Ballena

Travel Guide

Ballena
Photo by Samuel  Doejaaren
Photo by Samuel  Doejaaren
Photo by Samuel  Doejaaren
Photo by Donny Campos

Where to stay in Ballena

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Marina Vista

Marina Vista might not have many top sights, but Playa Dominical and Playa Dominicalito are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Marina Vista
Villas Rio Mar

Villas Rio Mar

3 out of 5
Dominical Beach, Ballena, Puntarenas
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ballena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (605 reviews)
"Hotel was great. Short walk to town. Food at dinner was really good. Breakfast was premade and not very hot but otherwise everything was great."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Villas Rio Mar
La Cusinga Lodge

La Cusinga Lodge

3 out of 5
Km166 Costarena Sur, Ballena, Puntarenas
Stay at this 3-star spa lodge in Ballena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Arco Beach and Uvita Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
"Beautiful eco lodge with walks on property and ocean views. Natural landscaping - Birds, monkeys butterflies etc."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2024

La Cusinga Lodge
Canavida Villas & Resort

Canavida Villas & Resort

4 out of 5
Calle la Union, Ballena, Puntarenas Province
$93 nightly
The price is $105 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$105 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star vacation home in Ballena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 10 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Arco Beach and Uvita Beach are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (51 reviews)
"Very clean and the maintenance guy was super nice showing us the property and how to get in"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Canavida Villas & Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Canavida Villas & Resort

Canavida Villas & Resort

4 out of 5
Calle la Union, Ballena, Puntarenas Province
Stay at this 4-star vacation home in Ballena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 10 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Arco Beach and Uvita Beach are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (51 reviews)
"Very clean and the maintenance guy was super nice showing us the property and how to get in"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Canavida Villas & Resort
Luxury Jungle Villa~Honeymoon Privacy~Ocean View~Infinity Pool~Wildlife~A/C

Luxury Jungle Villa~Honeymoon Privacy~Ocean View~Infinity Pool~Wildlife~A/C

Dominical
Stay at this villa in Ballena. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (81 reviews)
Gorda vista
"Amazing house, view and location. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Luxury Jungle Villa~Honeymoon Privacy~Ocean View~Infinity Pool~Wildlife~A/C
Hotel Uvita Forest

Hotel Uvita Forest

3.5 out of 5
Calle Garcia, Uvita, Ballena, Puntarenas Province
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Ballena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Catarata uvita and Secret Lau Pool are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"It was a very pleasant stay"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Hotel Uvita Forest
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ballena

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
56
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
27
4 - Good 31%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Paula

I truly recommend. Gorgeous country with very friendly people

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Do everything in your power to preserve this area - its wonderful

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Whale watching excursion was very enjoyaable

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Small town. Many dirt roads. Kind of dark. Not a lot to do, but there is a good restaurant La fogata. Primary activities are whale and dolphin watching tours. Wasn't impressed with the beach at all. Stick and debris all over. Use sunscreen!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Food in Uvita was excellent and if you are visiting anywhere I recommend going to the Nauyaca Waterfalls (but make sure you pay for the truck ride as it's miles of hiking over rough terrain vs. a 30 minute ride)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Ballena is so beautiful. We visited during the wet season and it is a great time to experience the rainfall and see many different animals. If you fly into SJO, there is a Walmart store and you can purchase anything including bottle water.

Cities near Ballena