Dominical is a laid-back surf town on Costa Rica’s sunny west coast. This guide highlights the top things to see and do in Dominical. It also provides useful information on how to get there, where to stay, and top-tips for when you arrive.
Chapters
I visited with my partner in November 2025 and we loved Dominical for its walkability, great food, and wild untamed nature.
It felt like a great way to experience the wildness of Costa Rica whilst still having great restaurants and café culutre.
The town attracts surfers, backpackers, and families looking for a quieter, less built-up beach experience. Many travellers — and a growing number of expats — are drawn by the year-round surf, the relaxed, free-spirited vibe, and its growing wellness culture.
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Why Visit Dominical?
If you’re looking for the high-octane, tourist-heavy vibe of some of Costa Rica’s bigger beach towns, Dominical might surprise you—in the best way possible. This is where the rugged jungle literally meets the Pacific, creating a "low-pressure" atmosphere that defines the true Pura Vida spirit.
Here is why Dominical deserves a top spot on your Costa Rica itinerary:
- The Perfect "Surf and Turf" Balance: Where else can you catch beginner-friendly waves at Dominicalito in the morning and be standing under the mist of a hidden jungle waterfall like Poza Azul by the afternoon? The proximity to nature here is unmatched.
- A Sophisticated Small-Town Food Scene: For a sleepy beach town, the flavors are huge. Whether you’re refueling with world-class vegan eats at Lori or cooling off with a locally-driven craft beer at Fuego, the town punches way above its weight class when it comes to gastronomy.
- The Low-Pressure Lifestyle: Dominical is the antidote to "over-tourism." It’s a place where shoes are optional, the sunsets are a daily community event, and the digital nomad community has found a perfect rhythm between productivity and peace.
- The Ultimate 48-Hour Destination: Because the town is compact and the best spots are so close together, it is one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can truly feel like you’ve "seen it all" in just two days—though you’ll likely find yourself wanting to stay for two weeks.
How to Get to Dominical
Here's comprehensive travel information for getting to Dominical from Costa Rica's main airports.
From San José International Airport
Distance: ~180 km (112 miles)
Travel Time: 3-4 hours
Option 1: Private Shuttle/Transfer (Most Comfortable)
- Cost: $150-200 USD for private shuttle (1-4 people)
- Pros: Direct, comfortable, door-to-door, can stop for photos
- Book through: Interbus, Ride Costa Rica, or hotel transfers
Option 2: Rental Car (Most Flexible)
- Cost: $30-60 USD/day + gas (~$25)
- Route: Take Route 27 west to Jacó, then south on the Costanera Sur (Route 34)
- Pros: Freedom to explore, stop at beaches along the way
- Cons: Need to navigate, park, 4x4 recommended for rainy season
Option 3: Public Bus (Most Budget-Friendly)
- Cost: $10-15 USD
- Route: San José → Quepos (Tracopa bus, 3.5 hours) → Dominical (local bus, 1 hour)
- Tracopa buses: Depart from Calle 5, Avenida 18-20
- Schedule: Usually 6am, 12pm, 6pm departures
- Pros: Very cheap, authentic experience
- Cons: Slower, may need to change buses, limited luggage space
From Liberia (LIR - Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport)
Distance: ~250 km (155 miles)
Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Option 1: Private Shuttle/Transfer
- Cost: $200-250 USD for private shuttle
- Pros: Direct, comfortable, no stress
- Book through: Same companies as above
Option 2: Rental Car (Recommended)
- Cost: $30-60 USD/day + gas (~$35)
- Route: Take Route 21 south through Filadelfia → connect to Costanera Sur (Route 34) south
- Pros: Scenic Pacific coast drive, flexibility
- Note: Longer drive but beautiful coastal scenery
Once you arrive, its compact and walkable. You can move between cafés, surf shops, and the beach on foot, while nearby beaches and waterfalls — including Dominicalito and Poza Azul waterfall — are a short taxi or bus ride away. Renting a car gives more flexibility to expore the surrounding area, but it isn’t essential for a short stay
Best Time to Visit Dominical
Dry Season (December - April) ☀️
Perfect weather with sunny skies and minimal rain. This is peak season, so expect crowds and higher prices, but you'll get consistently beautiful beach days.Best for: Beach lovers, families, first-time visitorsPeak months: December-January (most crowded)Sweet spot: February-March (still dry, fewer tourists)
Rainy Season (May - Late November) 🌊
Mornings are usually sunny with afternoon rain showers (1-3 hours). This is when Dominical really shines for surfers, with bigger, more consistent waves. You'll also enjoy lower prices and fewer crowds.Best for: Surfers, budget travelers, photographersCheapest: September-OctoberBest surf: July-October
My Recommendation
Most travelers: Visit February-March for great weather without peak crowds.
Surfers: Come July-September for the best waves.Budget travelers: Book May or September-October for 30-50% savings on accommodation.
Quick Tips
Dry season = sun and crowds
Rainy season = surf and savings
Rain is predictable (afternoons), so you can plan morning activities and enjoy the dramatic afternoon storms from a beachfront café.
Day 1: Amazing Food, Sunset, & Cocktails
Dominical Beach
Dominical Beach feels raw and natural, backed by dense greenery rather than large developments. Although it isn’t the most beautiful beach in the area, it’s a great beach for surf or catching magnificent sunsets.
The surf scene adds a lot to the town’s energy. Mornings are filled with seasoned surfers rolling in with boards strapped to Jeeps, heading straight for the consistent waves.
It has a raw, wild, untamed energy. No sunbeds or cocktail bars — just nature. You can cool off in the sea or sit back and watch the surfers carving through the waves.
Looking down the shoreline, you really get a sense of how wild and untouched the Marino Ballena coastline feels — dense jungle rolling into long stretches of beach and a horizon that seems to go on forever.
Board rentals typically cost around $25–30 USD for a day or $55–60 USD for three days, which makes it easy to try a few sessions without committing too much.
Mama Toucan’s Eco-Mercado
Mama Toucan’s Eco Market is a quirky natural food market selling all things eco — from yoga mats to freshly made frozen meals and organic vegetables. It’s definitely on the pricey side of things (think $10 for a small tin of tuna), but it’s still great for grabbing favourites and essentials.
The shop stocks a lot of European and American imports, so it’s perfect for picking up familiar items or trying something new. They also sell freshly made hot burritos, which make a great quick lunch!
Sunset Meal at Fuego
We spent our first evening at Fuego, which quickly became one of the highlights of our time in Dominical. The open-air space is built with wooden beams made from real tree trunks, painted bamboo, and simple furnishings. It’s the perfect place to sit back, relax, and sip on one of their house-brewed craft beers or expertly made cocktails, all while looking out over the jungle.
The venue feels like a giant treehouse for adults, serving everything you need to refuel and unwind after a day of exploring.
The food was genuinely great, the staff were warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was spot-on for an evening out. Since they’re a brewery, trying some of the craft beers is a must. The food was consistently good — we especially loved the fresh ceviche and creamy guacamole.
We left already planning our next visit before heading back to our apartment to sleep.
Day 2 in Dominical: Breakfast, Waterfalls & Evening Drinks
Morning Coffee at Fuego Coffee Roasters
We started the day at Fuego Coffee Roasters, located right next to Fuego’s brewery and restaurant. The shaded, leafy seating area feels tucked into the greenery and naturally draws in travellers, surfers, and remote workers.
The Wi-Fi was reliable, and it was easy to settle into a slow working morning without feeling rushed. During our visit there was a bit of construction noise — they seem to be expanding — but this should be finished by the time dry season (December 2025) rolls around.
If you’re after something more filling, Moromo Forneria is another great option. It has a more modern café vibe and serves generous breakfasts along with very good smoothies, coffees, and matcha lattes — the kind of spot that fits perfectly into Dominical’s emerging café scene.
The Beach Market
Definitely make time to wander through the Dominical Beach Market. It runs every day except Monday and is a great way to meet local vendors selling handmade crafts, mandala-printed fabrics, macramé jewellery, and locally made souvenirs.
It’s casual, colourful, and feels deeply connected to Dominical’s identity. We spent around 45 minutes slowly meandering between the stalls along the beachside.
