Villa Dos Tios

About Dominical / Hatillo Area 

The incredible balance of sand, sea and mountains makes the Southern Pacific area of Costa Rica a destination worth traveling to. It has clockwork sunsets with a fiery glaze, and dark volcanic sands that warm the ocean to balmy temperatures. All of which is surrounded by some of the most spectacular tropical rain forests in the world. Moments away from the beach are pools of fresh cool water and  a myriad of  natural waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides.

Hatillo and Dominical lay on the Southern Pacific Ocean , the border separating them is the Río Barú, a fresh water river that runs from the mountains into the ocean.  To the east 3000-foot mountains create a cloud forest with mount Chirripo  at 12533 feet the highest mountain in Costa Rica just an hours drive  and a day hike away , and to the south dark volcanic ash creates coffee colored beaches and coves.

Since the main part of the town of Dominical is set slightly back from the beach, it seems to magically disappear as you drift into the water, leaving only the tall beach palms and mangroves surrounded by fertile green hills to guide you along the coastline.

The international community has known Dominical Costa Rica for many years. It became a destination in the early seventies by a group of spirited and dedicated surfers, and because of its consistently good waves Dominical has steadily gained in popularity. The town has become a haven for surfers, with local restaurants offering the best in Costa Rican and International  fare . The unusual conditions of the beach give the surf its size, dependability and the gentle run off and white water splash that also make it perfect for learning.

The area surrounding Dominical, especially to the south nearing the Osa Peninsula, is very sparsely populated . Because of this, the area is full of hundreds of different species of exotic animals including; three different types of toucans, giant green and red iguanas, all  types of native monkeys, parrots of all sizes and hues, three toed  and two toed sloths and various small cats such as Jaguarondis, Margays  and Ozelots .

The private reserve Hacienda Baru is located just minutes away.  Two more parks Manuel Antonio National Park  and  Corcovado National Park are just a  drive away , Corcovado Natrional Park  at 103,290 acres encompasses the only old growth wet forests on the pacific coast of Central America and is one of the biggest and most biodiverse  National Parks in Costa Rica where you can  see  among a myriad of wildlife both Jauars , Pumas and Tapirs  and it  has hiking trails  with overnight stays in lodges for the dedicated hiker . Cano Island National Preserve to the south is one of the  country's underwater national parks where it is possible to see a pristine underwater world  for snorkelers with scores of multi-colorful marine life , coral reefs and jagged, ash black, volcanic rocks and tide pools.  Further out   Coco Island the first of the islands in the Galapagos chain is a Costa Rican Ocean Marine Park and requires   a two day  boat excursion  for the dedicated Scuba diver  and snorkeler  with one of the most spectacular marine lives  in the  entire world and the ultimate in Scuba Diving experience  where the Hammer head sharks  by the hundreds congregate and the Giant Whale sharks pass  . To quote a world famous diver  ..... "diving the Coco Island is like turning the clock back 200 years  for the Marine Life that is  still abundant in this protected marine  Ocean Marine Park." -Jaques Cousteau