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Why Costa Rica?…

Costa Rica has become one of the most popular travel destinations for international travelers. It is often called "the Switzerland of Central America."

Political Stability –
Costa Ricans are very proud of their democracy, one of the oldest in Latin America – over 100 years, and peaceful history. Through its constitution, the country abolished its army in 1948 and invested the resources previously committed to military defense in education and health initiatives. Over 80 percent of the citizens participate in the political process.

The People –
Costa Ricans, or “Ticos,” are happy, friendly and gracious people. Their common greeting is “Pura Vida!” There is a prosperous and growing middle class. The 93 percent literacy rate is the highest in Latin America. Education is free and compulsory for all children and youth. The Costa Rican health care system, modeled after the Canadian system, includes both public and private care providers. The life expectancy for Costa Ricans is the same as for Americans.

Natural diversity and beauty -
Costa Rica comprises only 0.01 percent of the earth’s landmass (less than 20,000 square miles), yet it is home to five percent of the planet’s animal and plant species. There are more species of plants and animals per acre in Costa Rica than anywhere in the world. Biodiversity is evident everywhere: 10,000 species of plants, 850 species of birds, 800 species of butterflies, 500 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. You don’t have to travel far within the country to experience a different and unique ecosystem: mountains over 12,000 feet; active volcanoes; cloud and rain forests; waterfalls and tropical jungles; banana, sugar, pineapple, coffee, and papaya plantations; mangrove forest and coastal swamps; and beaches and marine environments that support a variety of water fowl, fish and crustaceans.

Approximately 30 percent of Costa Rica is protected as national parks, biological and archeological reserves, and wildlife refuges.

The South Pacific Coast Costa Rica
Large masses of humid tropical forest that harbor unique species existing on the planet, an abundant marine diversity, the highest peak in the country, an indigenous legacy that holds mysteries as captivating as the Pre-Colombian stone spheres and ancient cultures that still today conserve their traditions, make all part of what Costa Rica's Southern Pacific offers.

Its remoteness from the Central Valley turns this area into one of the last colonization barriers of the country, allowing the conservation of important forests such as Corcovado National Park, last haven of humid tropical forest in the Mesoamerican Pacific coast; and La Amistad International Park (Costa Rica-Panama), declared natural patrimony site by UNESCO.

The region also possesses the country's largest swamp extension, the Sierpe-Terraba wetlands, of great scenic beauty; it also contains unique ecosystems, such as the Chirripó National Park's glacial lakes, where the Chirripo Hill is 3820 meters high (12.400 Ft), Costa Rica's highest peak; and Dulce Gulf, which scientists consider a true tropical fjord, unique in the world for its richness of species.

Osa Peninsula covers most of the Southern Pacific region, and constitutes an area of great natural attraction that, together with the Talamanca Mountain Range, represents one of the first land formations that emerged in Central America. Both are places of great biological diversity. Given that the peninsula was an island in the past, it possesses unique endemic species of wildlife, in addition to those migratory species of North and South America.

Its tropical forests harbor trees of up to 70 meters high, (over 200 Ft) wood species of great value, and the largest populations of endangered animals including felines and scarlet macaws. In the upper slopes of the Talamanca Mountain Range, the Paramo ecosystem harbors highly attractive species like the resplendent quetzal and others.

Osa and Talamanca are also home to the country's main indigenous tribes of Meso-American and South American influence. Indigenous vestiges such as the stone spheres are also characteristic of the region. Some of the most famous spheres have been found on Caño Island, near the coast of Drake Bay, one of the country's best diving spots. Its clear waters, witness the migration of marine species like the humpback whale, spotted and bottle nose dolphins, and the green leatherback turtle.

The countless beaches bathing the Southern Pacific coasts are surrounded by exuberant nature and their sands possess the most diverse tonalities. Some are sought after for surfing, like Dominical Beach, near the Ballena Marine National Park, and Pavones Beach, famous for having the world's longest left-hand tubes. Others are solitary beaches, ideal for serious walkers seeking solitude and communion with nature. Rivers and waterfalls supplement the natural landscape and the charm of this region.

About Dominical
Dominical is in the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica. Located at approximately nine degrees latitude, the weather is tropical. Temperatures do not vary much from month to month (75 to 85 degrees F. year round).

As in other countries in the tropics, there are two predominant seasons. June through November is the winter season.

Mornings and early afternoons are sunny, with rain showers occurring in the late afternoons and evenings. Temperatures are generally in the cooler range (still relatively warm) during the winter months. December through May is considered the summer season. Rain may occur from time to time, but the weather is generally dry and warm.

