Bahia Ballena, Costa Rica

Bahia Ballena is a small town on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, within the canton of Osa, in the region known as Costa Ballena. Commonly grouped with neighboring town, Uvita, Bahia Ballena is located just 15 minutes south of the more well-known surf town, Dominical, and is a breath of fresh air for travelers looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Southern Pacific region, as well as the laid-back charm of a small, authentic Tico town.

Bahia Ballena, which literally means "Whale Bay", has its name for two reasons:

At low tide the sandbar on the north end of the Ballena Marine National Park beach forms into what from above looks like a giant whale’s tail, aka the Whale’s Tail.
Bahia Ballena’s location on the Pacific Ocean gives it a fairly stable water temperature year round, providing the perfect place for whales from both the north and south to give birth; for this reason, there are actually whale watching seasons in this lucky town.

Why visit Bahia Ballena

Whether you are looking to enjoy the solitude of a pristine beach, snorkel the clear waters of Caño Island, hike through the jungle, or have an awesome active vacation in the outdoors, Bahia Ballena is the perfect place to spend inordinate amounts of time, as there is just so much to do and see! While rainy season (which starts in late June and can last through mid-November) can make certain parts of Costa Rica's South Pacific region difficult to access, the road to Bahia Ballena is one of the country's best. The weather is typically hot and sunny most of the day and most of the year, and even in the rainier months, Bahia Ballena has a very pleasant climate. Because of the weather and its location, Bahia Ballena is ideal for everyone, from outdoor adventures to professional relaxers!

Getting to Bahia Ballena

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 Bahia Ballena.

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 Bahia Ballena (a 90-minute ride).
Rent a car: Rent in San Jose and drive to Bahia Ballena 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.
Take a bus: Hop on a bus (we recommend Tracopa) which goes down the Costanera Highway from San Jose to Bahia Ballena (an approximately 4.5 hour bus ride).

Tourist Services in Bahia Ballena

Bahia Ballena 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 Bahia Ballena: restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, banks, ATMs, and car rental services are all available. Hospital services and a police station are available in the neighboring town, Uvita - a 3-minute drive from Bahia Ballena.