Whale watching in Costa Rica
There you are, face to face with one of the undisputed giants of the sea. Just a few metres away, you can see the creature’s immense tail slapping the water. The whale dives beneath the surface, but returns a moment later. A huge jet of water shoots up from the sea and the whale shows itself on the surface one last time. Goosebumps!
Whale watching is a unique experience. In Latin America, you can spot whales in various places, such as Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Belize and Mexico. Another place where these animals are easily spotted is Costa Rica. In fact, the whale-watching season in Costa Rica is the longest in the world. As well as humpback whales, pilot whales (a member of the dolphin family), blue whales and black right whales are also spotted in the country.
The humpback whale
The humpback whale can grow to between 12 and 16 metres in length and weighs around 25 to 30 tonnes. Characteristic features of this species are its long pectoral fins and the bumps on its snout and lower jaw. During the mating season, the males produce a distinctive song to impress the females. This can go on for days. The humpback whale is also known for its spectacular displays at the water’s surface. They slap the water with their large pectoral fins and perform leaps, sometimes rising completely out of the water. Every year, humpback whales travel thousands of kilometres as they migrate from the cold, food-rich polar regions to warmer waters to mate and give birth. The whales pass by Costa Rica twice a year.
When can you go whale watching in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is the place where humpback whales from both the north and the south come to escape the winter. As a result, there are two distinct whale-watching seasons in Costa Rica.
Season 1: late December – late March
In the first season, humpback whales arrive off the coast of Costa Rica in December from California and Alaska, drawn by the warm waters. At the end of March, they head north again.
During this period, the best places to spot the whales are the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce, from Uvita (Marina Ballena National Park) or Manuel Antonio. Other locations where whale-watching is also possible include areas such as Papagayo Gulf and Santa Rosa National Park.
Season 2: late July – late October
During the second season, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the coast of Costa Rica. The whales can be found close to the coast between July and October. This is also the season when the whales come to Costa Rica to give birth. A newborn whale can weigh 2,000 kg. Your chances of seeing whales during this period are very high if you go whale-watching from the Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce, Uvita (Marino Ballena National Park) or Manuel Antonio.
Where is the best place to spot humpback whales?
The best place to spot humpback whales is along the Pacific coast. The many bays along the coast provide a safe and sheltered environment for the whales to raise their young. There are several places where the whales can be found.
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Papagayo Bay, Guanacaste
Situated on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast in the province of Guanacaste, the protected Papagayo Bay appears to be an emerging spot for whales to raise their calves during the first three months of their lives. In recent years, they have been spotted in the area with increasing frequency.
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Manuel Antonio National Park
This national park is a popular destination on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, where the dense rainforest meets beautiful sandy beaches. For many, Manuel Antonio conjures up images of monkeys, but let’s not forget the park’s underwater inhabitants. The whales, of course. On a boat trip, you’ll see whales and dolphins. And from the water, you can enjoy a different perspective of the national park.
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Uvita
This is where Marino Ballena National Park is situated. It is named after the humpback whales that return every year to the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean to calve. If luck isn’t on your side and you don’t spot any whales, nature makes up for it with a touch of humour in the form of the famous ‘whale’s tail’. A sand formation on the coast near Uvita looks exactly like a whale’s tail. The best time to spot humpback whales here is from August to October. As well as whales, you can also spot sea turtles and dolphins here.
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Caño Island, Corcovado
Marine life abounds around this island. Giant manta rays, dolphins and (mating) hawksbill turtles are regularly spotted here. Less frequently, you may even spot the ‘whale shark’, the giant of the oceans. Caño Island is situated approximately 18 kilometres from the Costa Rican mainland.
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Golfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula
The Golfo Dulce is a tropical fjord stretching between the Osa Peninsula and Piedras Blancas National Park. The Gulf is another popular destination for whales to mate due to its shallow, sheltered waters. These warm tropical waters are a particular haven for whales from Antarctic waters.
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Drake Bay, near the Osa Peninsula
Humpback whales and dolphins are often spotted in the calm waters of Drake Bay on the northern tip of the Osa Peninsula. The shallow, sheltered bay is the perfect place for mother whales to raise their calves after a gestation period of twelve months, before introducing them to the wider ocean. If you’re lucky enough to spot a humpback whale, take a close look to see if it’s a mother with her calf.
Did you know that
- Is a whale’s tail like a fingerprint? Every whale has a unique pattern of markings that creates its ‘tailprint’.
- Did you know that Costa Rica has an annual whale and dolphin festival? It takes place in September near Uvita.
- Is September an ideal month to travel to Costa Rica? You can go whale-watching on the Pacific coast and have the chance to see turtles laying their eggs in Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast.
- Did you know that the songs of male humpback whales can last up to three quarters of an hour and can still be heard from kilometres away?
- Did you know that a humpback whale’s average speed is 9 kilometres per hour? Its top speed is 27 kilometres per hour.
- Humpback whales don’t have teeth, but use baleen to gather food? Baleen consists of flexible, comb-like plates located in the whale’s upper jaw. To feed, the whales take a large mouthful of water and filter the food out through the baleen.
Costa Rica isn’t the only place where you can go whale-watching. You can also do so in Brazil, for example, as shown in the photo above. And as well as whales, there’s plenty of other wildlife to spot in Latin America.
Take a trip of Costa Rica
Would you like to go whale watching in Costa Rica? Then take a look at the itinerary below, which we’ve put together to inspire you. With a rental car, you can explore Costa Rica and visit various spots where you can spot whales.
Please feel free to contact us for more information about whale watching opportunities in Costa Rica or for a bespoke travel proposal. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or email info@sapapanatravel.nl.