Whale watching in Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the best activities in Central America. Thanks to its tropical climate and ideal water temperature, Costa Rica is among the top locations to observe cetaceans.
Trust me when I say that spotting whales in Costa Rica, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, is an extraordinary experience. Whales and dolphins are majestic creatures and seeing them in the wild really takes your breath away.
There are numerous whale watching excursions available in Costa Rica, and this guide outlines the top options while providing key details about timing and whale identification.
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Best Costa Rica whale watching tours
Since Costa Rica is one of the best places globally to see dolphins and whales, there are many tours that you could book. To make it simpler for you, I’ve chosen the best dolphin tours in Costa Rica:
- Whale-Watching Tour in Uvita, Costa Rica
- Watching whales and dolphins in Costa Rica (Drake Bay)
- Whale-Watching Escorted tour in Costa Rica from San José
- See dolphins in Costa Rica (Guanacaste – Playa Sámara)
- Spotting Whales in Costa Rica (Golfo Dulce – Puerto Jiménez)
- All-inclusive Whale-Watching Catamaran from Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica)
1. Whale-Watching Tour in Uvita, Costa Rica
Those seeking one of the premier trips for witnessing cetaceans like humpback whales and dolphins in Costa Rica may appreciate this excursion. The journey experienced immersed visitors in the marine habitat of the Marino Ballena National Park in South Pacific Costa Rica, renowned as a premier location nationwide to view humpback whales and dolphins in their natural coastal environment. Here one may sight humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles among other ocean wildlife.
In addition to providing the best odds of viewing marine mammals, the tour also incorporates a snorkeling session and a visit to some local caves.
- Highlights: Marino Ballena National Park, opportunities for snorkeling, and natural caverns
- The starting location was Uvita, Costa Rica.
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Price from: $82
- Description: This tour goes through one of the most popular locations to see whales in Costa Rica, the Marino Ballena National Park, where the likelihood of seeing cetaceans and sea turtles is very high. It also includes snorkeling and a visit to several caverns .
- M Boutique Hostel: A contemporary hostel located in Bali offering bunk beds in shared rooms for only $7 per night (Seminyak area).
2. Whale and Dolphin-Watching in Costa Rica (Drake Bay)
Another highly rated dolphin tour in Costa Rica is this excursion, which voyages through Drake Bay. This region is one of the prime locales to enjoy whale watching in Costa Rica, as several kinds of dolphins inhabit here permanently. Furthermore, humpback whales arrive here annually to mate and give birth, so contingent on when you travel, you may see them.
During the tour, an expert guide will share information about the cetaceans, and you can use a hydrophone to listen to the whale sounds. You’ll also get the chance to go snorkeling and see additional marine life.
- Highlights: Humpback whales, dolphins, and snorkeling
- Starting point: Aerodrome road – Drake Bay
- Duration: 6 hours
- Price from: $127
- Description: Take a cruise through Drake Bay to see dolphins and whales. During the tour, an expert will share facts and allow listening to the whales through a hydrophone. Equipment for exploring underwater is included for those wanting to snorkel .
3. Whale-Watching Tour in Costa Rica from San José
Another one of the highly regarded Costa Rica whale-watching excursions is this one, commencing from San José. From there, it travels to Dominicalito beach and passes through the Marino Ballena National Park, one of the prime spots to view whales and dolphins in Costa Rica. During the cruise, you’ll also get to see other marine life like sea turtles and manta rays.
This excursion includes some free time to enjoy the beach, as well as breakfast and transportation to and from your San José hotel. Without question, it’s an excellent choice if you’re staying in the Costa Rican capital and don’t feel like driving to the coast.
- Highlights: Dolphin and whale-watching in the Marino Ballena National Park, breakfast, and transportation from/to San José
- Starting spot: Your lodging in San José
- Duration: 14 hours
- Price from: $165
- Description: Witness whales in Costa Rica, along with dolphins and other marine life as you travel through the Marino Ballena National Park. This excursion also includes breakfast and transportation from and to your San José hotel .
4. See Dolphins in Costa Rica (Guanacaste – Playa Sámara)
This guided tour through Sámara beach provides an exceptional opportunity to observe dolphins native to Costa Rica. Visitors have the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, and occasionally migrating humpback whales. Included are a snorkeling session, refreshments, as well as hotel pick-up and return transportation.
- Notable aspects: Dolphin and whale-watching near Sámara Beach, snorkeling.
- Starting point: Your hotel
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Price from: $56
- Description: Enjoy this costa rica dolphin trip and spot other aquatic creatures while indulging in snorkeling and refreshments .
5. Whale-Watching in Costa Rica (Golfo Dulce – Puerto Jiménez)
Golfo Dulce has an abundance of maritime wildlife, so it represents another region renowned for some of the finest opportunities to observe dolphins within Costa Rica. Throughout this excursion, visitors can view dolphins and other creatures while also traveling through adjacent mangroves, rivers, and snorkeling amongst reefs nearby.