Getting here -
More than 40 direct to Costa Rica flights are available daily from U.S. cities, including Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta. Situated in the Central Standard time zone, the time in Costa Rica varies by no more than two hours from any U.S. location. Two commuter airlines, Nature Air and Sansa, serve two airports that are within an hour’s drive of Dominical.

Local flights -
Several flights leave from San Jose, Liberia and other towns in Costa Rica to either the Quepos Airport which is about 1 hour North of Dominical (soon to be just 30 minutes once paving of the highway is complete), or to Palmar Sur which is about 40 minutes South of Dominical (the highway from Palmar Sur is paved and in great condition making for an easy drive). Cars or shuttle can be arranged to meet visitors at the airport.

Driving -
If you are driving from San Jose it is a 3 ½ to 4 hour drive depending on your route. It is 3 ½ hours if taking the mountain road through San Isidro de General. It is 4 hours if you take the coastal route through Jaco and Quepos.

Description -
On the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica is one of the country's most beautiful uncut gems, Dominical. From its turquoise green water to its fiery red and gold sunsets, the natural beauty of the area is second to none. The town sits on the Pacific Ocean bordered to the north by the Rio Baru, on the east by three thousand foot high mountains and to the south by dark, coffee brown, beaches and coves. One of the most striking features of Dominical can be found while swimming in the water, the town simply disappears. All you see are the tall beach palms and mangroves surrounded by verdant green hills reaching up into the mountains.

Not more than fifteen years ago the only buildings to be found were a few dilapidated fishing huts built by local fishermen. Since then the town has grown to over 700 permanent residents with a number of small beach front restaurants, bars and cabins. Even with the emergence and growth of the town, it is possible to walk from one end of Dominical to the other in less than ten minutes.

It is a three and a half hour drive from San Jose by car through some of the most visually stunning scenery in the entire country. Traveling south down the Pan-American Highway below Cartago takes you through the country's largest cloud forest and the worlds last remaining, sustainable habitat, for the endangered quetzal. It is only necessary to rent a four wheel drive car if you intend to do some exploring in the mountains or continue traveling further north or south.

The area surrounding Dominical, especially to the south, is almost completely unpopulated. Because of this, the area is full of hundreds of different species of exotic animals including; three different types of toucans, giant green and red iguanas, all four types of native monkeys parrots of all sizes and hues, three toed sloths and various small cats such as jaguarundis and montegordos.

There are two national preserves in the immediate area with three more (Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park and Cano Island National Preserve) only an additional hour and a half away. To the south is the country's only totally underwater national park, Marino Ballena. Here it is possible to see a pristine and virgin underwater world with scores of multi-colorful marine creatures, coral reefs and jagged, ash black, volcanic rocks and tide pools

After two hours of horseback riding from Dominical, there are the Nauyaca waterfalls, also well-known with Sacred Christ's name. It is two waterfalls of 65 meters whose temperate waters fall into a small lagoon.

Long well known as a surfers’ beach, Playa Dominical has its tranquil moments for those seeking solitude and reflections.

Strolling towards the middle stretch and further north, one encounters surfers from all over the world, as well as locals who call “Tortilla Flats’ home, an area encompassing a quaint mix of hostels, shops, restaurants, bars, water sports kiosks and internet cafes.

Predictably, the atmosphere around Tortilla Flats can be extremely animated during special surfing events and tournaments.

For visitors these occasions offer a unique cultural experience and an opportunity to mingle.

Surfing at Dominical beach
Dominical has been known for many years to the international surfing community because of its consistently good waves. Discovered in the early seventies by a group of intrepid and dedicated surfers, Dominical has steadily gained in popularity over the last 30 years. The town has become a haven for surfers with local restaurants. Dominical is also characterized by its ever green forest, due to the special conditions of its tropical weather.

The unusual conditions of the beach are what gives its surf both size and dependability. The wave is a beach break with a twist, which twists being the mouth of the Rio Baru to the north. The river empties out of the mountains to the east and deposits sediments that form into a sandbar that spreads like a pair of lazy rabbit ears north and south of the mouth.

Playa Dominical, Costa Rica , the water temperature is around 78 degrees year round, so you can leave your wetsuit at home.

As any Tico (Costa Rican) will tell you, Playa Dominical is Costa Rica’s most consistent surf spot, with average wave sizes at Dominical Beach ranging from three to five feet.

