Activities
Things to do near Villa Ballena
Uvita sits at the center of the Costa Ballena — whales below the villa, waterfalls in the hills, surf at Dominical and Costa Rica's best small-town restaurant scene in Ojochal.
Marino Ballena National Park
Walk the famous Whale's Tail sandbar at low tide — the same formation you'll see from the villa's pool. Calm beaches, snorkeling and ranger-led access.
Whale Watching Tours
Humpbacks visit twice a year — December–March and July–November — making Uvita one of the best whale-watching destinations on Earth. Boats leave from the park daily in season.
Uvita Waterfall
A jungle swimming hole with a natural rock slide, minutes from town. Go early for the quietest swim.
Surfing at Playa Dominical
A classic Costa Rican surf town with consistent beach break, board rentals and lessons for every level — plus laid-back beachfront sodas for lunch after.
Dining in Ojochal
The Costa Ballena's celebrated culinary village — French, Indonesian, Italian and Costa Rican kitchens tucked into the rainforest, all a short drive from the villa.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
One of Costa Rica's most spectacular falls — a two-tiered, 200-foot cascade reached by hike, horseback or 4x4 truck. Bring a swimsuit.
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
Guided tours of a working rescue center — sloths, monkeys, toucans and the stories of their rehabilitation.
Caño Island Snorkeling
Boat tours run from Uvita to one of Costa Rica's top snorkel and dive sites — sea turtles, rays, reef sharks and dolphins along the way.
Sunset from the Pool
The activity our guests mention most. The Pacific, the Whale's Tail and the sky doing its nightly show — no reservation required.
Activity photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors (CC BY / CC BY-SA) and Unsplash. Villa photos © Villa Ballena.
Getting Around
Everything radiates from Uvita
Villa Ballena sits on the hillside above Playa Ballena, between Dominical and Ojochal on the Costanera Sur Highway. A rental car makes the whole coast yours — most activities are within a 20-minute drive.
Your Base on the Costa Ballena