Rainforest meets the Pacific on Costa Rica's southern coast. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

          SOUTHERNCOSTARICA · TOURS & DAY TRIPS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
        

Things to do in Southern Costa Rica: whales, Corcovado and the wild Osa.

The best Southern Costa Rica tours and day trips: whale and dolphin boats from Uvita and Drake Bay, Caño Island snorkeling, a guided day in Corcovado's Sirena sector, a famous night walk and waterfalls at sunset. Every card shows verified prices and the real meeting point.

See Top Tours ↓ View Live Options · #1 Pick From $75 ↗ Free Southern Costa Rica Insider Guide (2026)

What are you in the mood for? Jump to the right tours

Whale watching Corcovado Drake Bay Wildlife Road trip Where to stay

          ★ 5.0 on our most-reviewed pick (459 Viator reviews) · 1,203 verified reviews across these 8 tours
          ✓ Free 24h cancellation on all 8 top picks
          ✓ Secure checkout with trusted booking partners
        

            SECTION 01 · HANDPICKED & VERIFIED EXPERIENCES
          

Top Southern Costa Rica Tours & Things to Do

Eight southern tours with strong Viator ratings, named meeting points and free 24-hour cancellation, from Uvita to Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez. Prices and review counts were checked live on October 26, 2026. Filter by style:

Humpback whale breaching in Marino Ballena National Park

                01 · BEST WHALE TOUR
              

★ 4.8 (210 reviews)

                WHALES · DOLPHINS · UVITA · 2.5–3 HRS
                From $75
              

Bahía Ballena Whale & Dolphin Tour (Morning)

A short walk through Marino Ballena National Park to the boat, then the bay where humpbacks visit in two seasons a year.

Departs: Martin Adventours office, Uvita (free parking), with a 15-minute walk to the beach

Check: Snorkel gear, snacks and water included; whale sightings are seasonal.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $75 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

Red-eyed tree frog on a leaf, Costa Rica

                02 · MOST-REVIEWED
              

★ 5.0 (459 reviews)

                NIGHT WALK · DRAKE BAY · 2–3 HRS
                From $55
              

Rainforest Night Tour with Tracie 'The Bug Lady'

A 2.5-hour night trek with biologist Tracie and mammal-guide coauthor Gianfranco Gómez, using a spotting scope and a bat detector.

Departs: In front of the Jinetes de Osa Inn restaurant, Agujitas (Drake Bay), 7:25 p.m.

Check: Only for guests staying within a 20-minute walk in Agujitas; no parking at the meeting point.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $55 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

Rainforest and surf seen from Isla del Caño

                03 · TOP SNORKEL DAY
              

★ 4.9 (92 reviews)

                CAÑO ISLAND · SNORKEL · 8 HRS
                From $150
              

Caño Island Snorkeling Tour from Uvita

Cross to Caño Island Biological Reserve to snorkel among reef fish, rays and turtles, with lunch on a local beach.

Departs: Martin Adventours office, Uvita (free parking)

Check: Licensed guide, snorkel gear and lunch included; children 6+, and every guest needs ID.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $150 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

Pantropical spotted dolphin off the coast of Costa Rica

                04 · ORIGINAL DRAKE BAY BOAT
              

★ 4.6 (232 reviews)

                DOLPHINS · WHALES · DRAKE BAY · 6 HRS
                From $135
              

Dolphin & Whale Watching from Drake Bay

Drake Bay's original dolphin and whale tour, running since 1998. Listen in with the on-board hydrophone, then snorkel and eat lunch.

Departs: Playa Colorado, Drake Bay (main beach where the road meets the sand)

Check: Snorkel gear and lunch included; a minimum number of guests applies.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $135 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

Río Agujitas flowing out of the jungle in the Drake Bay area

                05 · HIGHEST-RATED RIVER
              

★ 5.0 (106 reviews)

                RIVER FLOAT · DRAKE BAY · 5 HRS
                From $80
              

Río Claro Floating Tour with Lunch

Float down the clear Río Claro near Drake Bay, watching for monkeys, sloths and tropical birds along the banks.

