Pura Osa
Key facts
- Where: canton of Osa, just off the Costanera Sur (Route 34), about 15 km south of Uvita and 30 km north of Palmar.
- Getting there: about 4 h by car from San José; 20 min from Uvita, 40 min from Dominical and about 45 min from the Sierpe dock. Plan your trip →
- Don’t miss: the sea caves of Playa Ventanas at low tide and dinner in the village.
- Best for: couples, food lovers and travelers who want a quiet base close to Uvita and Sierpe.
Things to do in Ojochal
Playa Ventanas and its sea caves
Five minutes north of the village, Ventanas is named for the “windows”: two tunnels carved through the rock that you can walk into when the tide is low. Waves boom through them as the water returns, so go one to two hours either side of low tide and check a tide table first. Neighbors look after cars at the entrance for a small fee.
Playa Tortuga and the turtle reserve
South of the village, Playa Tortuga is a long, wild beach near the mouth of the Térraba River, inside one of the largest mangrove wetlands on the Pacific of Central America. Here Reserva Playa Tortuga, a nonprofit founded in 2009 by local residents and Costa Rican scientists, protects olive ridley and green turtle nests and has released more than 50,000 hatchlings. It also monitors caimans, birds and mammals and welcomes volunteers. Write to them before you go to ask about visits.
Turtle hatchlings are released at dusk or dawn by the reserve team. Please never use flashlights or flash photography on the nesting beach, and do not touch the hatchlings.
El Pavón waterfall
The most photographed waterfall in the area: a round boulder sits wedged between two rock walls, and the water pours out right beneath it into a cool pool. It is a short, easy walk on the grounds of a family restaurant in Tinoco, just north of Ojochal. Entry is usually free if you eat there, or by a small donation; lunch afterwards is the best way to say thanks. Wear shoes with grip, as the rocks are slippery.
Other falls nearby: the Uvita waterfall with its natural rock slide (20 minutes) and, higher up, Nauyaca (about an hour, see our sister site PerezZeledon.com).
Playa Piñuela, Playa Arco and Marino Ballena
Ojochal sits at the southern edge of Marino Ballena National Park. Playa Piñuela, a small cove with calm water most mornings, is the park’s southernmost sector; the entrance fee is paid at the ranger station. For the famous Whale Tail and boat tours to see humpbacks, head 20 minutes north to Uvita. Nearby Playa Arco, a quiet cove inside the park reached on foot at low tide, is a favorite of local volunteers, who organize beach cleanups along this coast. Whale guide →
Eating in Ojochal
For a village of a few hundred families, Ojochal has an extraordinary range of kitchens: sodas serving casados and fresh fish, French and Mediterranean bistros, Asian-fusion and Peruvian-style ceviche, often with forest or ocean views. Many places open only for dinner and close one or two days a week, and some close in September and October, so reserve ahead and check hours.
Day trips from Ojochal
- Sierpe mangroves · about 45 min; boats to Drake Bay leave from here
- Finca 6 and the stone spheres of the Diquís, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Palmar Sur · about 35 min
- Caño Island · snorkeling tours leave from Uvita
- Uvita · Dominical · 20 and 40 min north
Where to stay in Ojochal
Most places to stay are boutique hotels, small cabins and vacation homes in the hills, many with pools and ocean views. Choose a place near the main road if you do not have a 4x4, or up the hill for cooler nights and toucans at breakfast. Compare bases in Osa →
When to go
December to April is dry and sunny, with northern humpbacks offshore. July to November is green season, with afternoon rain, southern humpbacks and the main turtle nesting months. September and October are the wettest, and some restaurants take their holidays then.
Where to stay in Ojochal: live map
Hotels, cabins, lodges and vacation rentals in and around Ojochal, with current prices. Move the map or set your dates to compare.
See the full list of places to stay in Ojochal →
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ojochal?
Ojochal is a small village in the canton of Osa, on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just off the Costanera Sur (Route 34). It is about 15 km (20 minutes) south of Uvita and roughly 4 hours by car from San José.
Ojochal or Uvita: where should I stay?
Uvita has more services, tours and the main beach of Marino Ballena National Park. Ojochal is quieter, with more restaurants per person than anywhere on the coast and hillside stays with ocean views. They are 20 minutes apart, so you can enjoy both from either base.
Can you swim at Playa Ventanas?
Ventanas is better for walking, tide pools and its sea caves than for swimming: waves and currents can be strong. Visit the caves only at low tide and keep an eye on the incoming water.
When can I see sea turtles in Ojochal?
Olive ridley and green turtles nest on Playa Tortuga, with most activity in the rainy months (roughly July to December). Contact Reserva Playa Tortuga before your visit to ask about hatchery visits and releases.
Do I need a car in Ojochal?
Yes, it helps a lot. Beaches, waterfalls and restaurants are spread out and some hillside roads are steep gravel; a 4x4 is recommended in green season. Taxis can be arranged, but there is little public transport inside the village.
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