Last Updated: September 4, 2024
Dominical is probably best known for its waves, which draw surfers from all around the world. But there’s a lot more to this quirky beach town and the surrounding stretch of coastline called the Costa Ballena. What we love most about this region is the combination of jungle-filled mountains and ocean. The nearby hills are a playground for wildlife and hiking enthusiasts, and the nearly deserted beaches are the perfect escape for those looking to relax and unwind. In this post, we share eight of our favorite things to do in Dominical.
Things to Do in Dominical
Nauyaca Waterfalls
One of our favorite things to do in Dominical (and in Costa Rica) is visiting the Nauyaca Waterfalls. When we have friends or family in town, we often take them there and it ends up being one of their favorite activities too.
This two-tiered waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s most dramatic, with a 61 meter (200 foot) combined drop and a deep natural pool for swimming.
The Nauyaca Waterfalls has two main access points. One entrance, closer to Dominical, has a horseback tour, which is a fun adventure ($80 pp). They also have a self-guided hike or offer a truck ride to get to the falls.
The other option is the Nauyaca Nature Park entrance. This takes a little more driving, but they have a really nice facility. From their reception, you can either do a short hike on the well-maintained trail or they offer a ride in a truck/trolly.
For more information, check out our post, Nauyaca Nature Park: Best Waterfall Access (with Video).
Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge
One of the best places in the area for a day hike is Hacienda Baru. Hacienda Baru is a hotel and wildlife refuge off the highway just north of Dominical.
What makes this property so special is the diversity of habitats, which include primary and secondary forest, mangrove, grassland, and even beach.
Monkeys, sloths, peccaries (similar to a wild boar), white-nosed coati, and caimen are often seen along the trails. And if you’re into birding, Hacienda Baru is one of the best places around, with over 330 species identified!
The 4.3 miles (7 km) of trails at Hacienda Baru are well marked so self-guided hikes are an option. You may see more wildlife, however, with the help of one of the Reserve’s expert guides. Guided tours (3-4 hours) are around $35 per person and include admission.
For more information about visiting Hacienda Baru, including detailed info on the different trails, see our separate post.
Mangrove or Ocean Kayak/SUP Tour
If you’re looking to take in the beautiful scenery out on the water, consider a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour. These take you either through the nature-filled mangroves or to the ocean.
Mangrove river tours are great for all levels. We’ve done this ourselves and really enjoyed the experience. As you creep along the calm water, you’ll learn about this important ecosystem and get to see some of its inhabitants. Monkeys, herons, kingfisher, crabs, raccoons, and sometimes even crocodiles and sloths are seen on the natural canals.
If you’d like to book a mangrove kayak or SUP tour, we’d be happy to help. Just use the link below to request a booking. You won’t pay until your tour is confirmed. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website!
Reptilandia Costa Rica
Reptile enthusiasts or anyone with an appreciation for nature will love Reptilandia.
This newly renovated outdoor park has tons of different enclosures where you’ll see reptiles from Costa Rica and all around the world.
Snakes make up the majority of exhibits, but they also have other interesting creatures like tortoises, crocodiles, and lizards. One enclosure also has poison dart frogs, so if you’ve been wanting to see these adorable amphibians, Reptilandia is the place to go.
This is a fun spot to visit for a couple of hours and a great activity for kids. Our boys always love coming here. They also have nice gardens throughout the property, which the new owner is currently expanding.
Cost: 7,500 colones (about $15) for adults; 3,500 colones (about $7) for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are free.
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
If you want to get up close to some of Costa Rica’s most exotic wildlife, check out the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary.
This center does some extremely important work for area wildlife. They rescue and rehabilitate animals and birds that have been injured or abandoned in the wild or confiscated in the illegal pet trade, then nurse them back to health in the hopes of release.
The wildlife you’ll see is constantly changing, but the center often has white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, white-nosed coati, sloths, armadillos, kinkajous, and anteaters.
Guided tours are $33 for adults, $17 for children ages 3-12.
Tours can be arranged directly through the Sanctuary.
Whale Watching
The Costa Ballena (Whale Coast) gets its name from the hundreds of humpback whales that migrate to the region’s warm waters every year to breed and rear young. This is one of the most special areas in the world for whale watching so if you’re visiting Costa Rica during whale season, it is something you won’t want to miss.
The best time of year to see humpbacks and their babies is from August through October, with peak times in the Costa Ballena during September and October.
Whale watching tours can be arranged in Uvita. They are around $90 per person and last 3.5-4 hours.
For detailed information about whale watching in Costa Rica, read our separate post.
If you’d like to book a tour, use the link below. We’ll reserve it through the tour company we have used ourselves. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps support our website!
Diamante Waterfall and Cave
In the mountains behind Dominical is another amazing waterfall, and this one also has a cave.
You have to be up for a moderate to difficult hike to get there and it’s only possible to visit with a guide. Once you arrive, you will be well rewarded with a twin waterfall and cave as its backdrop.
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we recommend doing the overnight at the cave. The tour company will cook your meals there and provide bedding and bug nets to make for a comfortable sleep.
Day hikes are $72 per person adults. Overnights are $135 per person adults. Discounted rates available for kids.
For more information on the Diamante hike, read our separate post.
Souvenir Shopping
If you have some time after one of your excursions, be sure to peruse the souvenir shops in town and right along the beach in Dominical.
Every day, locals sets up in between the palm trees, selling everything from T-shirts, sarongs, and towels to jewelry, handmade wooden items, and even hammocks.
Need More Ideas?
Those are our top eight things to do in Dominical.
If you’re looking for more ideas, the town of Uvita is only 10 minutes south of Dominical and has its own unique activities. Our post, 9 Things to Do in Uvita, gives the options, which range from a local coconut tour to surf lessons and an easy-to-access waterfall.
The popular beach town of Manuel Antonio is also about 45 minutes north. It has more tour operators so you’ll find whitewater rafting, zip lining, catamaran tours, jet skiing, a spice farm tour, and lots more. For some of our favorite tours in the Manuel Antonio area, check out our Manuel Antonio Tours page.
Have you visited Dominical? What was your favorite activity?
Last Updated: September 4, 2024
Looking for more info to help plan your trip? Check out these posts:
A Locals’ Guide to Dominical: Read our full destination post for lots more info about Dominical, including restaurant and hotel recommendations.
Drake Bay: Costa Rica Unplugged – If you’re heading south after Dominical to the Osa Peninsula, make sure to read our destination guide all about Drake Bay.
San Gerardo de Dota: A Hideaway in the Cloud Forest – Want to cool off after the beach? This tiny mountain town is a great place to experience the cloud forest and is only a couple of hours from Dominical.
