Uvita

Uvita is a small town in South Pacific Costa Rica south of Dominical, and north of Ojochal.

Understand
Uvita is in the heart of Ballena Marine National Park. There has been a tremendous influx of foreigners moving into Uvita. Uvita was once considered "remote" but now features numerous grocery stores, banks, doctors, dentists, Internet cafés and a thriving expat and local culture.

Uvita is the name of the settlement along the highway. The touristy area near the beach is called Uvita Bahia.

By bus
From Quepos, take a bus to Uvita.

From San José, you can take the bus via Quepos or take the bus to San Isidro (de Perez Zeledon/de General) and from there the bus to Uvita. The first option is longer, but a great drive next to the ocean. The second one a shorter ride, and great view over a great mountain range.

From Palmar Norte and south of there, the bus to Dominical goes by Uvita, or the Uvita bus stop at the town.

By plane
You can fly into Palmar Sur via Sansa or Nature Air.

To get to Uvita from San José SJO airport, you can take Easy Ride Shuttle Services. They run shuttles twice a day in moderns vans and A/C. They go through the coast and the trip is 3½ hr&mdash;a lot faster than regular bus for a price of course.

By car
Or rent a car and drive yourself.

Get around
Uvita consists of the centre of town right next to the highway, the "original" Uvita, and the Bahía part next to the Ballena Marine National Park at the beach. Both parts are about 2 km apart and, unfortunately, the town centre near the highway exhibits the most important amenities like supermarkets, ATMs and many restaurants. Also, while there are buses going into Bahía, along the highway it is much easier to catch a bus north or south along the coast.

Most of Bahía is easily explorable by foot, but you might want to take a bicycle or taxi for the town centre of Uvita.

Do






Eat
You will find a great deal of places, from a drive thru hot dog place, to lots of little sodas (small little restaurants that are traditional all over Costa Rica. Seafood is great. Uvita is on the ocean. Pizza places are around, La Fogata is the oldest and best one, they also have great BBQ chicken. For more upscale you can visit Terrazas, up in the hills of Uvita, great view. Also La Cusinga Eco Lodge, the first hotel in the area, a truly eco lodge. Call ahead for reservations, as it is by reservation only. La Cusinga offers a great view of Ballena Marine National Park. They have trails and a private preserve. A new Mexican place is open, next to the gas station.

Drink
Well you are at the beach and a hot sun will make you search for a cool drink, along the beach there are a few bars, also in the main road there are a few too. there are always something happening, Karaoke, ladies night, a soccer match on TV. Try the local beer, Imperial, or the Cacique ron. Some of the place are Marino Ballena, Almendros, Pachanga, Delfines, and some that come and go. For a more upscale sunset relaxing mood Terrazas is the place, drink special, and movie nights are always popular.

Sleep

 * Canto Ballena
 * Rana Roja Cabins
 * Nido del Halcon
 * Cabinas Gato

Go next

 * Playa Hermosa (Osa) – The name says it all, but also home to the Playa Hermosa Reserva Biologica, a conservation project up in the steep hills and home to ancient tropical trees of over 1,000 years old.
 * Dominical – A surfing destination with a small town and good nightlife scene in the north end of the South Pacific, but pricier than Uvita.
 * Nauyaca Waterfalls – Big waterfalls nearby (10 km North of Dominical)