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Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands

Photo gallery for Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands

Sunset from across the refreshing pool.
Property video
As seen with the naked eye from the house.
Very open view to the pacific ocean.
Can see 5 islands from the house including Cano islqnd.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6200.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
Uvita, Osa, Puntarenas
  • Playa Ballena
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Uvita Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Playa Tortuga
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Drake Bay (DRK)
    ‪158 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Guest Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Guest Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands

Important points below! Pura Vida!

This is the Costa Rican expression for everything that is good. It translates as pure life and is used as a greeting and a salutation. It is always spoken with a smile. Costa Rica is rated as one of the happiest places on earth. You can discover why.

Imagine secluded beaches where the jungle meets the sand, monkeys and toucans greeting you each morning, or swimming under warm waterfalls. All this happens everyday in the unspoiled beauty of Uvita.

Our rental home is situated in an old growth jungle minutes from the beach on the Pacific coast in Marino Ballena National Park, the only national marine park in Costa Rica. Ballena translates to whale. Humpbacks from the southern and northern hemisphere travel thousands of miles to have their babies in this area. Excellent whale watching, snorkeling and diving! We are halfway between Manual Antonio, the most popular park in Costa Rica, and the famous Osa Penninsula. National Geographic named our area one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet. From the house and pool you can see the ever changing pacific ocean, local islands, incredible wildlife, rainforest, and beautiful sunsets.

The food in the area is the best in Costa Rica and maybe some of the best we have ever had - think Napa in the South Pacific. Expats from around the world have created amazing culinary delights. We can recommend at least 10 restaurants in the area. You can drink the water and eat the food and not worry.

The home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a newly-completely remodeled full gourmet kitchen, laundry room, two outside patio areas, a modest infinity pool, and a stone BBQ (boogie boards, beach chairs, beach and pool towels, a cooler, small binoculars and a telescope). Listen to the waves crashing on the shore from bed as you awake to howler monkeys calling in the trees. The jungle is right outside the door. Take a walk and see all the wonders you expect from Costa Rica.

The house is an easy accessible drive from the main road with a wide, short maintained road leading to the house. This should not be underestimated. Most homes in the area take a long drive up a steep, single lane, winding road taking up to 20 minutes from the main road, especially difficult at night. Look next to the map on the listing to where the closest beach is. If it more than .5 miles from the beach you will regret it. We are .3 miles to the beach. There will be no anxiety driving to this house. Rent a 4x4 or all wheel drive to get the most out of your trip in this area.

This is not a resort town. It is an agrarian area with beautiful farms and unspoiled beaches and jungle. It is a place to explore and discover. It will excite your inner adventurer. 5 islands are visible from our home. I don't now of anyone else that can boast that!

We would love to welcome you as our guest to Casa Ballena.

Pura Vida!

Proud of this review. It is what we strive for.
Best Vacation Rental We Have Ever Booked!
5/5 Stayed Jan 2023
Janet M.
I have rented over 30 vacation homes throughout Costa Rica, Europe and Australia and I owned my own vacation rental which has made me rather picky and critical. It takes a lot to impress me. But this property really impressed me! The attention to detail is outstanding. This is a lovely home is set in a gorgeous setting with outstanding views. The house has everything you could possibly need, is very comfortable, very clean and we felt very safe. The outdoor furniture is very good quality and comfortable. We never wanted to leave the awesome pool. It is very conveniently located to beaches and the towns of Uvita and Ojochal. The kitchen is very well stocked - which is rare! The fact that Mark provides boogie boards, beach chairs and a good supply of beach towels speaks volumes. Communication with Mark was excellent and he provided all kinds of information. He has a full binder of information on the house and recommendations on what to do in the area - perfect! We loved this place and will certainly stay here again when in the area.

Published Feb 7, 2023

Property manager

Mark and Allyson Roberts
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ballena

Located in Ballena, this holiday home is on a river. Marino Ballena National Park and Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons and Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Topolandia and Parque Reptilandia are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Uvita, Osa, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Playa Ballena - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Ventanas Beach - 4 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Uvita Beach - 8 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Marino Ballena National Park - 9 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Playa Tortuga - 11 min drive - 7.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria La Fogata - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Heliconia - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sibu - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Time - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Marino Ballena - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include infinity pools.

