Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Uvita, Uvita - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

7 Km Al Sur De Uvita, Costa Ballena, Puntarenas,, Uvita, Costa Rica, 00000

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa, a 4-star Mediterranean-style property, rests on a rainforest-covered hill overlooking the Ballena Marine National Park - a crucial site for Pacific Humpback Whales reproduction. The hotel features a large swimming pool with pool bar, spa facilities, and manicured tropical gardens with jungle trails.

Ocean View Suites

Mediterranean-style suites at Cristal Ballena provide balconies with ocean views, air conditioning, and hydromassage showers. Each unit includes a minibar, coffee maker, and flat-screen satellite TV.

Dining with Birds

The Pura Vida restaurant serves meals accompanied by morning birdsong and parrot sightings.

Adventure Tours Available

Hotel Cristal Ballena offers whale watching, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and bird-watching tours. Guests can observe howler monkeys, coatis, Scarlet Macaws, and various amphibians on guided rainforest hikes.

Beachfront Location

Located 25 miles from Palmar Sur Airport, the property sits near Playa Ballena beach. Guests can walk to the 'Whale's Tail' - a natural sandy isthmus forming a whale-tail shaped bay at low tide.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Junior Suite

Max:

3 persons

50 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Sea view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Master Suite

Max:

3 persons

90 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Sea view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Family King Suite

Max:

4 persons

75 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Sea view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Center

Uvita 3.6 mi

Airports

Aeropuerto de Palmar Sur (PMZ) 23.8 mi

Aeropuerto La Managua (XQP) 39.2 mi

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Delicious Dining Experience

“The restaurant at Cristal Ballena was a delight! Every meal was a new culinary journey, especially the freshly prepared fish dishes. The dining area provided amazing views of the surrounding green landscape and ocean while I enjoyed my meal. The exemplary service made every dining experience nice.” view full review

Great Room with View

“I stayed in a spacious room with a large private balcony that offered stunning views of the jungle and ocean. The bed was comfortable, providing a perfect retreat after a day of adventure. Having my own balcony was a highlight, as I could relax and enjoy the nature around me.” view full review

Relaxing Poolside Paradise

“The large pool was one of the best features of Cristal Ballena. I often found myself lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the serene atmosphere. Watching the sunsets while swimming was a truly magical experience and a perfect way to unwind.” view full review

Comfortable and Spacious Room

“My room was clean and spacious, with a cozy configuration that made me feel right at home. It was equipped with air conditioning, which was a much-appreciated comfort in the tropical climate. The combination of comfort and very nice views from my room made for a fantastic stay.” view full review

General

Smoking allowed in designated areas
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Parking
Safe deposit box
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Currency exchange
Hairdresser
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Diving
Snorkeling
Canoeing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Pool tables
Darts
Fishing

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Car rental
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Business center
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cribs
Children's buffet
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach access
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness center
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Facial
Beauty treatment
Massage
Pool with view

Room features

Air conditioning
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Location

7 Km Al Sur De Uvita, Costa Ballena, Puntarenas,, Uvita, Costa Rica, 00000

Map view

7 Km Al Sur De Uvita, Costa Ballena, Puntarenas,, Uvita, Costa Rica, 00000

City landmarks

Beach

Arco Beach

3.3 mi

Parks

Playa Ballena

1.6 mi

Beach

Playa Arco

1.7 mi

Pinuela Beach

1.7 mi

Beach

Playa Pinuelas

1.9 mi

Pedregosa

2.1 mi

Island

Isla ballena

2.3 mi

Ventanas Beach

2.6 mi

Playa Ventanas

2.7 mi

Restaurants

Pura Vida Bar & Restaurant

200 ft

Playa Ballena

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

Stunning ocean view

Beautiful gardens

Limited food options

Average dining quality

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

9.3

Location

9.3

Service

9.5

Dining

7.3

John

United States of America, February 2025

9.0/10

We loved our stay at this charming boutique hotel, which provided a perfect retreat in nature. The rooms were spacious and comfortable with amazing views. The nature trail was a fantastic bonus, leading us to a beautiful beach. However, the dining experience was a bit inconsistent, and the breakfast could have been improved. Overall, it was a serene escape surrounded by stunning landscapes.

Rooms

9.0

Our room was spacious, clean, and very comfortable, featuring a large balcony perfect for watching the sunset.

Service

10.0

The service was consistently excellent, with the staff being knowledgable about the local wildlife and very accommodating throughout our stay.

Location

10.0

The hotel is perched on a hill, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by lush jungle, which made for a serene and picturesque stay.

Dining

7.0

While the breakfast was adequate and served with a nice view, it wasn't especially memorable compared to other aspects of the stay.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel featured fantastic facilities, including a beautiful pool and a nature trail that was a real highlight.

Karl

United States of America, January 2025

9.6/10

I had an amazing stay at this boutique hotel, where the beautifully appointed rooms offered stunning ocean views and comfortable amenities. The food was absolutely fantastic, and the pool area was a lovely spot to unwind. There were a couple of downsides, such as noise from nearby trucks at night and some issues with the shower water temperature, but overall, it was a great experience worth considering for a relaxing getaway.

Rooms

10.0

The rooms were wonderfully appointed, spacious, and had crisp air conditioning with stunning sunset views.

Service

10.0

The service was excellent—friendly and attentive without being overbearing, making our stay even more enjoyable.

Location

9.0

The hotel is perched atop a mountain surrounded by the rainforest, providing breathtaking views and wild encounters with nature, including plenty of birds.

Dining

10.0

Dining was a true highlight; every meal we had was delicious, and the menu offered a diverse selection of fresh, local products.

Facilities

9.0

The facility had a huge, clean, and warm pool, perfect for relaxation, plus a lovely bar area for enjoying drinks.

Paul

United States of America, December 2024

8.2/10

This hotel has incredible potential with its stunning location and architecture. While the views are magnificent and the restaurant offers excellent food, the atmosphere felt a bit lacking during my stay. It's a solid choice overall, but I left with the impression that a few adjustments could elevate the experience even further.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and featured a lovely balcony with breathtaking views. They were clean and equipped with air conditioning, toiletries, a safe, and a fridge.

Service

9.0

The service was professional and attentive, particularly from staff members like Damian and Elber, who made the experience more enjoyable.

Location

8.0

Perched on a hill, the hotel offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, making it a picturesque spot although it is slightly removed from the beach.

Dining

7.0

The restaurant had first-class food but could benefit from a more lively atmosphere during meal times.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities include a large and beautiful pool area that is perfect for enjoying sunsets, but the noise from the nearby coastal road could be a drawback.

Wendy

United States of America, November 2024

5.4/10

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Facilities

Samuel

United States of America, September 2024

8.2/10

I had a wonderful stay at the hotel, enjoying a stunning ocean view from my cozy balcony and the peaceful atmosphere surrounded by beautiful gardens. The pool was unique and relaxing, and the staff was always ready to help. However, I was disappointed with the dining options, particularly the limited variety and quality of food. Overall, it was a great experience, but better food choices would have made it perfect.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were lovely, well-kept, with crisp air conditioning and amazing sunset views.

Service

9.0

The service was attentive, especially from staff like Damian and Elber, who were always professional and approachable.

Location

10.0

The hotel is perfectly situated in nature, surrounded by tropical birds and lush gardens, with spectacular views of the ocean.

Dining

5.0

The dining options were adequate but could use improvement; the food was average compared to the quality of the hotel.