Phat Noodle

Phat Noodle is located in the heart of Dominical and offers delicious healthy Asian dishes all served from a funky bus.

The hip laid back atmosphere, artfully crafted cocktails, and friendly bilingual staff make Phat Noodle a unique foodies paradise!

You can find their full menu here.

DINNER SPECIALS

Monday: Tom Yangoon Soup 6.500 colones

Tuesday: Ayang Panlang 6.500 colones

Wednesday: Hot and Sour Shrimp Calamari 7.000 colones

Thursday: 2x1 Ceviche

Friday: Coconut Lemon Grass Shrimp 7.500 colones

Saturday: Seafood Curry 8.500 colones

Sunday: Tuna Steak 7.000 colones

COCKTAIL SPECIALS

Monday: Moscow Mule 3.000 colones

Tuesday: Som Tum Sling 3.000 colones

Wednesday: Spicy Margarita 3.500 colones

Thursday: 2x1 Daiquiri 3.000 colones

Friday: Thai Iced Tea 3.500 colones

Saturday: Electric Lemonade 3.500 colones

Sunday: Tamarindo Chilango 3.000 colones

Hours

Open for dinner everyday from 4:30pm-9:30pm.

Getting There

Take a left at the Blue Butterfly Rock and follow the Poza Azul road down to the highway.

Turn right onto the Costanera Sur Highway and drive for about 4km before turning left into Dominical. (Look for the Dominical sign).

Follow the road down and hang a left in front of Mama Toucans. Park any where along the road and Phat Noodle is located about 50 m down on the left side of the road.

Marino Ballena aka The Whale's Tail

Marino Ballena aka “The Whale’s Tail” is a National Park located between Playa Uvita and Playa Ballena.

At a Glance

From Escaleras Escape: 15 minute drive

Parking Fee: 2,000 colones ($3) /car for the day

Entry Fee: 1,000 colones/person ($2) for locals or 3,000 colones/person ($6) for foreigners.

It’s a Whale of a Time!

As the name suggests, Marino Ballena National Park is one of the best places in all of Costa Rica to go whale watching. The Humpback Whales migrate to these warm waters from both the North and the South giving Costa Rica the longest humpback season in the world!

Make sure and try to visit the park during low tide when the ocean recedes exposing a 1km long sandbar in the shape of a whale’s tail. During low tide you can walk out onto the sand bar and explore it for yourself.

About the Park

Marino Ballena protects 5,510 hectares of sandy beaches, mangrove estuaries, lowland rainforests, and marine habitats.

The beaches are a beautiful golden color and they are massive. With over 14km (8.6 miles) of coastline you could spend days in the park and still not explore the entire thing.

Tours & Attractions

Besides whale watching, tourists and locals enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and partake in fun water spots like swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and boating.

Snorkeling and diving the reef are always fun options, but if you’re looking for REALLY good snorkeling, we would recommend Cano Island over Marino Ballena.

And lastly, there are local flight tours that if planned during low tide would ensure a new epic perspective of the whale’s tail from above!

Best Time to Visit

Visiting Marino Ballena is sure to be a highlight of your trip any month of the year, but low tide is the best time to visit.

Whale Watching: August & September are the best months, however, you can also spot whales from January-April during their mating season.

Don’t Forget

• Necessary food and water for you and your group as there is no restaurant along the beach or access to drinkable water.

• Bathrooms are available near the ranger station, but not within the park.

• Sunscreen and a sun shirt. It’s a 1 km walk out to the whales tale and the sun can be intense. (you can find shade beneath the beautiful palm trees that line the beach.)

• A camera/go pro….this place is STUNNING.

• Swim suits and beach towels

Getting There

Turn right at Blue Butterfly Rock.

Drive past TLC, and take one of the 3 available roads down the mountain to the highway. (The roads on the mountain are constantly changing so make sure to message Blake or Barbara for their recommended road for you and your guests during the duration of your stay.)

Take a left onto the Costanera Sur and drive into Uvita.

Take your first right after the BM Supermarket. (Right before Krill Souvenirs and after Naluri Collections)

There are several parking lots right outside the park’s entrance costing 2,000 colones (about $3) for the entire day.

You will see tons of tourist shops between the parking lot and entrance where you’ll have the option to shop and purchase your tours if you wish to do one.

The entrance fee is 1,000 colones ($2) for locals and 3,000 colones ($6) for foreigners.

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa boasts more than 3 miles of beachfront and is home to some of Costa Rica’s best waves!

Located just 15 minutes from Escaleras Escape, this beautiful beach offers several breaks, including Caldera, a river mouth break with great lefts.

For beginners, the best time to surf is around high tide, while the more experienced surfers can handle the powerful steep waves that low tides tend to bring in.

Playa Hermosa is a beautiful sandy beach making it the perfect spot for a relaxing day in the hammock, a nice beach run, or for the more adventurous types, it’s an amazing surf spot.

