7 Things to Do in Dominical
Two Weeks in Costa Rica |
Dominical is probably best known for its waves, which draw surfers from all around the world. But there’s a lot more to this quirky beach town and the surrounding stretch of coastline called the Costa Ballena than just surf. What we love most about this region of Costa Rica is the combination of jungle-filled mountains and ocean. The nearby hills are a playground for wildlife and hiking enthusiasts, and the nearly deserted beaches are the perfect escape for those looking to relax and unwind. In this post, we share seven of our favorite things to do in Dominical.
Things to Do in Dominical
Nauyaca Waterfalls
One of our favorite things to do in Dominical (and in Costa Rica for that matter) is hiking to the Nauyaca Waterfalls. Whenever we have friends or family in town, we always take them there and it ends up being one of their favorite activities too.
This two-tiered waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s most dramatic, with a 61 meter (200 foot) combined drop and a deep natural pool for swimming. You can arrive to the falls on horseback, or if you’re up for a moderately difficult hike, we recommend arriving on foot so that you can take in the gorgeous surrounding rainforest. For more information about the hike, check out our post, Visiting the Beautiful Nauyaca Waterfalls.
Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge
One of the best places in the area for a day hike is Hacienda Baru. Hacienda Baru is a hotel and wildlife refuge off the highway just north of Dominical. What makes this property so special is the diversity of habitats, which include primary and secondary forest, mangrove, grassland, and even beach. Monkeys, sloths, peccaries (similar to a wild boar), white-nosed coati, and caimen are often seen along the trails. And if you’re into birding, Hacienda Baru is one of the best places around with over 330 species identified!
The 4.3 miles (7 km) of trails at Hacienda Baru are well maintained so self-guided hikes are an option, but you may see more wildlife with the help of one of the reserve’s expert guides. For more information about visiting, including detailed info on the different trails, see our separate post.
Parque Reptilandia
Reptile enthusiasts or just anyone with an appreciation for nature will love Parque Reptilandia. This outdoor park has tons of different enclosures where you’ll see reptiles from Costa Rica and all around the world. Snakes make up the majority of exhibits, but they also have other interesting creatures like tortoises, crocodiles, and lizards. One enclosure also has several poison dart frogs, so if you’ve been wanting to see these adorable amphibians, Reptilandia is the place to go.
This is a fun spot to visit for a couple of hours and a great activity for kids. $12 for adults, $6 for children 14 and under.
Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
If you want to get up close to some of Costa Rica’s most exotic wildlife, you’ll want to check out the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. This center does some extremely important work for area wildlife. They rescue and rehabilitate animals and birds that have been injured or abandoned in the wild or confiscated in the illegal pet trade, then nurse them back to health in the hopes of release. The wildlife you’ll see is constantly changing, but the center often has white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, white-nosed coati, sloths, armadillos, kinkajoos, and anteaters.
Minimum donation $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under.
White-faced Capuchin Monkey
Whale Watching
The Costa Ballena (Whale Coast) gets its name from the hundreds of humpback whales that migrate to the region’s warm waters every year to breed and rear young. This is one of the most special areas in the world for whale watching so if you’re visiting Costa Rica during whale season, it is something you won’t want to miss. The best time of year to see humpbacks and their babies is from July to April, with peak times in the Costa Ballena during September and October. Whale watching tours can be arranged in Dominical and also the adjacent town of Uvita.
For more information about whale watching in Costa Rica, read our separate post.
Kayak/SUP Mangrove Tour
If you’re looking for a more low key activity, take a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour through the mangroves. As you creep along the calm water, you’ll learn about the ecology of this important ecosystem and get to see some of its inhabitants, like herons, kingfisher, crabs, raccoons, and maybe even crocodiles, monkeys, and sloths. If you’re looking for a little more excitement, ocean trips by kayak or SUP are another option.
Tours can be arranged in Dominical and cost around $65 per person.
Souvenir Shopping
If you have some time after one of your excursions, be sure to peruse the souvenir stands right along the beach in Dominical. Every day, locals sets up shop in between the palm trees, selling everything from T-shirts, sarongs, and towels to jewelry, handmade wooden items, and even hammocks. Once you’ve had your fill of shopping, grab a beer and watch sunset at one of the casual bars right on the strip.
Need More Ideas?
Those are our top seven things to do in Dominical. If you’re looking for more ideas, there’s also the popular beach town of Manuel Antonio about 45 minutes north. Manuel Antonio offers even more activities like whitewater rafting, parasailing, hanging bridges, a spice farm tour, and lots more.
Have you visited Dominical? What was your favorite activity?
Looking for more info to help plan your trip? Check out these posts:
Drake Bay: Costa Rica Unplugged – If you’re heading south after Dominical to the Osa Peninsula, make sure to read our destination guide all about Drake Bay.
San Gerardo de Dota: A Hideaway in the Cloud Forest – Want to cool off after the beach? This tiny mountain town is a great place to experience the cloud forest and is only a couple of hours from Dominical.
How to Spend 1 or 2 Days in San Jose, Costa Rica – Dedicating a day or two to exploring the city is a great idea. Check out our recommendations for museums, restaurants, and hotels.
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