Feel the Magic of Mother Nature in Ojochal, Costa Rica

If you’ve visited the Southern Zone of Costa Rica, you have probably heard of the town of Ojochal. It’s growing quickly as a top destination for guests seeking the perfect blend of nature and luxurious vacation villas found in the Osa Peninsula. 

In fact, the New York Times just put the Osa sky-high at #4 on its list of 52 Places to Visit in 2026. And we can’t agree more. 

Where is Ojochal?

Ojochal, Costa Rica is located on the southern Pacific coast, just 20 minutes south of Uvita and 35 minutes north of Palmar Sur. 

This beautiful and tranquil beachside town is known for impressive wildlife, luxurious villas, five-star dining and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Vacation Villas in Ojochal, Costa Rica:

YouGetHere has some spectacular vacation villas in and near the town of Ojochal.

Vista Encanto

This stunning 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath south pacific Costa Rica luxury villa is located in the small village of Ojochal near multiple world-class restaurants, two French bakeries, fresh fish and fruit markets, and close to area beaches and activities including one of the nation’s premier beaches, Playa Ventanas. Read all about it and peruse the many photos here.

Casa en el Cielo

With 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ bathrooms and a dreamy outdoor setup, Casa En el Cielo is a luxury vacation villa for the outdoor lover. It’s an intoxicatingly fun rental property, featuring regular visits from Costa Rica’s impressive lineup of wildlife, as well as awesome beach access just a few minutes down the road.

Villa Montemar Chontales

South of Ojochal, and 15 minutes off the coastal highway is a very private 5-bedroom luxury rental home in the middle of one of the most diverse tropical jungles on the planet. You can truly escape the noise and bustle of towns at this villa where the monkeys spring from tree branches while toucans and scarlet macaws soar through the skies above the property.

So what makes Ojochal so special?

Ojochal offers more than fancy food and vacation villas. It’s a hidden paradise on earth where visitors can still feel the magic of mother nature. 

You can explore incredible sea caves on a heart-pumping kayak adventure, or discover baby sea turtles hatching right before your eyes. You can try to solve the mystery of the massive spheres, or head offshore on a boat ride to a legendary pirate’s island. 

But one thing is for sure, the raw natural beauty and magic of Ojochal is something you must experience in person. 

What are the Best Things to Do in Ojochal?

It’s difficult to pick the best thing to do in Ojochal, since all of our guests love different things! So we’ve compiled a list of amazing experiences in and around Ojochal so you can decide:

Spend a Day at Playa Ventanas Beach

”What’s the best beach in the area?” If we had to pick one local beach that stands above all the rest, it would be Playa Ventanas. Be sure to grab a pipa fria from one of the friendly beach vendors. 

Kayak the Ventanas Sea Caves

There are many caves to explore at Playa Ventanas, particularly if you have access to a kayak or want us to reserve you on this epic kayak tour. A few of these deep caves can be accessed directly from the shore at Playa Ventanas. Visitors can literally walk into the caves at low tide. At higher tide makes getting in and out much tougher and more perilous.

Explore the Past at the Museum of the Stone Spheres

Just south of Ojochal is also home to the mysterious spheres. You can see them first hand by visiting Finca 6, and “The Museum of the Stone Spheres.” It’s well worth the visit for all explorers at heart. And if you happen to be in Ojochal at the right time, the “Festival of the Stone Spheres” is held on the day of the year in which it’s possible to watch as the sun aligns with several large spheres. Be sure to purchase an authentic Borucan mask, by far the best souvenirs you can bring home.

Enjoy Top-Notch Dining at Exotica

This restaurant is a longtime staple in Ojochal and guests have been enjoying the cuisine since 1998. Classical French training at this farm-to-table establishment has kept the restaurant rating sky high and it remains one of the most popular dining experiences in southern Costa Rica. A reservation is required as this place gets packed! Check out the menu here and you’ll understand why. 

Play a Round at Osa Golf

For all those golfers out there, we highly suggest you tee off in paradise. Nestled in lush rainforest, Osa Golf offers a unique experience unlike any other. Think birdies on the green, flora on the fairway and an occasional iguana or toucan critiquing your swing from a branch overhead. The course is designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment, offering players a challenging yet rewarding experience with two par-5’s, six par-4’s and a single par 3.

Visit the Beach at Playa Tortuga

The area around Ojochal, Costa Rica, is a significant location for both modern sea turtle conservation and the study of ancient turtle fossils. Nearby Playa Tortuga (translating to ‘Turtle Beach in English) is a key nesting site for the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Learn all about these incredible sea turtles here and be sure to visit the beach in person. 

Live Music at The Bamboo Room

If live music, food, drinks and sunsets are some things you enjoy, look no further than Ojochal’s popular Bamboo Room. The location of this restaurant is up the hill from the coast, which is why you should always rent a 4×4 when visiting Costa Rica. To check the live music schedule, which varies throughout the year, be sure to check out their Facebook page here.

Head Offshore to Caño Island

Cano Island is about 26km offshore. Contact us early if you’d like to visit because passes must be reserved in advance. In addition to the wildlife (dolphins, whales, sea turtles and a variety of colorful fish) this island has an intriguing history. Evidence suggests that it was used as a sacred burial ground and location of spiritual importance for indigenous groups. Legends and historical accounts also state that pirates frequently hid out here due to its source of fresh water. In fact, the name “Caño” refers to the freshwater creeks found on the island. Today, it hosts one of the healthiest coral reef systems along Costa Rica and is home to the migrating humpback whales as well. 

Tour the Terraba-Sierpe Mangroves

If you aren’t one for zip lines or off-road vehicles, consider the mangrove tour in Sierpe. The Terraba-Sierpe wetland is spectacular to see, especially as mangroves are disappearing. The smallest primate in Costa Rica, called the titi monkey, makes its home here in the canopies. As well as more than 100 species of birds. Crocodiles and caimans meander through the water and over 55 species of fish have been identified as well. 

So, how do you get to Ojochal, Costa Rica?

You have a few options when it comes to traveling to Ojochal. 

You can fly into the International Airport, SJO (Juan Santamaria International Airport) and then rent a car or take a shuttle about 4 hours to the town of Ojochal. We can help you reserve a 4×4 rental car or set you up with a great shuttle company we use for our guests. 

If you’d like to cut a few hours off the scenic drive down the Costanera Highway, you can take a regional flight from SJO to Quepos (XQP) on Sansa or Costa Rica Green Airways. From the Quepos airport to Ojochal is about an hour and you’ll pass the lovely towns of Dominical and Uvita on the way. For ideas of restaurants in both those areas to stop at en-route, check out our Restaurant Guide here.

Ojochal is a wonderful, rustic town located in smack dab in the middle of a tropical rainforest. And it’s the perfect place to take a break from the real world. When you’re ready to lock in a reservation at one of our incredible vacation villas in the area, simply click right here to email us, and we’ll get back to you in a jiffy!