The Ballena Marine National Park is located in the canton of Osa, in Puntarenas. It was established in Costa Rica on December 14, 1989, according to an executive decree of that time. It covers 110 hectares of land and 5,375 hectares of marine area.
This park is known for attracting thousands of visitors during certain times of the year who come to observe humpback whales during their breeding migration. These whales migrate from the cold northern seas to Costa Rica (approximately between December and April) and from the cold southern seas to Costa Rica (approximately between July and November) to our warm waters.
While it’s true that most of the park is marine, it also boasts a number of beautiful beaches within its protected areas that attract tourists from all over the country and even from abroad. Among these beaches are Playa Ballena, Playa Bahía Uvita, and Playa Piñuelas.
Activities available in and around this national park include horseback riding, swimming, or simply strolling along the beach. Snorkeling is also a popular activity, along with visits to the mangroves, where visitors can observe a variety of species such as green marine iguanas and hawksbill turtles.
It is important to emphasize that within the limits of the park’s protected area, it is forbidden to hunt any of the marine or terrestrial species that live there.
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