Marino Ballena National Park is fortunate to receive two annual migrations of whales, the Humpback Whale of the North visits the South Pacific Coast from December to March and the humpback whale of the South begins migration in July which ends in October. This park was established in 1989, and its area of protection is primarily within the ocean. The park contains the largest coral reef on the Pacific side of Central America. Marino Ballena National Park protects the coast in front of Uvita Costa Rica and is a popular beach for day trips, camping and of course whale watching ... Humpbacks congregate off the Pacific coast to mate from December to April. You never know how well they actually watch the cars. There is a parking attendant, but please do not leave anything in your vehicle. Located just offshore along the Central Pacific coast in South Puntarenas, the Ballena National Marine Park protects more than 13,000 acres of ocean and 9 miles of coastline. In Orotina, take the exit to Tárcoles, Jacó and Manuel Antonio. The GPS coordinates for Marino Ballena National Park are Lat – 9.132 and Long – 83.7333. Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles can be seen laying their eggs on night visit to the beach between May and November. Bahia Ballena is on the Southern Pacific coast in south Puntarenas. The park was created in 1990 to protect the abundant marine life off of the coast of Costa Ballena. The driest months to visit are from December through April and then again from mid-June through July. South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. One of the fascinating national parks of the region is Parque Nacional Marino Ballena or the Marino Ballena National Park, the first marine national park of the country. The average high during the daytime is around 90 degrees and in the upper 70s at night. While riding, you can see birds and other wildlife, and also gallop down the beach. The turtles have worked very hard to get to the beach, don’t scare them away. Located in the Osa Canton in the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Ballena is a 3-4 hour drive from the capital, San Jose. It was declared National Marine Park in 1989, and its limits extended in 1992. This whale watching tour gives you the opportunity to spot pilot and humpback whales at the Marino Ballena National Park near Uvita, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Marino Ballena National Park is located along the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s famous whale tail is located in the small town of Uvita, about an hour south of Manuel Antonio and is part of Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (the National Marine Whale Park). We believe in sustainable tourism, are ICT certified and in perfect standing with the following organizations. The largest numbers arrive on the waning moon usually in September. There are plenty of animals within Marino Ballena Park. boat tours will take visitors to see dolphins and whales, Visit our packing suggestion list for more ideas. Exploring the Marino Ballena National Park There are sloths, raccoons, pizotes and even the occasional puma or ocelot will roam through. Fun Fact: Marino Ballena National Park is the best place in Costa Rica to observe whales from shore, though do keep in mind boat rides will bring you much closer. Region: South Pacific Closest town: Uvita Size in hectares: 5,510 (13,616 acres) Year established: 1990 Elevation in meters: 0 – 5 (0 16 feet) Private managed: no Government managed: yes Rangers station: yes Overnight facilities: no Public restrooms: yes Entrance fee: $12pp Days: daily Hours: 08:00 - 16:00 Hiking trails: yes (beach trails) Boat tours: yes Average temperature range in Fahrenheit: 70 - 90 Average yearly precipitation in millimeters: 3,900 (154 inches) Habitat: coral reef, rainforest, beach. Within the park, there are several habitats including coral reef, rainforest, and beach habitats. Marino Ballena National Park protects a total of 5,510 hectares or 13,616 acres. © 2020 Thank you for visiting Pacific Trade Winds, Enter Costa Rica. For visitors to Costa Ballena, which encompasses Uvita, Dominical, and Ojochal, Marino Ballena National Park is a must-see.Playa Uvita is the main beach within the park and the perfect spot for a laid-back beach day! Ballena National Marine Park is one of the most unique reserves in Costa Rica. Some of the land animals include howler, capuchin, and squirrel monkeys. 9 Best Things to Do on the Costa Ballena, South Pacific Coast Marino Ballena National Park. In addition, boat tours will take visitors to see dolphins and whales or snorkel during the dry season. Some of the more common bird species include roadside hawks, white hawks, chestnut-mandibled toucan, keel-billed toucan, sea gulls, sand pipers, and pelicans. Especially at low tide, snorkeling can be good from the shore but be careful of currents and riptides. COLONIA SECTOR: From San José, take Route 27. The largest coral reef on the Pacific Coast of Central America forms a crescent necklace with the three small islands known as Las Tres Hermanas (three sisters) and Ballena island as the center piece. There are horseback rides at Uvita Point in the Ballena Marine National Park, in the forest in Ojochal, or at Playa Tortuga. 