Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
occur within the park. There are coral reefs near the shore, though they were heavily dam-
aged by sediment run-off from the construction of the coastal highway. Entrance is at the
ranger station
(
dawn-dusk)
in Playa Bahía Uvita, the sea-
2743-8236; admission US$6;
side extension of Uvita.
Getting There & Away
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena is best accessed from Uvita or Ojochal, by either private
vehicle or a quick taxi ride; inquire at your accommodations for the latter.
Ojochal Area
Beyond Uvita, the Costanera Sur follows the coast as far as Palmar, approximately 40km
away. This route provides a coastal alternative to the Interamericana, as well as convenient
access to points in the Península de Osa. En route, about 15km south of Uvita, you'll pass
the tiny town of Ojochal, on the inland side of the highway.
Ojochal also serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena, and there are plenty of accommodations here to choose from, despite its small
size. Though Ojochal has attracted quite a multicultural expat population, its friendly,
well-integrated vibe has a distinctly different cultural feel from that of surfer-dominated
Dominical.
Just north of Ojochal, about 14km south of Uvita, is the wilderness beach of Playa Tor-
tuga, which is largely undiscovered and virtually undeveloped, but home to some occa-
sional bouts of decent surf.
Sleeping
There's not much of a nucleus to Ojochal - most of the sleeping and eating options are
spread out along the Costanera Sur.
Lookout at Playa Tortuga
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
( 2786-5074;
www.hotelcostarica.com
;
d US$79-110; )
This beautiful hilltop sanctuary is home to a dozen brightly painted bungalows awash in
calming pastels. The grounds are traversed by a series of paths overlooking the beaches
