Dominical
From Wikitravel
Dominical is a city in South Costa Rica.
[edit] Get in
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 accommodation, the Town is becoming more touristic as it is considered a great surf spot and many retired surfers live here.
[edit] Get around
[edit][add listing] See
The number one attraction in Dominical is the beach and ocean. There's all the amenities to help you enjoy a safe and exhilarating time. Lifeguards are not a given in Costa Rica. Children aren't taught to swim and the Red Cross comes to the beach only 2 or 3 times a year for a few days (and then without ocean safety provisions). Funding continuously challenges the professionally trained Dominical Lifeguards [1] program as they are wholly donation funded. This mean these shepherds of the sea are always happy to accept donations from travelers of surf fins, red swim trunks, sunscreen, floats, cans, and ... Preventative measures are strong (training, public awareness, manning the lifeguard tower and walking /running the beach) as strong waves require alert beach-goers and fortunately there are Lifeguards in Dominical, dedicated to serving both national and international visitors.
Fishing and Waterfalls tie for second in area attractions. Ziplines, caves, horseback riding, yoga, massage, socializing, and hiking are as well favorites here. Parque Reptilandia [2] has local snakes and frogs as well as a crocodile and a Komodo Dragon for a unique experience. Hacienda Baru [3] has very interesting eco tours including a night venture.
[edit][add listing] Do
Learning to surf is big here in Dominical. There are several businesses to help you accomplish this. Green Iguana Surf Camp[4] is the oldest running full service camp, followed by Dominical Surf Camp with surf pro Rony Obando, next oldest is Alejandro Cerdes Costa Rica Surf Camp and pro Jose "Gato" Montoya's recently opened Gato 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 [5], 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.
[edit][add listing] Buy
- Bamboo YogaPlay (Bamboutique), In front of the school in Dominical, ☎ 2787-0229, [6]. 8:30-6:30. For daily yoga, dance, massage and the cutest clothes and adornments at the Bamboutique come to Bamboo YogaPlay in the center of Dominical on the main road. $12 a class and $60 for highly qualified therapeutic massage. edit
[edit][add listing] Eat
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).
- San Clemente has Mexican American
- Coconut Spice has Thai
- Tortilla Flats has beach seafood
- Rio Mar has steak and seafood
- Nanyoa has Budget Costa Rican
- La Parcela has international cuisine in an exquisite setting
- La Macha has seafoods.
- 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.
All grocery stores have sandwich makings and dinner preparations.
[edit][add listing] Drink
- 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.
- 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 discotheque 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), Thursday 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.
- The Refuge. Really good burgers & fries Toward the south end of town. edit
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- La Cusinga Eco Lodge [8] (A great Eco Lodge, next to Ballena Marine National Park).
- Piramys Hostel, South Edge of Town (Along small beach road), ☎ 2787-0196, [9]. Laid back Spanish Hostel with Shared Kitchen, Private Rooms & Back-Packer's Dormitory (budget), and Terrific Surf directly in front. edit
- Que Nivel (Eat-Drink-Sleep), ☎ 011-506-2787-0437, [10]. Freshly renovated rooms, new mattresses, and a cool, sleek style. edit
- Manu Villa Rental and Spa, [11]. MANU an all-inclusive villa rental retreat that offers four private luxury residences and a spa with optional full service. edit
- Casi el Cielo (Almost Heaven), ☎ 011-506-8813-5614, [13]. Bed and breakfast Vacation Villa on the Pacific Coast near Dominical, includes meals and fresh baked goods. edit
- Finca Solla Sollew, Escaleras / Dominical (Escaleras Las Terrazas), ☎ 506-8879-3347, [14]. 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. edit
- Rio Magnolia Ecolodge, La Alfambra, ☎ 506-8307-1036, [15]. Rio Magnolia eco-lodge is situated on a 280 acre mountain rainforest overlooking the Pacific halfway between Playa Dominical and San Isidro. edit
- Paradise Costa Rica, ☎ 1-800-70-VILLA, [16]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 10am. Paradise Costa Rica offers two luxury vacation villas in Dominical, Costa Rica. Rent one, or both together. $3000/wk. edit
- Zec Real Estate & Houses For Rent, 100 meters west of Electric Co. (ICE), ☎ 506-8899-7785, [17]. checkin: anytime; checkout: anytime. Costa Rica Ocean View Vacation Rentals in Playa Dominical, Gateway to the Osa. Zec Real Estate & House Rentals since 1988. $350-$1500 wk. edit
[edit] Get out
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