Guided Tour of Marino Ballena National Park with Naturalist

Marino Ballena National Park spans a generous expanse of 5,510 hectares or 13,616 acres, with 110 hectares or 272 acres on land and the remainder nestled beneath the ocean's shimmering surface. The park's elevation varies from sea level to 5 meters or 16 feet, creating a rich tapestry of diverse habitats, from thriving coral reefs to pristine rainforests and idyllic beaches. Along the shore, gentle, flat hiking trails invite exploration, while boat tours, a hallmark of the dry season, offer exhilarating encounters with playful dolphins and majestic whales.

Within the heart of Marino Ballena Park, a symphony of wildlife thrives. As you meander through this natural paradise, you might encounter the lively chatter of howler, capuchin, and squirrel monkeys overhead. Sloths gracefully sway in the trees, raccoons and pizotes make occasional appearances, and elusive pumas or ocelots may gracefully traverse the landscape. Above, the skies come alive with a chorus of bird species, from roadside hawks to the regal white hawks, the vibrant chestnut-mandibled toucan, and the iconic keel-billed toucan. Sea gulls, sandpipers, and pelicans add their melodies to this avian orchestra. However, the true stars of the show are the marine mammals, featuring the majestic humpback, enigmatic false orca, and graceful pilot whales. Dolphins are regular visitors, with spotted, spinner, common, and bottle-nosed dolphins gracing the waters. You might also glimpse the gentle olive ridley turtles and the occasional Pacific green or hawksbill turtle as they glide through the park's pristine aquatic realm.

Whales and dolphins emerge from the water and offer a show that you can witness.

It is the favorite place of humpback whales and several types of dolphins, this park turns on and off in a natural scenery where these animals can be observed.

Humpback whales come every year (July to October) to carry out their reproductive cycle; they arrive to the park place where there is a rocky and sandy formation that resembles the tail of a whale. This curiosity is the main attraction of the place.

Inside the park you can visit the tómbolo (whale tail), go and enjoy the beaches or practice superficial and deep diving to see a huge range of marine life. You can also enjoy the calmed sea that bathes these shores or boating on nearby islands.

In addition to the humpback whale, they can be found in its waters species like the spotted dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, manta ray, hammerhead sharks, parrotfish and mackerel.

The Marino Ballena National Park has 4 official access routes for the enjoyment of visitors, all are located by South Inter-American Highway: Uvita, Colonia, Ballena and Piñuela.