Hacienda Barú Lodge
A lodge inside the Barú National Wildlife Refuge just north of Dominical, 330 hectares of rainforest, mangrove and beach, with a bird watching tower and family cottages.
3-starView hotel
Dominical
A friendly surf town on a 4 km beach, 28 miles south of Quepos, with rainforest all around and whales, waterfalls and Caño Island within a day trip. Most of our clients spend 3 nights here.
- Fly into
- SJO
- About 4 hours by road
- Stay
- 3 nights
- What most of our clients choose
- Best weather
- Dec to Apr
- Dry season
- Region
- Central Pacific
- Surf, rainforest, whales nearby
- Pairs with
- Manuel Antonio
- Private transfer, about 1 hour
Why go
A surf town with the rainforest behind it
Dominical was a quiet fishing village that slowly became a surf town of about 700 people, with surf schools, restaurants and lodges in the forest. Some of the first surfers to find it loved it so much they stayed and opened businesses. Surfers come from all over the world for the waves on its 4 km beach, the biggest of them for the experienced, and the currents are strong, so it is a beach for surfing rather than swimming. The day trips are the other reason to come: the Nauyaca Waterfalls on horseback or on foot, whale and dolphin watching in Marino Ballena National Park, and diving at Caño Island.
SurfingSchools for beginners, big waves for the experienced
Nauyaca WaterfallsFalls of 45 and 20 metres over a deep pool
Whales and dolphinsMarino Ballena, December to March and July to October
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
What our clients book most in Dominical
Ranked from the trips we planned in the last 12 months.
- 01Whale and dolphin watching in Marino BallenaShared
- 02Day trip to Corcovado National Park, San PedrilloShared, 9 hours
- 03Boat tour of Marino Ballena National ParkShared
- 04The Nauyaca WaterfallsShared, 6 hours
When to go
Driest December to April
The dry season runs December to April, but Dominical is known for good weather most of the year, and from May the trip is still a good one. October and November are the rainiest months. Humpback whales visit Marino Ballena from December to March and again from July to October.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry seasonGreen season, rainiest in October and NovemberSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
Over the mountains or along the coast
From San José (SJO)about 4 hoursPrivate transfer over the Talamanca mountains by San Isidro, or down the coast by Quepos
From Manuel Antonioabout 1 hourPrivate transfer south along the coast
On to Drake Bay1 to 1.5 hours to SierpePrivate transfer to the dock, then a boat to Drake Bay
Where to go next
Where our clients go after Dominical
Good to know
Dominical questions we answer every week
Can I swim at Dominical beach?
We do not recommend it. Dominical has strong currents, which is why it is a surfing beach. The sun is strong too, so pack plenty of sunscreen.
Is Dominical good for beginner surfers?
Yes. There are surf schools for every level, from a first lesson to advanced, while the biggest waves are for experienced surfers.
How many nights do I need in Dominical?
3 nights is what most of our clients choose: a day in the surf, a day at the Nauyaca Waterfalls and a whale and dolphin tour from Uvita.
When can I see whales near Dominical?
Humpback whales visit Marino Ballena National Park, just south in Uvita, from December to March and again from July to October.
How do I get to Dominical?
About 4 hours by private transfer from San José, over the Talamanca mountains by way of San Isidro or along the coast by way of Quepos. From Manuel Antonio it is about 1 hour.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística