Parasailing At Sunset Above Playa Dominical  

 

There are a host of wonderful activities to enjoy in the beautiful beach town of Playa Dominical. Dominical Beach, with its rocky brown shore, runs for 3 miles (4 km) along the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Here you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as surfing, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Rainforests next to the coast make it an excellent place for to explore the magnificent Costa Rican wildlife. Hiking, bird watching and tree top observations of flora and fauna are among some of the favorite activities here. Why not also experience the exhilarating trill of sliding along a zip line far above the tree tops in one of the many Canopy Tours available to visitors. If relaxation is what you're looking for, Dominical has plenty to offer as well, including secluded coves for sun bathing, relaxing day spas to pamper yourself, and exotic fine dining under the stars. Playa Dominical has just the right thing for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean View From our swimming pool at Aloha Villa Dominical Pura Vida.


Relax and enjoy!

 

                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities:

 

Relax At Our Villa:

Aloha Villa Dominical is perfect for relaxing.  You can lie and bask in the sun around our swimming pool, or enjoy the vastness of Dominical beach on the Pacific Ocean.  Every so often you may loosen your muscles and soothe away any tension by relaxing in our Jacuzzi.  At night you can immerse yourself in the warmth of the water and have solace absorbing the heavens above and the celestial nights of this tropical paradise.

 

 

 

If you're looking for Starry Nights, Open Space, Seclusion, Fresh Ocean Air, a Romantic Getaway, or a Well Deserved Getaway, Aloha Villa Dominical Pura Vida is the getaway for you. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecoturism:
Visitors come to Costa Rica for its abundant natural beauty which is easily accessible to visitors. Approximately 30 percent of Costa Rica is protected as national parks, biological and archeological reserves, and wildlife refuges. One of the best ways to experience Costa Rica is by taking one of the many travel tours available from Playa Dominical. Expert guided adventures will allow you to explore some of the many fascinating places within just a few hours from playa Dominical, such as one of the classic horseback riding tours that takes you out to Nauyaca Waterfall, a breathtaking 213 ft (65 meters) high cascade surrounded by natural beauty. Close to this secluded area you will find the Ballena (Whale) Marine National Park. This park was created in 1990 to protect 8 miles (13 km) of shoreline. The park includes 272 land acres (110 hectares) and 13 water acres (5 hectares). The area preserves the productivity of the biological communities that live in this coastal zone and preserves the habitat for different marine life.

Outdoor Adventure:
Costa Rica's outdoor activities are set in a truly varied and incredible landscape. Visitors are constantly astounded by the many diverse locations of this inspiring country. No other place offers such an abundance of changing natural beauty in such close proximity. From our base in Playa Dominical there are many popular one day tours to enjoy. From lush tropical jungles, to rich costal marine life, Costa Rica is constantly changing. With such a wide selection of places to see and things to do, there is no doubt that visitors can find an activity well suited for everyone. From Canopy tours through the rainforest, bungee jumping, white water rafting, sailing, fresh water fishing or deep sea sports fishing, kayaking, hiking through lush forests and walking at the foot of active volcanoes, all these are part of the Costa Rican adventure.

Manuel Antonio National Park:
Located only 25 miles north of Dominical near the town of Quepos, this is one of Costa Rica's smaller national parks, but it is also one of it's riches. Over 100 species of animals and nearly 200 species of birds live in the park. All three species of monkeys found in Costa Rica reside in the park - the white-throated capuchin monkeys, the endangered squirrel monkeys, and the white-faced monkeys (shown here).  In addition to monkeys, you can expect to see colorful birds, iguanas, sloths, and other exotic animals. In order to protect and conserve this unique environment, the number of park visitors allowed each day is limited, therefore it is best to visit the park in the morning hours and during the mid-week slower periods, if possible. The park is closed on Mondays, however guided Ecotours may be arranged during normal hours of operation.

Just off the beaches of Manual Antonio lies another world worth exploring. Snorkeling reveals bright, florescent colored fish swimming among the corals. Further out, the park encompasses twelve islets just off the coast where it is possible to see dolphins and migrating whales.

