This adventure guide to the Dominical/Uvita area of Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring the country, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. This region includes a variety of waterfalls, national parks, wildlife, beaches and much more! 

This guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 15 accommodation suggestions, 6 waterfall locations (including one you can sleep behind!!), 2 hiking destinations, 3 beautiful beaches, sunset horseback riding, direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you:

1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added!

2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself!

3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!)

Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your entire trip all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback, fill out my feedback form at the bottom of this guide & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto

Dominical/Uvita, Costa Rica: the Ultimate Adventure Guide

This guide includes “Places” that you can and should click into! Within these “Places” you will get directions directly to either Google or Apple Maps (by clicking “Get Directions”) as well as my additional notes and very important links about the location (in the “Notes” and “Links” sections). So make sure to click into those! You can can click on the map icon in the upper right hand corner to see all of these places laid out on a map as well (if you’ve downloaded the Thatch app - which is free ☺️)

Welcome to Costa Rica! This country is full of tropical beaches, wild jungles, towering volcanoes, steaming hot springs, literally hundreds of waterfalls, and incredible wildlife (it contains one of the most biodiverse places on the planet!!). It really is the perfect place for an adventure! And it’s also why I find myself returning to this country time and time again - I can’t wait to show you around one of my favorite places! 

Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica! While it is always helpful to know at least a little bit of the local language, it’s pretty easy to get by here without knowing any Spanish. Almost everyone in the country speaks some amount of English and those in the tourism industry really know their stuff! You will have no problem getting around here with English and definitely bonus points if you know Spanish!

Costa Rica uses the Colon as its national currency. It's equivalent to about 650 colones per dollar but this conversion can vary so make sure to check it on Google! I would suggest pulling out colones at the airport ATMs as soon as you land. You can find ATMs at each of the locations I outline below as well so you do not need to pull out all of your money at once but I do recommend having some on hand as soon as you land. Plus pulling out money from ATMs typically costs around $5 each time you do so - plan accordingly. DO NOT go to a money exchange office you will often see at airports, they have higher exchange rates as they take a fee in order to exchange your money. Instead, go to an ATM. 

You can check with your bank to see if your debit card has a foreign transaction fee (usually between 1-3%) which will be charged when you purchase items in a different currency from your own. If you travel often, it may be worth looking into a foriegn transaction fee-free debit card such as Charles Schwab. I’ve used their card for almost 10 years while traveling because it also refunds all ATM fees from any ATMs around the world. 

A number of places in Costa Rica also accept the US dollar so if you are coming from the US, having some cash on hand is never bad to have either. Although I would still suggest pulling out Colones since not everywhere will accept USD. 

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Costa Rica so you dont have to worry about having enough cash to cover everything! Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, especially in tourism hubs but you will definitely run into small shops, markets, and some restaurants that are cash-only. You will also need cash for highway tolls! Once again, it's worth checking with your credit card company if they have foreign transaction fees before putting everything on your card! 

Costa Rica has 2 major airports, one in its capital city of San Jose, SJO, which is the country’s main air hub and another in the northern part of the country called Liberia, LIR. You can find flights to SJO from almost any major airport in the US and much of the world. For that reason, I suggest flying into SJO. Flights are typically cheaper than ones to Liberia and it has a more centralized location in the country. 

Costa Rica is considered a very safe country for tourists in general! What does that mean? Well according to the 2021 Global Peace Index, Costa Rica is ranked the #1 most peaceful country in its region (Central America and The Caribbean) and is ranked #39 out of 163 countries worldwide. It has no standing army and has had no civil wars unlike many of its neighbors. Out of the over 30 countries I have visited around the world, Costa Rica is high on my list in ones that I have felt the safest visiting. 

That being said, that doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions! Petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists but its important to always be aware of your surroundings and practice common travel safety when visiting. Read up on some Costa Rica travel safety trip before your trip at the link below:

Is Costa Rica Safe in 2020? Everything You Need to Know

ALWAYS check your country’s travel advisories before traveling to another country as safety conditions can change quickly. I have linked the US’s website page for Costa Rica travel below so that you can check before your trip!

Costa Rica Travel Advisory 

Since COVID travel requirements literally change all the time, I am just going to link to where you can find the most up to date information 

Entry Requirements

Tourist visa requirements depend on your nationality. Travelers from the US do not need a Visa when visiting Costa Rica but they must have a valid passport and a return ticket to exit the country within 90 days (your flight back home works for this!). For travelers from outside of the US, you can check the visa requirements for your country at the link below:

Visas by Nationaliy  | Embajada de Costa Rica en DC

Costa Rica has 2 main weather patterns when it comes to seasons: rainy season vs dry season. Rainy season runs from May through November while dry season runs from December through April. I will outline the pros and cons of traveling during each below!

