Pilot whales are plentiful on both coasts and are usually seen at the beginning and end of the year. Visitors are most likely to see Bryde’s whales during travel to Costa Rica between January and April. Orcas, seis and sometimes blue whales from the north also pass through the waters of Costa Rica. To learn where humpback whales and dolphins are found in Costa Rica, see our articles on these species.
Several national parks dot Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline. South of the country’s most popular park, Manuel Antonio National Park, is another popular attraction, Marino Ballena National Park, named for the whales. Though visitors are more likely to see humpbacks here, it is also a place where sperm whales are observed.
Further south, the Osa Peninsula offers many whale watching opportunities. Corcovado National Park comprises almost half of the peninsula. On the ocean side of the Osa Peninsula in Drake Bay is the Isla del Cano Biological Reserve. Sperm whales may be seen in the waters off the park, most likely in December and January, and blues, coming from the north, pass by sometimes.
