Top Things to do in Dominical
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Top 10 Things to do in Dominical, Province of Puntarenas
Surf, dive, snorkel, beach comb, horseback ride, bicycle, or relax in a hammock in Dominical. Take a stress-relieving yoga class at Bamboo YogaPlay. Enjoy beach restaurants serving up everything from East Indian curries and Italian pastas and pizzas to local gallo pinto and shots of anise-infused sugarcane liquor. Savor lonely beaches populated by pelicans, frigate birds, brown boobies, and hardy surfers here for the waves and good beachfront food at reasonable prices. When you’ve caught up on your sleep and feel relaxed, take the family on a hike to the double-cascade waterfall at Nauyaca. Perhaps the family would be up for a horseback gallop on the beach, or a trot to a smaller waterfall like Pazo Azul, whose plunge pool is popular with local kids. There is always boogie boarding at Playa Dominicalito. Or beachcombing and dolphin-watching at Playa Dominical. Guided bird-watching, and mangrove estuary and rainforest tours are always educational. Charter a fishing boat. Catch and release big sailfish like marlin in the deep sea, or keep some tasty dinner fish like red snapper, yellowfin tuna, snook, wahoo, and dorado. In Marino Bellena National Park, humpback whales migrate south towards Dominical to escape the Arctic cold. December to April is the humpback whale mating season in Ballena (Whale) Marine National Park. May to November is the nesting season, when Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles do their nocturnal egg-laying on the beaches. Low tide beach combing walks can take you out to Punta Uvita Tombolo island. Snorkel, dive, and explore mangrove habitats. Or just sit with the family on the gold and white sands watching green marine iguanas sunbathe between dives into the rocks and corals to feed on marine algae.
Restaurants in Dominical
1. Dominical Surf School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 253 reviews
PROUDLY THE LOCAL SURF EXPERTS, SHARING THE STOKE AND LOVE FOR SURFING SINCE 2005. ISA certified instructors going the extra mile for you! Small classes with personalized attention. Friendly, patient and helpful coaches. We adapt to your surfing level whether is zero or advanced. *Daily Surf Lessons *All Inclusive Surf Camp Packages *Board Rentals
2. Costa Rica Surf Camp
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 467 reviews
Costa Rica Surf Camp is a family run business has been offering surf lesson and surf guides since 2004 in Dominical. If you are looking for a unique adventure, our team of professionals will show you the best time out in the surf! Stop by the surf shop has everything you need for surfing and enjoying the beach.
3. Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 355 reviews
We are proud supporters of 1% for the Planet, Surf rider Foundation, and Sea Shepherd. Our instructors are certified by the ISA , Costa Rican Lifeguard Association, and are all avid surfers from around the globe. We will turn you from a "never ever" to an "intermediate" surfer by the time you leave our surf camp! If you are in intermediate surfer we will transport you to different surf locations where we will work on all aspects surfing point breaks to big beach break. Not only will we teach you everything you need to know about surfing we will show you around Costa Rica and make sure you experience this jungle paradise! Drop us an email to discuss booking a surf lesson or joining our surf camp.
4. Dominical Waverider Surf Camp & Retreat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 252 reviews
Dominical Waverider have the best trained surf instructors in Costa Rica, our surf lessons are designed for all ages and levels. Owned by Dominical Lifeguard Captain, all surf instructors are certified lifeguards and experienced surfers. Whether you are new to surfing, need support moving into bigger waves or simply want to improve your surfing skills then our surf camp is the right choice for you! We offer surf vacation packages that will provide you with everything you need to get the most out of your time in Costa Rica, including surf lessons, yoga, accommodations, transportation, tours and adventures to amazing natural attractions. Immersed yourself in the "Pura Vida" vibes and come have a vacation of a lifetime with us!
5. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 900 reviews
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization where we Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release Costa Rica's exotic wildlife back into the jungle! 100% of your donation goes to care for the animals. You will see a variety of species and hopefully walk away with an understand on the importance of conservation.
Reviewed By buckeyes08 - San Jose, Costa Rica
We enjoyed this tour. We were prepared or thinking this was going to be a long hike/walk however, this is just a short circle around their sanctuary. Our guide was great, shared the great work their team is doing, shared some sad stories and most importantly educated us on what to watch for and what to do should you see an injured animal or sloth. We got really lucky and seen the two sloths being active. Highly recommend.
6. Ballena Tour C.R
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
7. Costa Rica Explorer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 98 reviews
We are an adventure tour company based in Playa Dominical, Costa Rica. Our motivation is to share our experience in white water rafting, surfing and waterfall tours. We are a team with over 6 years of experience in all facets of adventure tourism. We focus on giving the most authentic part of Costa Rica for couples, families, and friends wanting to experience and explore South Pacific Costa Rica.
8. Parque Reptilandia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reptile Park & Botanical Garden near Dominical Become thrilled seeing these magnificent animals up-close; a fun and easy trip for the whole family Parque Reptilandia has the largest and most diverse presentation of Reptiles and Amphibians in Costa Rica. Educate your kids and yourself on this special group of animals. They can be examined safely from close-up and are beautifully exhibited, simulating their natural habitat as much as possible. When strolling down the easy walking paths you can also enjoy the many beautiful plants and trees in the botanical garden
Reviewed By Nurmatsi
The reptile park is very easily accessible from the road 243. The park has got an impressive collection of reptiles from all over the world. I am not an expert of how representative the collection is but it was very interesting to discover the different species and a pleasing stop overall. Some reviews pointed out the poor maintenance, but generally everything was ok to my mind. In the bright daylight it may be difficult to see the snakes through the glass because one will see the reflection instead, so may-be this aspect needs addressing in the future.
9. Dominicalito Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By got2bebiking - Saint Louis, United States
Love how clean and pristine this beach is. Great Ceviche stands here too. We walk this beach many time, and it is a great people watching beach too
10. Playa Dominical
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Sagovac - Dominical, Costa Rica
What a beautiful backdrop of mountain, jungle, surf, sand and river. This quaint town of restaurants, yoga studios, surf shops, hotels, hotels and craft vendors has a very unique vibe to it. It whispers “hippie” and “ yogi” from the ‘60’s where people just want to backpack and sleep on the beach, but there are also good moderately priced hotels and restaurants. You will definitely feel your blood pressure drop as you make your way down to the beach and watch the surfers The actual beach is amazing...wide and clean, with wave after wave rolling in.
