Ballena National Marine Park

Region: South Pacific
Location: Puntarenas Province, from south end of Playa Hermosa to north end of Playa Pinuela.
Size: 495 land acres, 13,280 marine acres
National Park since: July 17, 1992
Highlights: beautiful Ballena Island, coral reefs and rocky shoals.
Facilities: Park station near Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge

This wonderful marine park is named after the Humpback whales that migrate here each December through April. It provides an excellent vantage point for whale watching. Isla Ballena is the center piece of three islands, Las Tres Hermanas (three sisters).

Dive trips are available. Boat tours to Ballena Island (Isla Ballena) give visitors plenty of opporutnity to view marine life. Snorkeling from the shore requires caution as riptides and currents can be strong.

At low tide you can transverse a land bridge to the small island of Punta Uvita Tombolo.

May through November is turtle nesting season and Olive ridleys and Hawksbills arrive nightly to lay eggs.

FOR RESERVATIONS

Area de Conservacion Osa (ACOSA)
frente al aeropuerto
Puerto Jimienz, Costa Rica
Main: 506-735-5036
Email: corcovado@minae.go.cr

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