Whale watching in Costa Rica has two seasons. Humpbacks from the Southern Hemisphere arrive from July to November, with the strongest sightings around September and October, and humpbacks from the North Pacific arrive from December to March. The best place to go is the South Pacific: Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park, Drake Bay and Golfo Dulce. Boats must keep at least 100 meters from whales, and swimming with them is prohibited.
This guide is for travelers who want to plan a whale-watching trip in Costa Rica. It covers when to go, where to book, what a tour is like and how to pick an operator that follows the rules.
| Whale watching in Costa Rica | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Main species | Humpback whales, plus dolphins year-round |
| Southern Hemisphere season | July to November; best around September and October |
| Northern Hemisphere season | December to March |
| Best area | South Pacific: Uvita, Drake Bay, Golfo Dulce |
| Also possible | Manuel Antonio and Quepos; Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste |
| Key rules | 100 m from whales, 50 m from dolphins, 30 minutes per group, no swimming |
When to go
Best Time for Whale Watching in Costa Rica
Costa Rica gets humpbacks from both hemispheres, which is why its whale season is so long. Both groups come to the warm Pacific waters to breed and give birth.
Southern Hemisphere humpbacks: July to November
Whales from the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Chile arrive in July and stay into November. This is the main season, and September and October are generally the strongest months. It falls in the rainy season, so plan boat trips for the morning, when seas and weather are usually calmer. See our guide to the rainy season.
Northern Hemisphere humpbacks: December to March
A smaller wave of humpbacks from the North Pacific arrives from December to March. Sightings are less predictable than in the southern season, but this window lines up with the dry season and the most popular travel months. See our guides to the best time to visit by region and the month-by-month wildlife calendar.
Where to go
Where to See Whales in Costa Rica
Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park
Uvita, on the South Pacific coast, is the best-known base for whale watching. Tours leave from the beaches of Marino Ballena National Park, named for the whales (ballena means whale in Spanish) and known for the whale’s-tail-shaped sandbar at Punta Uvita, visible at low tide. Many tours combine whale watching with snorkeling and a stop near Ballena Island. Each September, Uvita hosts the Festival de Ballenas y Delfines (Whale and Dolphin Festival). See our guides to Marino Ballena National Park and nearby Dominical.
Drake Bay and Caño Island
Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula, is a quieter base with boat trips toward Caño Island. Whale watching here often combines with snorkeling or a day in Corcovado National Park. Getting there takes more effort, by boat from Sierpe or by small plane. See our guides to Caño Island and Corcovado National Park.
Golfo Dulce
Golfo Dulce, between the Osa Peninsula and the mainland, is a calm, deep gulf where Southern Hemisphere humpbacks gather from July to November. Bottlenose dolphins live there year-round, and spotted dolphins and false killer whales appear regularly. Tours leave from Puerto Jiménez and Golfito.
Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Boat and catamaran tours from Quepos often see humpbacks in season, and the area is easier to reach from San José than the South Pacific. Whale sightings here are a bonus rather than the focus. See our Manuel Antonio National Park guide.
Guanacaste
In the Gulf of Papagayo and off Tamarindo and Playas del Coco, humpbacks sometimes show up on catamaran, snorkeling and scuba trips. Dedicated whale tours are less common here than in the South Pacific. See our Tamarindo guide.
On the water
What to Expect on a Whale-Watching Tour
- Boats: most tours use small open boats or larger catamarans. Expect a wet beach launch in some places, including Uvita.
- Timing: tours usually leave in the morning and last a few hours, often with a snorkel stop.
- What you’ll see: spouts, backs and tail flukes are most common. Breaching and mothers with calves are the highlights. Dolphins are frequent, and sea turtles sometimes appear. See our guide to sea turtles in Costa Rica.
- No guarantees: even in peak season, sightings vary day to day. Some operators offer a repeat trip if you don’t see whales; ask when you book.
The rules
Costa Rica’s Whale-Watching Rules and How to Choose an Operator
Costa Rica regulates whale and dolphin watching. Under the rules, boats must:
- Stay at least 100 meters (about 330 feet) from whales and 50 meters (about 165 feet) from dolphins.
- Approach slowly from the side and behind, never head-on.
- Limit each encounter to 30 minutes, with no more than two boats on the same group.
- Never let passengers swim with, scuba with or feed whales or dolphins.
Choose an operator that follows these rules even when whales come close, gives a safety briefing, carries life jackets for everyone and keeps group sizes reasonable. A guide who explains whale behavior adds a lot to the trip. Skip any operator that promises swimming with whales or chases animals for photos.
Avoid these
Common Mistakes
- Booking an afternoon tour in the rainy season, when weather and seas are more likely to turn.
- Expecting reliable sightings from Guanacaste; the South Pacific is the better bet.
- Forgetting a dry bag for your phone on a wet beach launch.
- Choosing a tour on price alone without checking how the operator behaves around whales.
FAQ
Whale Watching in Costa Rica: FAQ
When is whale season in Costa Rica?
There are two: July to November for Southern Hemisphere humpbacks, best around September and October, and December to March for Northern Hemisphere humpbacks.
Where is the best whale watching in Costa Rica?
The South Pacific: Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park, Drake Bay and Golfo Dulce.
Can you swim with whales in Costa Rica?
No. Swimming with, scuba with or feeding whales and dolphins is prohibited on tourism trips.
How close can boats get to whales in Costa Rica?
No closer than 100 meters to whales and 50 meters to dolphins, with a 30-minute limit and no more than two boats per group.
Are whale sightings guaranteed?
No. Chances are best in peak months in the South Pacific, but sightings vary day to day. Ask operators about their policy if you don’t see whales.
What else might I see on a whale-watching tour?
Dolphins are common, especially bottlenose and spotted dolphins. Sea turtles and seabirds are also possible.
The short version
Go July to November, ideally September or October, or December to March for the northern whales.
Book from Uvita, Drake Bay or Golfo Dulce, and take a morning tour.
Choose an operator that keeps 100 meters from whales and never offers swimming with them.