Costa Rica News – Located on Costa Rica’s south Pacific coast, Bahia Ballena made Travel & Leisure’s latest list of the “Hottest Travel Destinations of 2013.” The respected U.S. magazine is enjoyed by nearly 5 million people worldwide and recently rated the planet’s up-and-coming travel destinations, which included such far flung places as Nepal, Argentina’s Uco Valley and Zambia, along with a few that were closer to home.
Bahia Ballena – or Whale Bay – is home to biodiversity, and is an attractive destination for responsible travelers, nature lovers and sustainable tourism. Named after the humpback whales that frequent its temperate waters, this alluring beach vacation rental destination is situated just south of Dominical – a seaside hamlet that often serves as a base for visiting tourists. The area is visited by large numbers of tourists, who are attracted by the beauty of the South Pacific and the variety of activities.
Bahia Ballena is perhaps most renowned for its phenomenal whale watching opportunities, as the warm seas host humpback whales from December through April. Visitors can also observe bottle-nosed dolphins throughout the year along the rugged coastline. Aside from dolphin and whale watching, the region boasts a variety of tropical flora and fauna, and breathtaking beaches like Uvita, Playa Ballena and Dominical.
Costa Rica has been on travelers’ radars for decades and has long been considered a premiere eco-tourism destination. Visitors to Bahia Ballena have access to a wide range of tours including horseback riding, surfing, nature hikes, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. And those who visit between May and November also have a chance to witness endangered sea turtles nesting along the protected beaches – both the Olive Ridley and hawksbill sea turtles frequent the crescent-shaped shores of Ballena National Marine Park every year. The 13,000-acre park protects crucial habitats such as coral reefs, mangrove estuaries, rocky islands and beaches.
