Playa Tortuga |
What is there to do around Ojochal? Extending southward from Dominical towards Panama, the south Pacific's beaches are dramatically different from their northern counterpart's (the north Pacific). In the south, lush green vegetation and dense canopies border the beach year round. The Osa Peninsula accounts for more than half of the total shoreline in the south Pacific area. Most of the Osa Peninsula is the Corcovado National Park; one of the most remote and pristine places in all of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's Southern Pacific Coast is among the most undeveloped and wild, natural regions in the country. Known as the “last frontier” in Costa Rica, this is an area packed with flora and fauna, as well as numerous world-class beaches and some of the best National Parks in Costa Rica – Ballena National Park and the Corcovado National Park. This part of the country has the added benefit of being favored by migrating whales, dolphins, and some of the most colorful birds in the world. The area includes many diverse regions: world class surfing beaches at Dominical and Pavones, serious diving among the hammerhead and whale sharks around Isla del Coco, amazing National Parks at Corcovado, Ballena & Isla del Cano, and some of the country’s best beaches. All the beaches, are good fun for Boogie boarding! Take the boards and play with them! Always be aware of rip tides, and the coming and going of the tides. When you go to the beach, DO NOT leave valuables in your car.....and don't leave them on the beach while you go in to the water. It is best to only have your car keys, a bottle of water and a copy of your passport with you when you go to the beach. Leave your valuables at home, where they are much safer. Then; you can walk, swim and play at the beach without any worries. Remember to take water with you, keep hydrated as you play out there! Always clean up after yourself, pack out yours and anyone else’s garbage you see! Always take bug repellant with you, you never know when the sand fleas will arrive and decide that they like your blood…if they arrive and you are prepared, you will not get bitten. The sun here is different than in North America….we are only 9 degrees north of the equator. That sun is strong!! Wear sunscreen, hats, take T-shirts with you…a sunburn can happen quickly! |
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Food & DiningTArea Restaurants:
In Ojochal - going in, from the entrance: Pancito café: has moved to the gas station where the dinosaurs are. Good coffee and baked goods, sells bread, has good WiFi. English and French spoken Citrus – fine dining, along the side of the street in the center with the huge fork in front of it. Website: [email protected] 2786-5175 / 8304-1717 English, and French spoken. In the same center is a Belgium Beer Pub, a Gourmet food shop, a pharmacy and a Dr’s office, a hair dresser, etc. Next to Citrus is: Stans Pub - serves Belguim beers, cocktails and pub food. A favorite Friday evening hangout. POTZ - a very new restaurant, with great reviews. Is owned by the same people that have SIBU in Uvita. Has a bakery and gelatos. Exotica: along the road in Ojochal, on the right. Fine dining. The hospitality is amazing! One of our “special Occasion” restaurants! English and French spoken. Always call for reservations: 2786-5050 La Pala- is at the end of Calle Bosque, basically at the end of the village. Up on a ridge, with amazing village and ocean views. Is new in 2024, has had great reviews of food and pricing. Run by a local family, on their land! South of Ojochal Boca Coronado Mediterranean restaurant: 1 km south of Ojochal. Great view of the river while dining on good food! Under new management, and we have not eaten there, so can't speak to the food or prices, Rancho Terraba: 1.5 km south of Ojochal. Great food, good service! This is a long time favorite of ours. The food is always amazing! Tell them we sent you! English spoken. Kua Kua Restaurant: a higher end restaurant with amazing 360-degree views of mountains and ocean! It is located in the 360 Hotel which is an “adult only” facility. It is on the same road as the Bamboo Room, just go a kilometer or so further until you see a large blue water tank. Turn left here! There is good signage. No children allowed. Mirador Manglares: about 5 km or more, to the south of Ojochal, on the right side/ ocean side of the road, up on a point. Great view of the Osa, the mouth of the Terraba River and the mangroves. Food is more typical, but always good and very fresh! Great place for fresh seafood! North of Ojochal Heliconia: a small, very private place with amazing food. Just before the Costa Materiales hardware store - use the same access point, on the beach side. Watch for their Black sign. Bonanza Restaurant - Along the highway, beside the Costa Materiales Hardware store. Owned by the same family that has Heliconia, so the same amazing quality of food and very good prices. Only serve breakfast and lunch. Fusion Restaurant – across the highway from the La Costa Materiales Hardware store and north a little bit. Great food, good prices…English spoken. Love these guys! In Uvita There are many restaurants in Uvita. Explore and find your favorite! Marino Ballena: Next to the south BM grocery store, across from the Banco National on the “Mountain side” of the highway on the south side of Uvita. Great food, cold beer, a great stopping place to hang out with friends! Sibu – On the left, next to a Pharmacy, the Uvita Tourist Info Center, etc. Across from the SUR Paint store, etc. Offers iced coffees and other specialties. Local markets – Wednesday mornings, behind the ASADA office in Ojochal, across from the public Library, there is a veggie truck and other vendors selling fresh foods and vegetables. |
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Beaches Playa Dominical:
World Class Surfing and a Relaxed Party Atmosphere! This beach is widely recognized as one of the best Costa Rica surfing beaches. A number of surf camps and surf shops have sprung up to take advantage of the lively lefts and rights. But even if you don't surf, you'll adore Playa Dominical's lush green landscape, restaurants, nightlife and relatively un -crowded sands. There is great ‘tourist” shopping right on the beach, with vendor stands selling clothes, towels, jewelry, trinkets, etc. This is a great beach to watch the sunset, have drinks or dinner at Tortilla Flats restaurant or any other along the beach-front strip. In town on the main street are some great little shops for exploring. Caution: watch your things, just don’t take valuables with you there or lock anything you cannot carry with you in the trunk of your car. Directions: 40 minutes north of Ojochal on the Costenera highway. Turn left off the highway the signs, before the bridge and the security check point. Things to take with you: sunscreen, bug spray, money for beer and food. Playa Hermosa: Miles of fine sand. This beach is between Dominical and Uvita, just off the highway. There are many entrances, just trails off the highway. You can park your car at your site, with easy access to the beach. This is a beautiful long beach, great for walking, strong surf and good shell hunting. Great family beach, with life guards! Popular with surfers. Directions: About 10 miles north of Uvita, There are some signs stating Playa Hermosa, watch for trails that exit off the highway towards the beach. There are a few entrances. Cautions: really watch your things and park your car where you can see it!! There are rip tides here …watch for them. If you get caught in one, do not panic; just move parallel to the beach until you can get out of it. You will be popped out of it! Things to take with you: usual beach stuff and bug spray. Watch for ants in the tree line, they like to be in the dead leaves and do bite! Playa Ballena National Park / Whales Tail: This beach is accessed by turning off the highway onto thinly paved road going towards the beach, about 1 km south of Uvita. It is the beach of the famous “Whales Tail” a rocky outcropping that is shaped like a whales tail protruding from the main land. This a great beach for walking, snorkeling, exploring. You can walk at least 15 km on endless sand beach. Access is at the very end of the road in Bahia Ballena. On the way you will pass a couple of little shops that have good prices on clothes, jewelry and trinkets. Directions: You turn towards the beach/ west on the paved road about 1 km south of Uvita, when you come to a “T” intersection, turn left to the end of the road. You park at the gate, pay the guard and walk in. Follow the road to the point where it goes out into the ocean…this is the Whales Tail. At low tide you can walk right out to the end of the tail. There is good snorkeling on the left side of the tail when the tide is out. In the village, there are Whale and snorkeling tours available. Cautions: Do not leave valuables in your vehicle unless locked in the trunk. Never leave your things unattended. Things to take with you: usual beach stuff and good walking sandals. You will pay $6.00 per person upon entering the Park. The pass is good for all day, as many beaches as you chose to explore. Playa La Colonia: 2 kms south of Uvita watch for sign along highway. Is a long beach, great for walking. There is camping available and picnic areas. You can drive close to the beach, lots of parking in the shade, near your site for the day. It has beautiful sunsets and waves. Popular with Surfers. Directions: There is signage along the highway on the beach side of the highway, north of the hardware store, and south of Uvita. It is about 1 1/2 km in and is a really nice beach. Caution: Do not leave valuables in your vehicle unless locked in the trunk. Never leave your things unattended. Things to take with you: usual beach stuff and good walking sandals. You will pay $6.00 per person upon entering the Park. The pass is good for all day, as many beaches as you chose to explore. Playa Ballena / Playa Arcos : Pristine beaches and crystal clear waters – a haven for whales and exotic wildlife. There are a number of beaches included in the National Park. You will pay $6.00 per person upon entering the Park. The pass is good for all day, as many beaches as you chose to explore. This is a long and beautiful beach, with a boardwalk entrance over the Mangrove swamp area. You can also access this beach area from the Villa Leonore Beach Club. Directions: There is signage for this beach on the highway; you turn off the highway at the Goathouse restaurant. Cautions: there is often security here, but still do not leave valuables out our in sight. Never leave your things unattended. Things to take with you: usual beach stuff Playa Pinuela: This beach is a nice, calm bay where the local fishermen often tie their boats. The high tide line is a bit rocky, but the rest of the beach is beautiful. Great for walking, you can drive in close to the beach and park under the trees in the shade, not far to carry your things. The locals and fishermen come to this beach, often camping under the trees. Directions: Follow signage from the highway…100 yards north of the Pinuela Restaurant; with a bus stop at the entrance to the beach. Follow the road in, park where you want. I usually go to the left as far as I can, the beach is nicest there and I can watch my car easily. On the weekends there are often Park Attendants there and you will need to pay an entrance fee. There are now washroom facilities here. Caution: Do not leave valuables in your vehicle unless locked in the trunk. Never leave your things unattended. Things to take with you: usual beach stuff and refreshments. Playa Ventanas: This beach is a small, protected beach, by the jungle that is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica and very popular with the residents of the area. At low tide you can walk right into the two caves carved by the waves. Directions: You can access the beach by turning in at the “Playa Ventanas” sign, about 1 km north of the Ventanas Gas Station. You will travel down the road to the parking lot. Caution: Even though there is security here, do not leave valuables in your vehicle unless locked in the trunk. Never leave your things unattended. Things to take with you: usual beach stuff and refreshments. Playa Tortuga: This beach is long, beautiful and is near the mouth of the Tortuga River, a great beach for walking! An amazing sunrise or sunset walk!! You do have to watch the tide table, because you have to cross a river.. and it gets deep at high tides. Directions: just south of Ojochal, turn toward the beach, on the south side of the first bridge. Drive for about a km, on a trail along the river, past the Reserva Tortuga- a place to learn about wildlife in the area, and they do Turtle patrols, etc. Park above the high tide, trash line and walk to the beach area. It is illegal in Costa Rica to drive or park your car on the beach, so stay above the high tide line/ trash line! Caution: Do not leave valuables in your vehicle unless locked in the trunk. Never leave your things unattended. Things to take with you: usual beach stuff, good walking sandals, and umbrella because there is no shade at this beach. |
