17 Best Things to Do in Uvita Costa Rica

Looking for things to do in Uvita Costa Rica on your vacation? I can help!

Located on the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the town of Uvita offers visitors a taste of the true Pura Vida lifestyle. We spent a month in Uvita and loved every second.

With its stunning beaches, verdant jungles, and a plethora of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder that Uvita has become an increasingly popular vacation destination in recent years for people visiting Costa Rica and Central America.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why families love vacationing in Uvita. We sure did! A month there flew by and we wished we’d stayed longer.

Uvita, Costa Rica Things to Do

There are so many things to do in Uvita Costa Rica that you’ll quickly find a week here just won’t be enough on your Costa Rica itinerary.

While it seems, at first, like a sleepy beach town there are actually some really unique activities to enjoy.

1. Spend a Day at Playa Uvita

Uvita’s main beach is Playa Uvita, named after the town. It’s very lively and has a number of snack, drink, and souvenir vendors dotting the shores.

For many people, this is one of their favorite things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica.

With its moderate waves and sandy shores, Playa Uvita is perfect for swimming, boogie boarding, or just relaxing on a beach towel with a good book.

You can even take surf lessons at Playa Uvita. The waves are small enough that even beginner surfers will find the surfing there a lot of fun!

Most surf classes booked at the beach are group lessons for $50/hour.

👉 Book a private lesson in advance at just $70 for 2 hours. It’s offered to anyone 6+.

Plus, like Manuel Antonio National Park, it’s also a great spot for whale watching! We didn’t see any when we visited but other people we met said they have.

2. Parque Nacional Marino Ballena

Marino Ballena National Park, sometimes called Costa Ballena, is one of the must-see things to do in Uvita Costa Rica for any family vacationing there.

The park is home to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches, Playa Ballena, as well as an island called the Whale’s Tail.

At low tide, a beach is revealed and the island becomes a peninsula shaped like a whale’s tail. You can often see whales from the shore during the whale-watching season!

Entrance to the National Park is $10 for adults and free for kids. They accept cash or credit cards.

This was one of our favorite things to do in Uvita Costa Rica during our month there. When all the whale-watching tours depart, the beach is a bit hectic.

But the rest of the time it’s very chill. Even on weekends, there aren’t a lot of people there. We went on a Sunday once and I counted less than 50 people once the whale tours left. It was lovely!

3. Take a Surf Lesson at Playa Dominical

A day in Dominical will definitely be one of the more chill things to do in Uvita Costa Rica that you’ll do on your vacation.

Playa Dominical is one of Costa Rica’s most famous surfing spots, so it’s the perfect place to take a surf lesson (even if you’ve never been on a board before).

There are several surf schools in town, but one of the most popular is the Dominical Surf School.

The school offers private and group lessons for all levels—from beginners to experienced surfers—so you can learn at your own pace.

👉 Prebook this private lesson with Dominical Surf School, which includes all your equipment!

There’s also a playground for kids at one end of the beach, which is a lot of fun. Little Man said it was one of his favorite Uvita things to do because it had swings. Sometimes kids are so easy to please, amiright?

And what better way to end a day of surfing than with an ice-cold coconut from one of the many vendors on the beach?

Note: The beach is a bit rocky, a bit like El Tunco, and the rollers are really good for surfing, so it wasn’t our favorite for swimming or sunbathing.

There’s actually some great shopping all along the beach road in Dominical. So make sure to spend a bit of time souvenir shopping there, too.

4. Explore the Nauyaca Waterfall

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are halfway between Manuel Antonio and Uvita. They are also some of the most popular things to do in Uvita Costa Rica, and for good reason.

With a 75-meter drop, the Nauyaca Waterfalls are some of the tallest in Costa Rica.

👉 This tour includes transportation, a guide, and snacks.

You can take a horseback riding tour to the falls (a great activity for kids!) or hike the 6-kilometer (one-way) trail. Either way, you’re in for a treat when you reach the waterfall—the views are simply breathtaking.