 

 

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving:
Pristine coral reefs, together with an abundance of spectacular tropical sea life make the areas around Dominical some of the best for scuba diving in Costa Rica. About an hour from Dominical, Caño Island offers some of the most exciting diving within reach of the mainland.

Spectacular marine life is guaranteed on a visit to Caño Island. Porpoises, schools of manta rays, and white-tip reef sharks are commonly seen on most dives. Water temperatures in the Pacific are typically in the upper 70s to low 80s throughout the year.  If you enjoy the ocean, you won't want to miss an opportunity to visit this enchanting island. Day or overnight tours can be arranged by a number of well respected and experienced dive companies in Dominical.

 

 

Caño Island Biological Reserve:
Located about an hour’s boat ride from Dominical, this uninhabited island is known as an excellent diving spot. Trails on the island lead to a pre-Columbian cemetery and several of Costa Rica’s mysterious stone spheres. Mystery shrouds the spheres, which measure from one to two and a half meters in diameter and are found mainly in the Palmar region and on Caño Island.

 

In addition to snorkeling and diving, there is a forest trail up the Rio Pargo that is well worth exploring. The rain forest story unfolds before you. The trees in this area are magnificent in height and support an outstanding variety of epiphytic plants such as orchids, bromeliads, ferns-even shrubs and small trees. Monkeys, agoutis, sloth and other critters will entertain you. By noon, the tour returns to the beach to enjoy your packed lunch in the shade of a mango tree while watching the surf.

 

Canopy Tours:

Adventurous visitors to Dominical can explore the forest canopy and see jungle life from a totally new perspective. One of the best canopy or “tree-top” experiences in the country is a unique tours available at Hacienda Baru, just 10 minutes by car from the town of Dominical.

 

Sail high above the rainforest canopy and experience Costa Rica's most popular adventure sport. This is an exciting adventure that must not be missed. People of all ages can experience the thrill of jungle top canopy tour. Visitors are offered an opportunity to experience a unique outdoor activity that is also an enriching ecological experience. Excellent outfitters in Dominical can arrange your adventure, offering the rare opportunity to ascend into the forest canopy and see jungle life from a perspective available previously to only a select few researchers and photographers.

 

Professional canopy guides can also arrange a day of wildlife viewing high up on a tree platform above the floor of the forest. You can also zip from platform to platform to combine wildlife viewing and zip lining into a day of action and adventure. The canopy tours are designed so that there is very little impact on the sensitive ecological balance that exists in the rainforest. There is no question that the adrenaline rush will make this an unforgettable experience.

 

 

Hacineda Barú Natural Wildlife Refuge:
Hacienda Barú is located approximately 40 kilometers (23 miles) from Dominical. Its 330 hectares (815 acres) offer an opportunity to view a fantastic variety of habitats, from wetland and secondary forest in the lowlands to primary forest on the highland coastal ridge.      7 Km
(4 miles) of walking trails and 3 Km (2 miles) of pristine beach are here to be explored, as well as an orchid garden and butterfly garden. Fantastic guided tour offering Bird Watching and Ecological Explorations are offered by many outstanding local Dominical Outfitters.

 

Our excellent naturalist guides will help you discover the wonders of the tropical rainforest, such as leaf cutter ants and sleepy sloths. On our tours you can experience everything from the Rainforest Canopy to Mangrove.

 

Hacienda Barú offers an experience that is both entertaining as well as educational. The experienced local guides help deepen your appreciation for the wonders of the tropical rainforest. These well trained experts come from local communities surrounding the refuge which has given them the opportunity to intimately learn the the flora and fauna since childhood. On most tours the guides carry a spotting scope to help you see wildlife close up. Visitors are encouraged to bring along binoculars and photography gear to capture the amazing sights. Most tours fall into 3 different categories Canopy Exploration Tours, Hiking Tours and Night Tours. This provides and excellent opportunity to explore the rainforest from many different aspects.

