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Looking for the best things to do in Uvita? Then you’ve come to the right place. Having visited Uvita many times, we have found the absolute best things to do, from hidden gems to popular attractions. Read about them below!
Uvita is a bit of an off-the-beaten-path destination in Costa Rica. While tourist hotspots can be a ton of fun, we head to Uvita whenever we feel like some quiet time away from the crowds.
And don’t worry, although Uvita is a small town, there is a ton to do here!
We have had so many fun adventures in Uvita, so now we’re going to share our top things to do with you here. We’re going to keep this list concise and to the point because realistically, you should be able to fit all of these fun activities into a couple of days in Uvita. Basically, this blog is going to make planning your trip a breeze!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this whale and dolphin watching tour in Marino Ballena National Park! Head out on a boat to spot some amazing marine life and go snorkeling too. Check out all the reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is popular, so book it in advance now and get free cancellation up to 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- 1. Half-Day Marino Ballena National Park Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
- 2. 3-Hour Small Group Bird Watching Tour in Uvita
- 3. Learn to Surf in Uvita
- 4. Afternoon Beach and Waterfall Tour with Sunset Viewpoint
- 5. Night Tour Through the Jungle
- 6. Half-Day Nauyaca Waterfalls Private Guided Hike
- Where to Stay in Uvita, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
1. Half-Day Marino Ballena National Park Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
- Price: $90 USD
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: Spotting whales, dolphins, and turtles; snorkeling; visiting sea caves; learning about wildlife from naturalist guide
- Inclusions: Boat ride, guide, snorkeling equipment, fruit, bottled water, Marino Ballena entrance fee
- Pickup from: Self-drive to meeting point
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check out the glowing reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Uvita is the gateway to Marino Ballena National Park, which is famous for dolphins, turtles, and humpback whales! So doing a nature cruise is a must while you’re here, and this half-day boat tour is easily our top choice.
We saw so many dolphins and whales on this tour – more than we could possibly count! And seeing a mother humpback whale swimming alongside her calf was definitely a highlight of the trip.
The best time to go whale watching in Marino Ballena is between July and November, or January and April, so I highly recommend booking this tour if you’ll be in Uvita during these months. But even if not, the dolphins, turtles, and flying fish are here year-round, so we would do this tour again at any time of year.
As well as the dolphin and whale spotting, we loved going snorkeling with our guide. He took us to a great spot near the beautiful Arco Beach, where we saw lots of tropical fish, and got to explore the hidden sea caves nearby. Arco Beach is one of my all-time favorite beaches in Costa Rica, but it can be tricky to find on your own, so why not seize the chance to be taken there by boat instead?
This tour only costs $90 USD per person, which we think is a great deal since it is the best thing to do in Uvita! It’s so much fun and one of the best ways to enjoy Costa Rica’s rich marine life.
Check availability for this popular Marino Ballena National Park tour here!
2. 3-Hour Small Group Bird Watching Tour in Uvita
- Price: $65 USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Bird watching on a private reserve, small group tour
- Inclusions: Breakfast, reserve entry, expert guide, telescopes, binoculars
- Pickup from: Self-drive to meeting point
- Rating: 5 Stars (Check out the 5-star reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
I don’t know about you, but for me, the chance to see rare birdlife is one of the highlights of visiting Costa Rica! Uvita is actually a very underrated birdwatching destination, but I highly recommend going birdwatching here because the area is home to an incredible biological reserve, where you can find some of the country’s rarest birds.
Now, you can’t just walk into this reserve; you have to visit with a tour. Luckily, this 3-hour birdwatching tour is absolutely excellent. Not only does it offer the unique chance to visit one of Costa Rica’s best birdlife reserves, but the guide, Samantha, is one of the most knowledgeable birdwatching guides we have ever met.
She’s a truly outstanding guide and she helped us spot some amazing birds that we had never seen before, including rare types of tanagers and antpittas.
