restaurant has been here a while, they try hard but Dominical is not Bangkok.

Next up is the Dominical Doctor and a Drug store. The Kiya gallery next door has some nice art and general artifacts. Opposite them on the left hand side is the Green Leaf real estate office, one of many around.

An adventure education and Spanish class center follows, then The Maracatu Bar and Restaurant. This has been around for a few years and the food is not that bad. Fresh Fish is a specialty. The atmosphere at the bar is okay for a couple of drinks in the evening.

On the left the football field hosts local games, and up next is the San Clemente bar and restaurant, a popular evening spot for drinks and dance. It has a simple food menu. San Clemente shares this commercial center with a post office, an internet café (which has about 10 stations), the Southern Wave surf house which has all kinds of surf gear and a souvenir shop. DHL service is available at the post office here.

Opposite San Clemente you will see the Southern Expeditions Tour office that operates a reputable daily tour schedule to all the nearby attractions. The Suraza Soda is next door to it, followed by a new two-story building which houses a law firm on the second floor and Chapy's Sandwiches and smoothies downstairs - here you can get a creative variety of healthy wraps, sandwiches and yummy drinks. In the same building is an adventure center which offers surf lessons, one of many surf businesses in Dominical given this is a surfers haven.

Next up is Bamboo yoga and dance and its retail shop, and a new mini supermarket. The owners upgraded from a small hut they operated out of before and now offer a wider range of groceries and fresh fruit and vegetables, and a separate wine and beer store. The local church and school are opposite, and a soda restaurant nearby offering Tico style snacks.

Some simple cabinas can be found at Posada del Sur, next to the Arena y Sol hotel which offers an internet café and restaurant with simple hotel rooms. Another surf shop comes next and you are now at the main local bus stop outside ICE, which every resident depends on for electricity, phone lines and cell phones.

if you turn right here you are headed directly to the beach. Past a mini grocery and liquor store is the Hotel DiuWak with an Italian restaurant. The Solid Rental Car company has an office here. Nearby is another surf equipment hire and surf lesson shop.

Past another real estate office and you come to the main beach area which has numerous surf shacks, budget rentals and backpackers accommodation, surrounding the famous Tortilla Flat, with a bar and basic rooms, a hot spot to meet up for a lively night out. Nearby are the Antor hostel, San Clemente cabinas and a Backpackers hostel.

If you walk along the beach towards the south you can come back in a loop, or you can carry on walking to The Refuge, which claims to offer the best burgers in town, and down an alleyway you will come to Hotel Domilocos with an Italian restaurant.

That’s a quick tour of Dominical downtown. Enjoy!!

To find out where Dominical is in Costa Rica go to Costa Rica Maps and select 'Puntarenas' province. For a quick overview on provincial boundaries simply slide your mouse over the Costa Rica Map on CostaRicaBedfinder.com.