Dominical's rugged Pacific coastline offers more than just stunning ocean views—it invites wildlife enthusiasts to walk paths where nature asserts itself boldly and quietly all at once. The area’s coastal hikes vary from gentle 3-kilometer strolls with low elevation gains to more demanding ascents reaching 300 meters, carving through dense forest and cliffside trails that challenge and reward in equal measure. Along these routes, the forest leans in with moss-clad branches, while the sea below roars softly, currents pushing forward and daring you to keep pace.

One standout is the Nauyaca Waterfalls and Beach Trail, a moderate 7-kilometer loop with uneven terrain that ends at a rarely crowded beach where emerald waters lap patiently at black volcanic sands. The trail’s blend of river crossings, steep climbs, and shaded groves encourages keen eyes to spot scarlet macaws darting through the canopy or capuchin monkeys pausing like curious spectators.

Just south, the Playa Ventanas Trail offers a shorter 4-kilometer coastal walk with rewarding sea caves and hidden sandy pockets. Here, the ocean curves around limestone formations that seem to reach out and beckon, while crashing waves tell ancient stories of the land’s unrest and beauty. The terrain varies from rocky path to sandy stretches, making sturdy hiking shoes a must.

Early morning is the best window for these hikes: cooler temperatures and calmer winds keep the forest awake but manageable, while midday sun slices sharply through the trees. Carry at least two liters of water, use insect repellent with DEET, and wear layered breathable fabrics—humidity can spike unexpectedly. Wildlife is most active in the morning or late afternoon; carry binoculars to catch glimpses of toucans or sloths.

Hidden beaches like Los Cedros remain quiet refuges. Their access requires 20-minute walks over soft sand and rocky steps, with the sea’s tide rhythm guiding when it’s safe to explore isolated coves. Protective footwear can save you from sharp coral fragments, and a keen respect for the nesting plots of sea turtles—which sometimes arrive silently at night—is vital.

For wildlife lovers, these hikes are an invitation to engage with a coastline fiercely itself: wild, untamed, and alive with movement and sound. Preparation meets discovery here, with clear trails but also moments where the forest and ocean take center stage, reminding visitors to move respectfully and stay observant. Those who do will find each step a dialogue with a landscape both timeless and continuously evolving.