Humpback whale mothers give birth in the pockets of shallow temperate waters off the shores of costa rica while orcas and bottlenose dolphins troll for sushi. The guesthouse has a relaxed, intimate and unfussy atmosphere, and one of the best locations in hermanus. Next, drive through a banana plantation on your way to a boat ride exploring the canals through lowland rainforest. Oct 28, 2017 because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Costa rica tours discover the wonders of costa rica on our escorted group tours and tailormade holidays, covering the main sites and a range of activities from canopy ziplining and white water rafting to river kayaking and snorkelling. Costa rica s northwestern corner of guanacaste is known for its dolphins, including spinner, spotted, bottlenose, and common dolphins. Its not uncommon for several of the giants to be cruising so close to shore that its possible to snorkel out to see them. In most areas, dedicated whale watching tours are uncommon.
This discreet bay, tucked neatly at the western end of the gulf of tadjoura, is one of the most dependable places in the world to swim with whale sharks. Whale and dolphin watching on your costa rica adventure. Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters. On the caribbean side of the nation, bottlenose and spotted dolphins can be found near puerto viejo, cahuita. Costa rica is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales. There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. Just a few minutes from the waterfall villas you will reach dominical beach where whales are viewed in their migration path down the coast through uvita of southern costa rica. We invite you to come join us on one of our boat tours and experience nature as it happens on the osa peninsula, costa rica. Changing tide tours is located on the osa peninsula, south costa rica.
This whale specie comes to migrate in this country whenever winter comes in the antarctica between august to october. Costa rica has quickly emerged as the top destination for adventure lovers. Jul 12, 2017 costa rica whale watching tour destinations. The migratory routes of costa rica dolphins and whales in the northern pacific pass through the area of samara beach and puerto carillo. The small fishing village of hermanus, two hours east of cape town, is one of the most accessible places in the world for landbased whale watching. Waterfalls, rivers and beaches ensconced in the surrounding jungles, humpback whales and dolphins frolicking in the ocean and oh so much more. Various tour operators give fantastic tours from the marine ballena national park each year from july. Central america travel with tauck is the luxurious and exciting way to see the likes of costa rica, peru, and the galapagos islands. Mytanfeet costa rica travel blog costa rica travel tips.
Both northern and southern humpback whales pass by the bay so you have an excellent chance of seeing these magnificent mammals out at sea. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most. Classic costa rica visiting costa rica was the best vacation we ever had. If you take fishing or snorkeling trips youll most likely spot the smaller cetaceans but if you want to see the star of the show you should make sure you travel when theyre wintering in the warm tropical waters and take specialized humpback whale watching tour. Of the roughly 25 species of whales and dolphins that migrate through costa rica, humpback whales are by far the most abundant and they the most marked. Southern pacific whale watching in costa rica calendar and locations. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Drake bay is one of the best spots to see humpback whales in not just costa rica, but the world. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Each year, between june and november, the southern right whale migrates from the cold waters of the antarctic to calf and mate in the warmer, more sheltered waters of the south african coast. In most areas, dedicated whalewatching tours are uncommon. Several dolphin species inhabit the waters of costa rica yearround.
The migrations is an awesome spectacle of force and energy that is. Costa rica family experience by g adventures with 8 tour. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies. With renowned naturalist guides, our goal is to provide lifeenhancing travel experiences while supporting environmental and wildlife conservation. Costa ricas pacific coast has tropical heat almost all year round. All of this and more can be seen on dolphin and whale watching excursions into costa rica s ocean habitats some of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the world. With the family tour costa rica family experience, you have a 9 day tour package taking you through san jose, costa rica and 4 other destinations in costa rica. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. The reason is because during the winter the antarctica august to october, humpbacks migrate from there to costa rica. March is the driest and hottest month, and may to october brings the wet season to the region. If you want a closer look, its wise to take a whale watching tour. Best places to see monkeys and sloths in costa rica. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to go on an adventure to costa rica. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park.
The best place to go whale watching in costa rica is the countrys pacific coast, as humpback whales migrate through the region between late july and november and again between december and march. Costa rica family experience includes accommodation in a hotel as well as. Visit costa rica, take a whale watching vacation to costa rica, and enjoy a whale watching trip in costa rica. Ocean eleven is a colonial style guest house that sits on top of the magnificent hermanus cliffs. All of this and more can be seen on dolphin and whale watching excursions into costa ricas ocean habitats some of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the world. Tours of costa rica take you to emerald forests teeming with wildlife, towns full of history and culture and golden sandy beaches ideal for relaxing. Selfdrive countrywide journey costa rica vacations. The waters are famous for spotting different species of sea. The costa ballena, or whale coast, is a truly untouched part of costa rica that only few have come to explore. At barra honda national park, you will find former coral reefs expose fossils in its caves.
