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Vista Ballena

3.5 star property
Inn with outdoor pool, near Catarata uvita

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your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for Vista Ballena

Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; Mediterranean cuisine
Outdoor wedding area
Exterior
Aerial view
Outdoor pool, sun loungers

Reviews

8.4 out of 10

Very good

Popular amenities

  • Airport transfer
  • Bar
  • Free breakfast
  • Laundry facilities
  • Non-smoking

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Restaurant and bar/lounge
  • Outdoor pool
  • Children's pool
  • Room service
  • Airport shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Air conditioning
  • Garden
  • Front-desk safe
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Self-serve laundry

Feel at home (6)

  • Children's pool
  • Private bathroom
  • Television
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
The price is $194
includes taxes & fees
$172 per night
Jan 5 - Jan 6

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 3 of 3 rooms

View all photos for Superior Double Room

Superior Double Room | Premium bedding, minibar, desk, free WiFi

Superior Double Room

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room | Premium bedding, minibar, desk, free WiFi

Deluxe Room

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Ceiling fan
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room

Premium bedding, minibar, desk, free WiFi

Standard Room

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bed

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About the neighborhood

Map
17 KM al sur de Playa Dominical, sobre la Costanera, Jardines del Morete, Ballena, Puntarenas, 60504

What's nearby

  • Catarata uvita - 6 min drive
  • Secret Lau Pool - 6 min drive
  • Marino Ballena National Park - 9 min drive
  • Uvita Beach - 11 min drive
  • Playa Hermosa - 13 min drive

Getting around

  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 64.3 miles/103.5 km
  • Airport shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria La Fogata - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Scala - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Sibu - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Time - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Marino Ballena - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Vista Ballena

Vista Ballena is a great choice for a stay in Ballena. Guests indulge in massages, then grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. An outdoor pool, a bar/lounge, and a children's pool are other features.

Languages

English, Spanish

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 20 rooms
    • Arranged over 2 floors
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
    • Contactless check-in available
    • Minimum check-in age: 18
    • Check-out time is 11:00 AM
    • Contactless check-out available
    • Late check-out subject to availability
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
    • The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
    • Front desk staffed during limited hours
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Children

    • No cribs (infant beds)
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
    • Service animals welcome
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free onsite self parking
    • Free onsite valet parking
DONE

Transfers

    • Airport shuttle on request (available 24 hours)*
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning 7 AM–9:30 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge
  • Room service (limited hours)
  • Snack bar/deli

Traveling with children

  • Children's pool

What to do

  • Ecotours
  • Snorkeling nearby

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Laundry facilities
  • Wedding services
  • Multilingual staff
  • Pool loungers

Facilities

  • 2 buildings/towers
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace
  • Mosquito nets
  • An outdoor pool

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • Flat-screen television
  • Cable TV channels

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Minibar
  • Coffee/tea maker

Sleep well

  • Premium bedding

What to enjoy

  • Balcony

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Shower only
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Desk
  • Free WiFi

More

  • Daily housekeeping

Special features

Dining

Onsite venue - This restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Fees & policies

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 70 per person
  • Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge of USD 20 (subject to availability)

Children & extra beds

  • Airport shuttle service for children costs USD 70

Policies

This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a security system and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.

Also known as

Whales Dolphins Hotel Dominical
Vista Ballena Inn Dominical
Whales Dolphins Dominical
Vista Ballena Inn Uvita
Vista Ballena Inn
Vista Ballena Uvita
Whales & Dolphins Ecolodge Hotel Uvita
Vista Ballena Costa Rica/Uvita
Vista Ballena Inn
Vista Ballena Ballena
Vista Ballena Inn Ballena

Frequently asked questions

Does Vista Ballena offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Vista Ballena does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Vista Ballena?
Yes, there's an outdoor pool and a children's pool.
Are pets allowed at Vista Ballena?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Vista Ballena?
Yes, there's free self and valet parking.
Is airport shuttle service offered by Vista Ballena?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available. The charge is USD 70 per person.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Vista Ballena?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge of USD 20 (subject to availability). Contactless check-in and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Vista Ballena and nearby?
Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as snorkeling. Additional recreation onsite includes ecotours. Enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool or use the inn's other amenities, which include a picnic area and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Vista Ballena?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant that offers Mediterranean cuisine.
Does Vista Ballena have any outdoor private spaces?
Yes, every room features a balcony.

