Travel & Flight Costs/Time
- Flight: 5-6 hours direct flight from LAX to San José.
- Roundtrip cost: I paid $480, but flights can range from $300-$600 depending on the season.
- Transportation: I rented a car, but there are shuttles and buses everywhere you can take instead.
- Drive: The drive to Uvita (where I stayed the whole trip) took about 3–4 hours, but once I arrived, I barely had to drive to get around.
Beaches/Surf
The place I stayed at was only 5-15 minutes from several different beaches. Here were my favorite beaches:
- Dominicalito: A protected beach just south of Dominical, offering calmer waves when other spots are too big. It’s perfect for beginner to intermediate surfers, with a laid-back vibe and fewer crowds, making it a hidden gem for a more relaxed surf session.
- Playa Hermosa: A classic beach break with consistent waves, perfect for surfers. The vibe is relaxed, and the beach has great fruit stands for fresh smoothies and snacks between sessions.
- Playa Chaman: This beach is my personal favorite for surfing. I’d say that once the waves hit over 5 feet, they tend to wall up a bit too much, which is when I head over to Dominicalito instead. It’s part of Marino Ballena National Park, and a small entrance fee is required, but the tranquil atmosphere and stunning surroundings make it well worth the visit. At sunset, the beach comes alive with volleyball, soccer, and surfers.
Food
Food in Costa Rica can be very affordable if you go to the right places.
- Local Restaurants: These are called “Sodas” and they offer delicious food and service from $5-$10 a plate!
- Roadside Markets/Stands: I highly recommend visiting these instead of traditional grocery stores. They’re not only extremely affordable but also offer much higher quality. I got 10 bananas for just $1! Many of these stands carry a wide range of products, from eggs and fruit to vegetables, chips, salsa, and more.
I was fascinated by how there were food options on every corner. About 99% of the places make their meals from scratch, so don’t expect your food to be ready within five minutes. However, the wait is absolutely worth it.
Hikes & Waterfalls
- Nauyaca Waterfalls: A two-tiered jungle waterfall with swimmable pools and some of the best views near Uvita. The 4 km hike through the rainforest makes the experience feel like a full-on adventure.
- Uvita Waterfall: Just a few minutes from town, making it one of the easiest nature spots to visit. There’s a natural rock slide built into the waterfall, swimmable pools, and even a small butterfly garden and animal rescue area near the entrance.
Uvita is surrounded by lush rainforest, so you don’t have to go far to find a great hike. Trails wind through the jungle, leading to waterfalls, rivers, and stunning lookout points. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way.
Culture & People
The locals in Uvita are incredibly welcoming and friendly, always ready to share a smile or offer help. While Spanish is the native language, a handful of people speak English, especially in the more touristy areas.
Weather & Best Times To Visit
Uvita has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. The dry season, from December to April, is the best time to visit for sunny weather and fewer rain showers. The rainy season, from May to November, brings lush greenery and fewer tourists, but be prepared for the rain.
