Places to See in Dominical

Miles of deserted beaches, Costa Rica’s only marine park, a funky surf town, and lush rainforests teeming with wildlife await visitors to the Dominical area.

Beaches:

Baru Beach
Just north of Dominical lies Baru beach – a two-mile stretch of cocoa sand, scattered driftwood and powerful surf. The lonely shore, which is part of Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge, has a wild and raw feel about it and is not safe for swimming due to strong riptides.

Dominical
Popular with surfers over the years, Dominical is a place of spectacular scenery and killer waves. Unusual conditions formed by Rio Baru ensure consistent beach breaks year-round. The intense waves usually draw a more experienced crowd. Powerful currents and riptides are fairly common; visitors should use caution and heed the red safety flags on the beach. A lifeguard tower is usually manned daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The area is much less developed than other Pacific beach towns, and attracts both surfers and globe-trotters from around the world with its steady waves and laid-back atmosphere. The small village has a nice selection of hotels and hostels, bars, restaurants and tour operators.
 
Dominicalito
A mile south of Dominical, the rocky shore of Dominicalito offers smaller waves for the beginning boarder and a decent place to swim. There are plenty of surf shops in Dominical, all of which offer board rentals/sales and surf lessons.

Playa Hermosa
Continuing south, Playa Hermosa is the perfect beach for swimming and sunbathing. The long, arcing shore is relatively empty compared to Playa Dominical. 

The Costa Ballena
Beginning with Playa Uvita and including a number of beaches to the south, the Costa Ballena encompasses a stretch of beautiful and rugged shoreline, where lush mountains form the backdrop to a chain of tranquil seaside communities. At low tide, visitors to Punta Uvita can walk out to the famous rock and reef formation that perfectly resembles a whale’s tail.

Much of the coast is protected by Marino Ballena National Park, which shelters the fragile marine ecosystem. Many visitors have fallen in love with Playas Uvita, Ballena and Ojochal and later relocated permanently. Canadians, Germans, French and Americans make up the bulk of the ex-pat population. One benefit of such an international community is a selection of fabulous bakeries and restaurants nestled along the coastal highway.

National Parks, Reserves and Wildlife Refuges:

Marino Ballena National Park
In this underwater park, named after the humpback whales that migrate there from August - October and December - April, visitors can explore pristine beaches, mangrove forests and coral reefs. Located south of Dominical on the Costa Ballena, it protects more than 5300 hectares of ocean and nine miles of coastline and also serves as a nesting site for endangered Olive Ridley and hawksbill sea turtles. Bottle-nosed dolphins, humpback whales, iguanas and nesting sea birds are frequently observed... Read More

Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife enthusiasts will love nearby Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge, where sloths, monkeys, coatimundiand 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 and adventure tours including a tree-climbing adventure, rainforest hike, canopy tour and several bird-watching excursions. 

In addition to Baru beach, the refuge includes 4.5 miles of self-guided trails, a bird-watching tower, orchid gallery and butterfly garden. Travelers can lodge at Hacienda Baru in one of their six airy cabins which each accommodate up to six people... Read More
 
Parque Reptilandia
Housing more than 65 species of reptiles and amphibians, Parque Reptilandia is a bonanza of forked tongues, claws and scales. Located on the outskirts of Dominical, the park features a myriad of creatures from petite poison dart frogs to enormous lizards and snakes. Guests can glimpse Mexican beaded lizards, eyelash pit vipers, terciopelos and giant boa constrictors. The star attraction is a fearsome-looking Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. Every Friday is feeding day. Tel: 2787-8007
 
Oro Verde Nature Reserve
Located 11 miles south of Dominical, Oro Verde is a family-run reserve overlooking Marino Ballena National Park. Visitors can join birding, hiking or horseback tours and observe a variety of wildlife on the private 150 hectare sanctuary. Tel: 2743-8072
 
Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge
Situated near Punta Uvita, this 1250 acre refuge offers horseback riding and nature hikes through primary rainforest and secondary growth. The refuge hosts over 300 species of birds which can be observed on guided tours.

Waterfalls:

Nauyaca Waterfalls
Six miles outside of Dominical, Don Lulo’s Horseback Tours is a family-run affair with over 80 horses which are rotated regularly. Visitors travel 3.75 miles on horseback into a scenic valley where the Barucito River flows. After a traditional breakfast, guests continue on to the 130-foot high waterfall for an hour of swimming and relaxation. Tour includes guides, Tico-style breakfast and lunch, and horses suited to all riding levels.

 

Day Trips:

Cano Island
Dominical visitors can arrange a day trip to visit Cano Island Biological Reserve, famous for its coral reefs and marine life. A full-day tour includes roundtrip boat transportation from Dominical, bilingual guide, snorkeling and /or scuba diving, beverages and lunch on the beach. Humpback and pilot whales, dolphins and manta rays are frequently spotted.

Corcovado National Park
Observe four species of monkeys and the country’s largest scarlet macaw population on a day trip to Corcovado National Park. Considered one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, the park hosts many rare and endangered species including the Baird’s tapir, at least four species of wildcat and white-lipped peccaries. The tour includes roundtrip ground transportation from Dominical, lunch, naturalist guide and park entrance fees.

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