Nauyaca Falls, in our opinion, are among the most beautiful in the country. From Dominical, it’s about a 20-minute drive, and from the parking lot, you can reach the falls on foot (1 hour), horseback, or by 4×4 truck. Take a delightful dip and capture stunning pictures! A lovely day trip for all ages!
And if you can’t get enough of waterfalls, Eco Chontales and Cataratas Uvita are also well worth a visit.
The Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge is a natural reserve spanning a whopping 330 hectares, comprising primary and secondary rainforests, wetlands, mangroves, rivers, and coastline. Here, you can embark on fantastic bird, nature, and night tours, spotting numerous animals. It’s impressive considering that in the ’70s, the land around Hacienda was almost entirely deforested, with lots of cattle roaming. Thanks to visionary Jack Ewing, the area has flourished again, boasting spectacular biodiversity.
A particularly unique way to explore the rainforests and coast of Dominical is from the air. You can do this during a paragliding tandem flight! Soar into the sky from the hills of Dominical with a well-trained pilot and glide over the landscape. It’s absolutely thrilling, and you’ll most definitely never forget this literal and figurative highlight of your Costa Rica trip!
The powerful and consistent waves of Dominical attract experienced surfers from around the world. If you’re an advanced surfer, you can undoubtedly spend days enjoying the waves. If you’re not so experienced but want to give it a try, the waves of neighboring Dominicalito are perfect for beginners! Take a surf lesson or rent a surfboard and conquer the waves of these tropical beaches!
In the marine national park Bahia Ballena in Uvita (20 minutes drive from Dominical), you can spot humpback whales for 9 out of 12 months per year. The whales come to the warm and relatively shallow waters of Uvita for giving birth and raising their calves.
On a boat trip, you have a great chance of spotting a mother with a baby, and with a bit of luck, dolphins might swim along with your boat.
One of the tourist hotspots in Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio National Park. In this relatively small park, you can hike through rainforest and swim at tropical beaches. You’re guaranteed to see many animals, such as capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, raccoons, and scarlet macaws. The park is beautiful, but it can be very crowded. In our opinion, there are more beautiful alternatives. If you still decide to go, be sure to buy your entrance tickets online well in advance.
Just 1 hour’s drive from Dominical and 30 minutes from Manuel Antonio, you’ll find Rainmaker, a private park where you can enjoy beautiful hiking and swimming hike and swimming. You will walk along beautiful paths and hanging bridges through the rainforest, and along the way, you can take a refreshing dip in the natural pools of the river. There’s plenty of shade, making it a nice change from the sun-drenched beaches.
The local travel experts at Edventure Travel not only know the most enjoyable activities in Dominical, but also stand out with unique accommodations! How about staying in a bungalow in a nature reserve or a distinctive glamping experience in the rainforest or glamping right on the beach? Be surprised by our extraordinary offerings!
Request your free and non-binding quote for a tailor-made trip here or create your dream trip using our destinations.