Location

Dominical is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) East of San Isidro del General, and at about 200 kilometers from San Jose. Driving there from San Jose takes about 3.5 hours, and from San Isidro about 45 minutes. The nearest airports are Quepos, at 45 kilometers North, and Palmar Sur at 45 kilometers South. Both airports offer daily flights to and from San Jose. The road to Quepos is in a very bad condition, and driving there takes anywhere between one and two hours. The Costa Rican government has pledged to improve the road, and though preparations have already been started, when it will be finished remains to be seen. The road from San Jose to San Isidro is generally in a good condition, with an occasional pothole. The road from San Isidro to Dominical is repaired at the end of every rainy season, but usually in very bad condition (lot of potholes) during the last months of the rainy season.

Amenities

In Dominical you can find most of the things you will need, but most foreigners who live there go to San Isidro once a week for shopping and banking. Dominical has a hardware store and supermarket with a decent inventory, a pet store, a fruit and vegetable store, a pharmacy and a clinic. There are several Internet Cafes, a car mechanic, cheap but decent hotels and a very nice 3 star hotel. There are many excellent restaurants in Dominical, and during the weekends you can dance the night away at disco nights at San Clemente (Friday) and Roca Verde (Saturday).

Attractions

Dominical is a world famous surfing hot spot. Though it does not have the best waves, unlike at some other locations, surfing conditions in Dominical are relatively consistent, and days that there is no good surf at all during the day are very rare. The Dominical beach has a rough kind of beauty about it, and is not safe for swimming. Local businesses have joined efforts, and Dominical has now lifeguard during the day, which has made a huge difference. If you go swimming in Dominical, please do so only in the area they indicate.

The natural beauty of the whole area between Dominical and Palmar Norte is incredible, and Dominical is one of the best examples. A jungle-covered mountain range virtually touches the Pacific Ocean here, and the views of the Pacific are often spectacular. Dominical has a very lively community, and a lot of foreigners have been living here for years now, and have blended nicely with locals. Many people have taken to organize activities, and social life in Dominical is a lot more diverse and interesting than in a lot of other towns in the area.

Real Estate in Dominical

Dominical has been one of the first places in South Costa Rica to be "discovered" by foreigners, and Real Estate prices have risen steadily for at least the past 15 years, so don't expect to find any bargains here. However, Dominical has a lot going for it, and real estate here is still a solid investment. Once the road to Quepos is completed, and Dominical will be connected with tourism hotspots such as Quepos, Manuel Antonio and Jaco, prices are expected to rise considerably. Browse our Real Estate listings to see what is available.