Our shelter is located in the Bahia sector of Uvita, on the Pacific coast just north of the Osa Peninsula. We are a few minutes walk from the beach as well as the central shopping/banking/restaurant district of Uvita. Longer walks, bike rides, and/or taxi rides will get you to waterfalls, rivers and rainforest. Bicycles can be rented in Uvita, and taxis are plentiful.
Here the rainforest-covered mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, making for a glorious landscape full of wildlife including howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, scarlet macaws, green iguanas, tamanduas, sloths, and ocelots. There is a plethora of magnificent beaches, waterfalls, rivers, rainforest and mangrove forest to explore in your free time, and many local tour operators who will be happy to help you with this if you so desire. It can be hot and humid here, with ample rainfall from April through November most years – but that’s what makes this region so verdant!
We are located in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica, specifically in the coastal town of Uvita in the Costa Ballena region. If you look at a map of this beautiful country, focus on the area along the Pacific coast just north of the Osa Peninsula, in the southwest. Uvita lies between Dominical to the north and Palmar Norte to the south.
Local Attractions
El Refugio is located in an incredibly beautiful area with so much to explore! We hope you’ll take advantage of this while you are our Volunteer in Residence.
Beaches
We are just a few minutes walk from the Parque Nacional Playa Marino Ballena, which is a gorgeous stretch of beach that includes the famous Whale’s Tail. The beach is great for beginner to intermediate surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, and walking/running. The Whale’s Tail is a very cool spit of sand that separates two large coves, and it’s shaped just like the fluke of a whale! During low tide you can walk out to the tip of the fluke, and snorkeling can be good along the southern side of the Whale’s Tail.
Other beaches within reach via taxi include Playas Hermosa and Dominical to the north, both excellent for more advanced surfers, and Playa Ventanas to the south. “Ventanas” refers to the cool tunnels that extend through the rocky headland; at low tide you can see the Pacific Ocean through them and walk inside to explore. There are many local outfitters in Uvita with whom you can book surfing lessons, sea and mangrove kayak tours, stand-up paddle-board tours, and whale watching expeditions (best in August and September).
Waterfalls
There are many, many local creeks and rivers that drain the nearby mountains, which means one thing: there is a plethora of beautiful waterfalls in this area! The Uvita Waterfall and a few private waterfalls are within walking or biking distance from our shelter. If you’re up for a hike or horseback ride to one of the most breathtaking waterfalls ever take a 30-minute taxi ride to Catarata Nauyaca; you won’t be disappointed! And of course on a very hot day there’s nothing like walking to the nearest river and laying in a large, cool pool of water…and observing the local wildlife that passes by.
Adventure Tours
There are also many amazing adventure tours that leave from Uvita to enjoy. If hiking through rainforest and observing wildlife is your thing, visit Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio to the north or Parque Nacional Corcovado to the south. You’ll need a tour guide to accompany you on both hikes. If you’re into snorkeling, the coral reefs of Isla del Cano are great. They are currently mostly bleached but still loaded with a huge diversity of fishes. It takes a 45-minute boat ride due west of Uvita to get there, and along the way you might see dolphins, sea turtles and flying fish! There’s also waterfall rappelling, ziplining, canyoneering, mountain biking, and SCUBA diving tours to keep you entertained.
Restaurants and Farmer’s Markets
There is a plethora of restaurants to explore in Uvita alone. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or carnivore you won’t be disappointed. Just about every cuisine is available, including French, Italian, Spanish, East Indian, Mexican and local Costa Rican fare. The local volunteers at the shelter will be able to recommend a restaurant that meets your specific interest.
There’s a wonderful farmer’s market (locally called a “feria”) in Bahia each Wednesday and Saturday. There you will find venders selling fresh produce of all kinds, bread and pastries, eggs and homemade yogurt, and fresh fish. You can even purchase excellent home-cooked foods, including Mediterranean fare and empanadas. There are also many venders selling their handcrafts and artwork. And there’s usually live music on both days. It’s a super fun opportunity to stock your kitchen with fresh food and enjoy a community event, not to be missed!
Volunteer in Residence Program:
