Uvita (Costa Rica)

Sunset over Uvita beach

Uvita de Osa is a small town in southern Costa Rica, on a section of coastline known as the Bahía Ballena. It is notable for hosting the annual music event (Envision Festival) and being home to the Cola de Ballena (Whale's Tail) beach (Playa Uvita) which is one of the beaches comprising Marino Ballena National Park. The Whale's Tail has been described as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Uvita is a good place to see humpback whales in the wild, as there are groups which come from Northern California and Alaska during one time of the year and groups that come from the south and Antarctica during another time of the year. Uvita has grown tremendously since the early 2000s and is the commercial center of the Costa Ballena region. Many expatriates from North America and Europe have made Uvita their home, so many of the locals speak English as well as Spanish.

Uvita Quick Facts

• 212 km (131 miles) from San Jose International Airport. 319 km (198 miles) from Guanacaste Airport. 3.5 hours driving from San Jose, 5 hours from Liberia.
• Small coastal town in the South Pacific, specifically in an area known as the Costa Ballena. Other towns in the Costa Ballena are Dominical and Ojochal, with an increasing presence moving south of Ojochal.
• Known for mountains, tropical rainforest, wildlife (specifically humpback whales) and waterfalls.

Tourism

Uvita has become the tourist and adventure tour hub of the Costa Ballena region. The town offers several tours ranging from whale watching to horseback riding. The town is also known for its many restaurants and accommodations catering to tourists.

Places to Stay

Uvita, located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is known for its proximity to the Marino Ballena National Park and the lush jungles of the Osa Peninsula. Visitors to Uvita can find a range of accommodations that cater to eco-tourism, luxury retreats, and budget-friendly stays.

Boutique Hotels in Uvita

1. Rancho Pacifico (Adults Only) – Located in the hills of Uvita, Rancho Pacifico offers an intimate retreat with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Whale’s Tail formation. It’s a luxury eco-boutique hotel, perfect for guests seeking quiet, privacy, and nature-inspired wellness (James Kaiser) $$$$
2. Nature's Edge Boutique Hotel (Adults Only) – Set on a 10-acre hillside, this boutique hotel provides stunning views of the jungle and distant ocean. Nature's Edge offers a secluded, peaceful escape with casitas designed for relaxation and immersion in nature. $$
3. Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge (Adults Only) – Nestled in the Costa Rican rainforest with sweeping views of the Pacific, this eco-lodge offers a blend of comfort and nature. Tiki Villas focuses on sustainability while providing luxurious amenities like an infinity pool and open-air showers (Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge). $$
4. Oxygen Jungle Villas (Adults Only) – A luxury, adults-only resort nestled in a private nature reserve near Uvita, Oxygen Jungle Villas is known for its glass-walled villas offering panoramic ocean and jungle views. It’s a great spot for couples seeking luxury with proximity to national parks like Marino Ballena and Corcovado (Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa). $$$

Eco-Lodges in Uvita

1. La Cusinga Eco Lodge – This eco-lodge sits atop a bluff with panoramic views of the Whale’s Tail and the Pacific Ocean. It is committed to sustainable practices, with rustic cabins crafted from sustainably harvested wood. Guests can enjoy trails that lead to hidden beaches. $$
2. Whale Tail Hotel – A budget-friendly option close to Uvita town, this hotel is perfect for those wanting to explore the Marino Ballena National Park and surrounding waterfalls. It offers a communal atmosphere with shared spaces and a brewery on-site (Paradise Catchers). $

Luxury Stays in Uvita

1. Kura Boutique Hotel (Adults Only) – Perched high in the rainforest, Kura is a luxury hotel with an emphasis on design and sustainability. The hotel features stunning panoramic views, an infinity pool, a private spa, and suites with floor-to-ceiling glass walls to immerse guests in nature. $$$$
2. Vista Celestial – A luxury retreat offering panoramic rainforest and ocean views, Vista Celestial provides private villas with plunge pools, wellness activities, and a deep focus on relaxation. It’s a top destination for couples and those seeking a wellness-focused vacation. $$$$
3. Golden Pineapple Villas (Adults Only) – Known for its modern luxury amidst a jungle setting, this adults-only resort offers personalized service, private pools, and incredible ocean views, perfect for couples. $$$

Luxury Stays Outside Uvita

1. Vayu Retreat Villas (Adults Only)– Located near Uvita, Vayu Retreat Villas is a boutique hotel that combines Mediterranean-inspired design with Costa Rican natural beauty. Known for its seclusion and luxury, Vayu offers smart features, and an immersive experience into wellness and self-care. It’s an ideal option for those looking to connect with nature while enjoying high-end comfort. $$
2. Hotel Three Sixty (Adults Only) – Located in Ojochal, not far from Uvita, Hotel Three Sixty offers 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean and jungle. This luxury adults-only hotel is designed to maximize the natural beauty of the area with modern, eco-friendly architecture. $$$
3. Art Villas (Adults Only)– Situated in the hills overlooking the Pacific, Art Villas is a unique, design-focused resort that offers a mix of villas inspired by tropical modernism. Each villa provides a luxurious experience with stunning views, private pools, and a focus on contemporary art and architecture. $$-$$$$

Wildlife

The region around Uvita is home to a large variety of animals.

Birds

At Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Preserve, fifteen minutes north of Uvita, more than 350 different species of birds have been identified. This number is more than one third of all the species of birds which have been identified in the entire United States and Canada combined.

• Scarlet Macaw
• Green and Little Blue Herons
• American White Pelican
• Many varieties of Hummingbirds
• Many other species of birds, such as fiery-billed aracaris, collared aracaris, broad-winged hawks, great kiskadees, hook-billed kites, slaty-tailed trogons, flycatchers, chachalacas, crested oropendolas, collared forest falcons, chestnut-mandibled toucans, red lored parrots, saltators, orioles, kingfishers, crimson-fronted parakeets and orange-chinned parakeets.

Insects

• Hercules Beetle
• Scarabs
• Leaf-Cutter and Army Ants
• Blue Morpho and Glasswing Butterfly
• Thaos Swallowtail

Mammals

• Howler Monkey and Capuchin Monkey
• Baird's Tapir
• Pumas
• Jaguarundis
• Margays
• Ocelots
• Vampire Bats

• Bottlenose Dolphins
• Pantropical Spotted Dolphins
• Humpback Whales
• False Killer Whales
• Pilot Whales

Reptiles

• Green Sea Turtles
• Olive Ridley Turtles
• Yellow-bellied Sea Snake
• Green or Black Iguana
• Striped Basilisk
• Boa Constrictors
• eyelash viper
• bushmaster
• fer de lance
• Spectacled Caiman
• American Crocodile

Fish

• White-tipped reef shark
• Nurse Shark
• Cortez Angelfish
• Butterfly fish
• Parrot Fish
• Puffer Fish

Amphibians

• Giant Toad
• Red-Eyed Tree Frog
• Dart Frog
• Glass Frog