Playa Hermosa is equipped with lifeguards and a small beach market so bring some colones — you’ll definitely want to some delicious fresh coconuts!

Getting There

Google Maps Pin Here

Turn right at Blue Butterfly Rock and drive to the 4 corners.

The roads on the mountain are continuously changing so make sure to Message Blake or Barbara to get their recommended road for you and your guests!

Once at the bottom of the mountain, take a left onto the Costanera Sur Highway and drive for about 5km. You will see a big green sign on the right side of the road that says “Playa Hermosa.” Do not turn at the sign, rather start to slow down and take your next right. You will see a small blue “National” sign. Turn at the sign.

Pull in and you’ll have the option of going left or right. Find a spot amongst the trees to park and enjoy :).

Sibu Restaurant and Coffee Store

Sibu Restaurant and Coffee House is a popular eatery for both tourists and locals alike!

Conveniently located right off the highway in the heart of Uvita, Sibu offers up a unique and charming atmosphere with tons of positive vibes.

Sibu is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and their menu boasts some of the best Costa Rican cuisines, as well as, delicious options for international cuisines.

(The Veggie Bagel- One of Escaleras Escape’s favorites!!)

Vegan and Vegetarian options are always available.

You can find their breakfast menu here. (Available from 7am-11am)

And their lunch/dinner menu here. (Available from 11am-9pm)

HOURS

Everyday from 7am-9:30pm

Getting There

Take a right at Blue Butterfly Rock.

Take one of the 3 available roads down to the highway. (The roads on the mountain are constantly changing. Please Message Blake or Barbara to get their recommend road for you and your party.)

Take a left onto the Costanera Sur Highway and follow it into Uvita.

Sibu is located at the start of Uvita, on the right side of the road, directly across from the Supermercado and BCR (Banco de Costa Rica)

Cafe Mono Congo

Cafe Mono Congo is a cute little cafe nestled into the heart of Dominical.

With a laidback artistic vibe, Cafe Mono Congo is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious breakfast/lunch while chilling out with friends or surfing the web for work. (Their wifi is exceptionally fast!)

Their menu offers colorful breakfasts and healthy lunch options, as well as, some tasty cold pressed juices and superfood smoothies - all made in house with the best locally sourced ingredients.

Their original coffee blend, the Monkey Punch, is unique to Mono Congo and will definitely not disappoint!

Hours 7:30AM-5PM

You can find their menu here.

Getting There

Take a left at the Blue Butterfly Rock and follow the Poza Azul Road down to the highway.

Take a right onto the Costanera Sur Highway and follow it for 4km before turning left at the Dominical Sign.

Cafe Mono Congo is located straight ahead at the end of the road (next to Mama Toucans Natural Grocery Market).

Jungle ATV Tour

Jungle ATV is Costa Rica’s premier off-road tour company and is highly recommended by Escaleras Escape.

The tour starts in Uvita where you will meet your guide, be assigned your ATV, and get a quick briefing on safety before heading out.

The tour takes you over several mountain ranges and into the deep jungle where you will get to enjoy valley, ocean, and waterfall views!

Keep your eyes peeled for the San Luis Waterfall- one of the tallest falls in all of Costa Rica- and some of the local wildlife!

Your first stop is at a local coffee plantation.

Here you will be shown the entire coffee process from the plants, to how they pick and dry the beans, before roasting and enjoying some delicious fresh coffee!

After you’ve had your fair share of coffee, you’ll wind your way back down the mountain, through a bamboo forest, and into a valley below where you will be served snacks and have time to relax and take a dip in the “bamboo waterfall.”

The guides will provide you with water, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own and help avoid using plastic :-)

ITENERARY

8:45 - meet in Uvita

9:00 - Tour Starts

1:30pm - Return to Uvita

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Table of Blogtents

1) General

• House Manual

• Everything Escaleras

• Getting to Escaleras Escape

• Escaleras Escape Monthly Bulletin

2) The Neighborhood

• Top 10 Animals to Spot at Escaleras Escape

• Poza Azul Waterfall

• Bar Jolly Roger

• Playa Dominicalito

3) Tours & Attractions

• Our Top 10 Tours and Attractions

• Nauyaca Waterfall

• Uvita Waterfall

• Poza Azul Waterfall

4) Beaches

• Surf Guide

• Tide Times

• Playa Dominicalito

• Playa Dominical

• Playa Linda

5) Restaurants

• Mosaic Wine Bar (Uvita)

• Bar Jolly Roger (Escaleras)

• Tiki Bar (Dominical)

• Fuego Brew Co. (Dominical)

6) Grocery Stores

• Dominical Supermarket (Dominical)

• Mama Toucans All Natural Grocer (Dominical)

• BM (Uvita)

• Supermercado (Uvita)

7) Local Ferias (Farmer’s Markets)

• Bahia Feria

• Local Ferias by Day of the Week