This tour is such an incredible way to spend a morning in Uvita – I promise it’s worth the early start! I also loved enjoying a hearty breakfast on the reserve, too, and we even got to enjoy some live local music while we ate. As far as I’m concerned, booking this tour is a must when you’re in Uvita!
Secure your spot here in advance before it sells out!
3. Learn to Surf in Uvita
- Price: $82 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 6:30 am – 3 pm
- Highlights: Private lesson tailored to your ability, surf etiquette tips, awesome teacher
- Inclusions: Surfboard, wax, rash guard, private instructor, snacks, coconut water
- Pickup from: Self-drive to meeting point
- Rating: 5 Stars (Check out the 70+ 5-star reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Uvita is a fantastic place to go surfing, and we love catching waves at the local beaches. And for those who don’t already know how to surf, taking a lesson is a must!
Learning to surf in Costa Rica will help you get so much more out of your time here, as the country is full of incredible surfing towns. And this 2-hour private lesson is a fun and effective way to learn!
Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to brush up on your skills, Leandro will take good care of you. He gave me so many tips on good surfer etiquette and I learned a ton, from how to catch a wave to how to get out of an undercurrent and get off my board safely. It was a true masterclass and gave me so much more confidence to go surfing in other destinations around Costa Rica.
Leandro also offered some fantastic recommendations for where to surf and rent boards for the rest of my time in Uvita. He’s truly worth his weight in gold! I would highly recommend this class to anyone who feels nervous about surfing in Costa Rica. You’ll be catching waves in no time!
Check availability and book your private lesson here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Afternoon Beach and Waterfall Tour with Sunset Viewpoint
- Price: $65 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: Around 2 pm – confirm after booking
- Highlights: Visiting a secluded beach, swimming in waterfalls, enjoying sunset from a hidden viewpoint
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, fruit snacks, local guide
- Pickup from: Uvita, Dominical, or Ojochal
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check out the reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This scenic waterfall tour is an incredible way to spend an afternoon in Uvita! It visits a ton of beautiful hidden spots and waterfalls that you’d never find by yourself, ending with an epic sunset over the famous “Whale Tail” rock formation. It doesn’t get better than this!
Pablo is such a warm and charismatic guide. He took us to all of his favorite secret spots, from a tranquil beach that tourists usually miss to a super scenic waterfall with tons of swimming holes around. We had a blast jumping in and cooling off in the crystal-clear water. It truly was magical.
Obviously, tides and weather conditions change all the time, but Pablo knows this area like the back of his hand, so he adjusts the itinerary accordingly to ensure that his guests get the best experience. We would have had no idea about this, so his local knowledge really came in handy and made sure we didn’t waste any time!
Our afternoon also ended on such a high note, as Pablo took us to an amazing hilltop bar where we were able to buy some cocktails and enjoy them as we watched the sunset over Uvita. It was absolutely beautiful and such a special way to end a wonderful afternoon.
For only $65 USD per person, this tour provides an unforgettable afternoon in Uvita. I strongly advise you to book this tour, you won’t regret it!
Check the schedule and availability for this fun tour here!
5. Night Tour Through the Jungle
- Price: $85 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 6 pm
- Highlights: Spotting nocturnal wildlife you can’t see during the day, guided jungle walk with local guide to keep you safe
- Inclusions: Professional guide, lanterns, rubber boots
- Pickup from: Uvita meeting point
- Rating: 5 Stars (Check out the awesome reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Okay, so we’ve pretty much covered the best things to do in Uvita during the day, but what about at night?
Doing a wildlife night walk is a must while you’re in Costa Rica. You get to see a whole host of different creatures after dark, including some of the country’s most iconic creatures. I’m talking about blue jeans frogs, glass frogs, and yellow eyelash vipers – just to name a few!
Since Uvita is so quiet, it’s really the perfect place to do a nighttime wildlife tour, and this jungle nighttime tour is top-notch. Obviously, walking around in the jungle by yourself at night is not very safe, so it really pays to go with a guide. And with this tour, we didn’t just get any guide!
