Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [314]
Fill your room with the smoke of the ever present burnable Costa Rican mosquito coils.
Invest in a good-quality mosquito net, preferably one that has been chemically treated.
Never underestimate the power of spraying yourself with vast quantities of DEET.
There are no banking facilities, but San Clemente Bar & Grill will exchange traveler’s checks. It also has a postal service upstairs.
Dominical Internet (per hr ₡1000; 9:30am-7pm Mon-Sat) Check email here, above the San Clemente Bar & Grill.
Police (2787-0011)
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Dangers & Annoyances
Waves, currents and riptides in Dominical are very strong, and there have been drownings in the past. Watch for red flags (which mark riptides), follow the instructions of posted signs and swim at beaches that are patrolled by lifeguards.
Dominical attracts a heavy-duty party crowd, which in turn has led to a burgeoning drug problem. For more information on the potential repercussions of drug use in Costa Rica, see boxed text.
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Sights
Just north of the turnoff for Dominical is the junction for San Isidro – if you turn left toward San Isidro and travel for about 10km, you’ll see an entrance to the right that leads to Centro Turístico Cataratas Nauyaca (2787-0198, 2771-3187; www.cataratasnauyaca.com). This Costa Rican family–owned and operated tourist center is home to a series of wonderful waterfalls that cascade through a protected reserve of both primary and secondary forest.
There’s no vehicle access to this tourist center, but you can hire horses for a guided ride to two waterfalls that plunge into a deep swimming hole. With advance notice, a tour can be arranged, including the guided ride, swimming and country meals with the local family. Tours leave at 8am, take six to seven hours and cost US$50 per person. There’s a campground with changing rooms and toilets. Accommodations in Dominical can also arrange tours to the falls.
Another worthwhile diversion is the aptly named Parque Reptilandia (2787-8007; www.crreptiles.com; admission adult/child US$10/1; 9am-4:30pm), also located 10km outside of Dominical in the town of Platanillo. If you’re traveling with kids who love slick and slimy reptiles, or you yourself just can’t get enough of these prehistoric creatures, don’t miss the chance to get face to face with Costa Rica’s most famous reptiles. The animal park is home to everything from alligators and crocodiles to turtles and poison-dart frogs. Of course, our favorite section is the viper section, home to such infamous critters as the deadly fer-de-lance. For an added bonus, stop by on Friday for feeding time – we promise you won’t be disappointed.
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Activities
Dominical owes its fame to its seriously sick point and beach breaks, though surf conditions here are variable. In general, however, it pays to have a bit of board experience, as you can really get trashed out here if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re just getting started, the nearby beach of Domincalito is tamer.
Of course, one great way to get a bit more experience under your belt is by heading to the reader-recommended Green Iguana Surf Camp (8815-3733; www.greeniguanasurfcamp.com). Located on a side road leading to the beach, this camp is run by experienced surfers Jason and Karla Butler, and offers a variety of surf lessons and tours as well as seven- to 10-day surfing camps.
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Courses
Adventure Spanish School (2787-0023, in USA & Canada 800-237-730; www.adventurespanishschool.com) runs one-week Spanish-language programs starting at US$400, without homestay. Private lessons are available, as are discounts for longer periods of study.
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Tours
Dominical has emerged as a jumping-off point for trips to Parque Nacional Corcovado and Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. Get details at Southern Expeditions (2787-0100; www.southernexpeditionscr.com) at the entrance to the village. The staff can also organize