Playa Guapil, Playa Hermosa, Playa Dominicalito, and Playa Ventanas; have ideal surf for beginners, with small, gentle, well formed waves, absolutely stunning scenery. Intermediate and advanced surfers should go to a beautiful left-hand point break, known as The Point, or to Dominical's original locals, as “Papas Point”.

Surfing in the waters off Costa Rica's "Endless Summer" beaches is most definitely world class. Both coasts offer the international surfer an abundance of different types of conditions from one of the longest left-hand breaks in the world at Pavónes to the quadruple overheads of Salsa Brava. The only problem with these and other incredible surfing spots is the fact that they are seasonal, only going off a couple of months a year. This, however is not a problem at Playa Dominical, where year-round good surf and double overheads are the norm.

'Discovered' in the early seventies by a group of intrepid and dedicated surfers, Dominical has steadily gained in popularity over the last 30 plus years. The town has become a haven for surfers with local restaurants offering 'Starving Surfer' food specials and nonstop surf videos. This relaxed and laid back atmosphere combines with inexpensive accommodations and great surf to draw thousands of surfers a year like a giant magnet.

As the swell approaches the beach and forms into a wave, it's wave to depth ratio is the universal 2 to 3. Meaning the size of the wave is directly proportional to the amount of water it is in. So, a 10 foot wave will always be in water that has a dept of 15 feet and so on. The reason this is important is that once this wave meets the sandbar it peals down the length of the bar creating a beautiful left hand break. The best time to surf is from an hour before high tide to an hour after when the sandbar is furthest out and has the greatest effect on the waves break.

Dominical is the perfect home base for surfers that want to make the most of their time here in Costa Rica. It has year-round good surf plus, a central location on the Pacific which allows them to get to the other surf spots with relative ease when they are going off. With the weather conditions of area and the relatively small size of the country, it is truly possible for surfers to have an endless summer.

Playa Dominical offers dramatic sunrises to the southeast, as well as some of Costa Rica’s most fabulous Pacific sunsets to the northwest. Regardless of the season, you’ll be hypnotized by the beauty of this unique spot.

But, there’s more. The Dominical area, from Playa Guapil to the north to Punta Ventanas to the south, provides a stretch of countless beaches, each unique in its own way, for you to explore. You can swim or wade in the surf, stroll on golden sands, kayak through caves, enjoy a picnic under the shade of coconut palms, or watch the pelicans and water fowl that inhabit the shorelines.

Surfing spots

THE POINT
The Point also known as "Cambutal" is a long, peeling left-hand reef break that is rarely too small to surf, and can handle swells up to 15 feet and larger without closing out. When small it's a great wave for beginners, but when it gets big, the point is best left to experienced surfers. There's also an "unnamed" wave across the bay - it's a long easy right-hander, just right for beginners.

PLAYA VENTANAS
Playa Ventanas (Windows Beach) gets its name from the beautiful sea caves that line the north and south ends of the beach. The two caves on the north end extend from the beach out to the ocean, a distance of about 50 meters, and during certain tides create a sort of "blowhole" effect. Pressure from each wave blows a large cloud of steam out onto the beach. The caves on the south end of the beach tunnel deeply into the rock and inspire thoughts of hidden pirate treasure.

PLAYA HERMOSA
Or "Beautiful Beach" in English, truly lives up to its name. An incredibly scenic tropical beach, Hermosa is bordered by a spectacular forested cliff on the north, Marino Ballena National Park to the south, and backed by a palm-lined beach and rainforest covered mountains. Playa Hermosa’s waves are generally half the size of Dominical with crystal clear water and very good wave form.

PLAYA DOMINICALITO
Playa Dominicalito is a five minute drive south of Dominical, and is a popular beach for beginning surfers. Waves here are small and gentle – normally about a third the size of Dominical’s waves – but there are a few rocks spread out along the bottom so this spot is best surfed at higher tides. A pretty beach and a popular weekend spot for Ticos, Playa Dominicalito is also where local fishermen bring in their daily catch.

PLAYA BALLENA
Playa Ballena is located in Marino Ballena National Park, and is one of the best beginner’s waves in the area. Long, peeling waves break gentle on the outside, and then roll for a long way in towards the beach. This wave never gets very big - usually only around a third of the size of waves at Playa Dominical; and not just a beginners wave but a great longboarding spot as well.

Marino Ballena is a stop for the humpback whales on their migratory route and during the winter months (Oct-Mar) it’s common to see mother whales, their babies, and adult males breeching the surface.

Break Descriptions
Quepos This small left point is found at the river mouth in the city of Quepos, easy access with many restaurants and accommodations.