Is Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Amazing Whitewater View Of The Ballena Marine Preserve Islands located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Playa Ballena and Pinuela Beach. Arco Beach and Marino Ballena National Park are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 148 out of 150 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 150 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 150 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 150 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 150 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kari B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay in Costa Rica

I took my family back to the Uvita area for our first international trip. Mark provided loads of good information and stayed in contact with us and the property manager throughout the trip to address any issues that came up. Beds were comfortable and place was fully stocked. I didn’t want to use the a/c but my family did so it came in clutch :) Great location, close to beaches.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

kathy l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation spot

We had a fantastic stay at this beautiful, well-equipped property in Ballena. It was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located—close to everything but still peaceful. The host was friendly and responsive, and every detail made our stay easy and relaxing. We’d happily return and highly recommend it!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nikki L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Vacation

My family and I spent 5 days at Mark's house. Not only was it a wonderful house but the wealth of information that Mark provided took all of the guesswork out of vacation research. Every recommendation we followed turned out great: David's river tour, Adventuras Bahia, Jungle ATV, and Arcos Beach and the hikes around it to name a few. Mark was incredibly attentive checking in and ready for any question or unexpected event. We wish we could have stayed longer and can't wait to to come back! The house was as beautiful as described and super comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cathy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home, Stunning Views & Exceptional Hospitality

Our stay at this property was absolutely wonderful. The house, gardens, and views were even more stunning in person than in the photos. Everything was spotless, comfortable, and beautifully maintained.The owners were incredibly helpful and welcoming. The caretaker met us at the local grocery store, waited while we picked up supplies, then guided us to the house and gave us a thorough walkthrough. The owner also stayed in touch throughout our visit and was especially helpful when my son needed medical care, providing prompt and valuable assistance.Do note that the house is located on a steep dirt road—having a 4x4 vehicle is definitely recommended. The nearest beach is just a short drive away, and there are plenty of excellent restaurants, scenic beaches, waterfalls, and other attractions nearby.We had an amazing time here and would highly recommend this property to anyone visiting the area!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wesley B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!

Our stay at Mark and Allyson’s place was fantastic! Well situated with everything we needed. Pool was very nice to have, and the birds in the yard were incredible. We had a daily toucan visit us. Will definitely be back! Loved it.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

WILLIAM /DORY H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing views and place! Unfortunately we had airline connection issues and missed a full day. Mark is a great guy who is readily available for questions and help. Saw some toucans, hawk lots of unidentified birds. Love the pool and peaceful surroundings. Really amazing location with minimal drive to main road. Had 4wheel but never needed. Hubby enjoyed the hammock. Thank you Mark for sharing your beautiful house! Wish we had booked longer not enough time to explore the area. Hope to return someday. Pura Vida!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place and location

Amazing wildlife- birds, hearing howler monkeys etc…Good location for getting around the Pacific coast. Great host. Was very responsive!
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Five star rating says it all!

We spent 2 months and loved it here. It was easy to settle in to the natural beauty surrounding the home and area. Hosts were very accommodating and responsive. Lots to do. Location, the home and the view were all spectacular.
Stayed 61 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One less on the Bucket List!

We had an absolutely unforgettable stay at this stunning villa just south of Uvita. The views of the ocean and surrounding canopy were truly breathtaking—every sunrise and sunset felt like a dream. Hands down, the best beaches we have ever seen were literally just a few min away from this property. The villa itself was beautifully designed, and incredibly comfortable. If you are a bird lover, you will not be disappointed! We experienced seeing more types of amazing birds while just enjoying the veranda in the early morning and the evenings. What really set this experience apart was the host—his local recommendations were spot-on (we didn’t have a single bad meal!), and he was consistently responsive and helpful throughout our stay. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of natural beauty, relaxation, and great hospitality, this is it. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

sherrie g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great convenient stay with a view!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The location could not have been better, easy to get to our favorite beaches, restaurants and groceries. Owners were very responsive and super helpful with booking tours extra. Very well appointed! The pool was a cocktail pool which we weren’t expecting so we didn’t really use much and we didn’t have much hot water. That is not uncommon for the area but if you aren’t used to that just take note. It does take getting used to when everyone is trying to get ready for dinner, etc. For nature, pure beauty and convenience, you can’t go wrong! We had a great time! Pura Vida
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gayle G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Like Sleeping in the Jungle!

Had a stellar vacation at Mark and Allyson’s Jungle house. Woke every day buy 5:30, watched an amazing amount of birds right there! The house is close to everything. The grounds are incredible. Mark was quick to respond. They really do want you to have the best stay ever! We did follow their list of best places to eat as well as things to do in the area. Heads up though, if you are planning to eat in Ojochal, get reservations. Lots of nicks and crannies to discover in the area. The Pacific Ocean was warm and fun. Fishing in the area is excellent. Thank you so much for sharing your home. Would not hesitate to go back. Well done Mark and Allyson!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Todd A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pura Vida in Costa Ballena

Our family has stayed at many properties in the area. This location of this house is what sets it apart for us. We've gone a half hour up the mountain to get to houses, this was 1 minute. There's a little highway noise because of it, but not annoying enough to take away from the close proximity to everything and the amazing view. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alex G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Prefect

Despite the rain (not to self check the rainy season) we had a wonderful time at Mark and Allyson's stunning house - the view is just divine, the main area was very spacious, there was a great BBQ, Mark was super helpful with tips and suggestions and the array of wildlife literally on your front doorstep was out of this world. Thank you very much for having us.
Stayed 15 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Fun in Uvita

Our family of five, all adults, had a lovely stay in this Uvita house. The bedrooms were comfy, the kitchen well stocked, and the living area spacious.The setting was just beautiful. We spent much of our time enjoying the sounds and sights of the birds from the dining patio, gazing at the wide open view of the ocean and nearby islands and cooling off in the refreshing pool. The garden was full of tropical flowers and trees.We appreciated the convenience of the location. The towns of Uvita and Ojochal were just minutes away as well as several beaches, restaurants and adventures.The owner, Mark, was extremely helpful and responsive to any of our needs.Our adventures included a boat trip up the Sierpe River to see wildlife, a tour of Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary and snorkeling at Cano Island. We explored several beaches, a waterfall and ate well at several restaurants. In late March we could just walk into any restaurant and be seated immediately, arrange tours on any day and easily park anywhere. How relaxing and hassle free!This was our first time to Costa Rica and we highly recommend Uvita and this wonderful house. Pura Vida!
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colleen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing House With A View

Our family of 5 had an amazing stay at this home. It was the perfect hub to do everything we wanted to do and the views are better than the pictures. Mark is very responsive to questions and provided many recommendations. He emailed info to us after we booked and there is also a binder at the house. We did an all-day private boat tour with Martin Adventours and highly recommend them. It cost us less to combine sportfishing with snorkeling at Cano Island and we had the boat all to ourselves. Our tour guide and captain were exceptional. We did the Sierpe Mangrove tour with David. David was sick but Adriel took his place and he was wonderful. We saw more animals than we expected on this tour - amazing birds, some with babies or eggs, squirrel monkeys, a howler monkey, boa snakes, and a sloth. Highly recommend! We ate at the soda in Uvita, Bagel Time, Pizza Time, La Percela in Dominicalito (where we saw capuchin monkeys). Beehive restaurant in Uvita was our big splurge - pricey but the food and service were phenomenal. We even tried Pollolandia for one meal. All the food we had was delicious. The local supermarkets had everything we needed and the beaches were close and beautiful. We took road trips to the Boruca village and Don Emilio's coffee farm (visit the amazing waterfall up the road too). Both were worth the drive. From the house we saw toucans, agouti, scarlet macaws, iguanas, and many birds and the howler monkeys came out on our last night. Vacation of a lifetime!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another wonderful vacation at this property.

This is our second year staying here. We love the property, the owner and the property manager. Everything was wonderful…no issues… and we hope to be able to come back soon! It has become our home away from home 😃
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jodi G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay!

