Travel Guide to Uvita, Costa Rica: Best Things to do, Where to Stay, and More
Uvita wasn’t originally on our Costa Rica adventure map. The only reason we added it was that my wife’s aunt had been there 30 years ago and highly recommended it. We’re so thankful she did, because the area is gorgeous and a perfect place to slow down and enjoy the plethora of things to do.
So, I hope that in reading this, you, too, add Uvita to your Costa Rican itinerary. You’ll love the change of pace from busier Manuel Antonio or La Fortuna to a more casual coastal paradise in Uvita.
Thanks for reading this travel guide, filled with the best things to do in Uvita, places to stay, and more. Pura Vida!
Is Uvita, Costa Rica, Worth Visiting?
I’ve been hooked! Uvita is so worth visiting if you are making your wayto the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica. Now, it’s no longer the sleepy, hardly visited, only locals’ place of the 90’s and early 2000’s. But it’s still far less busy, noisy, and expensive than nearby Manuel Antonio.
We had a fabulous time exploring Uvita for three days/two nights. We saw wildlife, waterfalls, swam in the ocean, ate great food, and witnessed epic sunsets. I strongly recommend making a trip to the area!
Best Things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica
Here are some of the best things to do in Uvita. We did some of these, but not all, due to time constraints and only being here for two-plus days. Still, we loved this small coastal town and look forward to coming back!
I provided both Viator and Get Your Guide links, as some people have a preference for the various companies.
Go Whale Watching
Just because this isn’t built up and they don’t have whale watching vessels like in Hawaii, don’t discount this area. This region of Costa Rica is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching.
They have two seasons: One in winter (December through March) and one in the summer (July through October). This means there’s a high chance of having great whale encounters when you visit Uvita.
Take a Snorkeling Trip to Caño Island
Caño Island is one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Costa Rica. Drop your face in the water, and you’re immediately surrounded by sea life cruising the bottom and amongst coral reefs.
The visibility is incredible. The boat ride out takes about 45 minutes, and the whole trip hits two different snorkel spots — so you’re getting plenty of time in the water. Fair warning: pop some anti-nausea meds if you’re prone to seasickness. And bring a GoPro. Seriously, don’t skip the GoPro.
Visit Marino Ballena National Park and the Whale Tail
This is a cool national park with no fuss. It costs $6 per person to enter, and we paid with a credit card. From there, we headed out to the Whale Tail. We were one hour past low tide, but it was totally accessible.
I’ll be honest, it was HOT out there around 10am. We started exploring the rocks past the beach, hoping to find cool tidepools, but A) didn’t see anything cool, and B) we were roasting and needed to get into the water.
Once we cooled off, everything was perfect. It’s a simply magical beach and area to explore. It’s definitely one of the better things to do in Uvita.
Distance to the Whale Tail
From the entrance, it’s about a 1.7- to 2-mile round-trip walk. On the way back, we walked in the forest to get out of the sun. Inside, we saw three groups of Macaws. It was one of the highlights.
Also, keep your eye on the water. We saw four whales out there, and a few of them were breaching!
Go to Corvocado National Park
Be aware, Corcovado National Park is a LONG way from Uvita. You can either drive three-plus hours one way or take a 1.5-hour boat ride. Either way, you’re in for a full day or more. (You can also fly in, but that’s a separate discussion.) (If you plan to drive, you should spend two nights on the peninsula to make it worth it.)
For this article, we’re going to assume you’ll do the day trip and come back.
Corcovado is one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. Now, will you see the rare pumas or jaguars? Who knows. But you’ll be in a beautiful place that people long to visit if you’re into birds or wildlife.
Wildlife Night Tour
You can do these tours all over the country. We did ours in La Fortuna and had a fantastic experience. Saw Red-Eyed Tree Frogs (and seven other kinds), a pit viper, a sloth, and more. If you want to see frogs, this is the way to do it!
Swim at Nauyaca Waterfall
One of our top moments in Costa Rica! The Nauyaca Waterfall is picturesque, swimmable, and a great thing to do in Uvita! There are two companies that control both sides of the river. We went to Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park (a further drive) and found them to be a wonderful host.
I can’t speak to the other company, but it’s much closer and easier to reach. (My parents went through them and had no issue.)
Quick hike to Catarata Uvita
This is near the Whale’s Tail Brewery. We didn’t get to go, but a couple we met also grabbed a beer seemed to like it. It’s nothing big or impressive, but it sounds like a fun time! This guide explains it well.
Watch the sunset on Uvita Beach
One of the highlights of the trip. We spent two nights on the beach for sunset, but the second night had clouds and low tide, and the combo knocked our socks off. It was so majestic and wild. I’ll just let the photos do it justice. Enjoy.
Explore Arco Beach and its caves
Most people walk right past the turnoff for Playa Arco and head straight to the main beach — and honestly, that works out great for everyone who actually finds it. Tucked beneath a dramatic natural rock arch, this little beach is one of Uvita’s best-kept secrets.
Hit it at low tide and the tidal pools come alive — sea urchins, crabs, tiny fish darting between the rocks. It’s quieter, wilder, and feels like you stumbled onto something most tourists completely miss. Check the tide charts before you head out — it changes the whole experience.
Go Kayaking
If you want a slower, more laid-back morning on the water, renting a kayak and paddling along the coast of Marino Ballena National Park is hard to beat. The water is calm, the jungle tumbles right down to the shoreline, and if you time it with low tide, you can paddle all the way out to the famous Whale Tail sandbar.
No experience needed. Just show up, grab a kayak, and go. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, they love this stretch of coast.
How Many Days in Uvita?
Our Costa Rican honeymoon only called for two nights in Uvita. But looking back on how much fun we had down there, I would recommend three nights. This is for a few reasons.
