islandblondie

We are two couples in our 30's who will be staying for 1 week in Dominical and have use of a car. We are looking for ideas about what to do, where to eat, what to see, and what to skip. We are interested in everything from seeing jungles and ziplining to riding horses or jet skiing in the ocean. We are willing to drive 2-3 hours 1 way for a really wonderful day filled with fun. We are looking for a truly memorable experience. Any tips are greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

volcanogirl

I would probably head to Maneuel Antonio - you can tour the National Park and see wildlife, go ziplining, and do a mangrove tour in that area. Also loads of restaurants to choose from - we really like Ronnie's Place/Mi Lugar - it's a great spot where you can enjoy fresh seafood and sangria and watch the sunset.

tully

You could do a trip to the Nauyaca waterfalls: http://www.cataratasnauyaca.com/

You could also contact Rafiki Safari Lodge to see if you could do their one day horseback riding/rafting tour.

volcanogirl

Sorry, meant Manuel - can't type today!

glover

We stayed 4 nights at Pacific Edge in Dominical a few years ago and had a great time. We went down to Hacienda Baru's reserve (just at the beginning of that awful road to Quepos) and signed up with a guide. Great hike through the reserve (included a little lunch) - saw lots of wildlife - monkeys, sloths, great birds. I believe Baru may have ziplines - you can check their website - There's another reserve in the opposite direction in Dominical that we went to and enjoyed as well. Can't remember its name though. We were the only people there on a Sunday - and, in fact, were guided by a teenage boy who was the nephew of the owner. No one else was even around. Again we saw lots of wildlife.

We enjoyed a couple meals at La Paracel(sp) - a lovely open air restaurant with water views and good food. There were some other folks staying at Pac Edge who went deep sea fishing with a captain they found. Just driving the (very nice) road south from Dominical is fun. If its green season, there may be bridges out - an interesting phenomenon to see in any case. If not, you can drive quite a distance south, and you'll see lots on the way. If you're willing to drive/boat 2-3 hours you might be able to find a trip that would get you to the Drake Bay side of the Osa.

We found lots to do in Dominical and were so content there that we didn't bother to go to Manuel Antonio as we'd planned originally. Well, also because the road was dicier than usual due to lots of rain . ..

shillmac

Agree with all of the above. We also enjoyed Playa Ventanas south about 30 km.

sfuller82

I am very interested to hear how things go for you on the way to and in Dominical area as that is our destination in late December.

From what I have read and from advice here, I am sold on Hacienda Baru so have booked eight nights there. You need to visit their website if you haven't already as it will give you an idea of what is there.

We are also interested in the other diversions on offer like horseback riding/rafting tours, snorkeling (Uvita/Ballena Nat. Marine Park), etc.

Which way are you planning to go down to Dominical - the coastal Quepos route or Panamericana highway?