Distance from San Jose: 192 kilometers
Dry Season: January through March
Ballena National Marine Park
This is one of Costa Rica's newest national parks. It was created in an attempt to conserve some of the marine resources of the Southern Pacific Region, which are under siege from over fishing and unchecked tourist development. This is a scuba diver's, snorkeler's, and beachcomber's park. It includes Open Ocean, islands, and beach up to the high tide mark. Included in this area are Isla Ballena and Rocas las Tres Hermanas, two of Costa Rica's more interesting deepwater dive sites. Several rocky points offer snorkeling and tide-pooling possibilities. Several nice isolated beaches are situated in the park, including Playa Ballena and Playa de Arco.
The park gets its name from the Spanish word for whale, ballena. Several species of whales have been reported in or near the park, including melon-headed whales, sperm whales, and common striped, and spinner dolphins. More species are sure to be recorded here as more complete studies of them are carried out. None of these species have regular migration patterns as far are known, so seeing them is a chance occurrence.
This park is home to the southernmost migration point of the humpback whale, an endangered mammal 15 to 16 meters long, of which only around 5,000 remain in the world. Ballena was created in order to protect Bahi�a Coronado's coral reefs and rocks, as well as the migrating whales, which can be observed from December to April and from August to November. The coastal environment attracts colorful birds, and its rich waters are enticing to divers. Visitor services include information, trails, signage, restrooms and drinking water.
Animals seen here: Common dolphins, bottle-nosed dolphins, humpback whales, Iguanas, ctenosaurs, cherepo.
Birds seen here: Frigate bird, white ibis, brown pelicans.
Protected Areas 