Butterfly Viewing:
Costa Rica boasts a extraordinary variety of butterflies given its modest geographic size. Over 550 species reside here, more than the entire continent of Africa. Right behind the restaurant at Hacienda Barú you will find the Butterfly Garden. The garden has a sample of many local species for you to enjoy. In the laboratory at the back of the garden you can learn about the life cycle of the butterfly and see the caterpillars and pupa.

Bird Watching:

Bird Watching and Ecological Tours are our specialty. Our excellent naturalist guides will help you discover the wonders of the tropical rainforest, such as leaf cutter ants and sleepy sloths. On our tours you can experience everything from the Rainforest Canopy to Mangrove.

Hacienda Barú has 7 Kilometers of beautiful rainforest trails. On these trails you can explore a rich diversity of habitats including primary and secondary forest, wetland, grassland and mangrove swamp. There are trails which meander through the lowland to the beach or up into the highland where there are magnificent views of the coast. The beach can be accessed by the trails or by road. Hacienda Barú protects 3 Km of pristine beach, which you will find largely deserted. The walk to the Barú river mouth takes around 1 hour from the cabins and is especially enjoyable in the late afternoon, catching the fabulous Pacific sunset on the way back. There are lots of opportunities to spot wildlife on the trails and the beach. Our trail guide "Paths of Discovery" contains a list of 100 different species with corresponding numbers on the trails. It also has detailed descriptions of all the trails and walking on the beach. This will help you find wildlife and learn interesting things about the rainforest.

 

 

Ocean/River Rafting & Kayaking:

 

River rafting tours are available at different rafting levels. The Savegre River, a class III river in the mountains outside of Quepos, runs through the cleanest river in the country. Participants go through class II/III/IV rapids with a chance to enjoy great swimming holes and a large variety of birds in the dense primary jungle surrounding the river. The Naranjo River is a class III and IV river for physically fit, excitement-seeking rafters. The river drops steeply from the mountains about Quepos through a beautiful jungle gorge, taking participants on a wild ride to sea level, passing nearby farmlands and palm plantations.

 

 

Ocean kayaking is also popular along the southern Pacific coast, where kayakers can travel through shoreline caves (depending on tidal conditions) and view pre-Columbian inscriptions on the walls. The caves are rumored to hold to treasures of explorer Sir Francis Drake. Age requirements are eight to 12 years, depending on the difficulty of the waters. Rafting/kayaking trips are generally unregulated. Use only reputable operators with skilled guides, good quality and well-maintained equipment, and a history of safe operations.
For the participant seeking slow-moving tranquility, other boating experiences are available. Take a ride on a two-story paddlewheel boat up the longest river in Costa Rica. Or, ride a launch through the Rio Terraba mangroves to a beautiful island. Enjoy a private picnic and hike along trails to admire flora and fauna.

 

 

Other Activities

Surfing:
Dominical is known as a surfer’s mecca. Playa Dominical is a sandy bottom beach break that produces some of the most powerful, well shaped surf in all of Costa Rica. Surfers enjoy good waves year-round. Further south near Golfo Dulce, Pavones and Matapalo, are excellent surfing locations. Pavones, near the Panama border, has one of the longest left waves in the world. Several surf schools provide lessons, which include equipment. Although some rentals are available, experienced surfers bring their own equipment. Don’t forget rash guard, sunscreen, and wax. Be prepared to pay extra for shipping boards on airlines.

Sport Fishing:
The Dominical area is world famous for its sport fishing. Bill fishing is very popular, especially from December to June, with world records broken nearly every year. Numerous outfitters offer well-equipped boats and experienced, bilingual captains to provide both the rookie and the experienced angler excellent offshore fishing for marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and dorado. The Dominical area also includes the second largest mangrove system on the Pacific coast of Central America, providing some of the best fly fishing in the world. Inshore action includes roosterfish, snook, snapper, and sea bass.

Horseback Riding:
One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Punta Dominical is on horseback. Guided horseback riding tours may be scheduled from several Dominical locations. You can choose tours that take you along beaches and jungle trails and through river crossings to experience waterfalls, mineral pools, and spectacular mountain views.

Waterfalls:
Ride a horse or hike to a waterfall. Swim, float, or snorkel in the refreshing waters. A choice of three spectacular waterfalls are available in the Dominical area. One, Poza Azul, is located on the Punta Dominical property.