Its a trip of a lifetimea trip filled with wildlife, scenic waterways, tropical rainforests, pristine beaches, and knowledgeable guides to help you learn about costa rica. Discover why this area attracts an estimated 25 whale and dolphin species. All tours offer ample opportunity to see the areas other wildlife. I recommend on airbnb the 10 hidden waterfalls with antonio. Costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. A great costa rica white water rafting option for nat. This is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of costa rica. Where pura vida is still alive and well, and a wonderful community. Whale watching costa rica the best times and places. Situated on a plateau, costa rica s capital is a welllaid out grid of quaint boulevards lined with colonial architecture and a treasure trove of urban hangouts.
Have a look through the list of tours below to see which one takes your fancy and then check out our rates here. This is a great opportunity to experience the wonders of costa rica \s oceans. This means that it is harder to see humpback whales during the december to april season, but not impossible. If youre planning on staying a few days in the area, here are our top things to do in uvita and dominical. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking.
Download these useful and free apps for traveling in costa rica. Celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, the uvita area is a hot spot for ecotourism, whale watching tour, nature tours, adventure tours,snorkeling cano island boat tours. Costa rica is home to an estimated 25 whale and dolphin varieties, which migrate, mate and make their home in the pacific ocean and the caribbean sea. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. Tour guides for all types of boat trips know that people want to see humpback whales.
The tour offered a lot of activities and it was a perfect mixture of wildlife, adventure and relaxation. The official conservation travel partner of world wildlife fund, offering custom and small group tours to natures greatest sites. Discover everything this vibrant country has to offer with one of our tour options below, or plan a bespoke luxury costa rica tour with our destination specialists. Dolphin tours in samara costa rica monteverde costa rica. Barra honda caves expedition, guanacaste tours, costa rica. As you float down the tenorio river, your naturalist guide will paddle and steer your raft, while pointing out all of the exotic wildlife, birds, insects, vegetation and even monkeys and crocodiles oh my. In addition to boat tours to see whales and dolphins, we have inshore and deep sea fishing, atv tours, ultralight tours, waterfalls and waterfall repelling, ziplines, rappelling through waterfalls. Since the middle of the eighties, with worldwide surveys taking place, whale watching gained a large amount of interest. If youre reading this post, it is likely that youre planning a trip to costa rica. Northern hemisphere whales head to central america from alaska from the months of december to march. Costa rica top tours makes its best effort in collaborating to minimize the negative impact that development brings on, focusing our initiatives towards more sustainable development.
Trek into the heart of the jungle to live with three families in a remote village. Dolphin and whale spotting tour samara beach in guanacaste costa rica. The very best time and place is august through october along the southern pacific coast from about jaco or manuel antonio to the warm waters around the osa peninsula but as detailed below there are lots of possibilities. Discover the emerald core of a diverse land while bunking down behind a massive waterfall in a hidden cave. Whale watching in costa rica costa rica costa rica. These graceful giants come to the pacific coast of costa rica from north and south america and antarctica. Mar 16, 2020 dolphin and whale spotting tour samara beach in guanacaste costa rica. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa ricas northern caribbean sea. The house is very remote and its literally like youre driving into the jurassicpark movie at the entrance of roma del mar, but my teenage sons had a big time and a a great learning experience. Beaches adults only luxury hotel in uvita costa rica. The best one is rio pacuare, where there are class 3 and 4 rapids. Whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling and a visit to natural water caves. Costa rica tours volcanoes, crater lakes, waterfalls and tropical rainforests are just some of the outdoor experiences that await you on a tour to costa rica. We have a 100% safety record and have provided thousands of people with the opportunity to experience the joy of discovering the beauty of our earths natural wonders.
Safeguarding whales and dolphins in costa rica for teens. On this costa rica tour, youll also have a chance to visit local farms to learn about the local culture and industries. This boat ride takes you through ballena marine national park, near the city of uvita. Our tours go from drake bay, golfito, puerto jimenez, matapalo or sierpe depending on your needs. Trek hidden costa rica in costa rica, central america g. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pan tropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. Travel stress free with these apps such as waze, uber and costa rica bird field guide. Whale watching tours and snorkeling excursions are your best bets to see them.