The house is lovely; especially the open living living area, wood doors and windows, and patio. The grounds are beautiful and very well maintained, with a beautiful view of the ocean. Also, the house is in a great location, close to many attractions (e.g., beaches, hikes, waterfalls, swimming holes), as well as grocery stores and restaurants.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ballena Bliss

This is a beautiful home, very spacious and well-appointed…including beach chairs and boogie boards! The sunset view, nice landscaping, along with easy access off the highway made for a very pleasant stay. Thank you for hosting us.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heidi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolute Paradise

This home was the perfect place for our vacation! Mark the home owner provides everything you may ever need to know about vacationing in Costa Rica. It made planning our trip so easy. The home is exceptionally clean and comfortable. We loved cooling off in the pool and watching birds from the patio. This home was absolute paradise!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home, very pleased

Beautiful home with a spectacular view. Beautiful view from the pool. Saw all kinds of Toucans and birds. Heard the howler monkeys, but they never came to the house. The owner was very helpful in scheduling excursions, etc. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam G., Coppell

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Yoga deck!

This house is centrally located and near lots of great restaurants and black sand beaches. A 4 wheel drive SUV is mandatory! The VRBO host and local assistant (Roland) were really helpful and knowledgable about the area!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique spot in Uvita!

The setting was amazing and the view was incredible. We had all the comforts of home and truly loved the house. I would go back in a heart beat. The owner was very helpful from the beginning to the end of our stay. Great memories were made that we will all treasure.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacob R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just book it already

We spent the week sitting on the patio or soaking in the pool, watching and listening to wildlife, from monkeys and agoutis to toucans, hummingbirds, and all kinds of other exotic and rare birds (you should seriously consider downloading the Merlin Bird ID app!). We watched humpback whales breaching in the sea, enjoyed the company of geckos and basilisks, and were very happy with the level of comfort and privacy. It was quiet but not far from groceries and anything else you want/need while in the country. We've stayed at 7 or 8 villas/houses in Costa Rica, and this is the one we''ll go back to. Everyone was very responsive and made the entire process seamless. We can't recommend this place enough.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erica L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible Property

The pictures don't do this property justice! The views are incredible. The property is clean and fully stocked with everything. Both the owner, Mark, and the property manager were responsive and so helpful throughout the week. Costa Rica is pure magic, we can't wait to plan our trip back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan Y., North Andover

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous 5 Days

This was my parents first time to Costa Rica and we wanted them to have a wonderful experience. Ballena did not disappoint. The house was well appointed, clean and spacious... and the views - just amazing. But it was the morning and sunset experiences that made this a great experience. The sounds and sightings from the birds, iguanas, howler monkeys and agotis made it extra special. The sunset views are the best too! We hope to visit again Ballena.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Mark and Allyson Roberts

Host profile image
We are adventurous and love creating memorable travel experiences for couples, families and friends. I hope you like our home away from home. We currently live in Northern California in the redwoods in a 1934 log cabin. We live on a pond, 2 creeks and over 100 redwood trees. We are 20 minutes to the Pacific Ocean. 40 minutes from San Francisco. We like to snow ski, snorkel, dive and commune with nature.

Why they chose this property

We love the Pacific Ocean. The view of the Bahia Ballena marine park islands is one of the best in the Southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica. We love eco-tourism. Waking to howler monkeys and seeing toucans and iguanas in the yard every day while eating breakfast is incredible. My daughter calls the home her Neverland. She loves the Scarlet Macaws and Green parrots that fly over the pool. We think easy access to adventures is important. There are steep narrow roads to most properties. Ours is a breeze by comparison. Not to underestimated as a feature. We were blown away by the foodie restaurants in the area. It is like eating in Napa or the south of France!

What makes this property unique

If you can pull yourself away from the hammocks, the pool and the view there are amazing things to explore. Snorkel at the islands in front of the house or at the whale's tale, go diving at Cano island, horseback ride to a magnificent waterfall, zipline through the jungle, go on a nature boat up the Sierpe to see amazing wildlife, rappel down waterfalls (canyoning), jump into the swimming hole below the waterfall, go deep sea fishing, kayaking in the mangroves or just walk into the primary rainforest around the house. We can help guide you to all of that and more!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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