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Whale Watching: Costa Rica's Best Spot
4.7
34 Ratings
Uvita
Experience the thrill of a Whale and Dolphin Combo Tour in Ballena National Marine Park. Witness the majestic Humpback whales and their babies in the warm waters of Costa Rica.
Experience the thrill of a Whale and Dolphin Combo Tour in Ballena National Marine Park. Witness the majestic Humpback whales and their babies in the warm waters of Costa Rica.
Duration:
3 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Dolphin Tours - The Combo tour begins once all participants have gathered at our Uvita office, which serves as the meeting point. Our certified guide will provide a detailed overview of the tour at the start. At our office, guests can enjoy snacks such as pastries, bananas, coffee, and orange juice. A short walk leads to the beach of Marino…
- Dolphin Tours - The Combo tour begins once all participants have gathered at our Uvita office, which serves as the meeting point. Our certified guide will provide a detailed overview of the tour at the start. At our office, guests can enjoy snacks such as pastries, bananas, coffee, and orange juice. A short walk leads to the beach of Marino Ballena National Park, where the boat tour commences. Participants will explore the area and its wildlife, including whales (seasonally dependent), dolphins, various bird species, and turtles. Highlights of the tour include The Whale Rock, Playa Ventana with its impressive caves, and the iconic whale tail formation. Guests will also have the chance to swim in the ocean while exploring the national park. Refreshments such as fruits and water will be available during the tour. After the excursion, guests can either stay in the national park or return with us to our office where the tour concludes.
What's Included
- Entrance fees to the Marino Ballena National Park
- All Fees and Taxes
- Parking
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
- Swimming time
- Showers
- Dry bag for electrical items
- Entrance fees to the Marino Ballena National Park
- All Fees and Taxes
- Parking
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
- Swimming time
- Showers
- Dry bag for electrical items
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- snorkeling -depends on water visibility conditions
- Lunch
- snorkeling -depends on water visibility conditions
Additional Information
Experience the excitement of dolphin watching on an exhilarating boat tour. Cruise around the Marino Ballena National Park, Piedra Ballena, and other stunning locations as your guide leads you to encounter whales, sea turtles, and a natural marine bird sanctuary. Start your journey at the meeting point with refreshments including coffee, juice,…
Experience the excitement of dolphin watching on an exhilarating boat tour. Cruise around the Marino Ballena National Park, Piedra Ballena, and other stunning locations as your guide leads you to encounter whales, sea turtles, and a natural marine bird sanctuary. Start your journey at the meeting point with refreshments including coffee, juice, pastries, and bananas while waiting for the group to gather. Then, board a boat and prepare to spot marine life. Observe playful sea creatures as you navigate through the Marino Ballena National Park, Piedra Ballena, Tres Hermanas Rocks, Ventanas Caverns, and the Punta Uvita Tombolo (whale’s tail). Delight in a visit to a natural marine bird sanctuary to see both resident and migratory birds, as well as reptiles like green iguanas and lizards. Dive into the water for a snorkeling stop, weather permitting.
- In season you can reserve up to a minimum of 1 person
- low season there is a minimum of 8 people to operate
- low season April - June- July -November
Location
Dolphin Tours
South of Uvita passing the Banco Nacional, from the main highway # 34 to the right on the paved road towards the official entrance of the Marino Ballena National Park, in Bahía, turn right one kilometer, we are next to the Pizza Express (loana) Restaurant in Bahía Ballena.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(34 Ratings)
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Sergio
Sep 25, 2025
Unforgettable experience - A spectacular trip with the students. Let it be repeated
We are students of UNA-LIBERIA.
Every year the treatment and activity is supreme
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dariagiustiniani
Sep 18, 2025
An unforgettable experience - Very nice experience we saw whales that approached the boat. It was beautiful! A noter: Some waves can impress, especially when approaching the "window". So seasick abstain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberlyoj6348ei
Sep 10, 2025
Very fun and exciting - Amazing experience. Got to see many whales and the boat rides were very fun. The instructor was very nice and told us so much about the sights
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah
Aug 25, 2025
Great tour and really well organised! - Booked this from the UK rather than locally.
Arrived and was given a car park space. There were lots of people for the tour but we were divided into groups. Whilst everyone registered there was coffee and snacks available and toilets to use.
Our guide Raymond was brilliant explaining the format of the day and all the safety elements of the tour.
We walked to the beach - couldn’t believe how many tour operators there were and the number of boats going out - such a big business for Uvita.
The tour was great. We saw turtles, 3 whales and were also told about the coastline. We were able to swim off the boat and given some delicious fruit after.
Raymond, the driver and second mate were all great.
Would recommend this safe and excellently organised tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marmi3470is
Aug 21, 2025
Tour whales and dolphins - A highly recommended tour! My sister and I had a great time. We saw whales, dolphins, beaches and could swim, then enjoyed the beautiful beach. Despite the scare of meeting our battery-free car, the team was very friendly and helped us charge it. Thank you very much for everything and for the wonderful attention!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S34vdkellyr
Aug 19, 2025
Incredible Experience - This was an incredible experience and truly one of the best boat tours I’ve ever been on. Whale and Dolphin Tours Costa Rica exceeded every expectation. We saw three whales, including a mother humpback and her calf, along with plenty of dolphins and sea turtles. The wildlife sightings alone made the trip unforgettable, but the energy and knowledge of the guides really elevated the entire experience. They were welcoming, attentive, and went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time.
A few guests on board experienced seasickness, but the staff handled it with genuine care—offering water, ice, and support until everyone felt better. The boats are small, which makes the trip feel very personal and close to the action, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to motion.
One recommendation: wear water shoes. The surface of the boat can get slippery when wet, especially when getting on and off, and flip-flops will need to be removed. Secure water shoes make the process much easier and safer.
Overall, this was an amazing tour filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters and excellent service. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Costa Rica. Uvita is a must-visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cindy_s
Jul 25, 2025
Whales seen! - Before you're on the boat, you're a little further along. But they're doing their best. Eventually saw a turtle and whales (mother and child). Very special.
It was raining but nobody cared. We returned to the beach completely soaked. Then I swam in the rain. Lovely morning. (Don't forget your water shoes and waterproof bag!)
Review provided by Viator
Karmaleekeys
Jun 18, 2025
AMAZING TOUR - This was by far the best boat tour I’ve been on! Wasn’t able to snorkeling because the water was too murky, but we didn’t even care because we saw turtles, dolphins (a whole school), rode the slide, jumped off the top deck (I’m 62!) and drank our share of pina coladas. Pick this one. You won’t regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bhindocha
Mar 22, 2025
Delivered on everything. - We booked with a different company, but as they didn't have enough people they moved us to this company. The tour delivered on every aspect. We saw a baby and mother whale. We saw a big pod of dolphins - more than 6. We saw a couple of turtles and we went swimming as well. Visibility for snorkelling wasn't great but we really had an incredible day! I think the whale season is almost finished, but they managed to find them for us. Excellent tour! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolasd3799zb
Feb 22, 2025
Bits of whale back seen - The information beforehand was a bit scant. For example, it was not described that we had to get into the boat via the beach through the water. The snack in advance was also rushed through like crazy. Likewise, the snorkeling lasted 5 minutes. Actually, it was maybe 15. If we had known that the snack had to run out before the start time we would have arrived earlier. Also no closed shoes on and set me up for little snorkeling.
However, the staff was very nice and they did everything to see a whale. Personally, I got out of the water for the tail. On the boat I learned that whales do not actively surface when there are calves around. So I did see whales. Especially pieces of back from fairly close range.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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