Ballena Infocenter Dolphin Trip

Whale and Dolphin Watching in the Whale Marine Park

★ 4.9 · 8 reviews

from $80 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: Ballena Aventura office by Hotel La Fiore, Bahía Ballena
Cancellation: Free cancellation
On board: Snacks included
Run by: Ballena Infocenter

Overview

This three hour trip with Ballena Infocenter runs inside Whale Marine National Park. You meet at the Ballena Aventura building in Uvita, a yellow sign next to Restaurant Ballena Oriental. The focus is whale and dolphin watching, and one recent group watched a mother whale with her calf alongside green turtles, pelicans, boobies and ibises.

The trip is not only about spotting animals. The crew also talks through the local environment and Costa Rican culture as you go, and one recent traveller described a swim in the Pacific during the outing. The tour finishes at Playa Uvita, at the main entrance to the national park, so you can carry on with your day from the beach itself.

Park admission and parking at the operator's premises are both covered, and morning departures start with a station of coffee, tea, juice, bananas and cookies. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since those are not provided. The tour takes a maximum of 20 travellers, it is wheelchair accessible, and most people can join, though the listing advises against it for anyone with back problems, pregnant travellers, and those with serious heart conditions.

What's Included

Included

Coffee and/or Tea
Admission fee - entrance to Whale Marine National Park
Parking fees (Includes parking on tour operator)

Not Included

No towels or blocker or other personal items included

Itinerary

Meet at Ballena AventuraFind the yellow Ballena Aventura sign 50 metros oeste del Hotel La Fiore de Bahía in Uvita, next to Restaurant Ballena Oriental. Morning arrivals can help themselves to the coffee station before departure.
Enter the marine parkAdmission to Whale Marine National Park is included in the tour price, so there is nothing extra to pay at the gate.
Whale and dolphin watchingThe trip centers on watching whales and dolphins inside the marine park. One recent traveller also reported commentary on the environment and local culture along the way.
Swim in the PacificOne recent traveller described a swim in the Pacific during the outing. Towels are not included, so bring your own.
Finish at Playa UvitaThe tour ends at Playa Uvita, at the main entrance to Whale Marine National Park.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this trip.

What to bring. Towels and sunscreen are not included, and the listing notes no personal items are provided.
Food and drink. Morning departures include a coffee station with tea, coffee, juice, bananas and cookies before the trip leaves.
Group size. The tour is capped at 20 travellers. The reviewer described the crew as friendly and professional.
Wildlife watching. The trip focuses on whales and dolphins. On one recent outing the group saw a whale and her calf, green turtles, pelicans, boobies and ibises, but animals are wild and nothing is guaranteed.
Accessibility. The listing states the tour is wheelchair accessible and near public transportation. Infants must sit on laps, and the trip is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnant travellers.
Getting there. Parking at the tour operator's premises is included. The meeting point and the end point at Playa Uvita are not the same spot, so plan your return accordingly.

Common issues. A few limits are worth knowing before booking. The listing does not recommend the trip for travellers with back problems or pregnant travellers, and it rules out anyone with serious heart problems. The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, and if either forces a cancellation you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Towels, sunscreen and other personal items are not provided, and since the tour ends at Playa Uvita rather than the original meeting point, you will need to plan your way back.

Common Questions

What is included in the price?

The tour includes admission to Whale Marine National Park, parking at the operator's premises, and a morning coffee station with tea, coffee, juice, bananas and cookies. Towels, sunscreen and other personal items are not included.

Where does the tour meet and end?

You meet at the Ballena Aventura building in Uvita, the yellow sign next to Restaurant Ballena Oriental, 50 metros oeste del Hotel La Fiore de Bahía. The tour ends at Playa Uvita, at the main entrance to the national park, which is a different spot from the start.

How long is the trip?

The tour runs for three hours. That covers whale and dolphin watching inside the marine park, ending at Playa Uvita.

Is the tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?

The listing states the tour is wheelchair accessible and that infants must sit on laps. Most travellers can participate, though it is not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with back problems or serious heart conditions.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Inside that window no refund or changes are accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum number of travellers is not met, you get a different date or a full refund.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since the listing states towels, sunblock and other personal items are not included. One recent traveller reported a swim in the Pacific during the trip.