Costa Ballena: Domi, Uvita & Ojochal In recent years it is no longer the undiscovered gem of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, news is out, people have definitely gotten the memo. And yet, it remains abundant in wildlife, full of local character and ruled by the natural elements of the earth. Costa Ballena has become a congregation of international minds and as a community is made up of three coastal towns: Dominical, Uvita-Bahía and Ojochal. Physically, it is designated as starting from the Río Barú until Boca Coronado.
• Dominical is a sleepy surf town where a big river mouth meets the ocean. Big heavy waves are commonplace.
• Uvita-Bahía is the bustling urban centre where essential services can be found as well as the famous Whales Tail National Park.
• Ojochal is the most removed and slow paced among the three where many retirees and young families have found safe haven.
Rainy Season and San Juan San Juan, loosely translated as the Dog days of summer, usually lasts about two weeks giving awesome summer vibes in July, and a slight reprieve from the rainy season, which usually starts in April or May and lasts until end of October and sprinkling into November. In May, the rainy season starts with just a few drops in the evening and as we get into the thick of the “Green Season”, as many have dubbed it, as plants begin to flourish again and the jungle becomes a vibrant green that you can feel pulsate as the plants breath. As we move into the wet season rain becomes longer at nights and pepper our days until it finally tappers out. This last year, was indeed a wet one and climates are changing worldwide, who is to know what our rainy seasons will become. But if you do get caught in the rain, stop in at your nearest corner bar and try their chile guaro! Every place has their own recipe and sometimes you can even order a small pitcher, it’s like the Japanese version of sake, but served iced cold. Some are spicy, some are more mild, and each have their own local flavour.
Humpback Whales are in the zone!
Easily spotted from the coast, the majestic Humpback Whales grace us with their annual presence. The southern hemisphere whales, these from Antartica, can be seen from August to December, and those from the northern hemisphere, from Alaska, mate from December to April. Don’t miss your chance to see them in Costa Ballena! After all, it’s where our coast gets its name.