Departs: Hotel pickup in the Drake Bay area (tell the operator where you're staying)

Check: Life jackets, transport and lunch included; for travelers in good shape.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $80 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

Dense rainforest on the Osa Peninsula, gateway to Corcovado. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

                06 · PERFECT 5.0 PARK DAY
              

★ 5.0 (14 reviews)

                CORCOVADO · SIRENA · 9 HRS
                From $185
              

Corcovado National Park Day Tour to Sirena

A guided wildlife walk in Corcovado's famous Sirena sector, reached by boat. Your guide is certified by Costa Rica's tourism board (ICT).

Departs: Puerto Jiménez public pier, 5:20 a.m.

Check: Park entry, round-trip boat and lunch included; moderate fitness needed.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $185 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

                07 · GOLFO DULCE PICK
              

★ 4.9 (53 reviews)

                GULF · WHALES · SNORKEL · 4 HRS
                From $110
              

Golfo Dulce Whale Watching, Snorkel & Fishing from Puerto Jiménez

A half-day shared boat along the edge of Piedras Blancas National Park, looking for whales and dolphins in season, with snorkeling and light fishing.

Departs: In front of Marisquería Playa Blanca, next to the pier, Puerto Jiménez

Check: Binoculars, fishing gear, snorkel gear and a snack included.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $110 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

Waterfall plunging into a jungle pool in southern Costa Rica. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

                08 · BEST SUNSET
              

★ 4.8 (37 reviews)

                WATERFALLS · SUNSET · 4 HRS
                From $70
              

Chasing Waterfalls & Sunset Viewpoint near Uvita

Two or three waterfalls to swim, jump and slide in, a rocky beach, then a mountain lookout over the whale's tail at sunset.

Departs: Pickup in downtown Uvita, Dominical or Ojochal (confirmed by WhatsApp)

Check: Private transport and snacks included; bookings are confirmed manually.

✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator

Book Now · From $70 ↗ Details →

View Live Options ↗

More verified tours in the south

Other options from our destination guides. Each one opens live dates.

VIATOR · UVITA WHALES

Whales and Dolphins watching Tour From Uvita

★ 4.4 (153 Viator reviews) · From $95. A Marino Ballena boat tour with snorkeling and a sea-cave visit.

See Availability ↗

VIATOR · SJO TRANSFER

OneWay Private Transfer - San Jose Airport to your selected location:

★ 5.0 (22 Viator reviews) · From $125. A one-way private transfer from San José airport to your stay in the south.

See Availability ↗

GETYOURGUIDE · OSA

More Osa Peninsula tours

Compare live Corcovado, kayak and wildlife options on the Osa.

See Availability ↗

GETYOURGUIDE · PUERTO JIMÉNEZ

More Puerto Jiménez tours

Compare live Golfo Dulce boat days and park trips.

See Availability ↗

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE SOUTH

From our Corcovado and boat-day guides: gear that matters on wet landings and rainforest trails.

Dry bag for beach landingsCheck price on Amazon ↗Waterproof 8x42 binocularsCheck price on Amazon ↗Rain ponchoCheck price on Amazon ↗

MORE LIVE OPTIONS

Want to compare more options? These are live GetYourGuide results for Uvita, the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay.

Live GetYourGuide results load after you accept partner cookies.

FULL CATALOG & LIVE CALENDAR

Linking several areas? Plan drive days and boat transfers first.

See the Southern Road Trip → Getting Around the South

              SECTION 02 · DAY-BY-DAY FIELD PLANS
            

Curated Southern Costa Rica Itineraries That Actually Work

Switch between our 1-Day, Weekend, 3-Day, Family, and Couples blueprints. Each block is sequenced around real transfer times and links directly to the bookable experience.

One Perfect Day in Uvita

Whales in the morning, waterfalls in the afternoon, the whale's tail at sunset.

