Uvita, Costa Rica

Uvita is a small town located on the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a 3.5 hour drive from the capital city, San Jose. Although the area is much less developed than the Nicoya Peninsula, it is gaining more and more popularity among tourists who come to see its gorgeous natural beauty, experience the "Pura Vida" way of life, and get away from the crowds.

Bahia Ballena is commonly grouped with Uvita (people will refer to it as Bahia Ballena - Uvita) because each town is small and they are across the river from one another. Here, you can enjoy the beach and slow pace of life in Bahia Ballena, and the conveniences of the more populated town of Uvita.

Why visit Uvita

Uvita is a wonderful place to visit, and has something for every type of traveler, though it really is a great destination for active travelers who want to explore the outdoors. It is easy to access from the capital city, San Jose, even in the rainier months (when some of the destinations further south can often be inaccessible). It has great weather - hot and sunny between December and May, and warm and temperate the rest of the year. There are many activities to participate in due to the fact that Uvita is located where mountains and ocean meet.

Getting to Uvita

If you're doing a vacation at Bodhi Surf + Yoga, rest assured - your trip includes round trip transportation between San Jose and Bodhi Surf + Yoga! See below for alternative methods of getting to Uvita.

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Take a domestic flight: Fly from San Jose to Quepos. From there, rent a car and drive yourself to Bahia Ballena by taking the Costanera Highway south (a 45-minute drive), take a taxi, or hop on a bus from Quepos to Uvita (a 90-minute ride).
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Rent a car: Rent in San Jose and drive to Uvita via Jaco on the 27 highway and then take the 34 highway (also known as Costanera). This is an approximately a 3-4 hour drive by car.
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Take a bus: Hop on a bus (we recommend Tracopa) which goes down the Costanera Highway from San Jose to Uvita (an approximately 4.5 hour bus ride).

Tourist Services in Uvita

Uvita borders the Marino Ballena National Park, the greatest tourist attraction in the area and an iconic landmark for the communities that surround it. The town is also home to many tour operators, restaurants, and lodging options.

Additionally, tourists can find all the services they need in or around Uvita and Bahia Ballena: restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, banks, ATMs, and car rental services, hospital services, and a police station.