Other whales that visit costa rican waters are the false killer whales, pilots, and. Costa rica dolphins and whales when should you come. Located on costa ricas amazingly beautiful central pacific coastline, the small. Costa rica is known for its diverse wildlife and among the millions of species of fauna, humpback whales are one of the favorite species of people who travel from all over the globe to observe them. The whale resort is a large beachfront property located on the edge of canaza, a small town about 15 minutes from puerto jimenez, a much larger port town that offers all the amenities such as restaurants, bars, banksatms, pharmacies, medical facilities, tour operators, a commercial airport, and plenty of shopping, but if youre in a big hurry, canaza also has its own small grocery. Costa rica is famous for whales, and there are many species that come here seasonally, to have their babies in its protected bays and coves. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca whales, and short. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and,200 acres 5,375. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica.
Jul 12, 2017 costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. Uvita bahia ballena is a privileged place for the best whale watching in costa. Guide to nosara costa ricas surfer spot in the pacific. Pacific humpback whales, who migrate annually passing costa rica, are farthestmigrating animals on earth. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is july, august and september throughout the country. We travelled with our 5 year old twin boys and they helped the boys catch their first fish and showed.
Whale watching the best times of year costa rica 100%. All of this and more can be seen on dolphin and whale watching excursions into costa ricas ocean habitats some of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the world. Marino ballena national park directly translated to marine whale national park in english in uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in costa rica. Together, these humpback whale populations spend eight months in costa rica each year. Visitors on whale watching tours to costa rica can plan their trips around the comings and goings of three baleens and three larger toothed whales as well an array of smaller dolphin species.
September is an excellent time for whale watching in the southern pacific zone of costa rica. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking. Costa rica news this app is a must have for anyone going out on a boat to take in some whale watching in costa rica, as the season is upon us. During decemberapril, you can see whales from alaska, and augustnovember they come from antarctica. Oct 18, 2016 humpbacks have been such a revered sight in the uvita province of costa rica that, for the eight year in a row, a whole festival has been hosted in their honour. Aug 16, 2017 costa rica is home to the longest season for whale watching in the world, and september kicks off the peak of one of two of the most popular times of year to witness humpback whales who migrate to the warm and rich waters of marino ballena to give birth to their young. Considering this is the ideal month for whale watching in costa rica, nows the perfect time to plan a lastminute getaway to the worlds best adventure travel destination. During this time of year, your odds of seeing a humpback whale are good. Discover why this area attracts an estimated 25 whale and dolphin species. The whales are said to be acrobats and can be seen breaching and slapping the water. The most common whale to see in costa rica are the humpback whales as they pass by costa rica more than 6 months of the year. Costa rica is the number one place to go whale watching in central america and the fastest growing whale watching industry in latin america. Southern pacific whale watching in costa rica calendar and locations.
This whale generally makes short dives for 1030 seconds, but can dive down to 260 m. These two migrations dont draw the same number of whales, though, so read on to find out the best time of year to see these amazing creatures. This means that in costa rica there is a chance of seeing humpback whales for nine months out of the year. Top spots for whale watching in costa rica special places of.
Whale watching in costa rica costa rica costa rica. Find your own personal slice of pura vida by heading out into the pacific ocean during this halfday private boat tour from samara beach. Various dolphin species play up and down the pacific coast, while the caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin. You see them all over the map but specifically in places like the golfo dulce, central pacific, guanacaste, osa peninsula and the tropical waters of the caribbean seeing a wild animal in its natural habitat is always a beautiful thing, but seeing a whale jump from the. Liberia international and nosara regional altitude. Costa rica has one of the longest whalewatching seasons in the world. Costa rica waters are home to dozens of marine species and we provide private small boat tours for you to observe them in their natural habitat. Most countries offer only one tourist season for visitors wishing to go whale watching. The best time to visit costa rica is from middecember to april the dry season. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. Costa rica is home to the longest season for whale watching in the world, and september kicks off the peak of one of two of the most popular times of year to witness humpback whales who migrate to the warm and rich waters of marino ballena to give birth to their young. Travel comfortably with a responsible company with insurance policies and all the comfort you deserve.