01 · MORNING

Bahía Ballena whale & dolphin tour

Morning boats in Marino Ballena National Park.

★ 4.8 (210 reviews) · From $75 Book the Whale Tour ↗

02 · AFTERNOON

Waterfalls & sunset viewpoint

Swim, slide, then watch the sunset over the whale's tail.

★ 4.8 (37 reviews) · From $70 Book the Waterfall Tour ↗

03 · EVENING

Dinner in Ojochal

A short drive south to the area's food village.

★ 4.8 (37 reviews) · From $70 See Pickup Areas ↗

          SECTION 03 · NEIGHBORHOODS, PORTS & STARTING HUBS
        

Southern Costa Rica Areas: Where Each Tour Starts

Knowing which neighborhood, pier, or region your tour departs from saves hours in transit. Click any area below for our dedicated sub-guide:

Dominical and Uvita coastline from the air. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

AREA 01

Best for: surf town base, waterfalls

Dominical

A small beach town on Route 34 at the northern end of the southern coast, about 3 h 40 min from SJO. Strong waves and forest reserves close by.

              Explore Area Guide & Departures
              →
            

Rocky shore near Uvita and Dominical. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

AREA 02

Best for: whale watching, Marino Ballena

Uvita

Gateway to Marino Ballena National Park and the whale's-tail sandbar, which you can walk only at low tide. Whale and Caño Island boats leave from here.

              Explore Area Guide & Departures
              →
            

Forest hills meeting the Pacific on the Costanera Sur

AREA 03

Best for: food lovers, quiet forest stays

Ojochal

A forest village south of Uvita, just off Route 34. ICT notes its restaurants show strong Canadian and European influences.

              Explore Area Guide & Departures
              →
            

Rainforest on the Osa Peninsula from the air. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

AREA 04

Best for: Corcovado, Golfo Dulce boats

Osa Peninsula & Puerto Jiménez

The practical Osa base, with shops and services and Corcovado boats from the public pier. About 2 h 10 min by road from Ojochal.

              Explore Area Guide & Departures
              →
            

Drake Bay coastline, Osa Peninsula. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

AREA 05

Best for: night tours, dolphins, remote lodges

Drake Bay

A remote bay on the Osa's north side, reached by boat from Sierpe, by small plane or by a rough road with river crossings.

              Explore Area Guide & Departures
              →
            

Capuchin monkeys in the southern rainforest. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

AREA 06

Best for: boat days, remote eco-lodges

Golfito & Golfo Dulce

A former banana port on what ICT calls a tropical fjord, with mangroves, dolphins, whales and boat-access lodges.

              Explore Area Guide & Departures
              →
            

              SECTION 04 · SEASONALITY & TIMING
            

When to Visit Southern Costa Rica: Month-by-Month Guide

Per ICT, humpback whales visit the south in two seasons: December to April (northern population) and July to November (southern population). The drier months generally run December to April. The rest of the year is green season, when heavy rain can delay boats and floods can close the road to Drake Bay. Book Corcovado and Caño Island trips before you fix your dates, because both require registered guides and reservations.

BOOKING URGENCY RULE

Corcovado and Caño Island run on limited permits, and Drake Bay's small boats fill fast from December through April. All eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so you can lock in dates early.

Check Live Dates & Availability ↗

Month	Typical Weather	Crowd & Price Level	Best Experiences & Seasonal Events
Jan	Drier, sunny	High	Northern humpback season; book Corcovado and Caño early
Feb	Drier, sunny	High	Calmer seas for Caño Island snorkeling
Mar	Drier, hot	High (Holy Week some years)	Holy Week books out fast; reserve refundable spots
Apr	Drier, transition	Medium-High	End of the northern whale season
May	Green season begins	Medium	Fewer crowds; afternoon rain starts
Jun	Rainy	Low-Medium	Green-season rates; leave buffer days for boats
Jul	Rainy, drier spells	Medium	Southern humpback season begins
Aug	Rainy	Medium	Peak southern whale months in Marino Ballena
Sep	Very wet	Low	Whales still around; check Drake Bay road and boat status
Oct	Wettest	Low	Some lodges close; confirm before you book
Nov	Rain easing	Medium	End of the southern whale season
Dec	Drier season returns	High (holiday peak)	Christmas and New Year sell out; book early

