About Bahia Ballena Trails
The region features scenic trails (and public roads) along the coast and through the mountains, offering spectacular views of the ocean and whale tail, as well as lush forests navigated via mostly unpaved roads. There are also trails leading to waterfalls and natural water pools—perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Whether you live in Bahia or are visiting, and whether you enjoy running or hiking, this is the place for you! Through this profile, I aim to document existing roads and trails that are worth exploring. If you venture onto these paths, please remember to approach them with respect for nature.
Enjoy your adventures!
58.2 km
09:33 h
Recent Activity
Bahia Ballena Trails went running.
October 9, 2025
The pristine sands of Marino Ballena National Park in Costa Rica are a fantastic choice! This spot offers a magical, easy, and simple running experience that you'll love. Choosing Your Entrance and Distance The park has three main entrances, allowing you to tailor your run to your desired distance: For a 5k run: Use the Aguja Dos entrance, also known as Playa Chamán. This is a great distance for a comfortable barefoot run. For a longer run: Enter through Aguja Tres or Playa Colonia. For a shorter run: Use the Punta Uvita entrance, which is considered the park's main access point. No matter where you start, you can run all along the beach. A highlight is running all the way to the famous Whale Tail formation—a truly magical spot! Safety and Post-Run While the experience is wonderful, a few safety tips are important: Avoid the Uvita River area alone: If you choose to run in the direction of the Uvita River, it's safer to go with a partner or group. Parking outside: If you park outside any of the official entrances, you can simply run on the beach, enjoy a quick swim afterward, and then you're done! Post-run fuel: All entrances have great food options outside, from filling meals to refreshing smoothies, perfect for recharging. Essential Considerations and Tips Since this is a National Park, there are a few things you must keep in mind to ensure a smooth visit: Low Tide is Essential: Your run must be done during low tide. This ensures there is plenty of firm sand for running or walking and is the only time you can visit the Whale Tail. The sand formation closes off as the tide comes in, and you can be trapped if you don't leave in time. Entrance Fee: You will need to pay an entrance fee, and the park currently only accepts credit cards. Check Park Hours: Make sure to check the official park schedule to confirm their opening hours before you head out. Gear: Don't forget to bring water and sunscreen. Security: Always keep an eye on your belongings; do not leave items unattended.
00:47
5.37km
8:45/km
10m
10m
Bahia Ballena Trails went running.
October 1, 2025
The highlight of this easy run is Bambu Road, where you can run between majestic bamboo walls. From there, you have the option to continue towards Uvita Waterfall or follow the road, which features a hidden river water pool (not shown on this map). I’ll add photos of this area in the future. Alternatively, you can keep running uphill to explore more or head back to town. It’s a pleasant and straightforward run, perfect for a weekday.
01:00
6.63km
9:02/km
80m
70m
Bahia Ballena Trails went for a hike.
June 4, 2025
This is truly one of the best experiences for hikers and runners in the area! It's definitely a fun group activity — a kind of "off the beaten path" adventure that’s absolutely worth it. Although there are no official signs, most of the trail is a single path that gradually narrows as you approach the beach. If you feel confused, just keep walking towards the beach. As the path tightens and gets closer to the coast, you'll need to cross a swampy area that can become quite full during high tide. For the best experience, I recommend doing this hike at low tide. Once you reach the beach, you have the choice to walk along the shoreline (if it’s low tide) or take a trail parallel to the beach. I suggest the trail for a better experience. Eventually, you'll arrive at the most popular area of Playa Hermosa. From there, you can walk all the way to the highway. Please note that walking along the highway is not advisable; however, if you want to do a round trip, that’s the only option — or you can call a taxi to take you back to your starting point. Things to keep in mind: Bring plenty of water, as there are no refill stations along the way. Pack sunscreen and insect repellent. This hike (or run) is best enjoyed -and safer- with a group, especially since parts of the area are quite isolated. Enjoy your adventure!
01:19
5.37km
4.1km/h
30m
30m
Bahia Ballena Trails planned a hike.
June 3, 2025
02:03
5.84km
2.8km/h
0m
0m
Bahia Ballena Trails planned a run.
March 26, 2025
00:59
8.84km
6:42/km
10m
10m
Bahia Ballena Trails planned a run.
March 26, 2025
00:57
7.80km
7:21/km
260m
260m
Awesome place, thanks for sharing.
What great places, thanks for sharing.
Translated by Google •