Rainy season is also called green season since it's when the driest areas of the coast come to life with greenery. This time of year is beautiful due to all of the greenery as well as generally cheaper and less crowded, since it's the “off season.” However, it will most likely rain during your trip, typically everyday but only for a few hours usually in the afternoons. In addition, if you're traveling during the rainy season, it's even more important to rent a 4X4 vehicle. The dirt roads, especially in more remote areas like Santa Teresa, turn to mud and are impassable without a 4x4 vehicle. 

Dry Season is also known as peak season because its when most travelers plan their trips which means more crowds, higher prices (especially on rental cars!!), and the need to make reservations further out in advance. You will enjoy much less rain, dry and typically sunny weather if you're on the coast!

Ultimately, I have been to Costa Rica during both seasons and have enjoyed them equally! I definitely saw way more rain during rainy season (basically everyday) but it was kind of relaxing and we still got a good amount of sun. The dry season was nice because I never once worried about the weather (and actually never saw rain for 2 weeks!) but the prices were significantly higher. We paid at least double for our rental car during peak season and paid more for accommodations but we also did not plan far in advance. It's up to you which is more important for your trip! 

I suggest starting your trip by flying into the SJO airport (described above!) and booking a rental car to begin your trip! I would try to fly in with enough time to drive to pick up rental car and drive to your first destination before dark rather than spending a night in San Jose. 

If you do need to spend a night in San Jose because you are arriving in the evening (or flying out early in the morning for your return flight), I suggest getting a hotel right next to the airport. There are several to choose from but I have personally stayed at The Courtyard and the Hampton Inn and had great experiences at both. I have linked them below in case you need them!

Courtyard

Hampton Inn

I highly suggest renting a car for this trip! Not only does it give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, but it also lets you set your own schedule, drive to the off-the-beaten-path locations I share below that tour buses won’t get you to, and probably will end up costing less than needing to take tourist shuttles or taxis everywhere. 

When picking a rental car, I’d suggest getting a 4X4 rental car if possible! Its necessary for driving some of the dirt roads you may encounter heading to the hikes and waterfalls I include below and you will absolutely need it for Santa Teresa if you decide to include that in your itinerary. You can usually sort vehicles by this if your using a search engine to find your rental car such as Expedia or Kayak which is what I usually use! I always try to pick cars from big, well-known rental companies rather than the cheapest option from a more obscure rental company. Many people swear by Adobe Rental Car in Costa Rica so I will link it below but I have not personally rented a car with them. I have rented with Budget in Costa Rica and had a good experience. 

Adobe Rental Car

Make sure you have insurance when renting a car! Oftentimes your personal car insurance will cover rentals and even your credit card will sometimes! Call around to ask before you pick up your car so you know whether or not you will need to buy insurance from the rental agency. 

Speaking of insurance, Costa Rica has a government-issued liability insurance that they require you to purchase when renting a car. Your own car insurance or credit card policies from home will NOT have this covered because it is specific to Costa Rica. So basically you are forced to purchase it - there's really no way around it. So do not be shocked when you go to check out your rental car and the price is higher than you were quoted online - this is most likely the liability tax. It can cost between $10 - $20 a day so make sure to build that into your budget! 

You can read more about the ins and outs of rental cars in Costa Rica at the link below if you want to dive a little deeper!

How Not To Fall For Costa Rica Car Rental Scams - The Official Costa Rica Travel Blog

I know this probably seems like more hassle than it's worth to rent a car but I promise you, after paying a lot of money to sit on tourist shuttles for hours on end, I have found it the best way to get around the country! 

Now onto our Dominical/Uvita itinerary! I suggest planning at least 3 days here minimum, but 5 to 6 days would give you plenty of time to experience all of the activities! 

⚠️ A note on waterfalls & other activities in this guide below: Do every activity at your own risk! Make sure you know the proper safety precautions and protocols at each location and follow instructions of the location. While I choose to swim (and even jump) into a few of the waterfalls mentioned below, it is important to make sure that swimming is still allowed and that the water is safe to enter at the time of your visit. Especially during the rainy season when rivers can flood, the condition of waterfalls can change quickly, making them not always safe to swim in even if others have done so before or in photos. Only you know your limits!

Dominical is a beach town located on Costa Rica’s southwestern Pacific coast known as Costa Ballena. This area is made up of 3 major towns: Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal. While Uvita has more options when it comes to restaurants and hotels, we opted to make our homebase Dominical because it has more small-town appeal. Its quiter, more calm, and the town itself is more beautiful in my opinion. That being said, you can stay at either and this guide still applies! 

This area is a lesser known area of Costa Rica and has gorgeous beaches, really consistent surf, and tons of waterfalls in the surrounding jungles. It attracts more vacationing families than Santa Teresa and way less backpackers. It's also a hotspot for surfers and expats. Dominical is a slow, quiet town where the beach is the main attraction so don’t expect to find raging parties here, bars that stay open all night, or even tons of restaurants. What you will find is a peaceful town to really enjoy nature, we loved it here! 