Whale and dolphin festival uvita southern costa rica. Because they spend so much time above the surface spy hopping, fin slapping, breaching and fluke flipping humpback whales are by far the most popular subjects for whale watching tours in costa rica. Costa rica tourism costa rica hotels costa rica bed and breakfast costa rica vacation rentals costa rica packages. What to know about whale watching in uvita, costa rica. Every year the coastal pacific waters of costa rica host two different humpback whale. Costa rica dolphins and whales come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and will be a great addition to your trip. Exotic, yet a comfortable place to visit or live, the pacific coast of costa rica is a hot spot for whale watching, the unique geology of the region insures surprises galore on every island and every shore. This dolphin and whale map shows the species that either migrate to or inhabit the waters of costa rica.
Whale shark visits rocket frog diving in costa rica. Whale watching costa rica, dominical, puntarenas, costa rica. In some instances, they are spotted in march to june especially in cano island. These magnificent creatures, some of the largest marine mammals in the world, are an aweinspiring sight. This gives whale watchers a lot of flexibility as humpback whales can be seen nearly year round on the pacific side. The festival is a great place to find a whale watching tour, learn more. At a height of 1700 feet500m on a mountainside above the pacific ocean and the best beaches in costa rica. There are certain months perfect for viewing these animals during their natural migration patterns off the coastal waters of central america. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. The great whales of costa rica costa rica scuba diving.
Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whales tail sandbar. The very best time and place is august through october along the southern pacific coast from about jaco or manuel antonio to the warm waters around the osa peninsula but as detailed below there are lots of possibilities. Whales and dolphins festival costa rica real estate. During the northern hemisphere winter december to march, humpback whales that feed on the northwest coast of the united states migrate to costa ricas tropical waters to mate, give birth, and nurse their young. This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging. Sep 06, 2011 while others are having the time of their lives venturing into the subterranean caves or riding their 4. Dolphins and whales migrate heavily through costa ricas southern pacific from july to october. Costa rica is a great place for ecotourists to spot dolphins and whales.
For a general idea of monthly weather conditions, the world bank group has a great tool that shows the average monthly rainfall and temperature in costa rica over 2030 year periods. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca false killer. Some of the alaskacalifornia whales winter in hawaii and other places to the north so their numbers are fewer in costa rica. Its main claim to fame is as the departure point for corcovado national park that takes up almost a third of the osa peninsula. You see them all over the map but specifically in places like the golfo dulce, central pacific, guanacaste, osa peninsula and the tropical waters of the caribbean. The northern hemisphere california humpback whales come to the pacific coast december early april.
Humpback whale mothers give birth in the pockets of shallow temperate waters off the shores of costa rica while orcas and bottlenose dolphins troll for sushi. The osa peninsula is home to more than just humpback whales visitors to the region can see more than 25 species of whales that either migrate through the area or live there permanently. The famed arribadas occur frequently during this time, in intervals of 310 days. Over this time, the mother can lose as much as a third of her own body weight. In most areas, dedicated whalewatching tours are uncommon. The antarctic migration has the most whales and peak season is between august and october. There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. Drake bay is a very laid back small town with idyllic beaches well off the beaten path. This gives whale watchers a lot of flexibility as humpbackwhales can be seen nearly yearround on the pacific side. But this reputation means that places as beautiful as the nicoya peninsula can get crowded. Aug 18, 2012 costa rica is famous for whales, and there are many species that come here seasonally, to have their babies in its protected bays and coves. Charter a boat or take a tour with an educated guide to go whale watching and see the two most common species. Thousands of visitors descend in the ballena national park and cast off on whalewatching boats, carefully monitored to ensure distances are kept in check, and whales are not disturbed.
They cover the distances of 5,000 to 8,000 km twice a year. Apr 15, 2020 marino ballena national park directly translated to marine whale national park in english in uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in costa rica. They like it so much that they often use golfo dulce as a nursery for their young during october. Over 100,000 people travel to costa rica each year to watch whales.
Jul 31, 2019 whale watching in uvita costa rica has 2 seasons, from half july to half november and from half december to april. Costa rica has become the worlds premier ecotourism destination, and for good reason. Every year whales make migrations from all over the world, swimming thousands of miles for food and breeding. The whales are popping above the surface to take a look around. Whale watching and dolphin watching in costa rica, during this tour we can see the humpback whales, spotted dolphins, bottle noses, turtles and sea birds combined with snorkeling in the tail of the whale or whale island where you can see different types of reef fish. Situated on the south pacific coast of costa rica, ballena marine national park is the destination that comes to mind first for many costa rican whale watchers. Hi all can someone please tell me what times of the year are the best for whale watching on the pacific coast of costa rica. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. Considering this is the ideal month for whale watching in costa rica, nows the perfect time to plan a lastminute getaway to. As for the best time of the year to do whale watching, the season begins from august where whales start to arrive and feast on the plankton rich waters of costa rica and may run until november. Costa ricas famous whale tail is located in the small town of uvita, about an hour south of manuel antonio and is part of parque nacional marino ballena the national marine whale park. Best time to visit nosaras dry season runs november through april, but if you want to see nesting olive ridley turtles, schedule a visit between july and december. Humpback whales are the most commonly seen, known for their long migrations north side and south side. A humpback whale song generally lasts from 10 to 20 minutes and is sung continuously for hours at a time.
The whale watching season is so long due to humpback whales traveling from both the north and south poles converging in costa rica, thereby extending the season. The beginning of january is a peak travel season in costa rica, as crowds from the christmas and new year holidays linger. The park is named for the pacific humpback whales that return to these warm coastal waters annually to breed. Dolphin and whale season in costa rica properties in. It is the best time of year for whale watching and spotting these magnificent creatures as they make the epic journey across the ocean waters. A total of two boats are allowed to observe a group at the same time. The enormous humpback whales roam the waters of the pacific coast for about 8 months of the year. Other species also pass though costa rica waters en route to mate or feed, but their. During this time of year, your odds of seeing a humpback whale.
Humpback whales the most common type of whale that you may see here are the humpback whales, which are very large well most whales are large, but these are seriously huge and they love to jump out of the. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park. Humpback whales are commonly seen out in the waters as both northern and southern humpback whales pass through this area, giving costa rica the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Usually swimming at 610 kmhr, it can reach speeds of 40 kmhr. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. However, in recent years, commercial whale watching has been extended to central. This is when they come to breed and raise their young and is the best time to go on a costa rica whale watching tour. Apr 29, 2019 the best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september.
This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and,200 acres 5,375 hectares of preserved ocean. Best times to visit costa rica rain, cost, events costa rica guide. This pacific beach town is best known for its roaring surf and relaxed vibe. The calf will grow to at least 8 meters over the first year feeding on the mothers milk.
These seasons are based on the annual migration cycle of the pacific humpback whale. The warm waters off the southern pacifics osa peninsula are costa ricas most. Watching a majestic humpback whale performing acrobatic leaps out of the sea rates as one of costa ricas best bucketlist experiences. Marine mammals and predators in costa rica earthwatch.
Inquire now for availability based on season and where you will be. Scientists believe that the other behaviors may be. Costa rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. While it is impossible to guaranty you will see these species during the months outlined below, we have provided the months that they are most commonly sited in the waters of costa rica. Costa rica is home to an estimated 25 whale and dolphin varieties, which migrate, mate and make their home in the pacific ocean and the caribbean sea. Rica each year havent quite discovered it yetwhich makes now a crucial time to. About half are commonly spotted off the south pacific, including brydes whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. All along the coasts of the pacific waters there are many special spots for whale watching.
Additionally, this large whale population stays near the peninsula for a long time, giving costa rica one of the longest whale watching seasons on the planet. Whale watching in uvita costa rica has 2 seasons, from half july to half november and from half december to april. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park two. With many spots to choose from, whale watching is all within your reach. Whale watching in costa rica southern explorations. The other whales that pass by costa rica are deep ocean dwellers. A female will birth one calf after a 15month gestation and nurse it for 1 year, and gradually wean it for a year after that.
113 187 579 1484 886 718 1348 1273 656 1681 371 1610 308 774 157 500 426 1264 1569 1686 1061 404 1402 814 631 1547 196 709 795 632 57 1574 707 1515 1446 361 119 483 996 1014 1326 858 1170 226 1226 903 123 573 1117