            SECTION 05 · SLEEP NEAR YOUR MORNING DEPARTURE
          

Where to Stay in Southern Costa Rica (3 Vetted Tiers)

Choose your base by route: Uvita and Ojochal for the whale coast, Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay for the Osa. These are Agoda partner stays from our where-to-stay guide. Rates change daily, so check today's price for your dates.

Compare Southern Stays →

Mantled howler monkey resting in the rainforest canopy. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

                TIER 01 · RAINFOREST RESORT
                Live rates on Agoda
              

Botanika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton

📍 Near Puerto Jiménez · Osa Peninsula

A resort between the rainforest and the Golfo Dulce, with suites, villas, a lagoon pool and a spa. A comfortable base for Corcovado days from Puerto Jiménez.

Recommended Stays: Botanika Osa Peninsula (Agoda partner property)

Check Rates at Botanika Osa →

Hotel pool surrounded by tropical gardens in Costa Rica. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

                TIER 02 · BOUTIQUE HOTEL
                Live rates on Agoda
              

Yuli Hotel

📍 Uvita · near Marino Ballena

A boutique hotel with 20 rooms around a pool and restaurant, steps from Marino Ballena National Park (per the hotel). Ideal for whale and Caño Island boats.

Recommended Stays: Yuli Hotel (Agoda partner property)

Check Rates at Yuli Hotel →

Lodge buildings in the Osa Peninsula rainforest. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com

                TIER 03 · FAMILY-RUN LODGE
                Live rates on Agoda
              

El Remanso Rainforest Lodge

📍 Osa Peninsula · southwestern tip

A family-run lodge with 14 units built from fallen timber and plantation wood, near the southwestern tip of Costa Rica on the Osa Peninsula.

Recommended Stays: El Remanso Rainforest Lodge (Agoda partner property)

Check Rates at El Remanso →

              SECTION 06 · E-E-A-T EDITORIAL METHODOLOGY & VERIFICATION
            

Every card names the meeting point, and every rule is sourced

In the south, the wrong meeting point can mean a missed boat. We take each meeting point from the operator's own listing, park rules from SINAC and ICT, and prices, ratings and cancellation terms from the live Viator listing.

VERIFIED EDITORIAL RECORD

EasyCostaRica Travel Editorial Desk

Last updated & link-audited: Oct 26, 2026

About SouthernCostaRica Affiliate Disclosure Getting Around the South

✓ Live-verified numbers

Every price, rating and review count on this page came from the Viator Partner API on October 26, 2026.

✓ Meeting points named

Puerto Jiménez pier at 5:20 a.m., Jinetes de Osa Inn at 7:25 p.m., the Martin Adventours office in Uvita.

✓ Park rules sourced

Corcovado and Caño Island guide and reservation rules come from SINAC; whale seasons come from ICT.

✓ Local photography

Coast and rainforest images are by Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com, shot in the south.

Photography & License Attribution: Original Costa Rica photography © Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com; additional destination imagery sourced via Wikimedia Commons contributors under CC BY / CC BY-SA licenses (see full image credits & source files).

            SECTION 07 · FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
          

Southern Costa Rica Tours & Travel FAQ

Direct, practical answers to the questions travelers ask most before booking Southern Costa Rica tours, day trips, and transfers.

Read Getting Around the South →

What are the best things to do in Southern Costa Rica?

Top picks are whale and dolphin watching from Uvita or Drake Bay, snorkeling at Caño Island, a guided day in Corcovado's Sirena sector, a rainforest night tour in Drake Bay and waterfall swims near Uvita. All eight are in our list above with verified prices.

When is whale-watching season in Uvita?