5. Find the Beach Caves at Playa Ventana

Playa Ventana, or “Window Beach,” is one of Uvita’s hidden gems. The people we were house-sitting for said this was one of their top things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

The beach gets its name from the two natural rock formations that frame the shoreline, creating a “window” effect.

You can climb the rocks at low tide, to explore some unique and beautiful views at the ends of the beach. Little Man loved doing that and exploring the snails and crabs that live in the tide pools among the rocks.

The real highlight of Playa Ventana, though, is the beach caves. These caves can only be accessed at low tide, so be sure to check the tide chart before heading out.

Pro Tip: Don’t go all the way to the end of the caves where the ocean still flows in and out. The waves can be strong and dangerous in that section of the cave.

Once you’re in the caves, take a moment to enjoy the views of the ocean before emerging back on the beach.

6. Go Zip Lining Through the Jungle

One of the more popular things to do in Uvita Costa Rica is zip-lining through the jungle. There are several companies that offer zip-lining tours, but one of the most reputable is Canopy San Lorenzo.

👉 This canopy tour includes transportation, water, a guide, and all safety gear.

Canopy San Lorenzo has a series of different zip lines that vary in length so you get a different experience on each line. There’s something for everyone.

Plus, you’ll get to take in some truly breathtaking views of the jungle as you zip through the trees.

Note: You won’t see much wildlife when ziplining because you’ll be moving too fast to really notice anything. Just hang on and enjoy the ride.

7. Play Mini Golf

Osa Mini Golf recently opened next to Bagel Time and Pizza Time, just south of Uvita on the main highway. It is rainforest themed with different animals throughout and it’s a great activity for kids (and adults!).

Little Man said this was one of his favorite things to do in Uvita Costa Rica, and asked almost daily when we could go back again!

Prices are very reasonable at just under $5 per person. Plus, they offer a discount if you play multiple rounds.

The course is the right amount of challenging for families to have fun without kiddos feeling discouraged that they can’t get par on a few of the holes.

Be warned that hole 18 is really difficult! But if you do manage to get a hole-in-one on it, then you win a FREE game!

I got a hole-in-one on hole 17 but not 18. Guess that’s a reason to go back and try again!

8. Snorkel or Scuba Dive at Caño Island

Caño Island Biological Reserve is one of the best places in Costa Rica to scuba dive or snorkel. It’s also one of the better day trips if you’re budgeting for things to do in Uvita Costa Rica

The island is a national park, so it’s well-preserved and the underwater views are incredible. You can see things like stingrays, sea turtles, eels, and a variety of tropical fish.

There are several scuba diving and snorkeling tour companies in Uvita that offer day trips to Cano Island. However, not all offer the same things.

👉 I recommend this tour because it offers lunch, snacks, drinks, all equipment, and even takes you to two separate spots to snorkel.

Just be sure to bring eco-friendly sunscreen, as there is very little shade on the island itself.

👉 I like this sunscreen for outdoor excursions and water activities.

9. Take a Boat Tour of Terraba-Sierpe Mangrove Reserve

The Sierpe Mangrove is one of the largest mangroves in Costa Rica and it’s teeming with wildlife.

You can see things like iguanas, snakes, birds, and crabs as you paddle through the mangrove on a kayak or you can ride in a motorboat.

Because of the motorboat option, this is one of the things to do in Uvita Costa Rica that’s accessible for pretty much anyone to enjoy. If you’re lucky, you may even see some monkeys or toucans!

There are several tour companies that offer boat tours of the mangrove, which is a great way to learn about the history and ecology of the area.

👉 This tour company offers water and snacks in addition to the guided mangrove tour.

While the motorboat tour may be better for families with smaller children, I have to say that the kayak option is really cool.

It’s just a really unique experience to paddle through the mangroves and see all the different animals that call it home.

10. Day Trip to Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on earth with just over 500 species of animals. I visited here twice in college. After 20 years, I can still safely say this is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica.

