The whale watching season is so long due to humpback whales traveling from both the north and south poles converging in costa rica, thereby extending the season. Of course the whales are wild and there is never any guarantee that youll see them, but your captain and guides will be in constant contact by radio with other boats all. Whale watching in costa rica calendar and locations the table shows the best times and places to add a humpback whale watching expedition to your costa rica vacation. Whale watching in uvita costa rica has 2 seasons, from half july to half november and from half december to april. Marino ballena national park directly translated to marine whale national park in english in uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in costa rica. February is the most popular month for couples and the highest month for reservations. The festival is a great place to find a whale watching tour. Mar 15, 2012 orca or orcinus orca is a mammal which is a part of the family of delphinidae in the order of cetacea.
Most countries offer only one tourist season for visitors wishing to go whale watching. You see them all over the map but specifically in places like the golfo dulce, central pacific, guanacaste, osa peninsula and the tropical waters of the caribbean seeing a wild animal in its natural habitat is always a beautiful thing, but seeing a whale jump. September is an excellent time for whale watching in the southern pacific zone of costa rica. Whale watching and dolphin watching in costa rica, during this tour we can see the humpback whales, spotted dolphins, bottle noses, turtles and sea birds combined with snorkeling in the tail of the whale or whale island where you can see different types of reef fish. Id caution against basing your stay on seeing whalestoo hard to predict.
In the following months, we can expect to have a lot of special activities such as festivals, whale watching tours. In september, however, there is almost a 100% guarantee of spotting at least one whale. They are most likely to be seen in costa rica between august and october. Apr 29, 2019 costa ricas waters are blessed with good health, temperature and location so marine life is incredibly rich. They cover the distances of 5,000 to 8,000 km twice a year. Whale watching in costa rica two weeks in costa rica. If you are interested in whale watching during one of our sailing charters, please let us know that this is the goal of your trip. They are mostly found in all oceans and open seas from the freezing waters of antarctica and arctic to the tropical and temperate water of pacific like costa rica. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo orca whales, and short. A rare encounter with a family of humpback whales in the gulf of papagayo, near liberia, costa rica. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park two. This is when they come to breed and raise their young and is the best time to go on a costa rica whale watching tour.
There is nothing more magical than seeing a whale in its natural habitat. Jul 12, 2017 costa rica whale watching tour destinations. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa ricas northern caribbean sea. Oct 28, 2017 because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. They can be found along both the pacific and caribbean coast, though much more reliably on the pacific side. Discover why this area attracts an estimated 25 whale and dolphin species.
Located on costa ricas amazingly beautiful central pacific coastline, the small. Costa rica dolphins and whales when should you come. Humpback whales are the most commonly targeted for whale watching tours. Whale watching costa rica, dominical, puntarenas, costa rica. In general the south pacific has the best reputation as a place to see whales during that month. Whale watching in costa rica costa rica costa rica. Because they spend so much time above the surface spy hopping, fin slapping, breaching and fluke flipping humpback whales are by far the most popular subjects for whale watching tours in costa rica. With the passing of the holidays and spring break bearing down, travelers visiting costa rica in february will be able to get a more secluded and unique travel experience in february. Visitors on whale watching tours to costa rica can plan their trips around the comings and goings of three baleens and three larger toothed whales as well an array of smaller dolphin species. One of the marine mammals that pass through costa rica are the whales. Humpback whales are commonly seen out in the waters as both northern and southern humpback whales pass through this area, giving costa rica the longest humpback whale watching season. February is the perfect month to visit costa rica with lots of sunshine and plenty of fun in nature. Personally, swimming in the ocean with a mother whale and her calf is up there with birthing my children.
Uvita bahia ballena is a privileged place for the best whale watching in costa. Technically classified as dolphins, orca killer whales, pseudo. The whales are popping above the surface to take a look around. Scientists believe that the other behaviors may be.
These two migrations dont draw the same number of whales, though, so read on to find out the best time of year to see these amazing creatures. Orca comun, espolante habitat open tropical, temperate, and polar seas are home to the orca. Costa rica is home to the longest season for whale watching in the world, and september kicks off the peak of one of two of the most popular times of year to witness humpback whales who migrate to the warm and rich waters of. Whale watching in costa rica serendipity sailing charters.
In summer it is the best time for snorkeling, this depends on the weather conditions. Costa rica waters are home to dozens of marine species and we provide private small boat tours for you to observe them in their natural habitat. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. Costa rica has the distinction of having more months with humpback whales in residence than any other place in the world. Its main claim to fame is as the departure point for corcovado national park that takes up almost a third of the osa peninsula. Over 100,000 people travel to costa rica each year to watch whales. This makes it one of the best months to visit costa rica. But this reputation means that places as beautiful as the nicoya peninsula can get crowded. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. What to know about whale watching in uvita, costa rica. Whale watching ask for our packages flamingo costa rica.
Similar to costa rica, panama is one of the few they are one of the few places that can claim whales from both poles, which makes the season longer. Over 100,000 people travel to costa rica each year to. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and. While it is possible to see whales all along the pacific coast and northern caribbean coast near tortuguero, they appear in the largest concentrations along the south pacific coast and the osa peninsula. The great whales of costa rica by tristan paylado published december 1, 2016 updated december 1, 2016 considered as one of the greatest and biggest animals ever to live in this planet, the evolution of whales can be traced back to its landbased cousins. Costa rica is home to an estimated 25 whale and dolphin species, which migrate, mate, and make their homes in the pacific ocean and caribbean sea. The diet of the blue whale like most creatures of its family consists mostly of small crustaceans or plankton present in the waters of costa rica. Northern humpbacks typically start to arrive in costa rica in december and can be seen until around april, while southern ones dont show up until later in july and stay until the beginning of november. This means that in costa rica there is a chance of seeing humpback whales for nine months out of the year.
There are many tours for whale watching in costa rica along the pacific coast. At a height of 1700 feet500m on a mountainside above the pacific ocean and the best beaches in costa rica. Costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. Whales and dolphins festival costa rica real estate. February might just be the best time there is for a costa rica vacation. Humpback whales are friendly and amusing creatures and many humpback whales are commonly sighted in the waters near montezuma and tambor on the southern nicoya peninsula. Mar, 2018 arriving at drake bay whale watching in drake bay. Apr 15, 2020 marino ballena national park directly translated to marine whale national park in english in uvita is one of the best places to go whale watching in costa rica. The reason is because during the winter the antarctica august to october, humpbacks migrate from there to costa rica. The weather is hot and dry in the most beach popular destinations and its when we discovered many of our best trips ever. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies. During the winter in the arctic approximately december to april, their cousins migrate from the far north to costa rica for romance and babymaking.
Dcim111gopro super group of 10 friends, including cletty boshettis daughter, flannery. And they just started arriving in the waters of the southern area of the costa rican pacific coast. Sep 06, 2011 costa rica holds the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world. Situated on the south pacific coast of costa rica, ballena marine national park is the destination that comes to mind first for many costa rican whale watchers. The whales are said to be acrobats and can be seen breaching and slapping the water. Costa ricas best whale watching drake bay on the osa. The great whales of costa rica costa rica scuba diving. The main species of whale that you will see in costa rica is the humpback whale, pseudo orca whale, and pilot whales. About half are commonly spotted off the south pacific, including brydes whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. Costa rica weather in january a great time to visit. Costa rica dolphins and whales come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and will be a great addition to your trip.
Humpback whales are commonly seen out in the waters as both northern and southern humpback whales pass through this area, giving costa rica the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. Orca or orcinus orca is a mammal which is a part of the family of delphinidae in the order of cetacea. Costa rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world. This toothed whale is also better known as killer whales. February is solidly in the dry season for the central and pacific zones. Of the worlds 76 dolphin and whale species, an estimated 25 migrate, mate, birth and feed in costa rican waters.
Whale watching has become a very popular tour, and everyone is amazed at the sight of these amazing marine mammals. Whales give birth to their cubs on the beaches of costa rica, depending on season you often can see whales breach off of the beach. Julyoctober, december february type of whales seen. Calendars online and print friendly for any year and month. Because of this, costa rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world a family of whales in costa rica. Come december to april, other whales come in to costa rica from antarctica to mate and nest.
We have costa rican guides who know these waters well and will delight with excitement right along with you when you seen one breech for the very first. Costa rica has become the worlds premier ecotourism destination, and for good reason. This national park, one of only two national marine parks in the country, consists of 270 protected land acres 110 hectares and,200 acres 5,375. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. The whales come from both hemispheres to have their babies and breed. Costa rica is blessed to have the longest season of humpback whales in the world as we get migrations from both north and south america. Costa ricas famous whale tail is located in the small town of uvita, about an hour south of manuel antonio and is part of parque nacional marino ballena the national marine whale park. January is the second month of the dry season in costa rica. We saw a mother and baby whale off the coast of drake one february, saw nothing but dolphins right next door at uvita a few februarys later. The whale tail at uvitas marino ballena national park. Many whale species come here year round to mate, give birth and raise their young so if youre coming to costa rica hoping to see some whales, youre in luck.
The park is named for the pacific humpback whales that return to these warm coastal waters annually to breed. These animals travel from far to visit marino ballena in. These seasons are based on the annual migration cycle of the pacific humpback whale. Costa rica february weather, holidays and how to plan.
Jun 07, 2008 a rare encounter with a family of humpback whales in the gulf of papagayo, near liberia, costa rica. Perhaps the best place to see these majestic creatures is the osa peninsula, located in the southern portion of puntarenas province. Perhaps the most puzzling natural phenomenon of the park is the whale s tail sandbar. Find your own personal slice of pura vida by heading out into the pacific ocean during this halfday private boat tour from samara beach. During decemberapril, you can see whales from alaska, and augustnovember they come from antarctica. We have had the pleasure of whale watching and sharing this experience with many guests on our boat. We saw a mother and baby whale off the coast of drake one february, saw nothing but dolphins right next door at uvita a few februarys later moral.
Where to see humpback whales in costa rica although it is possible to see humpback whales along many parts of costa rica s pacific coast, they tend to congregate in the southern pacific. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. Costa rica is home to an estimated 25 whale and dolphin varieties, which migrate, mate and make their home in the pacific ocean and the caribbean sea. Drake bay is a very laid back small town with idyllic beaches well off the beaten path. The osa peninsula and gulf of dulce have high numbers of whales as well as the beach towns of uvita and dominical on the costa ballena whale coast. The essential items you need to bring to costa rica are sandals, swimwear, mosquito repellent, sunscreen with at least spf 30, hiking shoes or sneakers, sunglasses, a hat, battery pack, medical kit, waterproof phone case, camera and an insulated water bottle. All of this and more can be seen on dolphin and whale watching excursions into costa ricas ocean habitats some of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in the world.
The best place to go whale watching in costa rica is the countrys pacific coast, as humpback whales migrate through the region between late july and november and again between december and march. Pacific humpback whales, who migrate annually passing costa rica, are farthestmigrating animals on earth. Its almost as popular as january but there are no peak season surcharges like at christmas, new years and spring breakeaster. Southern, antarcticbased humpback whales spend their winter months near australia and as far north as costa rica from june to november. Costa rica is known for its diverse wildlife and among the millions of species of fauna, humpback whales are one of the favorite species of people who travel from all over the globe to observe them.
Costa rica s waters are blessed with good health, temperature and location so marine life is incredibly rich. Monthly calendar for the month february in year 2018. Dyde whales are frequently seen in costa rica s northern caribbean sea. Aug 16, 2017 costa rica is home to the longest season for whale watching in the world, and september kicks off the peak of one of two of the most popular times of year to witness humpback whales who migrate to the warm and rich waters of marino ballena to give birth to their young. Various dolphin species play up and down the pacific coast, while the caribbean is home mostly to the bottlenose dolphin. Costa rica is the number one place to go whale watching in central america and the fastest growing whale watching industry in latin america.
Humpback whale mothers give birth in the pockets of shallow temperate waters off the shores of costa rica while orcas and bottlenose dolphins troll for sushi. Whale watching tours and snorkeling excursions are your best bets to see them. It is very important for us to offer our customers a safe adventure journey in which you will also be able to take advantage and make the most of all the marine resources we have in our area, in a responsible and balanced way, appreciating their natural environment, but always looking for ways to intervene as little as possible in their habitat, abiding by the rules established about. The weather is fantastic along the entire pacific coast and nearly all inland destinations. During decemberapril, you can see whales from alaska, and augustnovember they. In most areas, dedicated whalewatching tours are uncommon. The best time to see humpback whales is mid july through october, when our southern migration, coming from as far as antarctica, are here. Whale watching in costa rica southern explorations. This whale specie comes to migrate in this country whenever winter comes in the antarctica between august to october.
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