See all properties

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

3.0 star property
Beach resort with outdoor pool

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

Relax by the oceanfront pool surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas, with a balcony offering a picturesque view of the sea.
Enjoy a serene beach day with gentle waves and lush green surroundings.
Relax in a serene outdoor space with a central seating area, wicker sofas, and a coffee table.
Relax on the balcony with a view of the sea, surrounded by lush greenery and comfortable seating.
Relax in this serene hotel room with a large bed, desk, and seating area, offering a view of the outdoors.
VIP Access

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Bar
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Housekeeping

Get more when you're a member

  • Save 15% or more on select VIP Access properties when you reach Silver tier or higher
  • 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 3 of 3 rooms

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar

Family Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Furnished balcony
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Ceiling fan
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Tempur-Pedic bed
  • 23 Ping (76 square meters)
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Master Suite

Master Suite | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar

Master Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Furnished balcony
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Tempur-Pedic bed
Separate bedroom
Ceiling fan
  • 27 Ping (89 square meters)
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Junior Suite

Junior Suite | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, Tempur-Pedic beds, minibar

Junior Suite

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)

Highlights

Furnished balcony
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Tempur-Pedic bed
Separate bedroom
Ceiling fan
  • 15 Ping (50 square meters)
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
Mod logo
Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the neighborhood

Map
7 km al Sur de Uvita, Costa Ballena, Ballena, Puntarenas, 60504

What's nearby

  • Playa Ballena - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Pinuela Beach - 4 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Uvita Beach - 9 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Marino Ballena National Park - 9 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Playa Tortuga - 13 min drive - 8.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria La Fogata - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Heliconia - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Bakery - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Sibu - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Time - ‬8 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 massage, a facial, and a manicure/pedicure at the onsite 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 with sun loungers and pool umbrellas
  • Free self parking
  • RV/bus/truck parking, a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and a front-desk safe
  • Wedding services, tour/ticket assistance, and luggage storage
Room features
All guestrooms at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa include comforts such as premium bedding and furnished balconies, as well as amenities like free WiFi and air conditioning.
More amenities include:
  • Tempur-Pedic beds and free cribs/infant beds
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
  • Flat-screen TVs with cable channels
  • Coffee/tea makers, ceiling fans, and daily housekeeping

Languages

English, German, Spanish

Similar properties

Outdoor pool, free cabanas, sun loungers

El Castillo Boutique Luxury Hotel

  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, 187 reviews
El Castillo Boutique Luxury Hotel

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

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

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 crib
  • 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 center
  • 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 elevator

More

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

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Free crib
  • 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 available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available
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

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 cribs are available on request at the property

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

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

  • Christmas Eve (December 24) Gala Dinner per adult: CRC 37000
  • Christmas Eve (December 24) 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, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
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

Property is also known as

Cristal Ballena
Hotel Resort Cristal Ballena
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel
Cristal Boutique Hotel
Cristal Ballena Boutique
Hotel Cristal Ballena Osa Peninsula
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Costa Rica/Uvita
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel Spa
Hotel Resort Spa Cristal Ballena
Cristal Ballena & Spa Ballena
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel Spa
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Resort
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Ballena
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Resort Ballena

Frequently asked questions

Does Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

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?

Check-out is at noon. Late check-out 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 0.8 mi (1.2 km) from Playa Ballena and within 3 mi (5 km) of Arco Beach and Marino Ballena National Park. Pinuela Beach is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 177 out of 219 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 33 out of 219 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 219 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 219 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 219 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

KATHY

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

10/10 Excellent

Scott

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Regina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was spacious with a beautiful view. The staff was very friendly and professional. The pool was also beautiful and pleasing. Very close to the beach.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gerard

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

Great experience

The property is quite lovely with beautiful vegetation and great views. Staff was very responsive and resolved any issue quickly. Food was very good and we would stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

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

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was spotlessly clean and the bed was very comfortable. Housekeepers did a great job daily. The porch had a beautiful view where we drank our first cup of coffee daily. The property had many many steps making it very challenging to get to the pool or restaurant. We had to take our car each day for breakfast or dinner. The grounds were very well kept and beautiful. We ate twice in the evening. The food was expensive and mediocre. I recommend the hotel but find another place for meals.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Very cool setting. Got to see a couple of Toucans near the pool. The room had issues with the shower and the mattress was very hard and uncomfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maribelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We arrived late and the security guard gave us our key to the room. Too bad we only went to stay for the night and continue our road trip in the morning. Will definitely plan to stay a couple of days next time to be able to enjoy all facilities and upgrades. Wonderful service. Excellent breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

James

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

Best place i have ever encountered

Truely an all inclusive top rated 5 star resort. The staff, the food, the room, the property layout, the vistas, the rain forest paths and walks were all that anyone could ever hope for when experiancing CR. Art work, stone sculptures, flowers, birds and forest rivers made you feel that you were in a adult wonderland. A special thanks to Herbert for his engraciating personality, and to the owner Andreis who was so sweet and and so down to earth. Our lives have changed from this experiance. We are already planing our next stay there and will be bringing family.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

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

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!!!

10/10 Excellent

Fabrizio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wir hatten eine wunderbare Zeit! Die Lage hat für uns gepasst und die Aussicht war traumhaft. Wir würden jederzeit wiederkommen – und das sagt wohl alles. Wir können das Hotel wirklich aus Überzeugung weiterempfehlen. Wir nehmen uns nur für Hotels Zeit für eine Bewertung, die es auch wirklich verdient haben.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

RODRIGO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Un lugar muy tranquilo y bonito. La pasamos muy bien.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

ERIC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Séjour de 4 nuits Magnifique et très calme Piscine avec vue mer En pleine nature toucans et autres oiseaux présents . Happy hours très sympas Tout était marfait
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Roger

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025