Dominical

Dominical is a city in Puntarenas province.

Travel to Dominical - Visa Requirements

Usually people only need directions from the capital airport, SJO. There are three ways to get to Dominical, not counting the sea. The most common is from the east, via San Isidro (de General). San Jose is where you fly in and either bus or rent a car and head south to San Isidro. There you can buy some groceries at reasonable prices and head west (just ask for Dominical). This entire route takes you through cloud forests, mountain ridges, and river valleys and takes about four hours by car and six hours by bus (San Jose to Dominical). Coming in from the northern route is always bumpy and in the rainy season is most advisable to come by 4x4. San Jose to Quepos is paved and from Quepos south unpaved. If not distracted by bright lights and shiny cities you'll get here in 5 hours by car and six by bus (direct only). From the south what people do is fly into SJO, then make reservations for Sansa air flight to Palmar Sur and get a car rental to meet them there. From Palmar Sur to Dominical is the best road in the country, thought to support the future plans of an international airport in Palmar Sur. It only takes 45 minutes to drive from the airport to Dominical this way.

It is also best to already know more about the area, places to visit and accomodation, the Town is becoming more touristic as it is considered a great surf spot and many retired surfers live here.

Tours and Getting around Dominical

Dominical tourist attractions and sightseeing

The number one attraction in Domincal is the beach and ocean. There's all the ammenities to help you enjoy a safe and exhilarating time. Lifeguards are not a given in Costa Rica yet the Dominical Lifeguard program is world class, including certified lifesavers, jetski, and quad. Fishing and Waterfalls tie for second in area attractions. Ziplines, parasailing, caves, horseback riding, yoga, massage, socialising, and hiking are as well favorites here. Parque Reptilandia [1] has local snakes and frogs as well as a crocodile and a Komodo Dragon for a unique experience. Hacienda Baru [2] has very interesting eco tours including a night venture.

Dominical city tours

Learning to surf is big here in Dominical. There are several businesses to help you accomplish this. Green Iguana Surf Camp[3] is the oldest running full service camp, followed by Dominical Surf Camp with surf pro Rony Obando, next oldest is Alejandro Cerdes and pro Jose "Gato" Montoya's Costa Rica Surf Camp. Tres Olas Surf Camp offers a slightly different package more tailored to good surfers wanting to get better. For one-on-one Steve Fergus at Jazzys River House [4], 16 year old Debbie Zec (506-344-2582) is 2nd in the National Circuit Women's category and gives lessons to young girls wanting to learn. For Surf Tours, Thrusters Surf Compound, El Tubo Surf Shop, and Dominical Surf Adventure Tours for the complete tour packages specializing in surfing, kayaking, and rafting.

When the surf's down and you need some relaxing check out The Back Porch Cafe in Pueblo del Rio. They offer a huge book exchange selection and DVD rental as well as a great friendly environment to just hang out in.

Dominical souvenirs and shopping

• Costa Rica Real Estate, Dominical, Costa Rica, ☎ 2772 5001, [5]. Costa Rica real estate bureau featuring the largest selection of exclusive MLS listings in Costa Rica 
• Dominical Real Estate, Dominical, Costa Rica, ☎ 88730268, [6]. Covering properties in the south pacific areas of Costa Rica including Dominical, Uvita, Cortes and more. 

Dominical Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Restaurants are varied and many. "Tipical Comida" is found in every restaurant.

• La Cusinga Eco Lodge [7] (A great organic restaurant, next to Ballena Marine National Park).
• The Back Porch has vegetarian choices and stateside food.
• San Clemente has Mexican American
• Coconut Spice has Thai
• Tortilla Flats has beach seafood
• Thrusters has Extreme Bar Food
• Rio Mar has steak and seafood
• Nanyoa has Budget Costa Rican
• La Parcela has international cuisine in an exquisite setting
• La Macha has seafoods.

All grocery stores have sandwich makings and dinner preparations. Que Nivel has great food and serves until 2AM. Their food is different from everywhere else. Everyone goes there late night to drink and get a good late night meal.

Dominical nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

• Roca Verde. Most popular even if it is only one night a week (Sat.) as the nearby San Isidro city parks itself there and Latinas sway in the moonlight.

• Tortilla Flats closes early (9) but serves it up from breakfast till then and is perfect for a surf and a beer or three.
• Maracatú has ladies' nights, reggae nights, and live nights.
• Thrusters is going off generally.
• Cocos is all about the Tico flavor and terrific for sports nights.
• Confusione often has violin music on Saturday nights.
• San Clemente has Friday night covered with a discoteque throb.
• Que Nivel has happy hour every night from 6PM-8PM. Also they have weekly events: Monday Movie Night, Ten Thousand Tuesday (Costa Rican Dice Game), Thusday is Ladies 80's Night, and Saturday they have the preparty for Roca Verde with Power Hour.
• La Cascada on the Beach is a new, hot club with all the amenities..right on the beach!

There's even a delivery service, NightFlight, in town to get booze and food to your vacation home until three in the morning.

Dominical cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• La Cusinga Eco Lodge [8] (A great Eco Lodge, next to Ballena Marine National Park).

• Pyramys Hostel. Laid back Spanish Hostel with Camping opportunity (5 US) and cheap Surf board Rental (3 US/h, 10 US/day) 

• Surfer's Delight(Beach House Vacation), ☎ 506-8899-7785, [9]. Surfer's Delight is an original Dominical fisherman's beach side cottage with chipped marble floors, tiled bathroom & kitchen area, set on the main Dominical Beach surfing break with unobstructed view.  

• Que Nivel(Eat-Drink-Sleep), ☎ 011-506-2787-0437, [10]. Freshly renovated rooms, new mattresses, and a cool, sleek style. 

• The Back Porch Cabinas, [11]. The Back Porch cafe offers three cabinas with kitchen in a setting of tranquility in downtown Dominical. 

• Manu Villa Rental and Spa, [12]. MANU an all-inclusive villa rental retreat that offers four private luxury residences and a spa with optional full service. 

• Costa Paraiso, [13]. Has oceanfront cabinas for rent just south of Dominical.  

• Casi el Cielo(Almost Heaven), ☎ 011-506-8813-5614, [14]. Bed and breakfast Vacation Villa on the Pacific Coast near Dominical, includes meals and fresh baked goods.  

• Finca Solla Sollew, Escaleras / Dominical(Escaleras Las Terrazas), ☎ 506-8879-3347, [15]. Vacation rental in Dominical Costa Rica's "high rent" district of Escaleras. One, two bedroom main house, plus two studio villas, all with ocean views and amenities. 

• Rio Magnolia Ecolodge, La Alfambra, ☎ 506-8307-1036, [16]. Rio Magnolia eco-lodge is situated on a 280 acre mountain rainforest overlooking the Pacific halfway between Playa Dominical and San Isidro. 

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This page was last edited by Peter Fitzgerald. Based on work by Ian Sergeant, David Paterson, Ben, Ryan Holliday, David and Fabian Kern, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license