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.

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!

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!

Staff was incredible, view from the room was wonderful. Dining at the restaurant was delicious. I will be staying here again.

Staff was incredible, view from the room was wonderful. Dining at the restaurant was delicious. I will be staying here again.

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!!!

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!!!

Lovely grounds, large swimming pool, nice room and room balcony, good views of forest and ocean.

Lovely grounds, large swimming pool, nice room and room balcony, good views of forest and ocean.

Amazing and magical place to stay.

Amazing and magical place to stay.

The property is hill side and has amazing views of the mountain and of the Pacific Ocean. The staff is warm and friendly.

The property is hill side and has amazing views of the mountain and of the Pacific Ocean. The staff is warm and friendly.

We had a wonderful weekend! Definetevely a place to go back!

We had a wonderful weekend! Definetevely a place to go back!

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.

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.

Unique location. Stunning and well maintained gardens and area surrounding the resort. Great food. Beautiful pool. Nice, friendly staff.

Unique location. Stunning and well maintained gardens and area surrounding the resort. Great food. Beautiful pool. Nice, friendly staff.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nice place.

Nice place.

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.

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.

Excellent hotel, beautiful surroundings and friendly staff

Excellent hotel, beautiful surroundings and friendly staff

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.

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.

The staff was wonderfully professional and courteous. We were taken care of from the beginning of our 14 day stay. I will return to this beautiful hotel with the gorgeous people from Costa Rica. I simply loved it. T. McRae