Uvita · ★★★★
Hotel Cristal Ballena
Breath-taking Southern Pacific Ocean Seascapes in Your Paradise Oasis
Birding
- Rooms
- 21
Hotel Cristal Ballena, on the hill above Whale Bay
Cristal Ballena sits on a hill between the Pacific and the rainforest mountains, near Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park. From the suites and the pool deck you look straight down the coast over Bahía Ballena, Whale Bay, and the sunsets are a nightly reason to stay in. It suits couples, families and birders who want space, sea views and the whale coast on the doorstep.
Why we choose it
- Big suites with ocean balconies. The Junior Suites are 50 m2, each with a private balcony facing the sea.
- A real family suite. The Family Suite has a king bed and two twins in 75 m2, with the same ocean view.
- Close to the whales. Marino Ballena National Park is just below, so whale and dolphin tours are a short ride away.
Rooms and views
Most guests stay in the Junior Suites, with an ocean view from a private balcony and natural materials inside. For more space, the Master Suites are corner rooms of 90 m2 with a panoramic view of the ocean.
The Adventure Lodges are a different style: set about 200 m from reception, with a terrace onto the gardens and the rainforest and a ceiling fan instead of air conditioning. They suit travellers who want to feel closer to the forest.
On the property
The swimming pool is the centrepiece of the gardens, with a pool bar beside it. The gourmet restaurant and bar serve Costa Rican cooking with an international twist, with the ocean on one side and the pool on the other. The spa offers massages and treatments, and trails run through the gardens, where birders find plenty. The hotel can also help with weddings and events.
Location and getting there
The hotel is near Uvita, on the Costanera coastal highway past Dominical, in Costa Rica's southern Pacific zone. From here we can arrange whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling, kayaking, birding and rainforest hikes, and walks on the beaches of the national park. It is one of our team's favourites on the coast at Ballena Beach and Marino Ballena.
Rooms & suites
Our favourite rooms, and why
Master Suites
Family Suites
Adventure Lodge
How it compares
Hotels we book in Uvita
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| Hotel Cristal Ballena | La Cusinga Lodge | Rancho Pacifico | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Boutique | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Team favourite | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel |
On the property
What you will find there
Getting there
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
Also in Uvita
If this hotel is full, we would look at
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Facts checked by our team: 1 November 2026
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