Costa Rica Travel Guide
Playa Dominicalito, Dominical, Costa Rica
Lush and Laidback in Dominical
Surfers, yogis, and wellness fanatics from all over the world flock to Costa Rica’s coastlines. And even if you don’t fall into one of those categories, you’ll surely fall in love with its lush rainforests that spill down onto expansive beaches and its abundant wildlife. I know I did when I visited Costa Rica for the first time in February of 2020. And the little surfer town of Dominical on the Pacific side really has it all: beautiful beaches, incredible rental properties, and amazing restaurants.
This was actually the last international trip we took for almost three years before the world went into lockdown, so I’m incredibly grateful to have explored this beautiful country and spent time in Costa Rica with loved ones. Read on to learn the best places to stay, eat, drink, and explore in and around Dominical, Costa Rica.
A Few Things to Note
We spent ten days in Dominical and I thought that was plenty of time to explore the area. Do keep in mind that Costa Rica is huge. I naively assumed before doing research that we could use Dominical as a home base to explore other famous sights like Río Celeste, Arenal Volcano, etc. Not the case! We would have needed to fly to/stay in a second location if we wanted to check out those parts of the country. Regardless, there is so much to see around Dominical; you won’t be bored!
You’ll need a rental car to explore all that Dominical and the surrounding area has to offer. FYI, license plate theft is not uncommon in Costa Rica, and we had multiple locals warn us about this. Try to park your car in well-lit, populated areas. We never had a problem, but knew someone who had their plates stolen!
This area is less touristy and more rustic than other beach towns in Costa Rica (which I personally loved about it). If you’re looking for beaches lined by lots of hotels, restaurants, and beach bars, then this might not be the place for you. That being said, I was so impressed with the number of restaurants and variety of cuisine in downtown Dominical.
Best Time to Visit Dominical, Costa Rica
We visited Dominical at the beginning of February and had perfect weather. In general, the best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December to April. In February, the average temperature is in the mid-80s with sunny skies and very little rain. And, despite it being dry season, the rainforests were still incredibly lush and we saw tons of wildlife.
How to Get to Dominical, Costa Rica
The closest major airport to Dominical is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). You can get nonstop flights to SJO from over fifty cities around the world, and there are plenty of rental car companies at the airport. The drive from SJO to Dominical is anywhere from three to four hours, depending on traffic. This is what we did and I don’t think I’d do it again. While the drive along the coast was beautiful, it’s a long time to be in the car after a long flight (7+ hours from Boston including a connection).
The other option is to fly into Quepos Airport (XQP), which is about a 30-minute drive from Dominical. You can rent a car here from Alamo, Economy, Enterprise, or National. The flight from SJO on SANSA Airlines is about 30 minutes. Quepos is a tiny regional airport with limited facilities, but you can’t beat the convenience. My ballet teacher of 15 years owns a house in Dominical (I actually ran into her while vacationing here and we got lunch together, which was so special!) and always flies in and out of Quepos.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
Rent a house - If you’re traveling to Dominical with a large group like we were (I went with my husband’s family and there were six of us), there are so many incredible properties you can rent. The Airbnb we rented is one of my all-time favorites. It features Balinese-style architecture, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a sunken fire pit, and a private trail down into the rainforest. Sunsets from the house were next level, and I loved spotting macaws and toucans from the pool. The house is less than a ten-minute drive into downtown Dominical and to nearby beaches, but honestly it was hard to leave!
Casa Bellavia, Dominical, Costa Rica
Casa Bellavia, Dominical, Costa Rica
Casa Bellavia, Dominical, Costa Rica
Hacienda AltaGracia ($$$$) - This Auberge Resorts property is located about 1.5 hours from Dominical and has a long list of accolades (including #1 Resort in Central America by Condé Nast Traveler). It features 180 acres of tropical forest, a coffee farm, private airstrip, and renowned spa. While the price tag may seem steep, this resort is all-inclusive. Flights from SJO to the resort for two, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, use of the Casa de Agua at the spa, access to hiking trails, and a dedicated experience designer are all included in your stay.
Book with me to enjoy exclusive perks like early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability) and a $100 resort credit (valid towards adventures or beverages)!
Nayara Tented Camp ($$$) - If you’re looking to experience the ultimate luxury rainforest adventure and be closer to sights like Arenal Volcano and Río Celeste, then be sure to book a stay at Nayara Tented Camp. Each luxury tent features a private pool fed by mineral hot springs and stunning views of the Arenal Volcano. There’s a spa onsite, and guests have access to all of the fine dining restaurants at Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens just below the property.
Book with me to enjoy exclusive perks like a room upgrade (subject to availability), free daily breakfast for two, $100 food & beverage credit, early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability), and more!
Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo ($$$$) - If you’re looking for a luxurious beachfront resort on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, then look no further than the Four Seasons located on Peninsula Papagayo. While it’s technically not anywhere near Dominical, I’d be remiss to leave it off the list. You can choose from a mix of guest rooms, suites, and private residences, and can expect the high-end service and amenities that are synonymous with the Four Seasons name.
Book with me to enjoy exclusive perks like a room upgrade (subject to availability), free daily breakfast for two, $100 hotel credit, and early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)!
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort ($$$) - If you want to explore all that Peninsula Papagayo has to offer (like an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course) but don’t want to pay the Four Seasons price tag, then check out Andaz. The property is still incredibly luxurious and has stunning ocean views thanks to its location higher up on the cliffside. Here you can also choose from a mix of rooms, suites, or villas, and many feature a soaking tub, plunge pool, or both!
Book with me to enjoy exclusive perks like a room upgrade (subject to availability), free daily breakfast for two, property credit, a welcome amenity, and more!
Where to Eat & Drink in Dominical, Costa Rica
Cafe Mono Congo ($$) - This is the best breakfast spot in Dominical, hands down. While we tried to cook as many mornings as possible at our villa, it was hard to stay away from Cafe Mono Congo! They have an expansive menu featuring coffee, breakfast burritos, breakfast bowls, and decadent pastries (special shoutout to the banana bread and monkey balls), and they also serve lunch and cocktails. Open daily from 7:30am-5pm, and you can order takeaway via WhatsApp (though their spot along the Río Barú is beautiful!)
Cafe Mono Congo, Dominical, Costa Rica
El Pescado Loco ($$) - This little taco shack in Dominical has the best fish tacos in the world. They were so good that we ate them three times throughout our ten day stay (and I would have ordered them again). Be sure to order the fish tacos beer battered, which are served with delicious seasoned tortilla chips and guac. They also serve beer, wine, and sangria, so pull up a seat and enjoy your tacos with an Imperial. Important note: it’s cash only!
Beer battered fish tacos from El Pescado Loco, Dominical, Costa Rica
Fuego Brew Co ($$-$$$) - Be sure to check out this open-air craft brewery located in the heart of Dominical. The beer, cocktails, and food are amazing, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. This is another spot we came back to multiple times!
Dominical Sushi ($$-$$$) - Craving sushi? Then make sure you check out this great spot featuring sushi (duh), cocktails, and outdoor seating.
Dominical Sushi, Costa Rica
Phat Noodle ($$-$$$) - Remember when I said Dominical has a wide variety of cuisine? I wasn’t kidding! Phat Noodle is an awesome Asian fusion restaurant with delicious Pad Thai, good cocktails, and great outdoor seating.
NFUSION Restaurant & Bar at Villas Alturas ($$-$$$) - This restaurant is located at a beautiful wildlife sanctuary overlooking the ocean (you can stay here, too!) While the menu isn’t huge, the incredible views, delicious cocktails, and live music make up for it.
Villas Alturas, Dominical, Costa Rica
Villas Alturas, Dominical, Costa Rica
Bar Jolly Roger ($$-$$$) - We were in Costa Rica for the Super Bowl, and the husbands were adamant about finding a place to watch it. Perched high above the ocean, Bar Jolly Roger is an awesome sports bar serving up wings and beautiful views. It’s important to note that this place gets packed for big games!
Citrus ($$$$) - If you’re looking for fine dining, then check out Citrus in Ojochal, which is a 30-minute drive from Dominical. We ate here on our last night in Costa Rica and the food and presentation were incredible. The restaurant’s atmosphere is also beautiful. Reservations highly recommended.