Playita - Manuel Antonio Beach break, lefts and rights with good shape. This coastal area needs larger swell for the surf to show.

Playa El Rey Rights and lefts beach break peaks. Best access to get there is taking the road to playa Dominical, 25 minutes from Quepos, in Roncador go right 11 kms and you will be there.

Playa Dominical Good, strong beach break with lefts and rights. Beautiful landscapes and very tropical. Dominical is characterized by its ever green forest, due to the special conditions of its tropical weather.

Drake's Bay and area Accessible only by boat. This remote break offers long, powerful waves when the swell is running. Boca del Rio Sierpe, is another place with exciting potential for the same kind of waves . Corcovado national park is an adjacent kingdom of lush, tropical wilderness, approximately 1-1/2 hours by boat.

Pavones Excellent left point, considered one of the longest in the world. Good shape and very fast. It is located 400 kms from San Jose (8 hours by car). Bring camping gear if you wish to hang there. Out on the peninsula across Pavones, a half-hour boat ride away, is reputedly a series pf right points the equivalent of Pavones½world class lefts.

Matapalo Excellent right point located in front of Pavones, you can get there by road from Pavones or by car from Golfito. Perfect waves. 38 - Punta Burica Very remote reef breaks. Accessible only by boat, No accommodations. Not much known. If you really want to get away...

Dominical Activities

WATER SPORTS
Surfing - The area around Dominical is a surfer’s mecca. Surfers enjoy good waves year-round. Several surf schools provide lessons, which include equipment. Dominical is also popular for swimming. (See beaches & surfing)

SPORT FISHING
The Dominical area is world famous for its sportfishing. Billfishing is very popular, especially from December to June, with world records broken nearly every year. Numerous outfitters offer well-equipped boats and experienced, bilingual captains to provide both the rookie and the experienced angler excellent offshore fishing for marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and dorado.

The Dominical area also includes the second largest mangrove system on the Pacific coast of Central America, providing some of the best flyfishing in the world. Inshore action includes roosterfish, snook, snapper, and sea bass.

RAFTING / KAYAKING
The Savegre River in the mountains northwest of Dominical provides class II/III/IV rapids and a chance to enjoy great swimming holes within dense primary jungle surrounding the river. The Naranjo River is a class III and IV river for physically fit, excitement-seeking rafters. The river drops steeply from the mountains through a beautiful jungle gorge, taking participants on a wild ride to sea level, passing nearby farmlands and palm plantations.

Ocean kayaking is also popular along the coast south of Dominical, where kayakers can travel through shoreline caves (depending on tidal conditions) and view pre-Columbian inscriptions on the walls.

SNORKELING / DIVING
Pristine coral reefs, together with an abundance of spectacular tropical sea life make for some of the best scuba diving in Costa Rica. About an hour from Dominical, Cano Island offers some of the most exciting diving within reach of the mainland. Porpoises, schools of manta rays, and white-tip reef sharks are commonly seen on most dives. Water temperatures in the Pacific are typically in the upper 70s to low 80s throughout the year.

CANOPY TOURS
Adventurous participants may enter the forest canopy and see jungle life from a unique and different perspective. One of the best canopy or “tree-top” tours in the country is available at Hacienda Baru, about 10 minutes by car from Punta Dominical. You can go with a professional canopy guide to a tree platform high above the floor of the forest. You can also zip from platform to platform - the adrenaline rush is an unforgettable experience.

HORSEBACKRIDING
One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Punta Dominical is on horseback. Guided horseback riding tours may be scheduled from several Dominical locations.

You can choose tours that take you along beaches and jungle trails and through river crossings to experience waterfalls, mineral pools, and spectacular mountain views.

WATERFALLS
Ride a horse or hike to a waterfall. Swim, float, or snorkel in the refreshing waters. A choice of three spectacular waterfalls is available in the Dominical area. One, Pozo Azul, is located on the Punta Dominical property.

BIRD WATCHING
Few countries in the world offer as many different species of birds in such a small area as Costa Rica. Toucans are commonly seen and heard around Punta Dominical. To the south, in Corcovado National Park, visitors can see the beautiful and rare scarlet macaws. An experienced field guide who knows the area and also the bird calls is essential for anyone who is seriously interested in seeing birds. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch, is a great resource for visiting birders.

