The small island of Uvita is located in the Caribbean Sea, just 3 kilometers from Limon, a 10 minute boat ride from the coast. Officially its name is Quiribrí Island, Quiribrí is an indigenous word that means birdsongs.

Historically it holds a lot of importance to the country as it was here that Christopher Columbus arrived in 1502, he actually named the small island La Huerta (The Orchard).

The island constitutes just 11 hectares, but it has different forms of topography in the small area which makes the ideal home of some birds that are not found anywhere else in the Costa Rican Caribbean, like the brown bobby. Other animals that can be found in the island include sloths and a wide variety of birds, part of the island is also a nesting site for the hawksbill sea turtle.

The remains of the old monastery built back in 1886 also tell part of the island’s story. Quiribrí was the last place many people suffering from incurable diseases lived in. Patients of yellow fever, leprosy, tuberculosis, ailments which had no cure at the time, were confined to this island and this is where they spent their last days. It is estimated that at least 150 people died in the island.

The coral reef and caverns make this a great place for scuba diving and snorkeling, fishing is another preferred activity for tourists as well as surfing.

There are several viewpoints in the island all with spectacular views, but one of them holds particular historic importance, a small concrete structure sits here that was supposedly built during the Second World War in 1942 by the United States Army and it was used as one of their hideouts

Uvita island does not receive many visitors these days, but the Municipality is working on a plan to invest in this island, create some infrastructure and attract more tourism.