The whale and dolphin watching season began in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago, but it is this Friday, September 7 that the annual whale and dolphin festival kicks off at the Marino Ballena National Park in the South Pacific.

This beautiful National Park known for its rock and sand formation in the shape of a whale’s tail, is organizing the tenth edition of the Festival that will extend from September 7 through September 16 and includes two-hour whale and dolphin watching tours as well as sporting activities, such as the Beach Run, scheduled for September 8 and a mountain bike competition on September 9.

This event was declared as an activity of “national interest” during the administration of President Laura Chinchilla (2010-2014), it usually gathers more than nine thousand national and foreign visitors, making it one of the most important activities for tourism in the area.

The month of September is ideal to spot humpback whales in this area, adult humpback whales range in length from 12 to 16 meters (39-52 ft) and weight around 25-30 metric tons; this mammals migrate up to 25,000 kilometers (16,000 mi) each year.

Waters of the Marino Ballena National Park are also home to bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins and spinner dolphins; other migratory sea animals can also be seen in this region, such as pilot whales and false killer whales.

Tickets to enjoy the tours have a cost of 20 thousand colones (approx. $35.00) and children 3 to 9 years of age pay 15 thousand colones (approx. $26.00). Foreigners must also pay the entry to the park which costs $6.00. Tours begin at 7 a.m. and the last one starts at 3 p.m. To reserve you can send an email to [email protected] .