Ballena Marine National Park

 

 

Please click here to read the article about Ballena Marine National Park in Costa Rica Spirits.

 

Ballena Marine National Park was the first Marine National Park established in Costa Rica (1989).

The main objectives are the protection of species that have commercial value, as well as other important biological species associated with the coral reefs. Principal species are:

 

• Dolphins
• Marine Birds (Magnificant Frigate Bird, Brown Pelican, Yellow Crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Little Blue Heron)
• Marine Turtles (Green turtle, Olive Ridley turtle)
• Whales (Humbpack whale, Pilot whales). Read more about the best time to view whales in Ballena Marine National Park in Costa Rica Spirits.

 

Main attractions of the park are:

• El Tómbolo de Punta Uvita (rocky formation that during low tide resembles from an aerial view the tail of a whale);
• Isla Ballena y Tres Hermanas (rock formations that are home of many species such as lobsters, barracudas, marine birds, reptiles, green iguana);
• Coral Reefs;
• Playa Arco (small white sand beach)

 

How to get to the Marino Ballena National Park’s entrance: By car from Jaco along the Costanera Sur to Uvita, just after Uvita (km 162) turn to one’s right, then straight ahead about 8-15 minutes along a not paved road to the park’s entrance.

 

Costa Rica Spirits Magazine made the tour with Bahia Aventuras, www.bahiaaventuras.com; Tel. 27438362. This endures about 3-4 hours and costs $ 85.--.

 

Hotels: www.cristal-ballena.com; www.maryselva.com

Restaurants: Ojochal, ca. 20 km south of Uvita. Restaurant Citrus, Tel 27865175; Restaurant Exotica, Tel. 27865050; Uvita: Restaurant of Hotel Cristal Ballena