(This article was published in The Tico Times, September 16, 2016 )
WHAT: The annual Whale and Dolphin Festival WHERE: Uvita, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast HOW LONG: The boat tours of the festival take up about 3 hours HOW MUCH: Tour price for nationals and residents is ₡20,000 for adults and ₡10,000 for children ages 3-9. Foreign tourists have to pay an extra $6 for entrance to the national park.
Chasing Moby
Last two weekends the annual Whale and Dolphin Festival (Festival de las Ballenas y Delfines) was held for the eight time in the small, Pacific town of Uvita. September is probably the best month to see the majestic humpback whales with their babies in the shallow waters of Bahía Ballena. The whales reach the area after an 18000 km journey from the north in order to rest and let their calves grow in the bay. Reason enough for the community of the town to host a festival around this special event.
The Whale and Dolphin Festival was one big hustle and bustle, featuring over 2300 of tourists in total. The visitors were brought by small boats towards the nestling area in front of the Parque Nacional Marino Ballina, a park which itself funny enough has the shape of a whale’s tail.
Though the numbers of visitors were high, the guides made sure the boats didn’t flock around the whales. They maintain the rule of no more than two boats near the whales and keep the engines down once they get really close to the mammals. After all, the 9 whale tour companies involved can’t afford to lose their biggest source of income. The strategy surely pays off; you still have the feeling you’re basically alone in the water and the whales aren’t shy at all to show themselves too.
After the two-hour tour the town entertained their visitors with other activities, such as concerts, sand sculptures and sport competitions. Missed the festival? Don’t despair; the whales are still to be seen until the end of October. With a bit of luck one of them jumps right in front of you out of the ocean.
