Explore Dominical, Costa Rica

The Dominical area offers endless activities and adventures. Regardless of the activity (or inactivity) you choose, you are guaranteed a wonderful experience in a spectacular natural setting.

Visitors come to Costa Rica for nature and it is certainly easy to experience. Approximately 30 percent of Costa Rica is protected as national parks, biological and archeological reserves, and wildlife refuges. Dominical is one of the few spots along the Pacific coast of Central America where the mountains descend into the deep blue waters of the ocean. The punta (point) is a favorite spot for viewing spectacular sunsets.

Untouched and unspoiled could best explain this true Costa Rican village and surrounding area. Dominical is the gateway to several national parks and the start of the Osa Region known for its intense bio-diversity.

Home to many surf shops, restaurants and café’s Punta Dominical is referred to as a surfer’s paradise for its exceptional wave action where waves can reach over 10 feet tall. But you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy the community and environment.

There are countless beaches in the Dominical area, some better for surfing while others better for swimming and wading. If you enjoy surfing you can choose from one of the five beaches each turning up a wave for a different skill level. There is Playa Dominical, Playa Ventanas (known for its caves), Playa Hermosa, Playa Dominicalito and Playa Ballena.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a short drive and has over 100 species of animals and nearly 200 species of birds that live in the park. All three species of monkeys found in Costa Rica reside in the park - the white-throated capuchin monkeys, the endangered squirrel monkeys, and the white-faced monkeys. Another national park is Corcovado National Park home to at least 400 species of birds, 140 mammals, 116 amphibians and reptiles, 500 species of trees, and 6,000 insects. The park’s six distinct ecosystems shelter scarlet macaws, jaguars, pumas, tapirs, poison-dart and golden frogs, the harpy eagle, and other endangered species

Other activities and adventures to explore include: sport fishing (Dominical area is world famous for this), rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, waterfall exploring, bird watching and canopy tours. Hacienda Baru is 10 minutes away by car and offers one of the best tree top canopy tours. 330 hectares (815 acres) of private land preserved for various wildlife, such as the three and two-toed sloth, toucans, white faced and spider monkeys, colorful frogs and other species.