“What’s the best beach in the area?”
It’s a question we get asked all of the time.
In this case, “the area” is the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica. Specifically, the beaches around the towns of Dominical and Uvita, where the majority of our luxury vacation rentals are located.
This is one of those questions that doesn’t have a right or wrong answer, mostly because there are so many great beaches to explore in the region.
Playa Dominical is an outstanding spot for surfing, souvenir shopping and watching the sunset each afternoon with an ice cold Pilsen in your hand. The famous Whale’s Tail in Uvita is another popular place to dig your feet into the sand or go for a nice snorkeling adventure on a sunny day.
Our Top Beach:
If we had to pick one local beach that stands above all the rest, it would be Playa Ventanas. Located about 15 minutes south of Uvita and just off the coastal highway.
The coolest part about Playa Ventanas are the caves. There are many, many caves to explore, particularly if you have access to a kayak or are doing a kayaking 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 dangerous — and navigate through the rocks and into the ocean.
In a kayak, the experience goes to a whole new level. There are at least a dozen caves accessible by kayak, including some that are big enough to paddle right through. Safety, of course, is paramount in the ocean, so if you don’t have a lot of kayaking experience booking a Waves & Caves tour is an excellent option. And we’d be happy to set you up with a great local tour company if you’d like to pursue this adventure. Simply email Stephen at [email protected] and he’ll set up the entire thing for your crew.
What to Pack:
When visiting Playa Ventanas, it’s recommended to pack a cooler with some drinks and snacks. Sometimes there are vendors on the beach selling cold coconut water, soft drinks and snacks, but there’s always a risk of getting shut out. So pack your own grub and you’ll be set for hours of fun on the playa.
Speaking of the beach, the waves at Playa Ventanas are generally calm. You’ll find it much calmer than the powerful waves at Dominical or Playa Hermosa. It can be a nice beach for families with kids, but keep in mind there are rarely lifeguards on duty. There is also a parking fee to enter the beach that ranges between $3-$5 U.S. dollars. All and all, it’s an incredible bargain.
