Skip to main content

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

3.0 star property
A peaceful oceanside retreat where travelers can enjoy international cuisine with spectacular views and find the perfect setting for complete relaxation

Choose dates to view prices

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers a tranquil oceanfront experience. Guests start their day with a breakfast buffet on the scenic terrace, enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments, and free WiFi. The Pura Vida restaurant serves meals with stunning ocean panoramas.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
The current price is S$282
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May

See the benefits you'll enjoy with VIP Access

Get more when you're a member

  • Save 15% or more on select VIP Access properties when you reach Silver tier or above
  • Experience top-rated quality and exceptional service
  • Get an in-stay perk at select properties, plus free room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out when available

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Junior Suite

Premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar, in-room safe

Junior Suite

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • 50 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Master Suite

Premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar, in-room safe

Master Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • 90 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Family Suite

Premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar, in-room safe

Family Suite

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • 75 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Junior Suite

Premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar, in-room safe

Junior Suite

  • Sleeps 3

Master Suite

  • Sleeps 3

Family Suite

  • Sleeps 4
Mod logo
Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the area

Located in Bahía Ballena, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa is in a national park and near the beach. Marino Ballena National Park and Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Uvita Arts Center and Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Bahía Ballena travel guide
View more Resorts in Bahía Ballena
Map
7 km al Sur de Uvita, Costa Ballena, Bahía Ballena, Puntarenas, 60504

What's nearby

  • Uvita Beach
    Uvita Beach
    8 min drive - 7.8 km
  • Beautiful aerial view of the majestic whale tale in the beach of the National park Marino Ballena in Costa Rica
    Marino Ballena National Park
    9 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Punta Uvita
    Punta Uvita
    22 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Playa Ballena
    1 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Catarata uvita
    15 min drive - 11.3 km

Getting around

  • Drake Bay (DRK)
    178 min drive

Restaurants

  • La Choza de Alejo
    8 min drive
  • Kinsu
    11 min drive
  • Sibu
    10 min drive
  • Restaurante Nativo
    11 min drive
  • Fernando’s Restaurante
    12 min drive

About this property

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

Resort by the ocean
At Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa, you can look forward to a free breakfast buffet, a terrace and a coffee shop/cafe. Indulge in a manicure/pedicure, a facial and a massage at the on-site spa. The on-site international cuisine restaurant, Pura Vida, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and ocean views. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities, such as a garden and a hair salon.
Other perks at this resort include:
  • An outdoor pool, along with sunloungers and pool umbrellas
  • Free self-parking
  • Motorhome/coach/lorry parking, a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge) and a front desk safe
  • Laundry services, a billiards/pool table and 1 meeting room
Room features
All guest rooms at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa include thoughtful touches, such as premium bedding and furnished balconies, as well as amenities, such as free WiFi and air conditioning.
Extra amenities include:
  • Tempur-Pedic beds and free cots/infant beds
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
  • Flat-screen TVs with cable channels
  • Coffee/tea makers, ceiling fans and daily housekeeping

Similar properties

Beach nearby
Canavida Villas & Resort
Bahía Ballena
  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, 90 reviews
The price is S$129
includes taxes & fees
12 May - 13 May
Canavida Villas & Resort
Compare similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free beach shuttle
  • Free secured, uncovered self parking on site
  • RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Pura Vida

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Full-service spa
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • In-room cot
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 861 square feet of conference space
  • Business centre
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Facials
  • In-room massages
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Spa open daily

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 2 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 2004
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Mediterranean architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Free cot
  • Premium bedding
  • Tempur-Pedic mattress

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable/satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM

Early check-in subject to availability

Contactless check-in and check-out are available

Late check-in subject to availability

Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon

Contactless check-out

Late check-out subject to availability

A late check-out fee will be charged

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 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours

To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Free cots are available on request at the property

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per adult: CRC 37000
  • Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per child: CRC 37000 (from 4 to 11 years old)

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: CRC 105000 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 3)
  • Airport shuttle fee per child: CRC 70000 (one-way), (up to 11 years old)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Frequently asked questions

Does Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa?

As of 11 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa on 18 May, 2026 start from S$282, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa?

Checkout is at noon. Late checkout is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Does Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of CRC 105000 per vehicle applies.

Where is Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa located?

