Marino Ballena National ParkAbout Marino Ballena National Park
Marino Ballena National Park is a coastal and marine protected area on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast near the town of Uvita, named for the whale-tail shaped sandbar at Punta Uvita. The park protects beaches, reefs and marine habitat important for marine mammals and coastal biodiversity.
The park’s best-known feature is the Whale’s Tail sandbar, which is exposed at low tide and forms a distinctive natural platform for beach access and viewing. Offshore reefs and islets offer snorkeling and marine-wildlife observation, while the coastal waters are recognised for seasonal humpback whale migrations.
Created to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems and the migratory routes used by large whales, the park protects nesting beaches, reef systems and intertidal habitats important to local biodiversity and tourism.
The park is located on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific shoreline near Uvita in the Puntarenas region, accessible from coastal roads that serve the southern Pacific resorts and towns.
- Whale migration season: Humpback whales migrate past the park seasonally, with the highest probability of sightings during the main southern hemisphere season between December and April.
- Whale’s Tail visibility: The Whale’s Tail sandbar is exposed at low tide and is the park’s most recognisable natural formation and popular photo spot.
What to See#
- Whale’s Tail (Punta Uvita): The Whale’s Tail (Cola de Ballena) is a prominent sandbar and reef formation at Punta Uvita that becomes exposed at low tide and is the park’s signature feature.
- Coral reefs and islets: Fringing coral reefs, rocky islets and intertidal zones offshore support snorkeling, marine life observation and local fisheries.
Best Time to Visit Marino Ballena National Park
Dry season (Dec-Apr) is best for marine visibility and boat tours; the wet season offers greener landscapes and fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Marino Ballena National Park
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (3249 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 20° - 32° | 26° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Very Good | 20° - 32° | 26° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 4.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Very Good | 21° - 33° | 29° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 3.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 22° - 33° | 31° | 147 mm | overcast | 74% | 3.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 22° - 32° | 30° | 404 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.4h |
| June | Acceptable | 22° - 31° | 26° | 317 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 22° - 31° | 27° | 342 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.5h |
| August | Acceptable | 21° - 31° | 26° | 405 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.3h |
| September | Acceptable | 21° - 31° | 26° | 392 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 21° - 30° | 26° | 574 mm | overcast | 89% | 2.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 21° - 30° | 25° | 344 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.6h |
| December | Very Good | 20° - 31° | 25° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.5h |
How to Get to Marino Ballena National Park
Marino Ballena National Park is accessed from Uvita on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. From San José it is roughly a 3-4 hour drive on the Costanera Sur (Route 34) heading south; public buses connect San José, Jaco and Dominical to Uvita. Local boat tours depart from Uvita or nearby Dominical.
Tips for Visiting Marino Ballena National Park
- Visit during the low tide around the famous "whale's tail" sandbar for the best photos and to see the formation exposed.
- If whale-watching, book a licensed tour from Uvita or Dominical and go with operators that follow responsible cetacean-watching rules.
- Sunset at Playa Uvita is spectacular and less crowded than neighboring beach towns.