Life in Ojochal

The town of Ojochal is part of the Costa Ballena region in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. Located right on the coast amidst the jungle, the town is a perfect destination for beach and wildlife lovers. Despite being a small, quiet community, Ojochal offers top-notch restaurants, social bars, shopping, and groceries. Here is our short guide to life in Ojochal!

Beaches

The Costa Ballena (whale coast) region is home to the neighboring towns of Ojochal, Uvita, and Dominical, all of which boast spectacular beaches. Each beach has a different vibe; some are undeveloped and attract only small numbers of tourists and Ticos. Others are bustling with locals and tourists alike. The beaches of Dominical are famous for their surfing and lively beach scene with bars, restaurants, local artisans, and vendors right at the beach. All the beaches are amazing places to see birds, monkeys, and the gorgeous sunsets this area is famous for. All of these beaches are within a 40 minute drive from Casa Rana Verde, listed from north to south along the coast:

  • Playa Dominical: a prime surfing destination with a playground and plenty of activities. The road along the beach is lined with vendors selling handmade jewelry, clothing, food and more.

  • Playa Dominicalito: a smaller, calmer version of Playa Dominical.

  • Playa Hermosa: a local favorite known for surfing and swimming.

  • Playa Uvita: this beach is home to the famous Whale’s Tail sand bar. Great for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring tide pools at low tide. Playa Uvita is part of the Marino Ballena National Park, so there is associated parking and a $6 entrance fee.

  • Playa Pinuela: often less crowded, this beach is a calm, serene option. The gentle waves make it suitable for swimming and snorkeling as well.

  • Playa Tortuga: from July to December you may see turtles laying their eggs on this gorgeous beach, which is also the closest to Casa Rana Verde (about a 5 minute drive). However, following extensive flooding in December 2022, the access road to the beach has been limited and parking may be difficult.

  • Playa Ventanas: also close to Casa Rana Verde, this popular beach has some gorgeous caves which can be explored at low tide. There is parking right by the beach, but the access road does have a shallow “river crossing” due to recent flooding that is manageable with a larger car. A video of the beach at sunset is below.

Nature

After breakfast, enjoy an invigorating stroll on Calle Perezoso, a four-mile loop street, that meanders through dappled shade, hills, and sunny areas, with views of the ocean to the west and the rugged Talamanca Mountains to the east. The neighborhood is quiet and safe, with friendly neighbors and a peaceful vibe. This loop is a great way to get exercise, enjoy nature and birdwatching and take in the changing views as you climb further into the hills and then descend toward the main highway. This hike will take you on a small stretch of the coastal highway, a safe route that will return you to the entrance to Ojochal.

Another great local option is Cascada el Pavon, only a 15 minute drive from Casa Rana Verde and a short walk from the road. This charming waterfall has a boulder sitting at the top making it a unique photo destination. Be sure to pack a swim suit as this waterfall and river are lovely to swim in. While this waterfall is free to visit, there is no dedicated parking area or facilities.

Dining

Ojochal is known as the food capital of Costa Rica, and you will be thrilled to explore the different cuisines, including local specialties, fresh seafood, Asian fusion, Mediterranean, European, and Middle Eastern flavors. These restaurants are nestled in peaceful settings, and you will be delighted to see that this quiet town full of wildlife also boasts more than twenty diverse restaurants right in town. Each serves delicious food, many with evening live entertainment. There are five restaurants on Calle Perezoso alone. Here is a list of our favorites, all within a 10 minute drive of Casa Rana Verde:

  • *Citrus: a destination for folks around the Osa and only minutes from Casa Rana Verde, Citrus offers some of the highest quality food around. Their seasonal, internationally-inspired menu includes many local ingredients and adventurous options.

  • Los Gatos Locos: this restaurant and bar have a fun atmosphere with live music on the weekends, good drinks, and hearty Mexican food.

  • *Heliconia: a popular restaurant with refined food and great service. Make sure to have a reservation as Heliconia fills up quickly.

  • Pancito Café: Pancito is a lovely French cafe with both take-out and dine-in options for breakfast and lunch. Don’t miss out on their delicious French pastries.

  • *Exotica: the menu at Exotica does both classics and unique flavor combinations very well. This is a great spot for a date night, and their desserts are fabulous.

  • Villa Leonor at Ballena Beach Club: as the restaurant for the beach club, Villa Leonor is a fun, laid-back outdoor patio with a path to the beach where you can watch the sunset.

*Reservation recommended

Groceries

Ojochal:

Bigger options in Uvita: