Playa Arco

A sea cave you can wade through at low tide, with waterfalls just past it.

Protected area

Marino Ballena National Park

Playa Arco lies inside Marino Ballena National Park between Uvita and Ojochal and is reachable only at low tide, either through the Ballena sector ranger station on a roughly 2 kilometer hike over rocky beach and stream crossings, or via the La Cusinga Lodge trail. The reward is a secluded tan-sand beach with a walk-through sea cave and two small waterfalls at its northern end. Howler monkeys are commonly seen in the trees along the trail.

SwimmingModerate surf, swim with care
SurfNot a surf beach

Good for

Facilities

Getting there

Pay admission at the Ballena sector ranger station on Highway 34 (open 8am-4pm) and hike north about 2 km over Playa Ballena's rocks and a stream crossing, timed to low tide; a shorter option is the La Cusinga Lodge trail for guests or diners.

On the map

Tide times · All beaches in Costa Ballena

Nearby in Uvita

Whale & Dolphin Watching $$

Bahia Aventuras

Uvita

A Costa Rican-owned, CST-certified marine tour operator in Bahia Ballena, running humpback whale and dolphin tours inside Marino Ballena National Park since 2007. The same team also runs Cano Island snorkeling, Terraba-Sierpe mangrove kayak and wildlife trips, offshore and inshore sportfishing, and guided night and birding walks. Two whale seasons, July to October and late December to February, bring humpbacks from both hemispheres.

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Kayaking & SUP $$

Bahia Ballena Kayaks

Uvita

Ecotourism company operating in Bahia Ballena, Uvita for more than 13 years, offering ocean kayak and snorkel tours, mangrove kayak trips, whale and dolphin watching, sport fishing, and Isla del Cano and Corcovado excursions. Bookings run through phone, WhatsApp or the company's Spanish-language website.

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Park & Nature Guide $$

Ballena Aventura

Uvita

Local, family-founded tour operator in Bahia Ballena started by fisherman Captain Maximino 'Chumi' more than 30 years ago, offering guided hikes and boat trips inside Marino Ballena National Park plus Corcovado and Isla del Cano excursions. The company describes itself as a pioneer of Uvita whale watching, now running mangrove, kayak and sportfishing tours alongside its park guiding.

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