Travel Guide to Dominical, Costa Rica: Surf, waterfalls & jungle vibes

Dominical isn’t your polished resort town—it’s a laid-back, salt-stained surfer’s haven on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. With unpaved roads, a wide beach, and some of the most consistent waves in the country, this little town is where time slows down and the ocean takes center stage. Whether you’re here to chase waves or just soak up the pura vida lifestyle, Dominical is a lovely spot to slow down, surf and relax for a few days. Or if you have the time, stay longer for a full on surf trip.

Surfing with Dominical surf school

If you’re a surfer, this is why you’re here. Dominical is famous for its powerful, year-round beach break, and it doesn’t disappoint. The waves are fast, hollow, and consistent—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers.

I took lessons with Dominical surf school and they were the best lessons I’ve ever had. They pay attention to detail and debrief after every wave. I still have a long way to go, but I learned how to read the waves better, better positioning and what to do with my arm in turns etc.

Best Season: Surf is good all year, but the bigger swells roll in during the rainy season (May–October).

For Beginners: Don’t worry! There’s a more mellow beach break close by, called Dominicalito. Surf schools like Dominical Surf school are happy to take you to the gentler waves at this beach and can help you progress.

Board Rentals: You’ll find plenty of places right on the main street near the beach to rent boards if you don’t want to travel with yours. I highly recommend Dominical Surf school for lessons and rentals. Their gear is in great shape and the lessons are among the best I’ve ever had.

Things to Do Around Dominical

Surfing might be the star of the show, but there’s plenty to do nearby when your arms need a break:

Nauyaca Waterfalls

These insanely beautiful waterfalls are just 20 minutes away. You can hike from the entrance for around an hour or choose to have a pickup truck take you down. There are two massive waterfalls with natural swimming pools at the bottom. Perfect for cooling off after the beach. Wear good shoes and bring water!

Entrance fee: Hiking: $10, 4×4 truck: $32, horse riding tour: $80

Opening times: 07:00 to 15:30. No more tickets sold after 2pm!

Uvita

About a 25 minutes drive south you can find beach town Uvita. It’s famous for the Whale’s Tail sandbar at Marino Ballena National Park. Depending on the season, you can even take a boat tour to spot humpback whales. In my full article on Uvita you can find more info on what to do there!

Manuel Antonio National Park

One of Costa Rica’s most iconic parks, with jungle trails, monkeys, sloths, and postcard-perfect beaches. It gets busy in high season, so it’s best to book the earliest time slot. I visited in low season and it was surprisingly quiet. I would advice getting a guide at the entrance (I paid $20), because you’ll end up seeing a lot more!

Where to eat in Dominical

For a small town, Dominical has surprisingly great food:

Cafe Olas:Affordable and delicious breakfast! My go to spot.
Lori Restaurant: This was easily my favorite dinner spot. The fresh falafel and hummus are to die for.
Phat Noodle – An open-air spot with tasty Asian-inspired noodle dishes and a laid-back atmosphere.
Fuego Brew Co. – Craft beer and live music nights—what more could you ask for after a day in the surf? I thought the food was only average, but it’s a great spot to have a drink.
Moromo Forneria: Great coffee and pastries, but in the evenings you can also get a lovely pizza for dinner!
Little India Dominical: Lovely Indian curries