dominical hotels

Costa Ballena is a coastline of 40 km that reaches from Dominical to Ojochal. Located on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, it is surrounded by green lush mountains and flora that you can enjoy all year round, both in summer and in winter, a truly privileged climate. The mountains meet the ocean where the sound of the constant pounding of the waves, the deep blue water home of the whales and dolphins, and the astonishing sunsets, will make your vacations a memorable experience.



Driving down South from Dominical, after 4 kilometers you’ll find a little Tico town called Dominicalito. The bay area with the same name is an outspoken fisherman’s paradise. Most of the locals living in Dominicalito catch their daily bread (fish) starting off at this amazingly beautiful beach.

Some 6 kilometers past Dominicalito, in a small community called Puerto Cito, you’ll find an amazingly beautiful hotel called Cuna del Angel (www.cunadelangel.com). For us it’s the most beautiful hotel in the whole Costa Ballena area. The setup of the hotel, the colors, the landscaping, every little detail of the hotel is perfect. The quality of the food at the restaurant is fantastic, and the service is outstanding. Tom, the owner, knows how to take care of his guests, and will go out of his way to assure you have the best experience possible.

Driving further South, after 10 kilometers, you’ll get to Uvita, a fast growing town that is being seen as the supermarket of Costa Ballena. Lots of supermarkets and hardware stores, but also some nice hotels and restaurants. One of our favorite hotels in Uvita, or better THE favorite, a little up in the mountains, with astonishing jungle views all around, is the Cacatua Lodge (www.cacatualodge.com) Recently opened by a Dutch couple, they truly have created a small paradise within paradise. The rooms are incredibly beautiful, with lots of surprising details, and the prices are good. Last but not least, Marja and Peter, the owners, know how to prepare the best Indonesian food available in Costa Rica.

Again driving further South, after 20 kilometers you get to Ojochal, a nice little town a little bit further from the ocean, but not less attractive. Again, one of our favorite hotels in Ojochal, not in Ojochal itself, but some three kilometers past Ojochal, driving up into the mountains, after four kilometers is the Rio Tico Safari Lodge (www.riotico.com). Also recently opened, also owned by a Dutch couple, so far it has been our best hotel experience ever in Costa Rica. They have built wooden platforms with huge tents, imported from South Africa, and the ambiance they have created is typical Costa Rican. With the peaceful sound of the river below, the wind through the openings of the tents, jungle and jungle sounds surrounding you completely, this is what you’re looking for when you go to Costa Rica. The prices are really good, it almost makes you feel guilty, and the way Kees and Miranda take care of you is exactly the way you want to be treated.....as family.

Driving further South again, after 20 kilometers you get to Palmar, a typical small Tico town, on the cross road to either San Isidro going left, or Rio Claro, the OSA peninsula and the Panamanian border going right.



Costa Ballena is named after the whales that come year after year to mate and procreate. Marino Parc Ballena, well known for the whale tail, a natural rock formation in the shape of a whale tail, is only a few kilometers down South. Specially during the mating season, September, October and November, Marino Parc Ballena is a very popular attraction. Besides this beach there are many more beautiful and exotic beaches, each with a distinguishing characteristic that will cast a spell on you. There are also plenty of adventure activities to do in the area.



The Chamber of Tourism in Costa Ballena helps the ecotourism, to develop tourism in harmony with nature.

Hotel Domilocos, one of the leading hotels in Costa Ballena, is certified for their black water treatment. The treatment plant, based upon decomposing human waste with the help of bacteries, is an ecologically friendly construction. According to the new laws in Costa Rica, the outcome of this treatment plant should be water of at least 93% purity.