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Exceptional

Ernest, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very Good

Renee, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Worth, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

Don’t throw toilet paper in the toilet but in the trash can? Ridiculous, that happened in Costa Ric sin the 1980s but not in 2024. The hotel is very outdated, and there is no parking near the rooms so you must walk in incredible amount of stairs. Not for older people or with bad lunch. The staff is incredibly helpful and the food is pretty decent. That makes up for a lot. The view at the pool, terrace, bar, and rooms is to die for.
Carl, 2-night business trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Love this place!! Would definitely stay again
Said Raffeeth, 5-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The hotel was a wonderful stop along the way from San Jose to Drake Bay. Hotel and pool were beautiful with amazing views toward the ocean. Staff was friendly and professional. Rooms were clean and well amenitized. Be ready for a rocky road up but well worth it. Perfect stop.
Dennis, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent place which very kind people and the most beautiful nature that you can imagine
Carlos, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Highly recommend for an enjoyable, tranquil stay with an owner and employees who are incredibly welcoming.
RC, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

Hilary, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very Good

The views were amazing, the food was delicious but the rooms were very outdated can use some remodeling and the road to the place is bad very steep not paved and not wide enough for two cars to pass...
Edwin, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Nice place to relax near the end of our visit
The view from the pool is amazing! We spent an entire day there. The view from the room patio was also nice. We saw lots of birds every day. Get ready for the stair master to get to and from your room. Our room had a sketchy hole in the ceiling above the shower and we had quite a few bugs in our room, but no big deal when you're in paradise. The bathroom was a lil small and dated, but we hardly spent any time in there. Drinks at the pool were reasonably-priced even thigh they didn't have any prices listed... food was on the more expensive side... so we just drank more. Really enjoyed our stay here overall and it was a great place to unwind before heading back home. I would stay here again!
Amy, 3-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Marvin, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The view of the sunset
Alan, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Rooms are down several steep staircases from the tiny common area perched atop the hill. Aversive muzak played nonstop in the bar/restaurant area which permeated the whole place. Not a peaceful costa rican environment.
Jill, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

We had an amazing stay! The staff was friendly, the food was delicious, and the view is amazing!
Molly, 4-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

william, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Randall, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Scott, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

The view from the restaurant is breathtaking. The restaurant's food is delicious. But the room we stayed in, the toilet had issues. First, it had no cold water going into the bathroom sink, shower and toilet. The maintenance team resolved as the main line was turned off. Then the toilet was howling every time you flushed for 20 seconds. Sounded like you were at a sports arena with foghorns. They said it was trapped air in piped. The howling/screeching sound lasted the entire time we stayed (one/night). I explained and showed a video to the receptionist and she just gave me a blank stare and said that there is air in the pipes.
wendy, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Villa Ballena is a tucked away gem. About 10 minutes up a narrow and steep road off Hwy 34 you end up a jungle setting. Edgar is bar/restaurant was fabulous
Zenon, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

The morning coffee at the restaurant needs improvement. There are a lot of stairs. Nice pool.
Simon, 5-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

Gary, 15-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Everyone at Vista Ballena was welcoming and friendly the pool area/restaurant bar area was so relaxing. Definitely a must go to place!
Davina, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing food, views and service. Nice clean rooms with a great view from the balconies. Will go back next time.
Boris, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

What a beautiful place and such a find! We absolutely loved this place. The common pool/dining/bar area was the highlight and is as gorgeous as all the photos. It has a two-level infinity pool that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, Uvita townsite below, the national marine park and is the best view of the Whale Tail Sandbar. The adjacent bar places great ambient grooves perfect for the place, has a great selection of drinks and same games to borrow if desired. Plenty of lounge chairs as well as tables/chairs if you want to eat, play games, etc. Restaurant offers a great mix of all sorts of dishes, and BIG portions. The rooms all offer the same beautiful view of the ocean and each has its own patio with table and chairs. Rooms are of a good size and the bathroom too. Mini fridge available. The only drawback to the rooms is no in-room safe. The road to get up to the property is STEEP and very narrow, and there are many, many stairs within the property, between the main restaurant/pool/reception area building and the two room buildings. We didn't even make it down to the lowest one to check out the yoga platform. There is some handicap parking available but I imagine that driving between main building and rooms would be the only way to get around.
Connie, 4-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

General property information

Travelers Say
"The common pool / dining / bar area was the highlight and is as gorgeous as all the photos."
Reasons to Book
Outdoor Pool & Beautiful Rooms
Check-In Time
2:00 PM
Check-Out Time
11:00 AM