Dominical is a touristic beach resort in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Located on the Osa canton, is a place with truly beautiful and exotic beaches due to the abundant vegetation that surrounds it, and that every afternoon is stage to amazing sunsets.
The beaches are wide 2.5 miles long (4km), surrounded by hills with tropical exuberant vegetation. There is a lush forest to cross to get to the beach, where you will find artisans, hostels and campings.
In the extreme south of the beach there is a rocky end that meets the hill, while the north end adjoins with the Baru river creating an estuary. You will find a wide range of sports to enjoy such as snorkel, diving, kayak, surf and paragliding to swing high from the jungle tree tops with direct descent on the beach.
The resort has good waves that can reach up to 10 feet high (3 meters), which makes it an international surf spot. People from all over the world populate this beautiful beach resort with rustic wood constructions in harmony with nature.
The town has a main gravel road that hosts stores, restaurants and hotels and also leads to the beach. There is a big english speaking population who have chosen this marvelous place to retire. The "ticos" population is very kind and their greeting is "Pura Vida" (Pure Life).
The town has a good accommodation supply to satisfy every budget; from good category hotels, to hostels for backpackers, cabins, and campings. You will also find restaurants with a wide variety of national and international food, and you shouldn’t forget to try their typical dish "casado" (rice, black beans, meat, salad and fried banana chips) or the characteristic breakfast "gallo pinto" (rice mixed with black beans, spiced sausage, fried egg and tortilla).
This quaint resort has a good nightlife with live music every week and parties. The annual contest of the "Tipsy Chics" with free drink for the girls is very fun with prize awards.
Dominical beach is close to the Ballena Marine National Park, home of tortoises and whales that come for mating and procreation. Isla de Caño is an island that is very close to the coast and one of the best diving spots in the world. This island is the habitat for different marine animals where you will also find tortoises and whales.
The area offers many activities, from the Nayuca waterfalls, to hiking and camping on the jungle, bird watching, flora and fauna and horse-back riding.
The route to Dominical is very beautiful, surrounded with palm trees and mountains in the background. There is only one road that leads to Dominical. If you are coming from the south, you must take the Inter-American Highway, and when you reach El Palmar norte, take a left turn where you will take the route of the coast that will drive you to Dominical.
From San Jose, take the Inter-American Highway towards the south, continue with the signposting towards San Isidro that will lead you to Dominical. From Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park, drive 28 miles (45 km) south through the road of the coast till you reach Dominical.
