At Casa Roja, we count ourselves among the lucky few who can say that whales have been spotted right from the living room. Yes, really — picture sipping your morning coffee while watching a humpback whale breach in the distance. But while these rare living-room sightings are pure magic, we have to admit, nothing compares to getting out on the water. There’s something deeply moving about seeing a mother humpback whale and her calf up close, from a respectful distance, of course. These encounters, often accompanied by the protective and gentle presence of the mother, leave a lasting impression — a reminder of the wild beauty that surrounds us here every day.
The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to witness whales in their natural habitat. In fact, it boasts the largest concentration of whales globally, thanks to not one but two migratory populations of humpbacks. During the northern hemisphere’s winter, humpbacks arrive from North America, seeking the warm, sheltered waters of Central America to breed and raise their young.
Then, from July through November, the Antarctic humpbacks make their incredible journey — the longest of any mammal, spanning over 5,000 miles — to Costa Rica’s southern coast. This means that for much of the year, our waters are alive with the songs and splashes of these gentle giants.
But the show doesn’t stop with humpbacks. Out here, it’s not uncommon to encounter pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, pseudo-orcas, and even the mighty blue whale. Playful pods of dolphins — including bottlenose, common, spinner, and pantropical spotted dolphins — often race alongside boats, delighting guests with their acrobatics.
While we can absolutely book dedicated whale-watching tours for our guests, we often find that it’s not always necessary. Many of our favorite adventures — snorkeling at Caño Island, exploring Corcovado, or even a day offshore fishing — come with the bonus of spontaneous whale sightings. Nature doesn’t run on a schedule, and that’s part of the thrill. So if you’re already planning to explore the wild edges of the Osa Peninsula, you’re in for a treat. The whales will likely find you.
And if you’re lucky? Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse from the comfort of Casa Roja itself, with a cool drink in hand and the jungle behind you. Not everyone can say that.
