Cristal Ballena is so nice and so much better than what other offer for the same money. The pool is outstanding, rooms are spacious and cozy. Views are soothing and deep, with the ocean on front and those mountains along the sides. I was amazed that I could actually hear the surf from my room, that doesnt happen often on hilltop places such as this, so you get the best of the hill spot / breeze, less insects, views, and also feel so close to the water! hurry as whale watching season is wonderful this year!! This visit I was on business but I am sure to return for a leisure stay as soon as I can.

The hotel is as billed- charming, great location and wonderful staff and owner!
All the rooms have fantastic views and are immaculately kept.
The restaurant is very good with local and international cuisine. It overlooks the Pacific and the pool. All of the staff are attentive and helpful.
The owner an Austrian lawyer, who fell in love with Costa Rica takes the time to chat will all the guest. He has built a Hotel so he can share his dream with others.
If you want to relax in style, this is the place.

We took a drive down the Pacific coast of Costa Rica - no plans, no reservations. Hey, it's the Green Season (aka the "rainy season") and it should be easy to get a hotel for a night or two just be driving up. Wrong!

But Cristal Ballena did find us two rooms for the first night and promised us two different rooms for the second night. Well, the rejigged things and we didn't have to move - first bonus, and the reception staff were so darn accomodating at all times.

And we were really pleased to be at the Cristal Ballena - the hilltop views were mesmerizing. The rooms where large, the linens, soft and clean. The pool was large, deep and clean (note: not terribly friendly for small children). And the best part was that during the off season the hotel had a $64 pp. special, including breakfast.

We really liked this hotel and will be sure to visit it again (but we'll make reservations this time!)

This is a lovely place situated on a hilltop overlooking a quiet beach. This is a small hotel, so the place was always quiet. The pool is fantastic, very large and never many people around. It is situated next to the bar and restaurant. The beach is a short drive by shuttle or drive yourself, it is too far to walk. The breakfast was very good especially the plantains and fruit. Dinner was good, prices were reasonable. The owner stopped by to say hello and was very charming. We enjoyed the spa and felt it was also a good value. The rooms are a generous size, The patios are very large and have great ocean views. The property is beautiful, you can see many birds and lovely landscaping. At the bottom of the hill is a lovely walking trail and river. The town of Uvita is very laidback and non touristy. There are convenient markets within a 5 minute drive. We also went on a tour with Bahia tours and saw whales, dolphins and a rainforest hike.