Nature in the area

Manuel Antonio National Park
Located only 25 miles north of Punta Dominical near Quepos, this park is relatively small in area (only 1,687 acres), but it is rich in inhabitants. Over 100 species of animals and nearly 200 species of birds live in the park. All three species of monkeys found in Costa Rica reside in the park - the white-throated capuchin monkeys, the endangered squirrel monkeys, and the white-faced monkeys. In addition to monkeys, you can expect to see colorful birds, iguanas, sloths, and other animals. Because the number of visitors is limited, it is best to visit the park in the morning and during the week, if possible. The park is closed on Mondays.

Just off the beaches of Manual Antonio lies another world worth exploring. Snorkeling reveals bright, florescent colored fish swimming among the corals. Further out, the park encompasses twelve islets just off the coast where it is possible to see dolphins and migrating whales.

Ballena National Marine Park -
Only 10 minutes south of Dominical by car, is the 13,344 acres (including 11,120 acres of ocean) Ballena National Marine Park. The park extends along 13 kilometers of sandy shores and rocky coast and is the home of the Pacific coast’s largest coral reef.

There is excellent snorkeling close to shore at low tide. You can also reach the island at the tip of Punta Uvita to discover corals, sponges, and sea anemones. Make sure you take time to explore the caves here as well. Isla Ballena and the rocks known as Las Tres Hermanas (The Three Sisters) are a haven for frigate birds and boobies as well as pelicans and even ibises.

Whales tend to congregate near Las Tres Hermanas. Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles nest on these beaches during May to November.

Chirripo National Park -
Approximately one hour east of Punta Dominical by car, near San Isidro, is Chirripo National Park, which boasts the country’s highest peak (3,820 meters/12,530 feet). No technical climbing is required to hike Chirripo, but altitude and a rugged trail make for a strenuous trek. The hike to Los Crestones base camp takes six to 12 hours, half that time coming down. Most hikers allow two to three days to make the entire trip. Los Crestones base camp shelter is the only permitted lodging in the park (no camping allowed). Once at the shelter, day hikes to the peak, lakes, and high altitude meadowlands are available. Call at least a month in advance to reserve a bed at the shelter. Chirripo treks are most popular during December to May.

Caño Island Biological Reserve -
Located about an hour’s boat ride from Dominical, this uninhabited island is known as an excellent diving spot – rated as being one of the best underwater diving spots in the world.

Trails on the island lead to a pre-Columbian cemetery and several of Costa Rica’s mysterious stone spheres.

Mystery shrouds the history of these hand carved and perfectly rounded spheres, which measure from one to two and a half meters in diameter and are found mainly in the Palmar region and on Cano Island.

Wilson Botanical Gardens -
Located approximately an hour’s drive south of Dominical, near San Vito, these gardens, cover 25 acres. They have a vast collection of bromeliads, orchids, and more than 700 species of palms. Recognized as the most important tropical gardens in Central America, the gardens provide overnight lodging for a limited number of visitors and scientists.

Drake Bay -
Simply called Drake locally, this area is rich in both 16th-century history and natural history. Sir Francis Drake himself supposedly visited the bay in March of 1579 during his global circumnavigation, and there is a monument at Punta Agujitas to this effect. The bay is only a few kilometers north of Parque Nacional Corcovado, which can be visited from here. Agujitas is a small village that has a little groceries store, a public phone, a clinic, a school, and a couple of cabins.

Corcovado National Park -
Looking south from Punta Dominical to the Osa Peninsula, this park, comprising 134,771 acres on land and 5,930 acres of sea, is home to the country’s largest tract of virgin forest. Within a one hour boat ride of Punta Dominical, Corcovado is widely regarded as one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The park is home to at least 400 species of birds, 140 of mammals, 116 of amphibians and reptiles, 500 of trees, and 6,000 of insects. The park’s six distinct ecosystems shelter scarlet macaws, jaguars, pumas, tapirs, poison-dart and golden frogs, the harpy eagle, and other endangered species. Punta Dominical actively supports the efforts to conserve this unique natural resource.

It protects the last portion of Tropical Humid Forest of the Mesoamerican Pacific. Due to its geographical location, climate, soil conditions and topography, this area is home to an amazing diversity of biological species.

Blessed with such richness, the area has awakened great interest among Costa Rican and foreign scientistis, and its resources are continuously being investigated. The genetic potential found in the living forms that find refuge in Corcovado could be of invaluable benefit to agriculture, medicine and other equally important fields that seek the well being of humanity.

Before the Spanish conquest, the region was inhabited by indigenous groups who probably settled there due to the abundance of wildlife.

Until 1978, there was no access by land to the Península and the population in the region was very sparse. In 1975, when Corcovado National Park was created, the 300 farmers who lived in the area were compensated for their land and relocated in other areas.

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