110 hectares or 272 acres is on land, the rest is in the ocean. The best seasons to see these amazing creatures are December through March and then August through October. Antarctic families arrive in July and depart in November while their northern cousins from California and Canada come in December and leave in April. The South Pacific coast of Costa Rica is adorned with several beaches and national parks. Beach combing is rewarding here, especially when the water recedes far enough to allow you to walk out to Punta Uvita Tombolo, the small island that is slowly being reclaimed to the land as sand and debris deposit to form a land bridge. Marino Ballena National Park is named after the Humpback Whales that migrate here each year from December to April to mate before returning to the frigid waters to the north. The national park has an area of 5,160 ha (12,800 acres) marine, and 171 ha (420 acres) terrestrial. The park stretches from the southern end of Playa Hermosa to the northern end of Playa Piñuela and about 9 miles (15 km) seaward. Follow the directions to Marino Ballena National Park. Image of paradise, beach, pacific - 143807011 The majority of visitors stay in hotels in the Uvita area. This unique position allows breathtaking ocean views while a cooling breeze is coming from the mountains. Longitude: E 83° 44' 51.22". Between the beaches are areas of mangrove habitat. Photo about Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita - Punta Uvita - Beautiful beaches and tropical forest at pacific coast of Costa Rica. Feb 29, 2012 - Marino Ballena National Park The Marino Ballena National Park is located in the south pacific coast at the footsteps of the community’s of Uvita – Bahia Ballena, in the province of Puntarenas… Dolphin species that frequent the area include spotted, spinner, common, and bottle nosed dolphins. The park receives an average of 3,900 mm or 154 inches of precipitation per year, so be prepared for rain. The beautiful 4-star boutique Hotel Cristal Ballena is located near the City of Uvita and the ‘Marino Ballena’ National Park on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica,. Humpback whales, green marine iguanas, bottle nosed and common dolphins, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles, corals, sponges, anemones, lobsters, trunkfish, frigate birds, brown footed boobies, pelicans, ibises. The entrance fee is $12 per person. The Marino Ballena National Park is located in Costa Ballena and belongs to the Osa Conservation Area. The park gets its name from the Spanish word for whale, ballena.The park is located on the south pacific coast of Costa Rica around the communities of Uvita and Bahia Ballena in the province of Puntarenas.. It is open every day from 8 AM – 4 PM. There is a parking lot on the right side of the road just before the national park entrance. embedded on a hill between the Pacific Ocean and rainforest-covered mountains.. It was established in 1990, making it one of the newest national parks in Costa Rica. The Marino Ballena National Park is located in the south pacific coast at the footsteps of the community’s of Uvita – Bahia Ballena, in the province of Puntarenas, Osa, Costa Rica. There are two whale migrations to calve in the warm waters of Marino Ballena. Dolphins can be observed year round at Marino Ballena. Both expert and beginner riders will enjoy horseback riding through the mountains or along the beach on the south Pacific Coast. Marino Ballena National Park, located in the southern county of Osa, in the South Pacific Coast, is one of the most important marine reserve and wildlife protection area in Costa Rica. It extends from the Morete river mouth to Punta Piñuela. The elevation of the park ranges from sea level to 5 meters or 16 feet. You will have the opportunity to observe the marine and terrestrial wildlife that the South Pacific has to offer… You will see the “Ballena Marine National Park” where you can see one of the major attractions of the Park: Punta Uvita or commonly called the “Whale Tail,” … Camping is allowed on the beaches, but there are no amenities. UVITA SECTOR: From San José take Route 27. Please do not use unshielded flashlights, camera flashes, make loud noises, or approach too closely. Studies have found that this national park is the second site in the South Pacific coast with the most variety of corals, second only to Ca ño Island. Marino Ballena National Park (also known as “Whale Marine National Park”), is located on the Southern Pacific side of Costa Rica, at the footsteps of Bahia Ballena - Uvita. The main draw to the area is the marine mammals including humpback, false orca, and pilot whales. Visitors can swim, do yoga, and stand up paddle boarding from shore. Let us make you a free custom trip plan! Unsure of what to do? This park was named after the humpback whales (ballenas in Spanish) that migrate here each year. Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita, Costa Rica, is named after the humpback whales that migrate to the area every year. The park pertains to the Area of Conservation for the Osa region and was officially declared as a Marine National Park … Take off from Manuel Antonio and head south along the coast towards the town of Uvita. The closest town is Uvita, which is also where the main park entrance is located. It’s located in Costa Ballena in the Osa Peninsula, which stretches from Domincal and Ojochal. Ballena National Marine Park. The park was created in 1990 to protect the abundant marine life off of the coast of Costa Ballena. Use the drop down menu to select any month of the year for a summary of the typical rainfall and weather patterns. Follow the signs to Ballena National Marine Park. It has a land area of 284 acres and 13,276 acres of sea. Humpback whales are commonly seen out in the waters as both Northern and Southern humpback whales pass through this area, giving Costa Rica the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Marino Ballena National Park. In Orotina, take the exit to Tárcoles, Jacó and Manuel Antonio. Was established in 1990 and protects 5,510 hectares of beach, mangrove estuary, lowland rainforest and marine habitats. Southern Costa Rica’s Ballena National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Ballena) is a wonderful spot along the Pacific coast. Marino Ballena (Sea Whale) National Park. Marino Ballena National Park is government managed. In addition, olive ridley turtles and the occasional pacific green or hawksbill turtle can be found in the waters of the park. There are flat hiking trails along the beach area. The park pertains to the Area of Conservation for the Osa region and was officially declared as a Marine National Park … Playa Bahia Ballena (Whale Bay) is on the Southern Pacific Coast South of Puntarenas, it's one of the best places in Costa Rica to see whales, and dolphins, coral reefs and tropical marine life, along with an abundance of wildlife in nearby national parks such as The Marino Ballena National Park. Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, Poás Volcano – Tickets & Visitor Information, Juan Castro Blanco/Parque de Aguas National Park. Playas Uvita and Ballena are relatively unvisited stretches of white and golden sand. There is a park ranger station with restrooms. Ballena is primarily a marine park with 13,000 acres/5,400 hectares of ocean and 270 acres/110 hectares of land. Playa Bahia Ballena (Whale Bay) in Costa Rica is a beautiful and famous beach known for the nearby Marino Ballena National Park. Marino Ballena National Park (directly translated to marine whale national park in English) in Uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in Costa Rica. Latitude: N 9° 9' 24.93". Green marine iguanas (iguana verde) bask in the sun between dives to feed on the algae growing on the rocks and coral. Marino Ballena National Park Corcovado National Park ... second largest in terms of diversity in the Pacific coast of the country. Dive trips are available to the islands. Check out what other travelers are saying about us! Ballena is set between Uvita-Bahia Ballena and Ojochal, 20 minutes south of Dominical, a popular surf destination. Parking costs 2,000 colones per vehicle for the day. There are no overnight facilities. Please respect the turtles. Dec 11, 2018 - Marino Ballena National Park The Marino Ballena National Park is located in the south pacific coast at the footsteps of the community's of Uvita – Bahia Ballena From December to April, the whales arrive in the tropical waters to mate before returning to the north. Isla Ballena (10 minutes north– then a boat ride to the island). This is an important area for humpback, false orca and pilot whales for rearing their calves. Visitors should pack a bathing suit, towel, shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, sun block, and insect repellent. The beaches are all located within the national park, which protects the pristine beauty of this area, but also means you are required to pay a 10USD entrance fee daily to access the beach. ... Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park are home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country. This is an important area for humpback, false orca and pilot whales for rearing their calves. Marino Ballena National Park protects 270 acres of land and 13,300 acres of ocean –... Uvita Beach. Marino Ballena is not as closely monitored or regulated as some of the more famous nesting sites, and you may find yourself alone on the beach. Marino Ballena is located on the Pacific coast, 20 … The Marino Ballena National Park is located in the south pacific coast at the footsteps of the community’s of Uvita – Bahia Ballena, in the province of Puntarenas, Osa, Costa Rica. Humpback whales visit the park from both the northern and southern hemisphere. The zone was officially declared as a National Park in 1989. Created in 1990, the Marino Ballena National Park is Central America’s first marine park, and remains one of the best, in terms of tourism, scientific research and environmental education. The weather at Marino Ballena is heavily influenced by the season, though it can be characterized as hot and humid. In fact a recent study concluded that there were 17 different corals in the park. If you opt to enter at the second ent… Ballena Marine National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Marino Ballena), is a National Park of Costa Rica, part of the Osa Conservation Area created as a safe area for humpback whale migration, hence its name, as Ballena is the Spanish word for whale.. Visit our packing suggestion list for more ideas. Most of the park is in the ocean, but on the edge is a 3 ½ km long beach that includes the beaches Uvita and Colonia. 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