fishing dominical

As secluded and quiet as it is, Dominical is projected by many to be Costa Rica’s next hot spot. It retains characteristics similar to its more developed neighbor, Manuel Antonio (about 45 minutes north) but without the hustle and bustle, in part due to its distance from the urban center of Costa Rica. Here you will find a mixture of locals, surfers and permanent expats who have carved out their own niche in this cozy beachfront town.

Surrounded by rainforest you will be able to see a variety of animals from sloths to Toucans. There is a plethora of waterfalls stemming from the Barú River and an impressive amount of tours for such a small town. Networks of twisty, steep, and confusing roads are tangled throughout the mountainside showing off gorgeous views and hiding secret real estate and natural gems. If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere, quiet beaches, and ultimate privacy you’re in the right place-but enjoy it before the rest of the world finds out!

Things to Do:
1. Discover a Hidden Waterfall
The beautiful double cascades of the Cataratas de Nauyaca are generally reached by horseback. Disguised by the green jungle and only accessible through an organized tour, these falls are known to be one of the most spectacular sights in Costa Rica and the swimming hole serves as the perfect cool off after a long ride. The Diamante Waterfalls are a three-tiered set of falls with a 360 meter drop visited by similar tours, but the pool is better below the Nauyaca Waterfalls.

2. Explore the great outdoors!
The area around Dominical, land and ocean, is a wealth of untapped natural beauty. Here you can take a kayak tour of the mangroves, do an inner tube float down local rivers, go whale watching in September and October in the Whale National Marine Park, or take a chartered boat trip to snorkel around the Caño Island or go sport fishing. Just outside of Dominical you will also find some of the best bird watching in the country.

3. Surfing. duh!
Dominical and the surrounding beaches offer some of the best surf breaks in all of Costa Rica. If you don’t make it to the waves, you surely won’t be able to escape the surf vibe in town, where offers of board rentals and surf lessons abound.