Pacific Coast

Marino Ballena National Park
Costa Rica

The whale-tail sandbar at Uvita. You walk it only at low tide, and pay at the ranger hut.

Check before you go

  • You walk the sandbar only at low tide, as of 5 Oct 2026.
  • Pay at the ranger hut, as of 5 Oct 2026.

Facts

Tide: The sandbar exists only at low tide.

Pay: At the ranger hut.

Fee: Fees differ for foreigners and for residents. SINAC posts the figure, and it usually includes IVA, as of Oct 2026.

Map

Map of Costa Rica

  • The whale tailA sandbar. Walk it only at low tide. At high water there is no path.

The sandbar at low tide. Humpbacks are offshore from about July to October. Do not book the trip around a sure sighting.

Pay at the ranger hut, then the beach. The sandbar is the walk.

At low tide. Check the tide in Uvita before you leave.

Uvita is the town in front of the beach.

Check the tide. Pay at the ranger hut when you arrive.

Pay at the ranger hut. Fees differ for foreigners and for residents. SINAC posts the figure, and it usually includes IVA, as of Oct 2026.

The sandbar sets the hour, not the clock. Go at low tide.

No. Pay at the hut and walk the sandbar at low tide.

Low tide only. Pay at the ranger hut. Do not walk out when the path is gone.

Where to stay

Uvita is the town in front of the sandbar.

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Parks near

Chirripó, Costa RicaPacific Coast

Chirripó

The highest peak in the country. A booked permit, a 3 a.m. start, and a night at the base lodge.