Odds are, you’ll go to Nauyaca Falls, which will take up a decent chunk of your day. And from Uvita to wherever you go (La Fortuna or San Jose), that’s going to be almost an entire travel day as well.
So, to truly get a good sense of the town and check off the best things to do in Uvita, two full days there without a long drive will let you slow down and enjoy the finer things about Uvita.
Where to Stay in Uvita
Our Airbnb at Mana Bungalows was more than perfect. It was mostly quiet (road right next to us), but the pool was pristine, and the interior was A+.
Other nice places to stay in Uvita:
Mid-Tier: Hotel Uvita Forest | Hotel Ballena REY
Luxury: Hotel Three-Sixty | Golden Pineapple Villas | Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa | Kura Boutique Hotel
Want to book with VRBO? Click here to find houses in Uvita.
What restaurants did we like?
We had zero complaints about the food and drink options in Uvita.
Dinner #1: Fernando’s Restaurante – Salmon pesto pasta amazing, magaritas tasty… don’t remember what my wife had (maybe fish?) Definitely a great spot to eat at.
Dinner #2: Mystic Sushi – So yummy! We got poke bowls, which had so much flavor and substance. And we also got two rolls. It came out to be around $45 for two.
Quick drink spot: Restaurante Nativo – We stopped here after watching the sunset for a quick drink. Great vibes.
Brewery: Whale Tail Brewery – We usually go to a lot of breweries, but this was the only one on our Costa Rican road trip. They had had a big event the night before and were out of some beers. So, the ones that were there weren’t my favorite. But I’m not holding that against them. Their back area is so green, and we saw a handful of cool birds. Highly recommend.
Breakfast morning #1: Restaurante Las Esferas – Just a short bike ride from our Airbnb and 1 minute from the entrance to Marino Ballena National Park. The breakfast burritos were fantastic, as was a smoothie.
Breakfast morning #2: Kinsu Restaurante – Another great spot for breakfast. We rode our bikes here again and were basically the only ones there midweek. I got the classic Costa Rican breakfast (eggs, rice, beans, plantain) and loved it.
What to know about traveling to Uvita
Driving there
Uvita has only had paved roads into town from Quepos since the mid-2010’s, which somewhat blows my mind. But it’s also the best stretch of road to drive in all of Costa Rica. Because it’s newer and there are no developments between the two towns, no one is turning left or right to slow down traffic.
It was the only time I felt like I was back in the US, getting to go 50-65mph.
However, the rest of the drive from the north (we came from Tamarindo to Manuel Antonio and then Uvita) was tedious and slow. If you have money, maybe take a quick flight from San Jose to Quepos airport and save yourself some time.
Distance from Manuel Antonio: 60 minutes. It’s only 35 miles or so
Distance from San Jose: 4-4.5 hours, depending on the route (and if you avoid construction)
Did we feel safe in Uvita?
Yeah! My wife and I felt pretty safe in Uvita. The only time we were a little nervous was on the beach for sunset, and I had my professional camera with us. Otherwise, our Airbnb had a gate, and driving never felt sketchy.
While I can say “hey, it was all sunshine and rainbows,” there is always the chance for petty theft. So, be smart: keep your valuables in secure places (or on you) and don’t leave them in cars.
When should you visit Uvita, Costa Rica?
Best time: February & March. Uvita’s weather is most enjoyable during February and March, with comfortable temperatures and a good balance of sunny and rainy days. February has only about 7 days of rain, and March sees the maximum hours of cloud-free sun, peaking at 7, along with the lowest relative humidity.
Also good: December, January, April. The full dry season runs roughly December–April. April is the last month of the dry season, but be aware that Easter week draws huge crowds of both international tourists and locals to the beaches — book as early as possible if traveling then.
Green season wildcard: July & August. Expect heavy rain, but humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Costa Rica to breed during this period — whale watching off Uvita is world-class. If you don’t mind rain and want fewer crowds and lower prices, it can be a rewarding trip.
Not great, but cheaper: May, September, October. October is the wettest month, averaging around 959mm (38 inches) of rainfall. May is a close second with nearly 866mm, and September is nearly as intense.
| Month | Avg High | Rainfall | Rainy Days | Season | Visit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 86°F (30°C) | 210mm (8.3″) | ~11 | Dry | ✅ Great |
| February | 87°F (31°C) | ~37mm (1.5″) | ~7 | Dry | ✅ Best |
| March | 89°F (32°C) | 138mm (5.4″) | ~8 | Dry | ✅ Best |
| April | 90°F (32°C) | 138mm (5.4″) | ~11 | Transition | ✅ Good (crowded Easter) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 866mm (34.1″) | ~28 | Wet | ⚠️ Very rainy |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | ~500mm (19.7″) | ~25 | Wet | ❌ Avoid |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | ~450mm (17.7″) | ~22 | Wet | ⚠️ Rainy but whale season |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | ~500mm (19.7″) | ~23 | Wet | ⚠️ Rainy but whale season |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | ~700mm (27.6″) | ~25 | Wet | ❌ Avoid |
| October | 76°F (24°C) | 959mm (37.8″) | ~21 | Wet | ❌ Wettest month |
| November | 80°F (27°C) | ~350mm (13.8″) | ~18 | Transition | ⚠️ Getting drier |
| December | 84°F (28°C) | ~107mm (4.2″) | ~12 | Dry | ✅ Great |
Final Thoughts on Visiting and Things to Do in Uvita
You’re in for a treat when you visit Uvita! As you can see throughout the article, the joy and admiration for this small coastal town are high. This is the place to unwind, slow down, and enjoy the small things.
Spend time on the beach, go snorkeling, and see whales. If you get to do the trifecta of things to do in Uvita, you’ll leave with the best memories.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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