Once you are at the beach or inside the national park, walking is the only way to explore. The main attraction, the famous “Whale’s Tail” sandbar, is a 1-2 km walk from the park entrance that you can only do at low tide. The beaches are wide and long, perfect for a stroll to find a quiet spot.

A bicycle is the perfect tool for this scenario. Many visitors rent bikes specifically for this purpose. You can easily:

Ride the flat road from the main highway town center down to the park entrance, which is much faster than walking.

Cruise along the hard-packed sand of the beach during low tide, allowing you to cover the huge expanse of Playa Uvita and Playa Colonia much more quickly than on foot.

Yes, a 4×4 is highly recommended and practically essential. While the main highway is perfectly paved, a vast number of the best vacation rentals, eco-lodges, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints are located up steep, unpaved gravel roads. A standard sedan will not be able to access many of these areas, especially during the green season.

Uvita is a fantastic year-round destination with a tropical climate.

December to April is the dry season, offering plenty of sunshine and blue skies.May to November is the green season, where the rainforest is incredibly lush. This season also hosts the main event: whale watching. The peak season to see humpback whales is from July to October, making August and September prime months for a visit.

Uvita is generally considered a very safe destination for tourists. We recommend using common sense: lock your doors, don’t leave valuables visible in your car (especially at beach parking lots), and be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night.

The official currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). However, US dollars are widely accepted in Uvita for tours, hotels, and at most restaurants; smaller, local eateries (sodas) may prefer colones. It’s best to have a mix of both. In restaurants, a 10% service charge (servicio) is automatically included in the bill, so additional tipping is optional but appreciated for excellent service.

Yes. Due to its popularity with tourists and a large expat community, English is widely spoken in Uvita’s hotels, tour companies, and restaurants. However, learning a few basic Spanish phrases like “Hola” (Hello), “Gracias” (Thank you), and “Pura Vida” is always appreciated by the locals.

No, U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of less than 90 days. You must have a valid passport and proof of onward travel (a return flight ticket).

No, there are currently no vaccination requirements for travelers from the U.S. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever (e.g., Brazil, Peru, Colombia).

Uvita has a diverse and exciting food scene. You can find everything from traditional Costa Rican restaurants (sodas) serving delicious casados and gallo pinto, to fresh seafood, excellent sushi, wood-fired pizza, and healthy cafes with smoothie bowls and vegan options. There is something to suit every taste and budget.

Yes, the tap water in most hotels, rentals, and restaurants in Uvita is treated and safe to drink. If you have a particularly sensitive stomach, bottled water is readily available everywhere.

For any emergency, dial 911.

EBAIS Uvita is a public health clinic in town for basic care and minor issues.For more serious concerns, Hospital Tomás Casas in Ciudad Cortés is the nearest public hospital, located about 30 minutes south of Uvita. There are also private medical clinics in town.