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Important information of interest

Weather, tides, beaches, favorite restaurants, waterfalls and practical tips for Uvita, Dominical and Ojochal (Osa, Costa Ballena).

Osa · Costa Ballena

Weather

Warm all year: about 24–32 °C (75–90 °F).
Dry season: December to April. Green season: May to November, with sunny mornings and afternoon rain.
Wettest months are usually September and October.

Tide chart

Daily high and low tides for each town on the Osa coast.

Ojochal

View today's tides

The Whale's Tail sandbar in Marino Ballena National Park can only be walked at low tide.
Tides change about every 6 hours; check the chart before beach, kayak or snorkel plans.
Dominical has strong rip currents — swim near lifeguards.

Favorite Dining Recommendations

Punta Mala, Ojochal

Mico Lindo Bar & Restaurant

A seafood delight, 100% Costa Rican (tico).

Official website/social pages not confirmed yet — Google Maps only.

Playa Hermosa

Gusto Italian Restaurant

Exceptional Italian cuisine with stunning ocean views.

Official website/social pages not confirmed yet — Google Maps only.

Uvita

Mosaic Wine and Sushi Bar

Fantastic sushi selection and fine wines.

Ojochal

Citrus Restaurant

Elegant atmosphere and outstanding multi-cultural cuisine.

Playa Ballena

Ballena Bistro

Fresh food, wonderful open-air ambiance, and fun Latin dance classes every Friday night 💃🕺.

Official website/social pages not confirmed yet — Google Maps only.

Dominical

Scala Restaurant

Excellent service, sophisticated menu, and a great setting.

Dominicalito

La Parcela Restaurant

Iconic Costa Rican restaurant with over 50 years of history and incredible daytime coastal views.

Questions & useful info

SIM card

Kölbi has the best coverage and its own stores in Costa Ballena. Bring your passport for the prepaid SIM. Claro and Liberty SIMs are also sold in local shops.

Tienda Kölbi — Uvita
Centro Comercial Domo, Uvita, Osa · opens Monday 8 a.m., closed Sunday · +506 800-000-1193
Tienda Kölbi — Dominical
100 m south of the school, Savegre de Aguirre, Dominical · opens Monday 8 a.m., closed Sunday · +506 800-000-1193

Money exchange

US dollars and cards are widely accepted. ATMs at BCR and Banco Nacional. Banks exchange dollars with your passport — bring it.

Banco de Costa Rica (BCR)
300 m south of the Uvita gas station · opens Monday 9 a.m. · +506 2211 1111
Banco Nacional
On Route 34 in Uvita · opens Monday 9 a.m. · +506 2212 2000
Coopealianza
500 m north of Maxi Palí, Costanera Sur Route 34 · opens Monday 8 a.m. · +506 2785 3000

Supermarkets

BM Supermercados in Uvita and Dominical, Maxi Palí (Walmart) in Uvita, plus mini-supers and liquor stores (licoreras) in every town.

BM Supermercado — Uvita
The area's largest supermarket, just off the Costanera highway.
BM Supermercado — Dominical
Full supermarket in Dominical town.
Maxi Palí (Walmart) — Uvita
Walmart's budget chain, on the Costanera in Uvita.
Mama Toucan's Natural Market — Dominical
Natural and organic market in Dominical · +506 8872 5445.
Super Dominical — Dominical
Popular market in Plaza Pacífica, Dominical.
Uvita Discount Liquors — Uvita
Liquor store with 200+ wines, beers and spirits, next to the Bahía Ballena gas station · +506 4701 3218.
Mini Súper y Licorera Israel — Uvita
Mini-market and liquor store on Calle Central, Uvita.
Minisúper y Licorera La Canalla — Bahía Ballena
Mini-market and liquor store on Avenida 3, Bahía Ballena.
Orca Mini Super — Bahía Ballena
Mini-market on the road to Playa Bahía.
Mini Súper Hermanos Vargas — Ojochal
Mini-market on Ojochal's main road, open from 7 a.m.
Super Jucaloa — Ojochal
Local convenience store in the heart of Ojochal village.
Mini Price Store — Uvita
Groceries, imported products and liquors, with delivery · +506 8576 4242.

Farmers' markets (ferias)

Wednesday & Saturday mornings: El Mercado de Bahía Ballena (Salón Comunal, Uvita). Friday morning: Eco Feria Dominical. Tuesday morning: Feria Orgánica de Tinamastes (mountains above Dominical). Hours vary by season — confirm before going.

Bus station

Tracopa connects Uvita with San José and the southern border; Transportes Blanco runs between Dominical, Uvita, San Isidro and Quepos.

Tracopa — Uvita
Buses to San José and the southern border stop at Restaurante Flor de la Sabana, Costanera Sur, Uvita · +506 2221 4214.
Transportes Blanco — Dominical
San Isidro–Dominical route (stops at Nauyaca Waterfalls) and Uvita–Quepos route · +506 2771 2550.