Poza Azul Waterfall (Dominicalito)
Poza Azul Waterfall is a must do activity when visiting Dominical. It's located in Dominicalito, a small area situated a few kilometers south of Dominical. Its remote and less built up than Dominica and offers a taste of wild Costa Rica.
Visiting this wild waterfall was the most memorable part of our stay.
The waterfall sits hidden inside dense, leafy jungle and feels wonderfully raw.
Arriving at Poza Azul Waterfall
From the small car park, the trail is clearly signposted and only a short walk down, though it’s steep and uneven — especially after rain. Good shoes help, but I managed fine in sandals. It’s the kind of spot most ages could manage without too much trouble.
Because we visited at the end of rainy season, the waterfall was loud, powerful, and fast-moving. The pool below was deep and cool, and swimming there felt genuinely wild — a world away from the more developed, crowded waterfall spots you find elsewhere in Costa Rica. There are no railings, platforms, or facilities here — just rock, forest, and rushing water.
If you want a waterfall experience that feels natural rather than curated, Poza Azul is hard to beat — especially as an easy escape from Dominical without needing a long drive or full-day tour.
Is Poza Azul Waterfall suitable for children?
Yes, people of all ages can enjoy this waterfall. The walk down from the car park takes less than 5 minutes if you're physically fit, and a little longer if not.
There were young, teenage and older children enjoying the waterfall. As well as dogs and the elderly.
Dominicalito Beach
After our swim in the waterfall, we walked over the Dominicalito Beach. We got a bit lost and went the wrong way, so we had a hard time finding the entrance, but we got there eventually - and it was stunning!
Just south of Dominical, Dominicalito feels noticeably quieter and more low-key. It’s only a short taxi or bus ride away, but the atmosphere shifts quickly — fewer people, less movement, and more space to slow down.
At the main entrance to the beach, you’ll find a small shack renting surfboards, offering ice-bath experiences, and even hosting the occasional game of beachside chess. It’s casual and a little unorganised — the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy a fresh coconut.
Final Evening: Lori & Fuego
We spent our final evening split between Fuego and a vegan, Middle Eastern–inspired restaurant called Lori. If you’re travelling as a vegan, gluten-free, or generally health-focused eater, this spot is perfect.
Their falafel, hummus, and oven-baked bread were genuinely delicious — memorable in their own right, not just “good for a vegan place.” Even in shoulder season, Lori was almost full every night, which says a lot.
Things We Would Have Done With More Time
Visit Uvita and the rest of Marino Ballena National Park
Just 15 minutes south of Dominical, Uvita is known for its whale-tail sandbar, calm swimming beaches, and snorkelling spots. If we’d had an extra day, we would’ve loved to explore more of the national park and maybe catch one of the iconic whale-watching tours.
Go white-water rafting
The rivers around Dominical and San Isidro offer some incredible rafting routes, especially in rainy season when the rapids come to life. It’s one of the area’s most adrenaline-filled activities — perfect if you want a break from beach days.
Explore Nauyaca Waterfalls
One of Costa Rica’s most famous waterfall systems sits just 30 minutes inland. We didn’t have time to visit, but everyone we spoke to — families, backpackers, and long-term travellers — said it was a highlight.
Final Thoughts
My partner found the evening vibe a little too relaxed and family-oriented at times, but I enjoyed the ease of it — especially not having to book restaurants in advance.
Overall, Dominical is absolutely worth visiting if you’re after a quieter coastal break with plenty of nature and enough things to do without feeling overwhelmed. The food and café culture were real highlights — the kind of places where coffee is taken seriously and the atmosphere feels warm, creative, and unmistakably Costa Rican.
One thing we both appreciated was the lack of hassle. Unlike Manuel Antonio, where you can be approached by guides and vendors every few steps, Dominical feels more low-pressure and self-guided. You can just exist here — surf, wander, work, or relax — without being sold to. It makes the town especially appealing for digital nomads and longer-term visitors.
I’m not sure it’s my favourite coastal town in Costa Rica (that title still belongs to Puerto Viejo), but for travellers looking for something smaller, calmer, and a little more free-spirited, Dominical is a great match.
We’d happily return one day.