BALLENA (WHALE) MARINE NATIONAL PARK- 5 minutes The Ballena Marine National Park was created in February 1990 to protect the shoreline of Costa Ballena plus 4,500 hectares of water surrounding Island Ballena. The park extends south for 15 km from Uvita to Punta Piñuela, and about 15 km out to sea. The park harbors within its relatively small area important mangroves and the largest coral reef on the Pacific coast of Central America.

Green marine iguanas live on algae in the saltwater pools. Olive Ridley and Hawksbill Turtles come ashore May-November to lay their eggs, and the bay is the southernmost mating site for the Humpback Whale, Dec.-April. Snorkeling is good close to shore and during low tides you can also reach the island at the tip of Punta Uvita to discover corals, sponges, and sea anemones.