EXCURSIONS & TOURS

BALLENA MARINE PARK

The national park Ballena is the first marine park in Latin America. It was created in 1990 to protect the coral and rock reefs. The park covers 13 kilometers of coastline from Punta Uvita to Piņuela Beach and consists of 5,375 hectares of marine environment. From the river Terraba (South of the park),which connects the biggest mangrove area of Central America to the sea, tons of micro organisms flow into the sea. Another attraction for bigger and smaller fish and their predators. The park is a system of reefs and islands called Las Tres Hermanas that protects the coastline which is made of several unique geological functions and creates some of the best diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica. The best time for these activities is during the dry season and beginning of rainy season (January till August). There are 5 species of coral in the park (from the 18 existing ones in the west pacific ocean). The park waters host swarms of Anchovies, lobsters, catfish, Flying Fish, Trunk Fish, Trigger Fish, Caribbean Snook, Jew Fish, Common Dolphins and Bottle Nose Dolphins. From December to April the park is home to Humpback Whales, an endangered species of which only 5,000 remain today.

The sandy beaches of Ballena are visited by the Oliver Ridley and Hawksbill Turtles from May till November, but mainly in September and October.
Half day tour Kayaking/Snorkeling Tour Marina Ballena
Tour leaves from playa Ballena (5 km. North of the hotel). The bilingual guide will tell you about the national history of the park and give your a safety talk to make sure that your get what you expect on this trip. and then introduce you to an easy paddling for one and a half hours to Ballena Island where your will be set up for fruits and cold drinks in a tropical style and then get ready for snorkeling around the island where you will see one of the most richest marine fauna of the area, before kayaking back to the beach.
Half day tour Snorkeling/Kayaking Ballena, Price: US$ 50.- pp, Includes: transportation from/to the hotel, kayak, snorkeling equipment, professional instructor, snack.
NOTE: this snorkel tour can also be done as a regular boat trip, leaving from Uvita (15 km North of the hotel). Visiting 2 different snorkeling spots.

Caves & Waves Kayaking tour Ballena
Starting from the beach of Piņuelas, 3 kilometer North of the hotel, the bilingual guide will tell you about the national history of the park and give safety instructions before paddling for about an hour to the caves of Ventanas (2 of them are accessible with the kayaks). Rest at one of the most beautiful beaches of the zone ( Playa Ventanas) where you will be set up on a tropical way with fruits and drinks having some fun time surfing the waves on your way back.

Half day tour Ocean Kayaking, US$ 50.- per person, including transportation, bilingual guide, snacks, park entrance.