Natural wonders tours, is an expansion of costa rica tours, ltd which has specialized in nature and eco tours since 1998. While many companies now offer oneday rafting tours, one of the top adventure things to do in costa rica. A maximum of 18 passengers per trip will run wild in the pacific ocean and sea of cortes looking for all kinds of adventure our suspension seats are. This new jersey family got a whole new perspective on driving in costa rica. About half are commonly spotted off the south pacific, including brydes whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. Samara costa rica tours and activities costa rica dolphins. 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.
If there have been recent sightings or they know a good. These long routes make them one of the farthest migrating animals on earth. It is very important for us to offer our customers a safe adventure journey in which you will also be able to take advantage and make the most of all the marine resources we have in our area, in a responsible and balanced way, appreciating their natural environment, but always looking for ways to intervene as little as possible in their habitat, abiding by the rules established about sightings. However, other species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphins can also be viewed during whale or dolphin watching tours. Come december to april, other whales come in to costa rica from antarctica to mate and nest. Costa rica family experience includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. From august to november and december to march, humpbacks can often be spotted in the areas of drake bay, cano island and corcovado. To get you started, here are a few things you need to know before traveling to costa rica this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no. Golfo dulce boat tours changing tide tours is dedicated to high quality ecological tourism. Sep 06, 2011 costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world.
Join a yoga class, or choose from an array of walking tours that focus on city art, architecture, local life or history. Rainforests shrouded in a lingering mist, fiery volcanos that erupt on a daily basis, exotic wildlife gliding, prowling and burrowing all around you, the glory of nature dominates the spectacular central american country of costa rica. Celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, the uvita area is a hot spot for ecotourism, whale watching tour, nature tours, adventure tours,snorkeling cano island boat tours, conservationists and ecoadventurers alike. Generally speaking, costa rica enjoys a tropical climate yearround with temperatures averaging at 18c minimum and 27c maximum.
What you need to know for the perfect jungle escape. Nestled in the foothills of the arenal volcano, amor arenal is a beautiful rainforest lodge at the edge of an untouched forest canyon. Costa rica is a great place for ecotourists to spot dolphins and whales. While it is possible to see whales all along the pacific coast and northern caribbean coast near tortuguero, they appear in the largest concentrations along the south pacific coast and the osa peninsula. It was a relaxing trip with lots of sun, the climate and the people were. The combination of speed, comfort, beauty and exclusivity is combined in this custom made boat for whale watching. We have costa rican guides who know these waters well and will delight with excitement right along with you when you seen one breech for the very first. Come with us to experience an ancient ritual repeated year after year by pilot and humpback whales as they make their journey to complete their mating process that enables their species to continue to thrive in the pacific waters off the coast of costa rica. Costa rica tours book a holiday in costa rica with. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and july to december.
One of the most fun things to do in costa rica is rafting, and there are several places to do it. Golfo dulce, a narrow inlet on the southern pacific coast of costa rica, provides a rich habitat for cetaceans whales and dolphins. This southern pacific region of costa rica, situated near the osa peninsula features unspoiled beauty. Barra honda caves in guanacaste is the perfect expedition for those looking to discover the geological evolution of costa rica. Costa rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world.
Monitor whales with a multilingual survey learn arcgis. The costa ballena, of whale s coast, is one of the coolest spots in costa rica. Perhaps the best place to see these majestic creatures is the osa peninsula, located in the southern portion of puntarenas province. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and. Our whale watching holidays include trips to see blue, killer, sperm, grey, fin, pilot and humpback whales in worldwide locations with expert guides. Learn about the medicinal plants native to these parts and how to make sugarcane candy. Boasting stunning views of the volcano as well as the san carlos valley, amor arenal offers individual luxury cabins crafted from precious tropical hardwoods.
Costa rica, which might just be the most beautiful country in the world, is the ultimate destination for extraordinary wildlife and outdoor experiences. Various dolphin species play up and down the pacific coast, while the caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin. The purpose of this survey is to allow tour guides and captains in costa rica to record observations of marine species. You will hike through the dry forest and enjoy some adrenaline at the same time. However, during the migration season, humpback whales are not an uncommon sight off the coast of papagayo, playa del coco, tamarindo, and.