Ballena National Park - Uvita & Playa Bahia

This little-visited area of the Pacific coast is only now opening up to tourism beacuse of the newly improved road. Eventually it will be over-developed when the road is made into a shortcut for Osa and the South, so see it now before it´s gone. Beaches are long and deserted. There are a fair number of Quebecois living and vacationing here so the ambiance takes on a bit of French Polyneisa. And the cuisine has a decidedly French flavor. This are is the home of one of Costa Rica´s newest national treasure, Ballena National Marin Park, of which only 50 meteres feet of land is part of the park, the rest is underwater surrounding the largest Pacific Coast coral reef in the country, and Isla Ballena. Past the small islands offshore, hundreds of humbback and pilot whales migrate in the dry season. Year around water residents include spotted dolphins that frolic in the bay.

Just north of Uvita is Rancho La Merced, for eco-tourists or travelers looking for a real Costa Rca forest and sea experience. Oro Verde is another local biological reserve that offers interesiting and informative day tours or modest cabins for overnight stays.