Greivin is an incredible guide who really knows his stuff, and he helped us to spot so many fantastic creatures. In fact, we probably wouldn’t have seen anything without his guidance, as darkness makes it even trickier than usual to spot elusive creatures. His passion for the local wildlife was just infectious. We came away ready to quit travel blogging and become conservationists!
Honestly, this tour is hands-down the best thing to do in Uvita at night. It’s a stellar experience and I’m really not surprised that at the time of writing, it has nothing but 5-star reviews.
Secure your spot here and receive FREE 24-hour cancellation!
6. Half-Day Nauyaca Waterfalls Private Guided Hike
- Price: $75 USD
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Time: Flexible
- Highlights: Private guided hike to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfalls, spotting wildlife in the rainforest, swimming in the waterfall pool
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, private guide, bottled water, snacks
- Pickup from: Uvita
- Rating: 5 Stars (Check out the reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: No
Uvita is already a pretty off-the-beaten-path destination, but this hiking tour well and truly whisks you away from other tourists as you visit one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and remote waterfalls. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I saw the Nauyaca Waterfalls. The towering falls are absolutely beautiful and seriously underrated!
It is so worth going with a local guide because these falls are famously difficult to find. Gabriel knows the 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) trail like the back of his hand and also helped us spot a lot of wildlife as we hiked through the rainforest. As adventurous travelers, this tour was right up our alley!
We had plenty of time to admire the falls from different angles and go swimming in the pool below, of course. We felt as though we were miles away from civilization and honestly, this experience reminded us of why we fell in love with Costa Rica.
A lot of travelers visit Uvita to get off of the tourist trail and see a more serene and authentic side of the country. That’s certainly what pulled us here! And if that’s why you’re visiting, too, we highly recommend this tour, because it makes one of the country’s best hidden-gems much more accessible.
Read more about this adventurous tour here and reserve your spot!
Where to Stay in Uvita, Costa Rica
When it comes to choosing the right place to stay in Uvita for you, location is essential. For example, those without a car will most likely want to stay near the national park, whereas those with a vehicle can choose to stay further out. If you would like more info on the different areas, be sure to check out our where to stay in Uvita blog.
Below are a few of my favorite hotels in all the different areas around Uvita.
Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa – $$$
Those looking for luxury have to check out Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa. This stunning hotel is located in the hills surrounding Uvita and is perfect for those looking for a romantic getaway. The property features spectacular views, an infinity pool, gorgeous rooms, and an included breakfast.
This is one of the most romantic hotels in Costa Rica – especially if you’re planning a honeymoon. Rates typically begin at $400 USD per night. Book online here.
Bungalows Ballena – $$
If you’d prefer to be close to the national park, Bungalows Ballena is only a 1-minute walk from the entrance to the park. This small hotel offers two-bedroom bungalows with full kitchens and bathrooms. It’s perfect for families, and they also have a pool. We stayed here last time we were in town and loved it – having our own little bungalow was convenient and comfortable.
All of the rooms have a patio. There’s also a pool and grill available for guests. Rates begin at $120 USD per night. Check availability and book online here.
Hostel Cascada Verde – $
For budget travelers, Hostel Cascada Verde is a top choice. The reviews of this hostel are fantastic. The location is on the inland side of town, meaning it’s a fair walk to the national park. However, it is right across from Uvita Waterfall and Uvita Beer Garden in a quiet area surrounded by lush forest.
Rates start at $30 USD for a one-night stay. You can check availability and make a reservation online here on Booking.com or here on HostelWorld.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Uvita is quickly becoming a top tourist destination in Costa Rica, and with the above list of things to do, it’s really not hard to see why.
I hope this blog has helped plan and inspire your upcoming trip to Uvita, Costa Rica and made planning that little bit easier! If it has, be sure to browse around and check out more of our blogs. We have so much to show you such as: