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. Various dolphin species play up and down the Pacific coast, while the Caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin.
In most areas, dedicated whale-watching tours are uncommon (Except for the whale seasons), as other excursions – snorkelling, surfing, and scuba trips, among them – often include marine wildlife watching on the itinerary.
In the South Pacific, however, is different. Dominical/Uvita and Osa Peninsula are the major territories of Costa Rica’s whale and dolphin species. The nation’s most iconic and oft-spotted whale, the humpback, spends more than eight months a year in these waters – the lasting humpback whale season in the world!
Go on a Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour in:
Guanacaste & North Pacific
Costa Rica’s northwestern corner of Guanacaste is known for its dolphins, including spinner, spotted, bottlenose and common dolphins. However, during the migration season humpback whales are not an uncommon sight off the coast of Papagayo, Playa del Coco, Tamarindo and other beaches.
However, during the migration season humpback whales are not a rare sight off the coast of Papagayo, Playa del Coco, Tamarindo and other beaches. Organised dolphin and whale-watching tours are not common, but many ocean trips (sunset sails, snorkelling excursions, and more) often detour to favourite marine animal zones, especially during mating and migration season.
Best Time to Visit: Animal sightings are common year-round; Humpbacks migrate through the region August – October and December – April.
Nicoya Peninsula
As the North Pacific, the Nicoya Peninsula is not well known for its whale-watching. However, sightings of humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, and common dolphins are common throughout most of the year. Whale-watching tours are not typical, but daily cruises depart from Malpaís, Santa Teresa, and Montezuma to Tortuga Island,
However, sightings of humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, and common dolphins are common throughout most of the year. Whale-watching tours are not typical, but daily cruises depart from Malpaís, Santa Teresa, and Montezuma to Tortuga Island, snorkelling reefs, and scuba hotspots; these excursions offer the region’s best chances for spotting whales, dolphins and endangered sea turtles.
Best Time to Visit: Animal sightings are common year-round; Humpbacks migrate through the area August – October and December – April.
Central Pacific
Manuel Antonio and Quepos are an excellent jumping-off point for whale and dolphin watching. Here, the Pacific is home to migrating humpback whales, as well as spotted, common, spinner and bottlenose dolphins. The most spectacular central Pacific whale-watching, however, is located just south of Dominical in Ballena National Marine Park. The park’s most popular attraction are its dolphins and whales – pseudo-orca, humpback, and pilot whales, among them – and the park’s iconic “whale’s tail” land formation.
Here, the Pacific is home to migrating humpback whales, as well as spotted, common, spinner and bottlenose dolphins. The most spectacular central Pacific whale-watching, however, is located just south of Dominical in Ballena National Marine Park. The park’s most popular attraction are its dolphins and whales – pseudo-orca, humpback, and pilot whales, among them – and the park’s iconic “whale’s tail” land formation. Organised dolphin and whale-watching tours depart daily.
Best Time to Visit: Most species present year-round; humpback whale migration August – October and December – April.
Osa Peninsula & South Pacific
The warm waters of the Southern Pacific’s Osa Peninsula are Costa Rica’s most popular destination for whale watching; in fact, the Osa Peninsula is home to the longest humpback whale-watching season in the world! Most tours depart from Drake Bay, although you can catch day excursions from Puerto Jimenez, as well. In addition to humpbacks, you can spot pilot whales and pseudo orca whales, as well as bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, common dolphins, and rough tooth dolphins. Organised dolphin and whale-watching tours depart daily.
Best Time to Visit: Most species present year-round; humpback whale migration late July-November and December-March.
