Dominical, Costa Rica

Dominical is a small town with a surf vibe, located amid the lush and still-largely untouched region of the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This town has a mellow and laid-back atmosphere, especially compared to the country's more touristed destinations such as Tamarindo and Jaco. The majority of visitors to Dominical come to surf as it is known for its consistent and advanced waves; however, there are many activities to choose from around the area.

Dominical tourist attractions & activities

While Dominical is primarily known for its abundance of surf camps, there are plenty of other activities from which to choose. In the immediate area, you can explore the jungle-covered mountains, hills, and valleys, and potentially witness the exotic wildlife, including whales and turtles, in their natural habitat. There is also a variety of other activities to take part in:

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Kayaking
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White-water rafting
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Sport fishing
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Snorkeling tours

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Whale and dolphin watching tours
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Bird watching
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Waterfall exploration

Getting to Dominical

You can easily to get to Dominical from San Jose by bus, car, or a combination of flying and driving/taking a bus.

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The quickest way to get to Dominical is to take a domestic flight from San Jose to Quepos, then rent a car and drive south to Dominical along the Costanera Highway. It is approximately a 30-minute drive from Quepos to Dominical.
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You can also rent a car in San Jose and leave San Jose, heading west towards Jaco on the 27 highway and then taking the Costanera South (34 highway) until you reach Dominical, about three hours
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Finally, you can take a bus from San Jose to Dominical, roughly a 4.5 hour bus ride.

Nearby destinations

From Dominical you can easily visit Uvita, Bahia Ballena, Ojochal, and the rest of the Costa Ballena region.

There is a public bus service for the area but buses do not run that frequently. It is recommended for tourists to have their own form of transportation to best take advantage of their time in the Costa Ballena area.