Uvita

Uvita is a small town located on the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Although the area is still quite undeveloped, it is gaining more and more popularity among tourists with every passing year. Many tourists come to the South Pacific of Costa Rica to see the gorgeous scenery, experience the “Pura Vida” way of life, and get away from the crowds that typically dominate many of the other beach towns and cities in Costa Rica.

The local mountain range is known for its primary and secondary rainforest, home to the boisterous howler monkeys which are famous for waking-up guests staying in Uvita lodges and hotels. These mountains provide an excellent opportunity for hikes to local waterfalls as well as amazing views of the famous Whale Tail found at Punta Uvita. Notable hotels which have been established in these beautiful surroundings include Rancho Pacifico and Oxygen Villas where prominent figures such as CNN’s Anderson Cooper, musician Sheryl Crow, and former vice president Al Gore have been guests.

It is worth noting that Bahia Ballena is commonly grouped with Uvita (people will refer to it as Bahia-Uvita) because the two are small and literally across the river from one another. You can enjoy the beach and slow pace of life in Bahia Ballena and the bustle of Uvita, if you can even call it that.

Uvita Weather

Uvita is in a very tropical part of Costa Rica. It is quite hot year-round; during the rainy half of the year you can expect a muggier heat, during the less-rainy half it’s a more dry and hot heat. The rainy season runs from around June to November and the dry season is from December to May. Whichever season your trip happens to fall in, there will be things to do. It’s good to keep in mind that prices generally go up during the dry season, as well as around major holidays (especially the Roman-Catholic ones that Costa Rica celebrates).

Uvita Tourist Attractions

There is quite a bit to do in Uvita’s vicinity. Obviously, its proximity to the ocean allows for countless marine activities such as surfing, swimming, sun bathing, kayaking, boat tours, snorkeling, sport fishing, and whale watching.

Land-based activities you can participate in include:

  • Zip Lining
  • Canopy Tours
  • Nature Hikes
  • Yoga Classes
  • Diving Tours
  • Horseback Riding
  • Visit to Waterfalls

Accommodations in Uvita

There are several options for lodging in the Uvita, from simple to boutique, including:

  • Finca Bavaria
  • Tucan Hotel
  • Cacatua Lodge
  • Cascada Verde
  • Los Laureles Cabins

    Where To Eat in Uvita

    Gastronomical options in Uvita include the typical Costa Rican “sodas” which serve some of the national fare, as well as restaurants that serve North American and European cuisine.

    • Soda “Que Pura Vida”
    • Restaurant at Tucan Hotel
    • Soda y Sala de Juegos La Canalla
    • Ados Coffee Shop
    • La Casona de Dona Maria
    • Piccola Italia

    How To Get To Uvita

    Uvita is quite easy to get to from San Jose: you can get there by plane, bus or car.

    The first option is to take a domestic flight from San Jose to Quepos. From there, you can either rent a car or take a bus south on the Costanera Highway; the bus ride takes about an hour and a half from Quepos and the drive is about 45 minutes.

    The second option is to rent a car in San Jose and drive yourself directly to Uvita. There are two routes you can take, the first is to drive towards Jaco and then continue south on the Costanera Highway, which is approximately a three hour and thirty minute drive. The second option is to drive over the mountains towards San Isidro El General and then west towards Uvita, which is roughly a four hour drive.

    Finally, if you just want to sleep all the way to your destination, you can take the bus directly from San Jose.

    Other Tourist Services in Uvita

    In addition to the lodging, eateries, and activities it is possible to find all the other necessary services travelers may require, including internet cafes, banks and ATMs, medical services, a police station, and a tourist information center. Car rental services, National Rent-A-Car, can be found next to the Firestone Tire Center, located just south of the Uvita river.

    Nearby Attractions