Despite being just 105,000 acres, it holds 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity! It’s one of the things to do in Uvita Costa Rica that is well worth the time and money to plan this excursion.

It’s also one of the most remote and difficult to get to parks in Costa Rica. But, if you’re up for the challenge, you won’t regret adding it to your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

The park is home to things like jaguars, tapirs, and macaws, just to name a few.

Pro Tip: Be to wear plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent, as there are a lot of bugs in the jungle!

There are several tour companies that offer day trips to Corcovado National Park, which include a one-hour boat ride to the park, a guided hike through the jungle, and a visit to one of the beaches.

👉 This tour includes boat transport to San Pedrillo ranger station, breakfast, snacks, water, a guide, and all park entry fees.

Some day trips take you to Sirena Ranger Station, which is a bit further away. For a day trip, I think San Pedrillo is best because you spend more time enjoying Corcovado and less time ‘commuting.’

11. Finca 6 Stone Sphere Museum

The stone spheres of Costa Rica are some of the most mysterious and fascinating things in the country.

No one is quite sure who made them or why, but they are believed to be anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 years old.

Of course, anything mysterious is going to be on my to-do list! It ended up being one of my favorite things to do in Uvita Costa Rica. Even Little Man liked it, despite claiming he hates museums.

The Finca 6 Stone Sphere Museum is a great place to learn about the history and mystery of the stone spheres.

Some of the spheres are “in situ,” which means they have never been removed from their original place of discovery.

Pro Tip: Take the longest loop so you can see everything. And (unlike us) wear closed-toe shoes because the path is muddy in spots.

The museum is located on a working banana plantation, so you can also learn about Costa Rica’s banana farming industry. One of the things I really enjoyed about this museum is that it’s almost entirely outdoors.

👉 This tour includes a guide as well as snacks and bottled water. I recommend going with a guide so you get more out of it.

12. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

Alturas is a non for profit organization located in Costa Rica with the mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild animals.

They have a well-equipped veterinary clinic on site as well as facilities to rehabilitate and care for animals long-term if needed.

In addition, they use the facility to educate people on the different animal species living there in hopes of bringing more awareness to conservation overall.

By opting for a guided tour of the facility, you get to see local animals while supporting a great cause.

The center relies exclusively on donations and tours for funding so if you want to give back to a good cause on your trip, add this to your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

For adults, the cost is $25 USD and for children, it’s $15 USD (non-residents). They operate Tuesday through Sunday and offer 90-minute tours at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. It’s an amazing opportunity!

13. Go Whale Watching

Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. The waters off the coast of Uvita are home to things like humpback whales, pilot whales, and dolphins.

Various types of whales can be seen offshore from August through April. Costa Rica has the longest whale-watching season in the world!

There are several tour companies that offer whale-watching tours, which typically last 3-4 hours. Tours usually sell out, even during low season, so make sure to book yours in advance!

👉 I recommend this tour because it includes your entrance fee to Marino Ballena National Park in addition to snacks and drinks on the boat.

Plus you can enjoy the Whale’s Tail afterward without spending an extra excursion day on it. If you only have a few days in the area, add this to your short list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

14. Uvita Waterfall

The Uvita Waterfall is one of the most popular things to do in Uvita Costa Rica. The waterfall is located in the jungle, so it’s a great place to cool off after a hike or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

You can even climb up to the top and slide down the natural waterslide. It looks a bit steep from the top but it’s a lot of fun! Even if you don’t want to try the waterslide, you can still swim in the pool below.

👉 This tour includes a visit to the Uvita Waterfall as well as an excursion to Dominical Beach.

If you want to go on your own, Catarata Uvita is a 10-minute drive from Uvita town center and can be accessed by any vehicle.

To get to Catarata Uvita, you don’t need a 4×4. However, there are some other factors to consider.

Note: There are two entrances to the Uvita Waterfall that are owned by different people. Both have restrooms, a restaurant, and waterfall access.

