Welcome to Dominical, Costa Rica. In this guide, we’re going to share the best things to do in this laid-back little surf town.
Located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, it sits right between the two more popular destinations of Uvita and Manuel Antonio.
But Dominical is more of a hidden gem, with a super-walkable collection of shops, restaurants, and accommodation. It’s perfect for those looking for a more low-key destination that’s still close to many of the best attractions on the coast.
So let’s get into our top 7 things to do in Dominical!
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Map Of Our Favorite Spots In Dominical
Go Surfing or Watch Some Surfers
Dominical Beach is a great, underrated surf spot on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. And is one of the few places that consistently has a surf break year-round.
The waves break right in front of town, so there’s no need to strap your board to a car. You can walk straight from your accommodation and be in the water in minutes.
The waves here tend to cater more to intermediate and advanced surfers, but there are still a few beginner-friendly spots nearby, like the more sheltered bay at Playa Dominicalito.
There are also plenty of local surf shops in town offering board rentals and lessons, so even if you’re new to the sport, you’ll find friendly folks to help you get started.
And if surfing isn’t really your thing, then you can also sit on the beach and enjoy watching others.
And one quick word of caution, I especially wouldn’t leave anything valuable in your car around here. We had 2 instances with some locals walking up to us asking for money, and kinda gave us an uneasy vibe.
Poza Azul Waterfall
Just outside of town, you can find this beautiful little waterfall and swimming hole. And with the high humidity on the coast, it was a much-needed adventure to cool off.
It’s just a short two-minute trail down from the parking area.
And for the more adventurous, there’s a rope swing. But be careful, my feet were touching bottom a little bit.
Something unfortunate to mention is that vehicle break-ins have been an issue in the past, but we saw a police patrol making rounds through the area. And if you’ve traveled around Costa Rica much, then you should know not to leave valuables in your car, really at any time. And this goes for parking at the beaches as well.
And we also saw some white-faced capuchins nearby, and these mischievous little guys are also known to try to steal things. So just keep a close eye on your belongings.
Souvenir Shopping on Dominical Beach
The beachfront here comes alive with vendors, selling everything from tapestries and clothing to art and fresh coconuts.
It’s a great spot to browse local goods, pick up a souvenir, or grab a refreshing drink after a swim.
Take a quick stroll through the market, you might just find something worth bringing home.
Oh and keep an eye out for sloths or other wildlife up in the trees. One of the vendors spotted one and pointed it out to us. We didn’t have our binoculars with us this time, but nonetheless, kinda cool to see!
Fuego Brewing Company
Walking into this brewery feels kinda like you’re walking into tribal council on Survivor, which is not something you often say when visiting a brewery.
The place offers an open air style second floor restaurant, so it kind of has treehouse vibes. Yet again in Costa Rica, it can be a nice viewing deck to spot wildlife. We saw a Black Iguana chillin in the tree. And many birds flying about.
For a brewery in Costa Rica, they really had a large selection of tasty beers to choose from. We tried the American IPA, which was very nice. But we tried their session IPA at a different restaurant later on, and that was our favorite overall.
They also serve food, a little pricier than you would expect for a brewery. But most reviewers seemed to think it was worth it. And there are a couple of other great spots on this list we think you might enjoy better!
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La Junta
This was one of our favorite restaurants of the whole trip. And not because it’s practically our last name. We just loved the vibes here. A cozy spot with delicious sandwiches, creative cocktails, and the biggest craft beer menu we found anywhere in Costa Rica.
The Thai Buffalo Chicken Sandwich was soooo good, tangy and very spicy if you are into that. And we also got the Yard Bird, which was equally as tasty!
It’s not the biggest establishment, and they fill the space with long tables. So prepare to get a little cosy and make some new friends.
It’s got a laid-back atmosphere and even had some live music when we visited.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Dominical is the closest beach town to one of the coolest waterfalls in all of Costa Rica.
This waterfall is one of the most unforgettable stops in the area. Jake and I have chased a lot of waterfalls in our travels, and this one easily ranks in our top five ever. It’s a breathtaking double waterfall, each tier impressive on its own, but together, it feels like something straight out of a fairytale.
But to reach these stunning falls, you’ll either have to work for it or pay up for the convenience.
It’s about a 15-minute drive up to the ticket center from town, where you’ll need to grab your entry ticket. From there, you can either drive yourself to the lower parking lot and begin the hike, or pay to hop in a 4×4 truck or ride horseback all the way to the falls.
Entrance Prices For Nauyacua Waterfall:
- Hiking entrance: $10 per person (+ a gallon of sweat)
- Parking: $5 per car
- 4×4 truck ride: $32 per person
- Horseback tour with a guide: $80 per person
Thankfully, a recently paved road now leads down to a new parking lot, cutting off the two most difficult miles from the original trail. Still, even with that shortcut, the 4-mile round-trip hike is no joke. The real challenge is the heat.
Once you reach the falls, you’ll find two viewing areas. You can take the ramp down to the lower falls for a refreshing swim, or head to the upper falls, which are just as stunning, but swimming up there isn’t advised.
We started the hike around 7:30 AM and had the lower falls nearly to ourselves. However, this spot is no secret, it tends to get crowded as the day goes on.
There are bathrooms, changing rooms, and potable water available near the falls, which is a huge plus.
And the cherry on top? After your hike, there’s a small river where you can take one last dip. Trust me, you’ll be so glad it’s there.
Bar Jolly Roger
If you’re in the mood for some tasty wings, Bar Jolly Rogers is your spot. But be warned, these wings are huge!
The location of this place recently changed to be more centrally located in town. Which is great for having another restaurant right in town, and the addition of AC, which you will appreciate if you dabble in some spicy wings. But… the new spot doesn’t have the same incredible views as the original location. But it does save you from driving up some gnarly roads. So I guess it’s a trade-off?
Anyways, they have tons of different sauces to choose from, from milder seasoning up to extreme hot sauces. We split two different flavors. Jake got the Hot Honey Garlic, which is known to be their #1 best seller. And I went with the basil parmesan. And…. Let’s just say, I wouldn’t get that flavor again. But can confirm the hot honey garlic wings are a must.
They also serve cold beer and specialty cocktails.
Honorable Mention
Our time in Dominical was a little short, so here are some honorable mentions that you might consider adding to your trip:
- Mama Toucan Natural Market for delicious baked goods or to pick up any groceries
- Cafe Olas is a delightful little cafe that we were bummed to have missed.
- Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary – if you want to guarantee you see some wildlife, head here to find rescued wildlife that they help rehabilitate to release back into the wild.
- El Rincon – a local soda serving up traditional Costa Rican food
- Mono Congo for coffee and a healthy breakfast
Where To Stay In Dominical, Costa Rica
Here are some of our recommendations for places to stay
- Vacation Rental Right On The Beach: Easy access to beach, hot tub, private home
- Mavi Surf Hotel: Mid-tier, close walk to beach & town, breakfast included
- Cool Vibes Beach Hostel: Great budget option, close walk to beach, dorm or private rooms available
Or use the map below to browse other options. You can use the filters to put in your exact dates, number of guests, desired price point, etc.
Camping In Dominical
We rented an overlanding rig from Nomad America, so we decided to camp in Dominical. We camped at Restaurant El Coco for $10 per person. There were toilets, showers and sinks available. But they were in pretty rough shape.
While camping on Dominical Beach is technically permitted, I wouldn’t recommend it due to safety concerns. With some reports of robberies on the beach during the night. Therefore, consider staying at the hostel listed above, or finding another place to stay in a different area for camping.
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