Marino Ballena
National Park
Central America (Puntarenas)Designated in 1989110 km²
At low tide a sand formation traces the perfect outline of a whale's tail, which gives the park its name
Area
110 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1989
Declared in 1989, Marino Ballena takes its name from a sand formation which, at low tide, traces the perfect outline of a whale's tail seen from the air. It is one of the few places in the world visited by two distinct humpback whale populations from opposite hemispheres: one from the northern hemisphere between December and March, and another from the southern hemisphere between July and November, which makes the coast a whale-watching area almost all year round.
Location
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3 dive sites within 300 km are also shown.
Marino Ballena: 19 documented species
Mammals6Birds2Reptiles4Cartilaginous fish
Flora and ecosystems
Ecosystems found in Costa Rica, where Marino Ballena lies.
Tropical rainforestMarine / coastal
Experiences in this park
Diving and snorkellingBirdwatching
Nearby dive sites
Where can I dive near here?
53 km away
167 km away
289 km away
Wildlife you can see now
What is worth looking out for this month in Costa Rica?
Now is a good time: Olive ridley arribada at Ostional (July to November (largest arribadas; smaller ones occur year-round))
Now is a good time: Sea turtle nesting in Costa Rica (July to October at Tortuguero (peak in August and September); March to July for leatherbacks)
Now is a good time: Sea turtle nesting in Costa Rica (July to October at Tortuguero (peak in August and September); March to July for leatherbacks)
Similar parks
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: Costa Rica
Same country: Costa Rica
Same country: Costa Rica
Same country: Costa Rica
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about this park.
Costa Rica