Dominicalito, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

If you are coming from San Jose or La Fortuna, the drive is pretty straight forward if you follow directions on your maps app. It is a 3.5 hour drive from San Jose and a 5 hour drive from La Fortuna. If you are coming from Santa Teresa, its best to take the ferry back to Puntarenas and drive from there. The whole journey will take you around 7 hours. 

As stated above, we choose to make Dominical our homebase. We were able to access everything we needed, including the beach, within 5 minutes because of the small size of the town. Uvita is more spread out but does have more restaurants, big super markets, and more accommodation options.  After seeing both, Dominical definitely has more charm but Uvita has more options. Either one is a good choice just depending on what you are looking for! They are also only a 20 minute drive apart so you can easily access both places no matter where you decide to stay! I will share Airbnb Wishlists for both! We didn't like our stay in Dominical unfortunately so I will not be sharing that one this time. 

Dominical Airbnb List

Uvita Airbnb List

Another fun accommodation option is a glamping resort outside of Uvita called Serena Glamping. They offer luxury tent options and onsite pool. Click into the Place below for the booking link!

If you are looking for a really unique experience, the ArtVillas is a luxury villa complex located in the mountains between Dominical and Uvita. We accidentally drove to their property and were blown away by how cool this place was. Click into the Place below for the booking link!

If you’re looking for a centrally located spot right in the middle of Dominical, look no further than Tribe Boutique Hotel. It’s stylish, affordable, and has great reviews! Book using the link in the Place below

👉 Make sure to take into account whether the location requires a 4X4 vehicle to get to - some of the accommodations are up in the surrounding hills and require a bit more effort to reach than ones off the main roads

👉 Check whether the location provides AC or not (or if you care or not!)

Dominical is not only home to gorgeous beaches and consistent waves, but also tons of waterfalls! Check out a few of my favorite things to do in this area below! 

Also, feel free to check out my YouTube video on this area for some footage of these amazing places! 

A Travel Guide to Dominical in Costa Ballena

This is the main beach in Dominical and the heartbeat of the town. Sunsets here, similar to Santa Teresa, are the day’s main event and they are pretty spectacular. This beach is also a surfer’s paradise due to its year-round consistent waves. You can rent boards from multiple surf shops in town. Head to the south end if you're looking for a smooth sandy area to lay out as it gets rocky near the river mouth in the northern area. You can find plenty of parking in the sand lots under the palm trees along with market tables that sell souvenirs. 

Note: You will most likely see the signs but it is important to note that crocodiles live in the river that empties onto Playa Dominical. This means that it is possible for them to be in the ocean waters (as with MANY of the beaches in Costa Rica!). I am not sharing this to scare you, only to make you aware. Attacks are extremely uncommon but you can exercise caution by staying away from the river mouth which is at the north end of the beach.

Easily my favorite beach in the area! It is huge and gorgeous. We spent a day here surfing small, gentle waves with super clear water and it was one of my favorite days of the whole trip! Many people picnic and camp out for the day here in the trees lining the beach as well. 

This beach is just a few minutes up the coast from Dominical and a the perfect place to go if you are looking to get away from crowds. It is a huge, unspoiled beach that stretches for miles and is sparsely populated meaning you can have whole sections to yourself!

The Eco-Chontales waterfall is a 200 foot waterfall that drops into a blue pool below where you can wade into the water. Downstream from the bigger pool is a shallow river with several soaking pools you can sit in or kids can play. Even further down is an area where you can choose to do a 25 foot jump from a canyon into the river! Please note, you have to have permission and be shown the correct spot to jump from one of the guides that work for the waterfall company - do so at your own risk! There is also a small restaurant you can grab lunch from when it's all said and done.

It costs 3000 colones or around 5 dollars to enter which you can purchase at the office and is a short 700 meter walk to an overlook platform, then another few hundred meters down the stairs to get to the main pool. It opens at 8:30AM and I’d suggest getting there early if you want the place to yourself! 

This adventure guide to La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring Costa Rica, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. This area areas include a variety of waterfalls, hot springs, hikes, wildlife, and much more! 

This guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 15 accommodation suggestions plus where I stayed myself, 6 waterfall locations (including one of my favorite in all of Costa Rica!), 4 hot spring experiences, 2 hiking trails, dozens of direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you:

1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added!

2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself!

3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!)

Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your La Fortuna trip all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback, fill out the feedback form at the bottom of this guide & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto

La Fortuna, Costa Rica: The Ultimate Adventure Guide

This guide to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring the country, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. This off-the-beaten-path beach town is made for surfers, yogis, and people looking to connect with other like-minded travelers. The area includes a variety of outdoor experiences, including waterfalls, beautiful beaches, island boat trips, bioluminecnse bays, and much more! 

This guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 15 accommodation suggestions plus where I stayed myself, 1 waterfall location, 4 beautiful beaches, boat tours & island day trips, surfing lessons, ferry instructions, direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you:

1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added!

2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself!

3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!)

Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your entire trip to Santa Teresa all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback, fill out my feedback form at the bottom of the guide, & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto