Playa Uvita is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, and it’s absolutely worth the trip. This post will tell you all about this amazing spot, including what to expect when you arrive and how much it costs. Even better, I’ll give you some tips for making sure your visit goes smoothly from start to finish!
Playa Uvita is one of the must see places to visit in Costa Rica
Playa Uvita is one of the most stunning places to visit in Costa Rica in Central America region. Here are some things to know about it as a vacation destination:
- The best time to visit Playa Uvita is between December and April, when temperatures are warm and dry, but not too hot.
- If you’re planning on staying more than three nights, consider renting an apartment or house instead of staying at a hotel; it will allow you more freedom and privacy than a hotel room would provide.
- You can get there by car (about 2 hours) or bus (about 3 hours). There isn’t much public transportation within town itself, but taxis are readily available if needed!
- There are plenty of affordable places where travelers can stay while visiting Playa Uvita–from luxury hotels with private pools right down to hostels where guests share bathrooms with other guests from around the world!
FAQ
How far is Playa Uvita from San Jose?
It’s about an hour and a half drive from the city center, but you can also take a bus if you want to save money on gas and get there faster.
How long does it take to get there?
If you’re driving yourself, about 1-2 hours depending on traffic conditions (and if you stop for lunch along the way). If you’re taking public transportation, that’ll add another 20 minutes or so onto your travel time since buses tend not go as fast as cars do in Costa Rica!
How much does it cost to get there?
There are many different options available when traveling between San Jose and Playa Uvita: taxis/cabs will cost around $60 USD per person; shuttles run by hotels charge anywhere between $30-$40 USD one-way depending on how many people are riding with them (so if two people share an SUV ride together then they would each pay half). You could also rent a car at either end of this trip but keep in mind that rental companies usually require drivers under 25 years old have their licenses validated before renting any vehicles so make sure yours has been updated beforehand!
Pros & Cons of Playa Uvita
Pros:
- This town is a great place to spend some time, especially if you’re into surfing. The waves are pretty good and there are plenty of people willing to teach you how to surf, so it’s easy for beginners as well.
- There are also plenty of restaurants and bars in Playa Uvita where you can go out with friends or family members after a long day on the beach (or just sitting by yourself). If you want something more low-key than going out at night, there are places near the beach where locals hang out during the day that serve drinks and snacks–they’re also great places for meeting new people!
Cons:
- It can get expensive in Playa Uvita if all your meals come from restaurants rather than groceries bought at local grocery stores like Supermaxi or MegaSuper (which have very reasonable prices).
“Playa Uvita is a gorgeous stretch of beach on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, near the town of Dominical. It’s definitely one of my favorite beaches in the country (and I’ve been to almost all of them!) – so if you’re traveling to Costa Rica and want to make sure you spend some time at the beach, don’t miss this one!.”
— Rostislav Sikora, Author
Uvita beach
Uvita beach is a great place to swim and have fun in the sun. The water is warm, clear and calm. There are some dangerous waves so it’s best to stay close to shore if you’re not an experienced swimmer or surfer. You can go diving or snorkeling here too! You might see lots of fish and other sea life in the ocean! Same fish you can see on Playa Linda.
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (the Whale Marine National Park) is a protected area located in Uvita, Costa Rica. It was established in 1996 and covers an area of 1,500 hectares (3,706 acres). The park is home to many different species of marine life including dolphins, whales and turtles. It has been recognized by the government as an important part of Costa Rica’s natural heritage because it protects coral reefs from damage caused by pollution or overfishing.
Long beach
- Don’t swim where there are signs. There are many areas where you can go swimming, but if you see a sign that says “no swimming,” don’t go in the water.
- Don’t go swimming alone. If you’re going to be alone on the beach, make sure someone knows where you are at all times and how long they expect it will take them to get there if something happens while they’re gone (like an emergency). You should also always have access to a phone so that someone can call for help if needed!
- Don’t go swimming if your immune system isn’t working properly or if you have heart problems or other serious health issues that could cause complications in open water such as riptides (swirling currents), strong waves/currents from storms offshore etc…
See Dolphins, whales, monkeys and sloths
There are a lot of wildlife to admire on shore too! Dolphins, whales and monkeys are known to frequent this area. Sloths are rarer, but you can see them in the trees and on the beach. They’re cute! More often you can see them on Playa Hermosa.
It’s also a good place to snorkel and scuba dive, but you’ll need your own equipment. There are some shops on the island that rent out scuba gear for a reasonable price.
There are also a few restaurants on the island. They’re pretty good and fairly cheap, but don’t expect anything fancy. The food is mostly seafood with some chicken and steak options too. You can get drinks at any of the bars on Tortuga Island as well as ice cream for dessert!
Waterfall at Playa Uvita
There is a waterfall at Playa Uvita. To get there, head south on the road from Playa Uvita toward Dominical. The road will turn into dirt and you’ll pass through a gate with a sign that says “Puerto Vargas.” Follow this road for about 6km until it forks left (there will be signs). Go left and follow this path until you see another sign pointing right to the waterfall park. Park here and walk down the path; you’ll see signs pointing left and right towards different parts of the trail system–take either one! It takes around an hour each way depending on how much time you spend exploring along the way (and if you stop at any of their picnic areas). Entry costs $10 per person per day but kids under 5 are free!
The waterfall itself is beautiful but pretty small compared to some other waterfalls I’ve seen in Costa Rica, Puntarenas region–it’s only about 10 meters high when full flow isn’t happening during dry season so keep that in mind when planning your trip 🙂 You can swim near its base though which was fun! There are also some pools further away from where most people hang out because they require hiking through dense jungle areas filled with bugs 🙂
If wildlife interests me then yes definitely check out Puerto Vargas because there are tons of animals living nearby – monkeys frequently cross paths with hikers along certain parts while others have seen sloths hanging out high up above them on trees above so keep watch especially early morning/late evening hours when these critters tend run around before settling down for bedtime 😉
What not to do:
Playa Uvita is a beautiful beach with clear water and soft sand, but there are some things you should be aware of before visiting.
- Do not feed the wild animals – they are not domesticated pets and may bite or scratch you if they feel threatened by your approach.
- Don’t swim in the ocean where there are signs! The waves are really strong there. It’s dangerous!
Do not feed the wild animals
DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE – they are not domesticated pets, and they may bite or scratch you if they feel threatened by your approach. Also, please be aware that Costa Rica has very strict laws regarding the protection of wildlife, including prohibiting any kind of feeding or touching. If you see someone feeding animals in the park (or anywhere else) please report them immediately to a park ranger or other official representative of the government.
DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE TOO CLOSE – most animals will run away from humans if given enough space but some species can become aggressive when people get too close; jaguars are an example of this behavior which is why we recommend staying at least 10 meters away from them at all times!
DO NOT TRY TO PET OR HOLD WILDLIFE – doing so puts both yourself and the animal at risk for injury as well as breaking local laws against doing so without proper permits/authorization
Do not swim in the ocean where there are signs!
Swimming in the ocean is dangerous because of strong waves and currents. If you don’t know how to swim, don’t go in the water. If you are a strong swimmer and have experience with these kinds of conditions, then it’s okay for you to go in but only if there are no signs saying “Do not swim here.”
If there are signs saying “Do not swim here,” please listen to them! They are there for your protection!
Playa Uvita is a beautiful beach town with lots of things to do and great weather year-round.
The beaches are clean, the water is clear and warm and there are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. You can go scuba diving or snorkeling in one of their many nearby caves, kayaking through mangrove forests or surfing on their world famous waves. There are also many hikes along jungle trails that lead up into the mountains where you can see waterfalls and wildlife like monkeys and iguanas! You can get more info on Google review.
Conclusion
Playa Uvita is one of the most stunning places to visit in Costa Rica. Here are some things to know about it as a vacation destination.
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