Perfect for bird watching and wildlife holidays in Costa Rica
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa
The hotel offers all services and facilities for a perfect beach, adventure, and nature vacation.
Enjoy fine dining at the gourmet restaurant, relax by the bar, enjoy swimming in a huge swimming pool, go and explore the trails or walk through the manicured tropical gardens watching exotic birds.
7km south Uvita, Costa Rica
+ (506) 2786-5354
info@cristal-ballena.com
www.cristal-ballena.com
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel and Spa is a tropical garden with exotic birds on a hill between the Pacific Ocean and rainforest-covered mountains.
This unique position allows breathtaking ocean views while a cooling breeze comes from the mountains. Especially the daily sunsets are occasions in your life you will never forget.
With the ocean in front and endless tropical jungles in the back, the resort offers a gourmet restaurant and bar, a spa, a large outdoor pool, and Mediterranean-style suites with ocean views.
Perfect for bird watching and wildlife holidays in Costa Rica
Birding Cristal Ballena grounds and Costa Ballena area is very productive since in the area have been reported more than 400 species of birds, including very special regional endemics. The hotel's location between the humid tropical forest at the foothill of the Fila Costeña mountains and the Pacific coast gives a great mix of forest and marine birdlife.
The boutique hotel reserve is home to more than 250 species of birds, and visiting the local birding hotspots, the range of birds is more extensive. Local hotspots include the Ballena Marine National Park, especially for sea and shorebirds, and the Terraba-Sierpe Wetlands, home to the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird and the Yellow-billed Cotinga. The Caño Island, the Corcovado National Park, Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge, and Oro Verde private reserve.
In a 2 hours morning birding around the grounds of the property, it is easy to find some of the most stunning birds in the area, especially the iconic highlights of the property and nearby. Check out the complete list of birds in the Cristal Ballena and Ballena Beach in eBird, the premier app for birdwatchers.
Unique location
The Hotel Cristal Ballena is situated near Playa Ballena, Uvita. Take a spectacular whale-watching tour and visit the Humpback whales in the ‘Marino Ballena National Park.
The Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel is a paradise for birding and is in the center of all the essential attractions of the south of Costa Rica. The Corcovado National Park to the south and the Manuel Antonio National Park to the north are within driving distance.
Visit Caño Island, the Nauyaca Waterfalls, and the Hacienda Barú, or enjoy one of the many outdoor activities available in one of the world's most biodiversity-rich areas.
The Rooms
The luxury suites are very spacious and have been tastefully decorated.
Each unit has air-conditioning, satellite TV, an ocean-view balcony, a mini bar, a coffee maker, WiFi, a telephone, and a safe.
Restaurant and pool bar Pura Vida!
While staying at Cristal Ballena, enjoy a refreshing specialty cocktail or freshly prepared International dish from Pura Vida! Restaurant while lounging by the crystal clear pool as you watch the macaws fly overhead. Relax to the rhythmic jungle sounds and ocean views while the friendly and attentive staff cares for your every need. Take advantage of the on-site spa, offering a variety of massage and cosmetic treatments.
Regardless of how you spend your day, every minute at Cristal Ballena will help you feel treated, tranquil, and comfortable. This small boutique hotel, with large open spaces, will make you feel like you´ve found your private paradise.
Costa Rica Tropical Weddings. We are thrilled to take care of all the details for your special day!
Plan Your Wedding or Business Event with Us
Are you looking for a unique retreat space for a business event? Cristal Ballena has a spacious seminar room with audio and video capabilities and high-speed Internet access. Plan a weekday retreat and allow your group to enjoy the beautiful hotel, walking trails around the property and into the rainforest, the refreshing pool, and international cuisine from the Pura Vida Restaurant.
Beautiful grounds with natural Costa Rican flora can provide the perfect backdrop for your intimate, inclusive wedding. Let the hotel staff manage the details in preparation for your special day.

Combine adventure with relaxation!
To find out more information or make a reservation:
+(506) 2786-5354
info@cristal-ballena.com
www.cristal-ballena.com

Boruca: Baile de los Diablitos 2023
We went to the annual Baile De Los Diablitos of the indigenous tribe of the South Pacific in Costa Rica: the Boruca. Marie takes you on the journey.

How to Cross the Border
Some of us need to cross the border in order to be able to stay in Costa Rica. It’s more straightforward than it sounds in the first place.

Give your pineapple a second life and DO THE TWIST…
Pineapples are easy to get and served on many occasions. But let’s first focus on the facts – some of them sadly will leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Coco from the Vegan Pirates tells us a short story about pineapples in Costa Rica.

Free Digital Magazine in Costa Rica Ballena Tales #88
Ballena Tales is an essential free digital magazine in Costa Rica, helpful for travelers, residents, and investors

Don’t let your Neighbors go Hungry Tonight!
The Family Support Center of Ojochal cares about families distress and hungry children. And they have some ideas how you can help as well!

ITCZ – Intertropical Convergence Zone
It sneakily snakes her soggy way around the globe, bringing storms, floods, mudslides, misery and also, life-giving rains and reprieve to many areas around the tropical and sub-tropical world. This is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

How to stay and experience Uvita
Lara Klüter used every minute in Uvita, since she came here as a trainee for Ballena Tales. She knows where to go, what to eat and what you definetly shouldn´t miss, when you come to Uvita!

Welcome to Dominical, your surf dream!
Dominical is the gateway to Osa, Costa Rica’s southern pacific. Crossing the bridge over the Baru opens a portal to an alternate universe of fun and excitement. Especially surfing brings attention to Dominical.

How to build your house and not die trying
Jose Guillen knows how to build houses. What´s his most important learning after being an architect for years? Let´s talk about it!
What to do, Where to eat and Where to stay…
South Pacific Costa Rica Beaches
Looking for business directories, maps or other printouts? We’ve got that too!
Dare to Discover and Enjoy…
Check out…
Need help planning your next trip to Costa Rica? We look forward to help you!
Email: carlos@ballenatales.com
Phone: +(506) 8946 7134 or +(506) 8914 1568
Skype: ballenatalestravel