Things to Do in Dominical, Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park - Also known as the Amazon of Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. It is home to 3% of the world's biodiversity, including 6,000 insects, 500 trees, 367 birds, 140 mammals, 117 amphibians and reptiles, and 40 freshwater fish species. Corcovado is located on the Osa Peninsula, which features lush rainforests, secluded beaches, and abundant wildlife. You can only explore the park with a guide, and after a lot of research, we landed on a private day tour with Bahía Aventuras. You start your day at Punta Uvita (site of the famous whale tail and less than 30 minutes from Dominical) and take a 1.5-hour boat ride to the ranger station. While that might sound long, the views of the Costa Rican coastline are stunning, and we came across a huge pod of dolphins, which was so special. The day tour includes two hikes to a beach and waterfall, lunch, and tons of wildlife spotting. It’s a long day (6:15am-3pm), but so worth it for the quintessential Costa Rican rainforest experience.
Macaws in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio Park - If you want to get your wildlife fix but don’t want to make the trek out to Corcovado, then be sure to visit Manuel Antonio Park, located about 45 minutes from Dominical. Note that there is no official parking area for the park, but there are private parking areas for ₡4000-₡5000 (~$7-$10). Be wary of scammers that try to charge you a lot more! To get the most out of your visit, you can book a guided tour online, which includes your entrance fee. Even without a guide, you can only buy entrance tickets online. Since we had already visited Corcovado, I we wish we had forgone the tour and instead just spent time on the beach as the beaches in and around Manuel Antonio are beautiful. However, we did get to see a sloth and it was so cute! If you’d prefer to not pay the $18 entrance fee for the beach inside the park, Playa Espadilla Norte is a great public beach with restaurants and surfboard rentals. We ate lunch at Buena Vista+ and they had great food and piña coladas!
Sloth in Manuel Antonio Park, Costa Rica
Playa Espadilla Norte, Costa Rica
Nauyaca Waterfalls - These beautiful tiered waterfalls are located deep in the rainforest and less than a 20-minute drive from Dominical. There are now two entrances to access the waterfalls, but we got tickets/parked at Don Lulo’s. It’s $10 per person to hike and $4 for parking, and Don Lulo’s is open Mon-Sat 7am-2pm and Sunday 8am-2pm (there are bathrooms here too). From there, it’s about a 2.5-mile hike to the falls. If you’d prefer not to hike, you can pay $32 per person to get a ride in a 4x4 pickup truck (my mother-in-law had to do this as she had recently gotten knee surgery!) I’ll admit: the hike to the falls is pretty easy/underwhelming. You’re basically walking on a muddy dirt road there and back. Regardless, the falls themselves are stunning. We first checked out the upper falls and then made our way down to the lower falls, where my husband even jumped from the middle tier! Be sure to pack plenty of water, bathing suits, towels, and water shoes if you plan to jump.
Upper Nauyaca Waterfall
Lower Nauyaca Waterfall
Visit Beaches - With the exception of the beaches in and around Manuel Antonio (like Playa Espadilla), Dominical and the surrounding areas are not known for powdery white sand beaches. However, I personally found the beaches around here to be beautiful. I loved the jagged coastlines and how lush rainforests would spill onto the sand. I thought the most scenic was Playa Dominicalito, but sadly the nearby restaurant Por Que No (which was one of my favorites from our trip!) is closed until further notice. Playa Uvita is also incredibly beautiful and is home to the famous Whale’s Tail, a .5-mile long sandbar that can be accessed at low tide.
Playa Dominicalito, Dominical, Costa Rica
Playa Dominicalito, Dominical, Costa Rica
Helpful Costa Rica Tips
The official currency of Costa Rica is the colon (plural: colones), but US dollars are widely accepted. Bring smaller bills like $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills for when you do need to pay/tip in cash. We found that most restaurants took credit cards, but it was helpful to have cash for the few that didn’t.
Tipping is not customary in Costa Rica, and restaurants will add a 10% service charge to your bill. If you experience exceptionally good service, then feel free to leave an additional tip.
I’d recommend Dominical to anyone, especially those traveling with a group. There are so many incredible villas you can rent with stunning views and Pacific sunsets. Throw in a wide array of dining options and abundant wildlife and you have the perfect Costa Rican escape. I can’t wait to get back to Costa Rica and check out other parts of the country! Here are some other favorite pics from our trip:
Casa Bellavia, Dominical, Costa Rica
Casa Bellavia, Dominical, Costa Rica
Tent-making bats, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Owl butterfly, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
A white-headed Capuchin just hangin’ out in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
