Your Guide to Uvita, Costa Rica

Imagine a place where lush green mountains plunge into the sea and bright blue and turquoise rivers carve through smooth rocks before making their way to the ocean. You’ll find all this and more at Uvita, Costa Rica, a small community nestled in between the jungle and the sea on the country’s Pacific coast and home to the famous Marino Ballena National Park, named for the sandy whale tail shape that peeps above the waves during low tide.

Uvita was my first official stop on my trip through Costa Rica. To say I started off with a bang is an understatement, as I was completely blown away by Uvita’s natural beauty.

Here’s my guide on how to get the most out of your stop in Uvita, with the best things to do, where to stay, and how to get there:

Things to Do in Uvita, Costa Rica

1. Visit the Catarata Uvita waterfall

One of the highlights of Uvita is the Catarata Uvita, a small waterfall at the edge of town with turquoise waters that are perfect for a swim. The hike to reach the waterfall only takes about 10 minutes. You can find the trailhead at a small restaurant and bar where you’ll see signs for Catarata Uvita; the entrance fee costs 1,500 colones ($2.25 USD). The other way to get there is through the Catarata Esmarelda restaurant, but they charge 2,000 colones ($3 USD) for access to their path.

This attraction is one of the most popular in Uvita, so if you want to marvel at the waterfall in peace, get there early. I got there around 6am, before the trail was technically open, but was able to walk right in and had the waterfall to myself. Another day, I got there at 7am, was able to pay the entrance fee at the restaurant and had the same luck. The trail closes at 4pm, but it is never gated off. I assumed that visiting after that time was prohibited, but I wasn’t able to get a clear answer from anyone.

2. Discover a natural waterslide

On the trail that leads to the waterfall, there’s a fork: the lefthand side goes to the waterfall; to the right you can follow the river. If you go to the right, you’ll find a small waterfall that acts as a natural waterslide into the pool below. The rocks are quite slippery, so make sure to exercise caution when climbing down. However, that’s what make the waterslide possible, as the slick stone makes the perfect chute for plunging into the water.

3. Find a hidden gem at Playa Arco

Walking along the beach to find the arches feels like a scene out of Jurassic Park. The wild crashing waves, rock…