BALLENA MARINE NATIONAL PARK

Ballena Marine National Park is located on the pacific coast, between Punta Uvita isthmus and Punta Piñuela, in the district Cortés, of the canton of Osa, province of Puntarenas. It was created by Executive Order No. 19441-MIRENEM, of December 14, 1989. The park has a land area of 110 land hectares and 5.375 marine hectares.

This area was created to ensure the maintenance of critical habitats for breeding and spawning of many marine species, and to preserve the productivity of biological communities that inhabit the coastal zone. This area protects a variety of environments such as sandy beaches, rocky beaches, cliffs, islands, rocky reefs, organic reef, and the isthmus of Punta Uvita.

Ballena Marine National Park is framed within a region of great scenic beauty, as well as scientific value, has great value for environmental education and tourist development. One of the most important marine environments of the area is the organic reefs, commonly known as coral reefs. These consist of hermatypic corals, organisms that help to unite the elements of the structure. The coral reef structure is porous, with a 50% of empty space. Accordant as the reef grows are forming ducts and cavities which communicate with each other, a factor that allows the coexistence of many species on the reefs.

Coral reefs are tropical communities that develop in a temperatura between 18º C and 23º C. They are very sensitive to temperature changes, mainly exposure and sediment deposition. In this national park have been identified only three coral species reported for the Eastern pacific.

In other marine environments that the park protects, the most common species are crabs, worms, crayfish, algae, various species of fish, sponges and mollusk as the giant conch. Also in the area have reported two species of reptiles: the green iguana and cherepo. Among the species of sea birds we can found the fragatas, the white ibis, pelicans and brown bobo birds. A geological formation that attracts the attention of researches and visitors is the Isthmus Punta Uvita, formed by the deposition of terrigenous and biogenic sands on the crest of rock linking the isthmus head with the coast.

Park facilities and hours
The park station is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm

www.costarica-nationalparks.com
http://www.infoweb.co.cr/turismo/parques/marino_ballena.html

Our reception desk will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about these or other tours. Tours can be booked through our receptionists prior to or during your trip. 

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