Whale & Dolphin Watching:
Costa Rica enjoys one of the most biologically diverse ocean ecosystems in the world. This is mainly because the heart of a vast habitat known as the Costa Rican Thermal Convection Dome (named for its proximity to this country), lies here. Shallow, warm waters lie on top of low-oxygen cold water, creating the perfect ecosystem for a vast variety of marine life. The dome off the coast of Costa Rica is the only one in the world that is constant. Whales, dolphins, tuna, marlin, manta rays, sea turtles, sailfish and more all congregate near the Costa Rican coasts, taking advantage of this year-round dome of ecologically rich waters.
Encounter Rough Tooth and Common Dolphins as well as Pilot Whales, Orcas, Psuedo Orcas, Sei Whales, Brydes Whales, Beaked Whales, giant manta rays, sea turtles and more. This area boasts the longest season of Humpback Whales in the world, as we get migrations from both North America and South America. The Humpbacks from both Hemispheres come here to birth and breed.

Sport & Fly Fishing:
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is world famous for its sport fishing. Bill fishing is very popular, especially from December to June, with world records broken nearly every year. Numerous outfitters offer well-equipped boats and experienced, bilingual captains to provide both the rookie and the experienced angler excellent offshore fishing for marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and dorado. Offshore fishing in the Dominical area is an excellent economic value. The Dominical area also includes the second largest mangrove system on the Pacific coast of Central America, providing some of the best fly fishing in the world. Inshore action includes roosterfish, snook, snapper, and sea bass. Half-day and full-day charters are available from Quepos, Dominical, Uvita, Drake Bay, Cano Island, and Golfito.

Bicycling:
An adventurous alternative way to see the country, mountain biking has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years. Most tour companies offer biking trips as part of their regular packages. Rental equipment is excellent. Cyclists will encounter a huge variety of breathing terrain – leisure country paths, grueling mountain trails, and open beaches. Cyclists from Costa Rica have excelled on the international cycling circuit, and top cyclists from around the world gather here annually for two major races.

Hiking & Mountain Climbing:
There is an abundance of hiking and climbing opportunities in Costa Rica. Excursions vary in the time required and difficulty level. Constantly changing weather conditions necessitate carrying rain gear, plenty of water, and something to eat. Bug repellent and sturdy boats are also recommended for most hikes. Never hike alone and always tell a friend or neighbor where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Enjoy the ultimate adventure and climb Mt. Chirripo, the tallest mountain in Central America at 12,530 feet!

 

Things To See & Do In Dominical

Ecotourism
Waterfall Tours
Hiking
Butterfly Gardens
Sunset Watching
Wildlife Viewing
Bird Watching
Nature Trails
Whale & Dolphin Watching
Night Crocodile Tours
Volcano Tours
Rain Forest Trail Tours
Mangrove Swamp Tours
Natural Swimming Tours
Canopy Tours
Cloud Forest
Cave Tours

Ocean & Water Sports
Surfing
Wind Surfing
Kite Surfing
Boating
Sailing
Tubing
Whitewater Rafting
Canoeing
Kayaking
Ocean Kayaking
Swimming
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Coral Reef
Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing
Fresh Water Fishing

Adventure Sports
Chair Gliding
Hang Gliding
Para Gliding
Para Sailing
Mountain Biking
Rock Climbing
Mountain Climbing
Geo Caching
Zip Lining
Rappelling
Tree Climbing
Bungee Jumping

 

 

Activities In Town
Golf
Tennis
Bicycling
Shopping
Dancing
Theater
Restaurants
Spas & Massages

Scenic Touring
Scenic Drives
Horseback Riding
Helicopter Rides
Jeep Tours
Sightseeing Tours
Ultra Light Flights

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reservations:

Aloha Villa Dominical Pura Vida is available for Vacation Rental and Corporate Rental.
Book Online Now


Please call Louisa at:
877-711-4RENT
or Email for Special Promotional Rates.

 

 

 

 

For More Information Contact:

877-711-4RENT

 

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