The primary difference is one of them has a tiny trail and butterfly garden, as well as limited parking off the main road. This entrance costs 2000 CRC per person. The other entrance is 1500 CRC per person.

On Google Maps, both entrances are called “Catarata Uvita” and both are open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

15. Cascada El Pavon

The Cascada El Pavon is a smaller, but incredibly beautiful waterfall that is an approximately 25-minute drive from Uvita. The waterfall gets its distinctiveness from a huge rock jutting out of the top of the falls.

It’s encircled by lush jungle, and in front of the waterfall and down the river, natural swimming pools abound. Everything is fairly easy to access, so it’s a great half-day trip for families.

Plus, there is no entrance fee or upkeep requirements to pay, which is rare for experiences in Costa Rica. For families on a budget, put this on your things to do in Uvita Costa Rica bucket list!

Note: Please keep this lovely waterfall neat and tidy after you’ve been there, so everyone can continue to enjoy it.

To get there from Uvita, take Route 34 towards Coronado. After 20 minutes of driving, exit the highway on your left just before crossing a small bridge.

You’ll see a sign that reads “El Pavon Talapia farm & restaurant.” Follow this road for approximately 4 kilometers until you spot another sign on your left that says “Cascade el Pavon” (it will be just past the restaurant).

You won’t need a four-wheel drive vehicle for this path but know that it is bumpy.

16. Go Bird Watching

Bird watching is a wonderful activity for the whole family. In Uvita, you have a good chance of seeing toucans, scarlet macaws, and a variety of other birds.

One of best places to go bird-watching is at the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located just south of Uvita and is home to a variety of different animals, birds, and plants.

You can also visit Oro Verde or Rancho la Merced. Oro Verde is a private reserve that offers guided bird-watching tours. Rancho la Merced is a national park that has hiking trails and also offers bird-watching tours.

Pro Tip: While you don’t need to visit all of these places to go bird or wildlife-watching, I do recommend adding one of them to your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

After our experiences in Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, I can safely vouch for the need for guides when it comes to birding.

They have the expertise and trained eyes to spot wildlife you would absolutely miss if you went on your own.

👉 This Uvita birding tour includes a highly qualified guide to ensure you get the most out of your adventure!

Toucans, such as the Black-mandibulated and Fiery-billed Aracari, hummingbirds, tanagers, and raptors are a few of the birds that may be seen. We saw all of these, as well as green parrots, from the front deck of our house sit in Uvita!

17. Arco Beach

Arco Beach is an exceptional beach located within Marino Ballena National Park, a short drive from Uvita. It rarely ends up on lists of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica for most people.

It’s a hidden gem that almost no one visits because there is no direct road to drive and park there. The only way you know it exists is the random sign on the southbound highway just north of Playa Ballena.

You need to be ‘in the know’ that you’ll then need to park at a different beach and walk on a poorly marked footpath from the end of that beach to Playa Arco.

Note: To access Playa Arco, you have to either park at Playa Uvita or Playa Ballena and walk to Playa Arco.

The first time we went, we couldn’t find the trail to Playa Arco so we just spent the day at Playa Ballena, which is also practically desolate most of the time. We only saw one other person on the beach when we went.

At high tide, no beach exists at Arco as the water crashes right against the dense forest. But as the tide recedes, a huge beach opens up that is sandwiched between rocky cliffs.

It’s a spectacular place to relax. During your visit, there may be no one else around. And you may even see some monkeys!

Some things to do in Uvita Costa Rica are often filled with tourists. Playa Arco is clearly not one of them!

Where to Eat in Uvita

For a small town on the southern Pacific coast, Uvita has some pretty good restaurants! We enjoyed our food everywhere we ate during our month in Uvita.

So if you see a place we haven’t listed here, it’s probably pretty good, too. These are just our favorite places that we visited and can personally vouch for.

When you’re making your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica, don’t forget to plan for meals out when you’re on the go.

Pizza Time & Bagel Time

Pizza Time and Bagel Time are technically two different restaurants. However, they’re run by the same people, have the same location and parking lot, and even operate on the same hours.