- Key attractions: Dolphin-watching and diving among the reefs of the Golfo Dulce
- Starting point: Your hotel
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Price from: $230
- Description: This dolphin and whale-watching tour in Costa Rica takes visitors to impressive areas around Golfo Dulce, such as various mangroves and reefs .
6. All-inclusive Whale-Watching Catamaran from Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica)
Finally, this boat ride is an exceptional trip through Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most beautiful locales to see whales in Costa Rica. During the tour, you’ll have the ability to view whales and dolphins, and you’ll also get the opportunity to snorkel. This cruise also includes lunch and transportation from and to your hotel.
- Sights: Dolphin and whale watching, snorkeling, and lunch
- Starting point: Your hotel
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Price from: $250
- Description: Embark on a catamaran voyage to enjoy watching dolphins in Costa Rica with lunch and hotel transport included. You`ll also get the prospect to snorkel and explore the deep waters.
Best time to see whales in Costa Rica
A frequently posed inquiry relates to the optimal timeframes for whale watching excursions in Costa Rica, a sensible question considering certain periods present improved chances over others for booking dolphin tours.
There are two prime seasons of the year for observing dolphins in Costa Rica. One is from the end of December to the beginning of April, while the other is from the end of July to the beginning of November. Though tours operate year-round, these two periods coincide with the annual southward migration of humpback whales.
If you travel outside of these two seasons, there is no need to worry because dolphins inhabit these waters permanently, so you`ll still be able to see a variety of marine life.
Where to see whales in Costa Rica
If you’re wondering where the best place is in Costa Rica to see large marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, the answer is very straightforward. The Pacific Coast provides the ideal location to spot whales and dolphins, and all Costa Rica tours focused on watching whales depart from this area.
While it is true that there are several particular locations where large marine mammals like whales and dolphins can commonly be seen in Costa Rica. Some of the most popular spots are the Marino Ballena National Park, the Osa Peninsula, and Drake Bay. Many Costa Rica dolphin tours also frequent the Manuel Antonio National Park, especially during the time when humpback whales migrate.
While there are numerous locations and chances to view whales in Costa Rica, keep in thoughts that these are wild creatures, and anticipating their activities is not guaranteed. Obviously, the trips that function in this area have many years of knowledge, so they have a decent concept of where to go in Costa Rica to spot whales. Every single time we`ve taken one of these trips, we’ve had an unforgettable experience.
Types of whales in Costa Rica
Now that you are aware of when and where to see whales in Costa Rica and which are the ideal tours, I`ll share some data about the types of cetaceans you can see here, as well as how to easily recognize them.
Humpback whales in Costa Rica
The humpback whale is one of the most frequent whales that you’ll see while whale-watching in Costa Rica. While they don’t live in the waters of Costa Rica, they spend a few months here, particularly during mating and breeding season.
These aquatic mammals belong within the genus of fin whales, commonly growing to between 13 to 17 meters long and weighing up to 15 metric tons, a size that positions them among the largest rorqual whales. Their stocky forms are immediately recognizable.
Dolphins in Costa Rica
It’s also typical to observe dolphins in Costa Rica, and some inhabit certain coastal regions permanently. The prevalent species encompass the bottlenose dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphin.
The bottlenose dolphin dwells in groups exceeding 10 individuals on average and typically measures between 8 to 10 feet in length. It has a dark gray body that lightens towards the back.
The pantropical spotted dolphin tends to be smaller, sometimes not reaching 6 feet in length. Its most distinguishing feature is its spotted body, especially its backside, which accumulates more spots as it ages.
Other cetaceans in Costa Rica
In addition to the species I mentioned, there are other cetaceans you can observe in Costa Rica, although they’re not as common. One of these is the false killer whale, also known as the black killer whale. It ranges from 12 to 18 feet long and can weigh up to 2 tons. Unlike actual killer whales, this one is completely gray or black.
You may also see pilot whales in Costa Rica, which can measure exceeding sixteen feet in length and weigh between one and two tons.
A species of common dolphin identifiable by its yellow stripes along the side has also been spotted in Costa Rica. You may also see the acrobatic spinner dolphin known for its spinning leaps out of the water and the sperm whale, which is among the largest animals in the world with teeth. Furthermore, keep an eye out for sea turtles, manta rays, and other marine life while watching for whales in Costa Rica.
You now possess every detail required to take full advantage of the supreme whale-watching excursions in Costa Rica. Should you have any questions or wish to share your experience, I welcome you to leave a comment. I am certain that regardless which activity you select, you will delight in your Costa Rica dolphin tour!
Happy sailing!
