Travel Guide
Before you arrive.
Immigration, packing, driving, safety and money — everything to know for an easy trip to the Costa Ballena.
01 · Immigration
Entry, exit ticket and your stamp
Costa Rica immigration usually asks to see proof that you will leave the country. Have it ready on your phone or printed before you land.
- Bring an exit (onward) ticket — a flight or bus out of Costa Rica. Airlines may also ask for it at check-in.
- Visitors from many countries may be given up to 180 days, but it is not guaranteed — the officer decides how many days you get.
- Always check the date written or stamped in your passport before leaving the counter. That date is your legal stay, not the 180 days.
- We recommend booking your exit ticket as far in the future as your plans allow, as it can help you receive the most days.
- Need a ticket just for immigration? onwardticket.com offers a cost-effective, real reservation to show at the airport: onwardticket.com
- Your passport must be valid for your whole stay. Keep a photo of the passport page and entry stamp on your phone.
02 · Getting here
Arriving in the Southern Zone
The Southern Zone is jungle meeting ocean — beautiful, raw and a little slower. Heavy rain, humidity, wildlife, rougher roads and the occasional outage are a normal part of life here, so a bit of preparation goes a long way.
- San José (SJO) is about 3.5–4 hours' drive to Uvita; Liberia (LIR) is 5+ hours. Quepos and Palmar Sur have small domestic airports.
- Plan to arrive before dark — roads, driveways and gates are much easier in daylight.
- Arriving late? We can arrange grocery shopping before you arrive: minimum 24 hours' notice, 20% service fee, groceries billed separately.
- Send us your arrival time so we can share access details for your stay.
- Get a local SIM or eSIM (Kölbi, Claro or Liberty) for data and WhatsApp.
03 · On the way
Stopping for groceries and supplies
Most stores are open 7 am to 9 pm.
- From the north (Dominical): Mama Toucan's Natural Market — organic and specialty groceries. Open in Google Maps
- BM Supermercado Dominical — full supermarket right off the Costanera (Highway 34). Open in Google Maps
- BM Supermercado Uvita — stock up on groceries and supplies. Open in Google Maps
04 · Packing list
What to pack
Light, quick-drying and reef-friendly. Homes have the basics — bring the personal things.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Natural insect repellent
- Water shoes or sandals with grip for rocks and waterfalls
- Light rain jacket (May–November especially)
- Quick-dry clothes and a couple of swimsuits
- Reusable water bottle and dry bag
- Backup battery pack and a car charger — short power outages happen
- A small flashlight for evenings
- Any prescription medicine, in its original packaging
- Unscented personal products if you're sensitive — many homes use unscented laundry soap
- Passport, exit ticket and a copy of your booking
05 · Before you fly
Helpful apps
Download these before you arrive — signal can be patchy in rural areas.
- WhatsApp — most restaurants, businesses, vendors and our team communicate through it.
- Google Maps and Waze — download offline maps of the Southern Zone before driving.
- Google Translate — helpful with local businesses.
- Wise — widely used in Costa Rica for transfers, rent and currency exchange. wise.com
06 · Driving
Driving in Costa Rica
Driving here feels very different from larger cities. Please drive cautiously, especially at night, in heavy rain and on unpaved roads.
- Expect pedestrians and cyclists on highways, motorcycles and cars without lights, slow farm equipment, and dogs or wildlife crossing.
- Flooding, potholes and landslides are common, particularly in rainy season.
- Rent a 4×4 if your home is up a hill or on a gravel road.
- Start your navigation route before leaving an area with strong signal.
- Keep enough fuel in the car, plus drinking water, snacks, a flashlight and a phone charger for longer drives.
- One-lane bridges: the side with the 'Ceda el paso' sign yields.
- Carry your passport (or a copy with your entry stamp) and licence — police checks are common.
- Never leave valuables visible in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
07 · In an accident
If you have a vehicle accident
Moving a vehicle before the authorities arrive can affect insurance claims and accident reports in Costa Rica.
- Do NOT move your vehicle.
- Call Transit Police (“Tránsito”) immediately — 911 for any injury.
- Take photos of all vehicles, licence plates and the surrounding area.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Contact your rental car company and/or insurance provider right away.
- Don't sign anything you don't understand. Message us — we can help translate and coordinate.
08 · Safety
Staying safe
The Southern Zone is peaceful and welcoming. As anywhere, basic awareness and common sense go a long way.
- Petty theft can occur with unattended valuables — keep bags, phones and keys with you at the beach.
- Some modern key systems and electronic signals can be copied from a distance, so take extra care with keys and remotes.
- Use caution walking alone on beaches or in remote areas, particularly after sunset.
- Swim near others and respect rip currents — if caught, swim parallel to the shore.
- Check tide times before walking around points or out to Whale's Tail.
- Shake out shoes and towels, and watch where you put your hands in the jungle.
- Stay hydrated — the heat and humidity sneak up on you.
09 · Emergencies
Emergencies, medical and police
In an emergency call 911 — they have English dispatchers — then message us on WhatsApp. Response times can be 30–60 minutes, so if it's safe, driving directly to the nearest emergency room can be faster.
- Emergency: 911 · Red Cross ambulance: 128 · Fire: 118
- Uvita Police — east on Calle Uvita past BCR, left after Uvita Print Shop. Staffed 24/7. WhatsApp +506 2600-2535 / +506 2743-8538
- Cortés Police — 35 minutes south of Uvita, across from Tomás Casas Hospital. Staffed 24/7.
- Dominical Police — south end of the Dominical strip, 30 minutes north of Uvita.
- OIJ (judicial police) — Cortés Court House, 35 minutes south of Uvita. WhatsApp +506 8800-0645
10 · Money
Cash and money tips
Most businesses accept cards and cash, but cash is still common at small businesses, fruit stands, markets and some restaurants.
- Colones are generally recommended over US dollars when paying cash.
- Withdraw colones or USD at the BCR (Banco de Costa Rica) ATM in Uvita. Open in Google Maps
- Tell your bank you're travelling, and bring a backup card.
- Tipping: a 10% service charge is often included on restaurant bills; extra for great service is appreciated.
11 · Tropical living
Power, water and internet
Short outages are part of life in the tropics and are usually fixed quickly.
- Keep phones and devices charged, and have flashlights handy in the evening.
- Water outages happen occasionally. Local water is treated, but filtered water is recommended for drinking.
- If water looks cloudy after an outage, let it run for a few minutes until clear.
- Internet can drop during storms — download anything important ahead of time.