Whales and Dolphins: everything about the 15th edition of the festival in Marino Ballena National Park
From September 5 to 7, Marino Ballena National Park will be the setting for one of nature’s most amazing spectacles: the arrival of humpback whales to the Costa Rican South Pacific.
Every year, these mammals travel up to 8,400 kilometers from the northern and southern hemispheres to reproduce and raise their young in the Pacific. Costa Rica has a unique privilege: it hosts the longest migration season in the world, lasting 10 months. According to National Geographic magazine, Marino Ballena National Park is considered one of the 10 best destinations for whale watching.
An event that brings together tourism and conservation
The festival not only celebrates whales, but also showcases the community’s commitment to conservation and sustainable development. Without a doubt, the stars of the event are the humpbackwhales : males reach up to 14 meters in length, females up to 16 meters, and their calves weigh between one and two tons at birth.
Activities for the whole family
The festival is organized by the Association of Tourism Operators of Ballena Marine Park, the Association of Guides of Ballena Bay, and the Association for the Integral Development of Osa Bay, with the support of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
Activities include educational, cultural, sporting, and culinary events:
- Sightseeing tours with educational talks
- Cultural and sporting events
- Gastronomic and folkloric offerings
- Children’s activities
The Festival has proven to attract a large influx of visitors, benefiting hoteliers, restaurants, and the tourism sector in general.
Whales and Dolphins: Science and Conservation
The Keto Foundation will present its photo-identification program for humpback whales, which allows individuals to be recognized by the unique coloring and edges of their tails, as if they were fingerprints. Thanks to this monitoring, it has been confirmed that the same specimens return to Costa Rica in different seasons.
We support these activities because they promote sustainable tourism. The tours are governed by observation protocols that protect the whales’ tranquility, and visitors receive key information about ocean conservation.
Alberto López, general manager of ICT
The festival will be held at the fairgrounds of the Association of Tourism Operators and Uvita Beach, within the Marino Ballena National Park.
An experience that combines nature, culture, and science, making Costa Rica’s South Pacific a world-class destination for experiencing the magic of encountering whales and dolphins.
Sensorial Sunsets
