With lush jungle and beaches stretching for miles, Uvita is a playground for nature lovers. In this small coastal town, many of the activities are, of course, centered around the ocean. But there are lots of other interesting tours and attractions. In this post, we give our top picks for things to do in Uvita. We not only cover the most popular, but also some lesser-known options that will take you off the tourist trail.
1. Whale Tail/Marino Ballena National Park
The focal point of Uvita is the famous Whale Tail. This extraordinary sandbar is located at the main beach at Marino Ballena National Park (the National Whale Marine Park). Due to ocean currents, the rocks and sand in this spot form a near perfect whale-tail shape. Although the best view of the tail is from above, we recommend walking the rocks at low tide to get a sense of its grandeur. Here’s a link to the tide chart.
For more information about visiting, read our post, the Whale Tail at Uvita’s Marino Ballena National Park.
2. Whale Watching
To add even more magic, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters around Uvita’s Whale Tail to breed and rear young during certain times of year. Whale watching tours are one of the most popular activities in Uvita.
Keep in mind that whale watching is seasonal. The best time is mid July through October (peak migration is in September), though there is a smaller migration starting in late December.
Tours leave from the main beach and are on smaller boats that hold about 20 people. The beach doesn’t have a dock or marina so you wade through the shallow water to board the boat.
For lots more information, check out our post, Whale Watching in Costa Rica.
Or if you’d like to book a tour, we’d be happy to help. Just use the link below, and we’ll request the reservation with the tour company we recommend in Uvita. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website.
3. Coconut Tour
One of the most memorable tours we have done in Uvita was a coconut tour. Although learning about how coconut is processed was interesting, the guide is what made the experience.
David, a local from Uvita, is high energy and loves everything coconut. On a tour, he will enthusiastically go through the process of removing the coconut’s hard outer shell to scraping the white insides, extracting the milk, and boiling the rest into oil. You’ll learn about the health benefits of coconut and get to enjoy plenty of tastings along the way.
Many of David’s coconut tools are homemade and he lets you give them a try. Our kids really enjoyed this tour because it was so interactive.
If you’d like to book this tour, you can reach out to David on Facebook or Instagram.
4. Uvita Waterfall
A nice spot for an hour or two is the Uvita Waterfall.
This small, but beautiful, cascade is set in the rainforest just outside the main area of town. A 10-minute walk will take you to this stunning falls. You can swim in the refreshing pool or slide down, while those up for some adventure can try jumping in (always use caution!)
The Uvita Waterfall is popular and gets busy during high season (late December to April) so keep that in mind.
The Uvita Waterfall has two entrances. For more information on the options, read our post.
5. Don Emilio Coffee Tour
Coffee is usually grown at higher elevations, but since the mountains rise quickly in Uvita, you can even find a coffee tour nearby.
The Don Emilio tour is very authentic and takes you to the family’s coffee farm in the mountains of San Josecito. On a tour, you’ll learn how coffee is made from bean to cup. The best part of the experience, though, is getting a glimpse into this Costa Rican family’s everyday life.
To learn about the tour, including how to get there and book, read our post, Cafe Don Emilio: A Family Coffee Farm Near Uvita.
6. Playa Ventanas – Cave and Beach
Beaches don’t always make our list of top things to do, but Playa Ventanas is a special spot.
Playa Ventanas is a lesser-known beach about 15 minutes south of Uvita. From the water, you’ll get amazing views of the lush mountain backdrop. Add to that a cool cave that you can walk through at low tide, and it’s definitely worth making into a beach day.
7. Snorkel or Dive at Cano Island
Cano Island is one of the best places in Costa Rica for snorkeling and diving. Located off the coast of the Osa Peninsula, Cano Island is a protected biological reserve. From Uvita, the boat ride to Cano is about a 1.5 hours. Along the way, you might see turtles, sea birds, and even dolphins, which can be found year-round.
In the warm waters around the island, you can see many types of reef fish, barracuda, pufferfish, moray eels, sting rays, and sometimes manta rays and sharks. We were lucky enough to see reef sharks on one of our visits.
Snorkel tours at Cano are done off the boat and best for those with some snorkeling experience. Tours are typically a full day long.
If you’d like to book a snorkel tour, we’d be happy to help. Just use the link below and we’ll reach out to the tour company we recommend to make the arrangements. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website!
8. Surf Lessons
If you’ve ever wanted to try surfing, the beaches around Uvita offer ideal conditions. Several area beaches offer smaller waves for beginners. An offshore sandbar at Playa Chaman creates consistent rolling waves, perfect for those just starting out. The Uvita area also has beaches for more advanced surfers, like Playa Hermosa or Dominical just up the coast.
To hear about our experience, read our post, Surf Lessons in Uvita.
9. Uvita Farmers Market
One last fun thing to do in Uvita is the farmers market.
At El Mercado de Bahia Ballena (the Market of Bahia Ballena), farmers and local artisans come selling fresh produce, bread, specialty foods, coffee, homemade soaps, clothing and hats, jewelry, and even Boruca indigenous masks. Held every Wednesday and Saturday until early afternoon.
The farmers market is located in Bahia Ballena (the beach side of town). Here is a map with the location.
Nearby Day Trips
Don’t forget that the laid-back town of Dominical is just 15 minutes north of Uvita and has its own unique activities. Our Dominical Activities Guide covers the many options, including the gorgeous Nauyaca Waterfall, hiking at Hacienda Baru, and mangrove kayaking.
For those with more time, the popular destination of Manuel Antonio is about 1.25 hours away. From there, you can zipline, do adventure combo tours, hike hanging bridges, and take catamaran cruises. Check out our Manuel Antonio Activities Guide for lots more information.
Conclusion
The main draw in Uvita is definitely its gorgeous beaches, but waterfalls, wildlife, and cultural tours are also high on our list. We hope this guide has given you some good ideas for your visit.
Pin It for Later
Have a question about things to do in Uvita? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more information to plan your trip? Check out these posts:
Best Restaurants in Uvita: Our top picks for where to eat.
Rental Car Discount: The Uvita area is spread out and best accessed with a rental car (4×4 recommended). Check out our discount through one of Costa Rica’s most reputable companies.
Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go – One of our most popular posts. Learn about the customs and quirks of driving in Costa Rica.