The seating areas and ordering stations are different, though. So you’ll need to choose one for dining each time you go. No list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica will be complete without stopping here. I promise.

The food at both places is very good. Their name describes exactly what they serve. Neither place has a huge menu, but there’s still something for everyone at each one.

Full Disclosure: At one point, Little Man was surviving on bagels. And what kid doesn’t like pizza?

The best part, though, is the staff. Every time we went, everyone was super friendly to us. We didn’t have great knives for bread slicing in our house sit, so they even cut our takeaway bagels on request.

Sibu

We discovered this place quite by accident. It wasn’t on my things to do in Uvita Costa Rica list.

One night, our power went out while we slept due to some trees taking out the power lines in a storm. We knew it would be a while before the power came back, so we went out to breakfast.

Sibu was the only spot that looked open at 7:30 am so we went in. Best accident ever!

Their food is very tasty, and they even have a couple of power outlets to plug into in the dining area. If you want to go and get some work done, they don’t mind.

Pro Tip: If you’re going to work there, plan to order food or drink so you aren’t taking up valuable table space.

Sakura Sushi Bar & Grill

Little Man discovered sushi when we lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a while. Now he asks to eat it everywhere we go.

It’s a ‘comfort food’ for him, so sushi had to be on my places to eat list for things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

Not only is their presentation a ton of fun, but their sushi is also fresh and flavorful! Little Man even branched out and tried some new rolls because it was so yummy.

Our family favorite was the scorpion roll. Little Main claims this is ironic since we hate real scorpions.

Their rolls felt more substantive than other places we’ve eaten sushi lately. We ordered two rolls each, and it was too much food.

They’re located in Plaza Ventanas, just south of Uvita. We called it the dinosaur gas station because of the larger-than-life dinosaurs on display at the gas station. You can’t miss it!

Plaza Ventanas Ice Cream Parlor

This ice cream parlor is right next to the T-Rex statue at the plaza. It needs to be on every family’s things to do in Uvita Costa Rica checklist.

They have regular flavors like chocolate and vanilla. However, Little Man prefers the more creative options like Cookie Monster & cream (blue cookies and cream), and chocolate hazelnut with actual hazelnut pieces in it!

Plus, you can order fun toppings like gummy worms and peanut butter M&Ms. And the price is really affordable!

We stopped here a few times while we were out and about because it was budget friendly and has a fun atmosphere.

Restaurante Maracuya

Maracuya was the first restaurant we ate at in Uvita. It’s on the north end of town, right on the highway.

They got bonus points from us because they offer an actual kids-menu, not just kid-friendly options that are adult-size portions.

If you’re like me, this may automatically put Maracuya on your things to do in Uvita Costa Rica list.

Surprisingly, Little Man ordered (and loved) their fish sticks. He refused to try anything else on our subsequent visits. Although he did let me try one (once).

The fish-to-batter ratio is actually pretty perfect, so I can see why he enjoyed them.

Los Barriles

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this spot has really good burgers. We didn’t make it there for breakfast, although we meant to try it. I can safely vouch for the lunch and dinner menu though!

Burgers are another thing we often seek out as we travel. Every country and every restaurant serves them a little differently, so it’s fun to compare the dish between locations we visit.

If you’re the sort of traveler who only eats food you can’t get at home, don’t overlook things like burgers. They’ll still look and taste different from your at-home favorites.

You can also get more local options at Los Barriles, so don’t be afraid to add it to your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

My favorite was the Barriles Burger, but Little Man was happy with the regular one.

David’s favorite was the steak sandwich, and based on the bite he let me try I agree it was pretty tasty! Not overcooked or tough, and well seasoned.

Full Disclosure: We were so hungry the day we went to Los Barriles that we forgot to take photos of our food to share. This is Little Man and David looking at photos of our daily adventure before the food arrived.

Where to Stay in Uvita

Like much of Costa Rica, Uvita is fairly pricey. However, there are a variety of places to stay in Uvita that suit assorted budgets.

You can still plan a robust checklist of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica as well as places to stay whether you want to pay $100 or $500+ a night.

If you’re searching for hotels on the lower end of the price spectrum, make sure to check if the hotel you’re considering offers AC.

Electricity is expensive in Costa Rica, so many lower-cost resorts don’t offer it in order to keep their rates lower.

Luxury Recommendation: Hacienda AltaGracia Resort

Hacienda AltaGracia has stunning views of the jungle and nearby mountains. This 4.5-star resort is the perfect escape from everyday life.

With amenities like free daily breakfast, three restaurants, on-site laundry, and even babysitting services available for a surcharge, Hacienda AltaGracia has everything you need for a stress-free vacation.

The resort helps make transportation easy with the airport and local shuttles (for a surcharge), allowing you to explore everything Uvita has to offer. You can even take a yoga class, go mountain biking, or even tackle the rope course.

Note: Hacienda AltaGracia is so amazing you may decide to shorten your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica just so you can spend more time here.

Unwind at one of the two poolside bars or grab drinks at the lounge while your kids play in the pool. Some rooms even include a private pool!

And if all that wasn’t enough, each room comes with its own sitting area and high-speed wifi – perfect for those who want to relax in their room or stay connected while on vacation.

Mid-Range Recommendation: Visa Ballena Resort

Vista Ballena Hotel is a comfortable, family-friendly 3.5-star hotel that overlooks beautiful Uvita. It’s fairly centrally located for planning things to do in Uvita Costa Rica, too.

It offers amenities such as a refreshing pool, on-site restaurant, daily housekeeping, and even a children’s pool. Fellow travelers have raved about the helpful staff and convenience of room service.

With extras like a terrace, garden, safe at the front desk, self-serve laundry, a spa, free daily breakfast, and free on-site parking, your family will have everything they need for a relaxed and enjoyable stay at Vista Ballena.

Budget Recommendation: Dolce Uvita Hotel

With family rooms that sleep up to five and a plethora of amenities such as a swimming pool, onsite restaurant, and game room, there are things to do in Uvita Costa Rica for everyone in the family to enjoy at Dolce Uvita Hotel.

You can relax with a massage before grabbing a bite at the coffee shop/cafe, or walk into town to explore some of the restaurants I’ve recommended above. Other features include free daily breakfast, high-speed internet, and even a bar/lounge, and a spa tub.

With laundry facilities, daily housekeeping, free coffee, and a garden on-premises, your stay at Dolce Uvita Hotel will feel like paradise.

Plus, the hotel is one of the few in the area that is pet-friendly and it’s just a short walk away from the beach! Dolce Uvita Hotel is definitely the best budget choice for families visiting Uvita.

Vacation Rental Recommendation: 3BR/3BA House with Pool

This 4500-square-foot vacation rental in Uvita is a great choice for families seeking modern amenities, privacy, and beautiful ocean views.

The house is located close to the town center, making it easy to access shops, restaurants, and other services as well as crossing off items from your list of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica.

Additionally, the house is set back from the main road, ensuring that guests have plenty of privacy and can enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

The house itself has multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, making it perfect for groups or families traveling together.

The air conditioning keeps the space cool on hot days, while the private pool provides a welcome escape from the heat.

Other highlights include a spacious open living area with vaulted ceilings and large windows that let you take in the stunning ocean views and nearby jungle scenery.

Conclusion: Things to Do in Uvita Costa Rica

These are just a few of the many reasons why families love vacationing in Uvita, Costa Rica.

It’s more remote than La Fortuna or Jaco but just as beautiful. Some may even argue it’s more beautiful because it’s more unspoiled.

With its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and wealth of outdoor activities, Uvita offers things to do for pretty much everyone.

This variety of things to do in Uvita Costa Rica ensures that you’ll have an unforgettable vacation there! We loved our month-long visit there, and hope to return to explore again someday.

👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!