Stay in Ojochal
The quiet southern end of the coast, and the one people come to for the food.
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Ojochal is the last of the three towns heading south, and the least busy. It has an unusual reputation for its restaurants: a small village with a genuinely international food scene, which is not what most people expect from this coast.
It draws a guest who has usually been to Costa Rica before and is choosing quiet over convenience. The beaches nearby are emptier, the roads into the hills are steeper, and the forest starts closer to the houses.
It is also the practical jumping-off point for the Térraba-Sierpe wetlands and the top of the Osa Peninsula, both of which are a different kind of trip from a morning on the beach.
What is close by
Places marked protected are protected land or a regulated activity.
The restaurants
The reason Ojochal is known at all. A small village with a disproportionate number of good kitchens, several of them worth the drive from Uvita.
Playa Tortugaprotected
A long, quiet beach at the river mouth, with a turtle nesting programme run locally. Nesting season brings hatchling releases some evenings.
Térraba-Sierpe wetlandsprotected
One of the largest mangrove systems in Central America and a protected wetland. Boat trips go in for the birds, crocodiles and the mangrove itself.
Playa Ventanas
Sea caves at the north end of the beach that you can walk into at low tide, and should be well clear of before it turns.
The road to the Osa
Ojochal is the last easy stop before the peninsula, which is a longer trip and a wilder one.
Getting here
Palmar Sur (PMZ)
The closest airport to Ojochal, a short drive south. Small domestic flights.
La Managua (XQP), Quepos
Roughly two hours north on the coastal road, and the better option if you are also spending time further up the coast.
San José (SJO)
The international arrival point, around four hours by road.
Good to know
Do not leave anything in the car
Not in the boot, not under a seat, not for five minutes at a trailhead or a beach car park. Break-ins here are opportunistic and a visibly empty car is rarely touched.
Swim where the lifeguards are
The rip currents on this coast are real and they catch strong swimmers. On beaches with towers, swim between them; on beaches without, ask before you go in.
Check the tide before you walk out
The Whale's Tail sandbar and the sea caves at Ventanas are only reachable at low tide, and the water comes back faster than people expect. Check the table, and check it again before walking back.
Carry some cash
Cards work in most restaurants and supermarkets. The feria, smaller sodas, parking attendants and some park entrances are easier with colones.
Ask about the road before you book a car
Whether a house needs a 4x4 depends on the specific house and the month. We will tell you honestly rather than let you discover it on arrival in the dark.
Staying in Ojochal
- What is the closest airport to Ojochal?
- Palmar Sur (PMZ) is nearest, a short drive south. La Managua (XQP) at Quepos is roughly two hours north, and San José (SJO) is around four hours by road.
- Is Ojochal too quiet for a first trip to Costa Rica?
- It can be, if you want a town with things happening in the evening. It suits people who want space, good food and easy access to the beaches without the traffic.
- How far is Ojochal from the national park?
- A short drive north to the Marino Ballena entrances at Uvita, and the coastal road makes it straightforward. Several quieter beaches are closer than that.
- Do I need a 4x4 in Ojochal?
- For some houses in the hills, yes, and the green season makes the difference bigger. Homes closer to the main road are usually fine in any car.
Find a home for your dates.
Every house has its own calendar. Choose your dates and ask for them, or send us your dates and we will tell you what suits the group.
or use the contact form, or write to info@wildrootscr.com