At PurUvita we are fortunate to have eleven idyllic beaches within a fifteen minute drive. These beaches and coastline make up what is known as the Costa Ballena (Whale Coast), and stretch from the towns of Dominical to the north down to Ojochal to the south. Humpback whales and dolphins can be seen in our turquoise waters throughout most of the year. There are nearby islands and reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving, world class waves for surfing, tranquil bays and mangroves for swimming, kayaking and standup paddleboarding and pristine, hidden beaches for relaxing, exploring and beachcombing.
The Costa Ballena coastline looking north toward Dominical.
Playa Dominical (Dominical Beach)
Just fifteen minutes north, the charming beach town of Dominical is home to many fine restaurants, a brewpub, nightlife and world class waves. Professional surfers from around the world come to Dominical for surf competitions throughout the year. Surfing here is not recommended for beginners due to the challenging surf conditions. Many spots here are good for swimming and lifeguards are usually on duty. A paved esplanade runs along the beach and local merchants can be found selling their wares to the tourists. Dominical has recently been on the radar as the "next big thing" in Costa Rica.
Playa Dominical
Playa Roca Verde (Green Rock Beach)
Twelve minutes north of PurUvita lies this rocky point with panoramic views of the Pacific coastline. Try the nearby Roca Verde restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Playa Roca Verde
Playa Dominicalito (Little Dominical Beach)
Ten minutes north of PurUvita lies Playa Dominicalito. Offshore islands and stately coconut palms line the beach of this beautiful spot. Try the nearby Porque No Restaurant, which has good food and an exquisite view of the ocean.
Playa Dominicalito
Playa Hermosa (Beautiful Beach)
This local favorite is good for swimming and surfing, and lifeguards are usually on duty. Playa Hermosa is just eight minutes north of PurUvita. The annual Envision Music Festival takes place along this beach at the end of February.
Playa Hermosa
Playa Uvita (Uvita Beach)
Just five minutes north of PurUvita is Playa Uvita, which has been described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is known for its famous Whale's Tail Beach (Cola de Ballena), a half mile long tombolo, or sand bar, which can be accessed at low tide. It is the third largest of its kind in the world. At the end of the tombolo is a rocky reef which is good for swimming and snorkeling. From here the view of the coastline and the Talamanca Mountains is breathtaking. The Whale's Tail is the top attraction in the Costa Ballena region. The beach and coastal waters are protected as part of the Marino Ballena National Park. Near the beach entrance at Bahia there are many good restaurants and tour companies.
The famous Whale's Tail of Playa Uvita. PurUvita is located on the mountain just behind the far end of the beach.
Playa Colonia (also known as Playa Chaman) (Shaman Beach)
Playa Colonia/Chaman is the closest beach to PurUvita, just three minutes away. It is an excellent beach for swimming and surfing. Many Costa Rican families come here on vacation to camp on the beach, so it often has a nice family atmosphere; especially at night when bonfires are burning on the beach. From here you can walk north to Playa Uvita and the Whale's Tail. There is also a nice trail that runs parallel to the beach which is good for hiking or biking. Howler monkeys, white faced capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws can often be seen here. There is also a nice view of Ballena Island and the Three Sisters Islands (Tres Hermanas). Playa Colonia/Chaman is also part of Marino Ballena National Park. Flutterby House, Ballena Roja and El Sabor Espanol are good nearby restaurants.
Playa Chaman
Playa Arco (Rainbow Beach)
Playa Arco is a secret, hidden beach which is accessible from the La Cusinga Eco Lodge, three minutes south of PurUvita. A trail leads down from La Cusinga's parking lot to the beach and takes about a half hour to walk down. La Cusinga serves lunch and dinner at a nice, open air restaurant.
Playa Arco, the secret beach
Playa Ballena (Whale Beach)
Playa Ballena, five minutes south of PurUvita, is a beautiful beach with a wonderful view of Ballena Island, just off the coast. Try the nearby Ballena Beach Club or Ballena Bistro for lunch or dinner.
Playa Ballena
Playa Pinuela (Pinuela Beach)
Playa Pinuela, seven minutes south of PurUvita, is a great beach for swimming. The water is usually quite calm here, due to offshore sandbars and reefs.
Playa Pinuela
Playa Ventanas (Window Beach)
Eight minutes south of PurUvita, Playa Ventanas is another incredibly beautiful beach. It is named for the sea caves at the northern end of the beach which are accessible at low tide. The water is usually fairly calm here, which makes it a good location for swimming and snorkeling. Many restaurant options are available in the nearby village of Ojochal.
One of the sea caves at Playa Ventanas
Playa Tortuga (Turtle Beach)
Ten minutes south of PurUvita, Playa Tortuga is named for the Olive Ridley sea turtles which come here to nest from July to January. Reserva Playa Tortuga, which is located on the road going down to the beach, runs tours throughout the year. The nearby village of Ojochal has many good restaurants.
Playa Tortuga