Situated by the ocean, this spa resort is within 3 miles (5 km) of Playa Ballena, Arco Beach and Marino Ballena National Park. Pinuela Beach is 3.1 mi (5 km) away.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.8

Staff & service

9.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 184 out of 228 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 34 out of 228 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 228 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 228 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 228 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing location and the food is amazing too
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The view from this hotel is beautiful! The pool is the perfect temperature and huge! Finally the restaurant staff are so friendly and lovely!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Walter

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was spotless, the reception disk polite, the food excellent, the staff attentive and the pool marvelous.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The family room was very clean and had an outside patio that was excellent for listening for and watching numerous birds, including toucans! The breakfast buffet was delish as well as supper. This hotel has a wonderful pool and area to watch sunsets. Staff was extra courteous, we will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We loved the grounds, so peaceful and lush. Huge variety of birds, howler monkeys in the distance each morning, incredibly kind, helpful and friendly staff. Delicious food, beverages and the best swimming pool ever!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dale

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was incredible, view from the room was wonderful. Dining at the restaurant was delicious. I will be staying here again.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lots of wildlife great pool
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely grounds, large swimming pool, nice room and room balcony, good views of forest and ocean.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annette

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful

Great stay. Staff was very helpful and friendly. We even met the owner. Beautiful views and property
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

KATHY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
quiet, peace, beautiful.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sofia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great customer service, and attention to deals!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Marisol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excelente. A lil costly but good. I wish they had more menu options with local food variety. The pool was amazing. Staff was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara-Lu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location of the property is beautiful, set back from the road and elevated for a great view of the Pacific. We particularly enjoyed the Happy Hour each day at 5:00 to enjoy the fabulous sunsets. The pool, the colorful plants, the toucans, tanagers, orapendulas and numerous other birds added so much to our visit. The staff was so accommodating and friendly. Our 5 days spent at Cristal Ballena were top notch!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is hill side and has amazing views of the mountain and of the Pacific Ocean. The staff is warm and friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a gem. It’s a stunning property outmatched only by incredible, kind and helpful staff. From a special laundry request, to making sure I got to see the Tucáns, to remembering my drink of choice, they made me feel safe, special and well taken care of. Don’t hesitate to book this!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexander

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Toucans galore

This is definitely a 4 star not a 3 star hotel. Pool is really big and great lounging areas and garden around. Toucans are plenty here and easy to spot. Feels like a hidden gem and a truly special place. It is expensive though… particularly drinks and food is definitely a lot higher than in other places. You get what you pay for though and the quality is good. Highly recommend the family suite
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Neil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff were nice and the bed was comfortable. The view and sunsets are great and you are woken by the sound of the surrounding wildlife. However, you can also hear the traffic from the mai road. Towels in the bathroom were limited. Dining was expensive andcrestaurantvrequired booking after a certain time. We were unfortunately on the ground floor and th noises from the room above was very irritating and the hotel were unable to o anything about it. In my opinion this is not a 4 star hotel, it is not a boutique hotel an does not have the facilities to be called a spa hotel. A small massage room that was never occupie! No gym, no steam room. I was disapointed with the high price I paid for our stay. This hotel does not deserve the high rating that it has. Although our stay was ok and we did appreciate the games room when the rains came...
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Shirley

Liked: Staff & service
We had the villa and the AC was weak. The bedding just made us sweat and pillows were hard. We are not used to sleep in the humid hot room so had a hard time for two nights. I understand it’s next to the jungle but I’m not sure about seeing ants everywhere inside the room. Great birding location. Lots of yellow throated toucans. Unsure about the raving reviews of the restaurant. Basic choices and very high prices. The pool has no shade. Lots of lounge chairs.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My gf and I booked a last minute stay at Cristal Ballena while visiting Costa Rica and could not be happier with our entire experience. We had decided to extend our stay in Costa Rica an additional 7 days to enjoy the costal area, choosing this boutique hotel from the reviews, which turned out to be an excellent choice. Everything from the location, the property, the Staff, the food and the overall amenities were absolutely excellent. The Staff and owners made us feel very comfortable and were very personable the entire time. The bartenders and wait staff were amazing and always very attentive, even remembered our names, which is always a nice touch. We had the privilege of meeting and getting to know the owners, enjoyed hearing the stories of their long time ownership and pride in the experience they were providing for people from all over the world for so many years. The room was very clean and had an excellent view from the balcony of the pool, the jungles below and all the way to the ocean. My gf was actually able to see a whale from our balcony! The Food was absolutely 5 star meals every night, such amazing flavors and professional presentation. The location was perfect for visiting the beach/ocean, waterfalls and several small towns within driving distance. We had a rental car, which I highly recommend. Needless to say, we will definitely be returning some day to revisit Cristal Ballena!!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adolf

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent hotel, beautiful surroundings and friendly staff
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Frederic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Memorable stay for our family. The surroundings provide countless opportunities to explore the rain forest and the hotel provides a great place to unwind and relax. Great pool and restaurant.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

JEREL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderland

Amazing and magical place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

PABLO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice place.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful weekend! Definetevely a place to go back!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Philipp

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unique location. Stunning and well maintained gardens and area surrounding the resort. Great food. Beautiful pool. Nice, friendly staff.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023