Visiting the Dominical area in Costa Rica on a budget? Here are 10 recommendations that will keep you and your bank account happy.
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Nauyaca Waterfalls: Hike to Nauyaca and jump off the waterfall. Nauyaca is located between Dominical and San Isidro. The waterfalls are one of the main attractions in the area. You can hike or ride horses to the waterfalls. We chose to hike. Follow this link for more information about hiking to Nauyaca. If hiking, the visit is quite inexpensive ($8 for foreigners) and one could easily spend at least half a day here. If you time it right there are guides at the cascading waterfall to assist visitors in climbing the waterfall to jump off and take the plunge into the pool. Even if you are not adventurous enough to jump it is entertaining to watch others. You could always choose to relax in the pool below the fall.
Recommendations:
- bring plenty of water, snacks and sun protection, the hike is quite long
- wear shoes that are good for hiking and can get wet
- bring a dry bag that will keep your belongings dry when close to the waterfalls
Cascada Verde/Uvita Waterfall: slide down a natural waterslide in Uvita. Cascada Verde or the Uvita Waterfall is located just outside of Uvita. This waterfall is inexpensive ($2) and easily accessible via a few minute hike. If you dare, you can climb the waterfall and slide down it. We spent a few hours at Cascada Verde. Follow this link for more information about our time at the the Uvita Waterfall.
Recommendations:
- visit in the morning, you may catch a few moments to yourself at the waterfall
- wear water shoes if you plan to explore beyond the waterfall, there are several pools downstream
- bring a dry bag so you can bring your belongings as you explore around the area
Baker Bean: stop by for a snack and specialty coffee. We stopped at Baker Bean in Uvita a few times during our week long stay in the area. It is right off of Hwy 34.
Recommendation:
- try an empanada and a coffee with whipped cream (their cream was the best!)
Playa Ventanas: look through the ventanas or caves to the sea at this beach. Playa Ventanas is named for caves that have been naturally carved out of the mountains by the water. The beach is secluded and surrounded by palm trees and mountains. Visit to hang out at the beach, swim or check out the caves. We ended up visiting twice during our stay. There was a minimal fee for parking ($2). Follow this link for more about our visits to Playa Ventanas.
Recommendations:
- visit when the tide is in to watch the water rush through the caves
- visit when the tide is out to walk through the caves
Cascada El Pavon: check out a unique waterfall with a boulder situated between the fall. This is a free off the beaten path attraction that is easily accessible. Park along side the road and walk down the short path to the fall. If you are more adventurous you can walk down stream, or you can hike up above the fall. Follow this link for more information about visiting Cascada El Pavon.
Recommendations:
- water shoes would be helpful if you plan to explore around the fall
- follow the path on the right which leads above the fall for a close up view of the boulder
Mirador Los Chorros: eat at an authentic restaurant on the side of the road with an excellent view of the valley. This restaurant is located just of the highway 243 between San Isidro and Dominical. We stumbled across it returning from San Isidro. The food is good, portions generous and prices reasonable.
Recommendations:
- visit when the sky is clear to see amazing views of the valley and sunset
- try a smoothie and the Garlic Pescado Cascado
Whale’s Tail: walk on a unique beach shaped like a whale’s tail during high or low tide. You can find it in Uvita’s Marino Ballena National Park. It is a rock/sand formation in the Pacific Ocean created by two converging currents. This also happens to be an area humpback whales gather each year. Accessing the Whale’s Tail is a bit of a walk from the park entrance in Uvita. You must pay for parking ($2) and the park entrance fee ($6 for foreigners) – but still quite reasonable for a national park! Follow this link for more information about visiting the Whale’s Tail.
Recommendations:
- visit during low tide to walk to the end of the Whale’s Tail, during low tide the rock/sand formation is exposed
- visit during high tide to experience the converging current waves meeting/crashing at the Whale’s Tail, during high tide the rock/sand formation is under water
- bring a dry bag if visiting during high tide, there is a small stream you must wade through to access the Whale’s Tail if entering the park at Uvita
- keep your entrance fee ticket, it will allow you access to additional beaches if visiting the same day (Uvita, Colonia, Ballena, Pinuela)
Bar Jolly Roger: eat burgers & wings while enjoying live music and taking in the water views. They offer 23 different wing flavors. This is located almost 2 miles up the mountain off hwy 23 – a 4×4 is needed to access this establishment. Even if you don’t like wings and music, the drive is still worth it for the view.
Recommendations:
- visit when they have local live music and make sure to arrive before sunset
- bring cash, this is a cash only restaurant and bar
- try the honey habanero garlic wings and the Bohemian drink
- try a beer from the local brewery
Dominical Beach: learn to surf. There are several rental businesses in this area that also offer surfing lessons. Renting a board for the day is quite cheap, entertaining and a great workout! If you aren’t interested in surfing this beach offers much more. During the day there are several vendors for shopping right next to the beach. There are also many bars and restaurants a block or two away from the beach. Follow this link for more information about surfing at Dominical Beach.
Recommendations:
- if you have never surfed, pay for a lesson, it will be worth it
- be aware of the tide schedule, if you are not sure of the best time to surf each day, ask the business you rent your board or take lessons from
Local Sodas/Supermarkets: stop at the local sodas and supermarkets. If you drive from San Jose to Dominical on Hwy 34 you will pass several “sodas” on the side of the road. Once you get into town you will find supermarkets in Dominical and Uvita.
Recommendations:
- buy fruits and veggies from the road side sodas – so many fresh options
- buy local marinated meats from the super market – we grilled a few nights and found the chicken to be quite delicious
We spent a week in this area and documented our experiences in a vacation video. The video includes footage of most of the attractions on this list. Check it out if you plan to visit the area:
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