Dominical

General Information:

Location: 28 miles south of Quepos on the South Pacific Coast

Weather: Hot during the day, cool ocean breezes at night. Rainy season is from May-November.

Temperature: warm and humid year round, average temperature: 83° 

Altitude: Sea level

Learn about the South Pacific Tourism Region

 
Read our Dominical adventures on our travel blog 

About:

If the crowds of Jaco are not your style, Dominical, a tranquil beach town just south of Quepos, might become your favorite hideaway. A place of breathtaking scenery and killer waves, Dominical has escaped the mass development so prevalent on other Pacific Coast beaches. The 28-mile stretch of road between Quepos and Dominical has finally been paved, meaning quicker access via the southern coastal highway.

Popular with surfers over the years, Dominical has only recently seen a rise in tourism. The intrepid will find mountains that jut up from the coastline and frame long stretches of palm-fringed beach. The spectacular scenery may inspire lots of hammock time, where non-surfers can watch boarders tackle big waves.

Wildlife enthusiasts will love nearby Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge, where sloths, monkeys and toucans are frequently spotted in the rainforest. Ecotourism is the primary source of income for the refuge, which attracts travelers with a variety of nature tours, including a tree-climbing adventure, rainforest hike, canopy tour and several birdwatching excursions.

At Ballena National Marine Park just south of Dominical, swimmers and snorkelers can enjoy calmer waters. The park is also a hot spot for dolphin and whale watching.  In this watery realm, named after the humpback whales that migrate there from August - October and December - April, visitors can explore miles of deserted beaches, mangrove forests and coral reefs. Protecting more than 13,000 acres of ocean and nine miles of coastline, the park also serves as a nesting site for endangered Olive Ridley and hawksbill sea turtles.

Tour companies in Dominical offer a variety of trips for thrill-seekers, including sea kayak adventures and day trips to Cano Island and Corcovado National Park. Sport fishing is also taking off, and anglers can fish both in and offshore for roosterfish, marlin, tuna and sailfish.

New hotels, surf camps and language schools are popping up in town, a sure sign that Dominical is now on the travelers’ radar. With its pretty beaches, rugged mountains and amazing biodiversity, the area is soon to become a preferred vacation destination.


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