What to Do, See and Eat in Costa Ballena

The three-hour drive from San José airport was amazing. Driving through varied landscapes and along the coast, the trip flew by and was more a part of our vacation rather than time spent in transit. Like many are encouraged to do, we stopped to stretch our legs at the well-known Crocodile Bridge, which spans the Tarcoles River. From either side of the bridge, there are crocodiles everywhere, just far enough away not to be concerning.

Visit Marino Ballena National Park: In almost a divine homage to the whales gracing its waters, two of the park’s beaches unite to shape like a whale’s tail. Visit the Park at low tide to experience this natural wonder and then enjoy some incredible beachtime snorkeling, swimming or paddleboarding.

No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a canopy tour, which is a fancy way of saying, ziplining! Definitely check out Osa Canopy Tour for an adrenaline-pumping zipline experience, and keep your eyes out for monkeys, sloths and a variety of birds — flying through the trees has the benefit of a guaranteed wildlife-viewing experience.

If it’s your thing, like it is mine, go horseback riding at Rancho La Merced. I strongly suggest opting for the Sunset Tour on which you will ride down a picturesque trail to Playa Hermosa where, depending on your riding skills, you can enjoy the beach and sunset as your horse really stretches his legs and shows you what he’s got!

Insider Tip: It’s perfectly fine to keep a walking pace and never see so much as a trot!

Go fishing - sport fishing, that is. If you’re lucky enough to catch a marlin (we caught a blue one and with all the effort that is expected to entail). Costa Rica is “catch and release” for this billfish, as it should be. Look to social media to learn more about Chavarria Sport Fishing - highly recommended to us by a fellow charter, which I would similarly recommend. While out on our excursion, we were fortunate to get caught in the middle of the largest dolphin pod our captain had ever seen. This experience was a personal highlight for me, as there is nothing better than dolphins in my world. Nearing the marina in Quepos, back on the estuary, we saw crocodiles, macaws, monkeys and toucans. Few superlatives accurately describe this experience.

While we only saw it from on board our fishing charter, it is definitely worth visiting Caño Island Biological Reserve, or Isla del Caño. Located about one and a half to two hours from Uvita, people promise that it is worth the trip, particularly for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts (the number of divers at any one time is limited because it is a reserve). The Reserve’s five coral reefs host an abundance of marine life, and the island, while not as rich in wildlife, does have many species of birds and abundant plant life to enjoy.

Visiting a waterfall in Costa Rica is a must! In Costa Ballena, it’s Nauyaca Waterfalls. The newest and easiest way to access this two-tiered waterfall is through Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park. On your easy hike to the falls, as with any outdoor adventure in Costa Rica, you are bound to see plenty of wildlife, and once there you can climb, jump and swim while you enjoy one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.

Costa Ballena has 12 main beaches along its coastline. While some, like Playa Uvita are better suited for swimming, others like Playa Hermosa are perfect for surfers. Though we weren’t there July through January to see the yearly sea turtle nesting, Playa Tortuga near the town of Ojochal was our beach favorite where we enjoyed long walks and meeting local residents.

The town of Ojochal has grown increasingly popular for its culinary scene, which while small, is definitely mighty.

• The Bamboo Room

We enjoyed the Bamboo Room and its lively in-house entertainment more than once. As if the bamboo shrimp appetizer weren’t reason enough to keep coming back, the views from the restaurant’s hilltop location inside The Alma de Ojochal Hotel, particularly at sunset, were truly amazing.

• Citrus Restaurante

A lively, upscale option that lives up to its reputation as a local hot spot. It's definitely a melting pot. We heard many different languages spoken over the course of our dinner.

• Restaurant Exotica

This place was highly recommended by our host, and we were fortunate to get a table at Restaurant Exotica. It embodies a romantic vibe and is paired with delicious food, which made for a great night. The drinks are extra lovely, adorned with colorful, local flowers.

• Bar Restaurant Los Laureles

Outside of Ojohal, in Uvita, Bar Restaurant Los Laureles. One word: Cindy. Of all the restaurants we visited, Los Laureles was by far our favorite. Yes, the food was delicious, but Cindy, the owner, and her family truly made it an extra special experience. Cindy’s kind and outgoing personality made the food taste even better. We felt like family there and absolutely loved it!

• Bar Jolly Roger

Finally, I definitely recommend visiting Bar Jolly Roger, known locally as “BJR,” in Dominical. The chicken wings were among the best we have ever had - anywhere. The garlic fries were out of this world, and the view from the restaurant is worth enjoying on its own. It’s the perfect place to channel the bar’s hanging sign that reads “Sorry No WIFI … Talk to Each Other!”