The Best Places to Visit Near Uvita, Costa Rica
Uvita sits in a strange, useful spot on the map: close enough to both coast and rainforest that, without hours of driving every day, you can see waterfalls, a marine park, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, and one of the most biodiverse national parks on the planet. Here’s what’s worth seeing while you’re in Uvita, ordered from closest to farthest.
Uvita Waterfall (5 minutes from our door)
The closest of them all — literally 600 meters from Hotel Uvita Forest. It’s a small but pretty waterfall with two swimming pools (the upper one colder, the lower one turquoise with a calmer current). Entrance has a small fee (~₡1,000), paid at the restaurant by the entrance, and the walk in from the main road is easy, about 20 minutes. A good morning stop before heading out on a longer tour.
Marino Ballena National Park and the Whale’s Tail
The icon of the area: a sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail, visible only at low tide, inside a marine park that’s also the best spot for humpback whale watching. We wrote a full guide with sectors, hours, and fees — you can read it here.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Two spectacular waterfalls near Dominical (about 25-30 minutes from Uvita), with a large swimming hole in front of the main falls. You can hike in (12 km round trip, demanding in the heat) or go by 4×4/horseback, which is much easier. A half-day trip, 3 to 5 hours depending on how you go.
Finca 6 — Stone Spheres (UNESCO World Heritage)
About 40 km / 35-40 minutes from Uvita, near Palmar Sur, is one of Costa Rica’s most unusual archaeological sites: dozens of pre-Columbian stone spheres, some over 2 meters across, made by the Diquís culture more than 500 years ago. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2014. It’s a small, easy site — 1 to 2 hours, flat trails — great for the whole family. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm; entrance around $7.
Corcovado National Park
National Geographic once called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” It’s the largest, wildest national park on the Osa Peninsula — jaguars, tapirs, all four of Costa Rica’s monkey species, and real primary rainforest. It’s not a short trip: you get there by boat (1.5-2 hours each way, usually from Sierpe or Drake Bay), a certified guide is mandatory, and the full day runs 10 to 12 hours. Worth it if you have a full day free and decent fitness.
Caño Island
A biological reserve about 1.5 hours by boat from the Uvita/Sierpe area, famous for its water visibility — among the best in Costa Rica for snorkeling and diving. You can visit by snorkel (moderate level, you need to know how to swim) or certified scuba diving (two tank dives). It’s a full-day trip, typically 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Uvita Farmers Market
Saturday mornings only. Fruit, coffee, and local products straight from the producer, well below supermarket prices — bring cash in colones and reusable bags. An hour or two is enough, and it’s a good way to feel the real pulse of the town, not just the tourist strip.
Rancho La Merced (horseback riding)
A cattle ranch turned wildlife refuge, with guided beach or mountain horseback rides (2.5 to 3 hours, easy to moderate). A good option if you want something active but relaxed, and a different way to see the landscape of Costa Rica’s South Pacific.
Where to stay to see it all
Hotel Uvita Forest is minutes from most of these places, and a short walk from Uvita Waterfall. Eight rooms with fiber-optic Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a private pool — a comfortable base for exploring Costa Rica’s South Pacific and coming back to relax.
