National Parks

BALLENA NATIONAL MARINE PARK

Area:
110 Terrestrial Ha.
5,375 Maritime Ha.

Location: On the Pacific shore, between the Punta Uvita and Punta Pinuela tombolos; Osa Canton, Puntarenas Province.

This park protects major environments such as sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, cliffs, islands, rocky reefs, the Puntas Uvita tambolo and a coral reef that is a major breeding ground for countless marine species.

The coral reef found here is one of the most important natural attractions of the area. The predominant corals belong to the genus Pocillopora. The reef is
porous -approximately 50% of it is empty spaces- enabling a wide range of species to inhabit it. Five species of coral, plus several varieties of seaweeds, marine invertebrates, and fishes are identified to date.

The area also supports several species of reptiles, mammals and birds.