Ballena Marine National Park, Marine national park in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica.
The park stretches across 13,000 acres of ocean and 9 miles of coastline, featuring mangrove forests, coral reefs, and four main beaches.
Established in 1989, the park was created to safeguard marine species and protect the migration routes of humpback whales from Antarctica and Alaska.
Local communities participate in conservation programs and lead guided tours, sharing their knowledge of marine ecosystems with visitors.
The park offers snorkeling opportunities around 18 coral species, while the best period for whale watching extends from December to April.
During low tide, the Punta Uvita Tombola forms a natural sandbar in the shape of a whale's tail, extending one kilometer from the shore.
Location: Puntarenas Province
GPS coordinates: 9.09193,-83.73230
Latest update: March 5, 2025 11:01
Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect cone rises 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) above surrounding rainforest, and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist drifts through canopy vegetation supporting rare species such as the resplendent quetzal. Rio Celeste flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park, displaying its characteristic turquoise color from volcanic minerals, while Tabacon Hot Springs delivers naturally heated water from underground sources. Coastal regions present diverse subjects, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys move through trees, to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast with its coral reefs. The Nicoya Peninsula and Papagayo Peninsula provide access to Tamarindo Beach and Santa Teresa Beach, while the southern zone includes Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale-shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Tortuga Island, off the coast of Puntarenas, serves as a day-trip destination. Inland, San Jose Central Market documents daily commerce, the National Theater displays neoclassical architecture from 1897, and Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian ruins. Cerro Chirripó rises to 12,533 feet (3,820 meters) as the country's highest point, offering views of both oceans in clear conditions.
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