Costa Rica

Dominical Activities

ATV Tours 

Explore the rugged mountains surrounding Dominical and Uvita on all-terrain vehicles. Half or full-day trips are available.

Bird & Wildlife Watching

Wildlife enthusiasts will love nearby Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge, where sloths, monkeys, toucans and giant iguanas are frequently spotted in the rainforest. Ecotourism is the primary source of income for the refuge, which attracts travelers with a variety of nature and adventure tours including a tree-climbing adventure, rainforest hike, and several birdwatching excursions.

Canoeing & Sea Kayaking

The Waves and Caves sea-kayak tour explores the rocky caves around Ballena National Marine Park. Paddlers depart at low tide and often see whales and bottlenose dolphins. Another option is to kayak through the Hatillo mangrove swamps next to Guapil Beach. On this tour, guests paddle along winding canals, spotting lowland birds as well as sloths and monkeys. Departure time depends upon the tide. Mangrove kayak tours are also available to Damas Island, a peaceful estuary near Quepos that promises excellent wildlife watching.

Canopy Tours

There are at least three canopy tours and one tree-climbing excursion located near Dominical. For a relatively tame adventure, Dominical offers a canopy observation platform – a three-hour tour that invites guests to experience the treetops on platforms instead of ziplines. Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge has “The Flight of the Toucan” zipline tour that imitates the zigzagging motion of the chestnut-mandibled toucan as it swoops through the rainforest. A series of eight cables carries guests from one platform to another, providing a momentary sensation of flying through dense jungle. This tour may be combined with Hacienda Baru's tree climbing adventure.

Catamaran Cruises

Enjoy a wildlife cruise off the shores of Manuel Antonio National Park, just 30 miles north of Dominical. Morning cruises include a snorkeling tour, while afternoon departures stick around for spectacular Pacific sunsets. Keep a lookout for sea turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales frolicking in the surf.

Cliff Jumping

The Diamante Verde Reserve offers several opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime cliff jumping. These tours are often combined with rainforest hikes, waterfall rappelling, swimming, and other adventure activities.

Day Spas 

Relax and unwind with a Turkish bath, chocolate body wrap, or foot reflexology session. These are just a few of the wellness treatments available in Cuna del Angel’s European Day Spa. Treatments include facials, pedicures, body scrubs and other pampering packages.

Dolphin & Whale Watching

Whale watching tours depart daily for Ballena National Marine Park, which is named for its large populations of humpback whales. Bottle-nose dolphins, orca (killer) whales, short-finned pilot whales, pantropical dolphins, pseudo orcas, and other sea creatures live in the park's waters. Whale watching tours often incorporate snorkeling and underwater cave explorations into the day's itinerary.

Hiking

The self-guided nature trails at Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge offer excellent hiking and wildlife watching opportunities. The refuge includes 4.5 miles of moderate trails, a bird-watching tower, orchid gallery and butterfly garden. Hiking tours are also available to the nearby Diamante Verde Reserve, Manuel Antonio National Park, Oro Verde Nature Reserve, and Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge.

Horseback Riding

Discover backcountry roads and hidden waterfalls on a guided horseback trip. Six miles outside of Dominical, Don Lulo’s Horseback Tours is a family-run affair with over 80 horses. After a traditional breakfast, guests continue on to the 130-foot high Nauyaca Waterfall for an hour of swimming and relaxation. Tour includes guides, breakfast and lunch, and horses suited to all riding levels.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving 

Explore a dazzling variety of coral and marine life on a snorkeling or dive trip to Ballena National Marine Park or Cano Island. Equipment can be rented in town, and day trips are available with several tour operators.

Sport Fishing

The waters off Dominical abound with hard-fighting sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi and marlin. Inshore, anglers can fish for mackerel, jacks, roosterfish and large snapper. December-April is peak season, though there is good fishing year-round. Cuna del Angel features fully-equipped 26 and 31-foot boats and experienced captains. Single and multi-day packages are available and include captain, crew, bait, equipment, beer and gourmet sandwiches.

Study Spanish

Adventure Education Center, located in the heart of Dominical, offers a range of intensive immersion courses ranging from one week to several months. The center combines small group Spanish instruction with cooking classes and Latin dance, as well as lots of adventure activities.

Surfing

Dominical and its neighboring beaches have long been visited by experienced surfers. On the north end of the beach, a large rivermouth has a good left break with hollow waves on the incoming low tide. The Point (Km 154, ten minutes south of Dominical) is known as an intermediate-level point break, surfed best at mid to incoming tide.

Playa Dominicalito has more forgiving waves than Dominical and is a nice place for the novice. Beginners should check out one of the local surf shops where lessons and extended surf camps are offered at reasonable prices. Board rentals and ding repair are widely available.

Ultralight Tours

Take wing aboard a super-light aircraft and fly over mountains and miles of unspoiled shoreline. Located near the beach in Uvita, trips range from a 20-minute introductory flight to a 45-minute exploration of Ballena National Marine Park and its mangrove forests.

Waterfall Rappelling

A couple of tour operators specialize in this adrenaline-fueled adventure sport. Guests hike into a rainforest canyon where they rappel a series of picturesque waterfalls using climbing gear and techniques.

Whitewater Rafting 

Rafting trips to the Savegre River (class II-IV), Naranjo River (class III-IV), and the secluded Guabo River (class III-IV) can be arranged in Dominical. River runners tackle the region's white waters on half to multi-day adventures.

Dominical Travel Guide