According to ICT, humpback whales visit in two seasons: December to April (the northern population) and July to November (the southern population). Sightings are never guaranteed, so book a morning boat with free cancellation.

Do I need a guide to visit Corcovado?

Yes. SINAC requires a local guide registered with the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) and a reservation. Guided day trips to the Sirena sector leave from Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay. The tour on this page includes park entry, the boat and lunch.

How do I get to Uvita and the Osa Peninsula?

From San José, Route 27 and Route 34 run down the coast. It's about 3 h 40 min to Dominical, with Uvita and Ojochal a little farther. Ojochal to Puerto Jiménez is about 2 h 10 min. SANSA flies to Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez and Golfito.

How do I get to Drake Bay?

Most visitors take a boat from Sierpe. Small planes also fly in. ICT warns that the road has river crossings and can close after floods. Pack a dry bag and shoes that can get wet for beach landings.

Can I visit Caño Island on my own?

No. SINAC requires visits with a guide registered with ACOSA, booked and prepaid through a permitted operator. The Caño Island tour on this page leaves from Uvita, with children 6 and up.

When is the best time to visit Southern Costa Rica?

December to April is generally drier, with calmer seas and peak demand. The green season is quieter but wetter, and boats can be delayed. September and October are the wettest months.

Where should I stay in the south?

Uvita and Ojochal suit the whale coast and Caño Island, Puerto Jiménez suits Corcovado and the Golfo Dulce, and Drake Bay suits a remote boat-based stay. Our where-to-stay guide compares each base.

Can I cancel a tour if plans change?

All eight picks on this page offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Weather can still change boat plans, so confirm current terms on the live listing.

                SECTION 08 · FREE 2026 INSIDER FIELD GUIDE
              

The Southern Costa Rica Insider Guide (2026)

A printable cheat sheet: our top eight southern tours with verified prices and meeting points, plus five ready-made itineraries.

✓Top eight tours with live-verified prices, ratings and meeting points
✓1-day, weekend, 3-day, family and couples plans
✓Whale seasons, park rules and drive times

Things to do in Southern Costa Rica: whales, Corcovado and the wild Osa.

Top Southern Costa Rica Tours & Things to Do

More verified tours in the south

Curated Southern Costa Rica Itineraries That Actually Work

One Perfect Day in Uvita

Bahía Ballena whale & dolphin tour

Waterfalls & sunset viewpoint

Dinner in Ojochal

A Southern Weekend: Whale Coast

Caño Island snorkeling

Bahía Ballena whale & dolphin tour

Waterfalls & sunset viewpoint

Three Days on the Osa: Drake Bay

Night tour with the Bug Lady

Dolphin & whale watching

Río Claro floating tour

Easy Family Days in the South

Bahía Ballena whale & dolphin tour

Waterfalls & sunset viewpoint

Caño Island snorkeling (ages 6+)

The Wild South for Two

Corcovado day tour to Sirena

Golfo Dulce boat day

Night tour in Drake Bay

Southern Costa Rica Areas: Where Each Tour Starts

Dominical

Uvita

Ojochal

Osa Peninsula & Puerto Jiménez

Drake Bay

Golfito & Golfo Dulce

When to Visit Southern Costa Rica: Month-by-Month Guide

Where to Stay in Southern Costa Rica (3 Vetted Tiers)

Botanika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton

Yuli Hotel

El Remanso Rainforest Lodge

Every card names the meeting point, and every rule is sourced

✓ Live-verified numbers

✓ Meeting points named

✓ Park rules sourced

✓ Local photography

Southern Costa Rica Tours & Travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Southern Costa Rica?

When is whale-watching season in Uvita?

Do I need a guide to visit Corcovado?

How do I get to Uvita and the Osa Peninsula?

How do I get to Drake Bay?

Can I visit Caño Island on my own?

When is the best time to visit Southern Costa Rica?

Where should I stay in the south?

Can I cancel a tour if plans change?

The Southern Costa Rica Insider Guide (2026)

Send me the Southern Costa Rica Insider Guide