Is Casa Uvita: Rainforest & Ocean View Eco-Home pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Where is Casa Uvita: Rainforest & Ocean View Eco-Home located?

Located in the heart of Ballena, this vacation home is 1.2 mi (2 km) from Secret Lau Pool and within 3 mi (5 km) of Catarata uvita and Marino Ballena National Park. Playa Colonia and Uvita Beach are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Casa Uvita: Rainforest & Ocean View Eco-Home Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

8/10 Good

Tim G.

20 April 2025

Liked: Check-in, communication

Off the grid jungle experience in Costa Rica

The owner was exceptionally helpful for our stay. The road leading to the property is very difficult. I became very annoyed trying to do our up and back when traveling

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Len G.

5 January 2025

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

Beautiful Jungle House!

Just a terrific place to stay - even nicer than the pictures look. Pool is beautiful and huge. Rooms are very spacious and beautifully furnished. Ceiling fans kept things comfortably cool at night. Michelle is a great host who lives next door - she brought coffee over each morning, a nice touch. You feel like you’re deep in the jungle, but you have the convenience of restaurants, groceries, etc at the bottom of the hill less than 10 minutes away. It’s a dirt road up the hill to the house, but it was no problem. Would highly recommend this unique place!

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard I.

29 January 2023

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

Great secluded get away

My wife and I and another older couple stayed for four nights at Casa Uvita in January. The house was beautiful and well appointed. There was plenty of room to relax and enjoy the view of the forest and ocean. The bird and animal sounds were mesmerizing and the pool was a real treat. We would recommend this house to anyone, with or without children.

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

robyn a.

28 February 2023

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

Incredible!!!!

From start to finish ..Michele was the most amazing human/ host ever! Words can not describe the beautiful property and wildlife we saw. Truly a one in a life time stay! We will be back asap!

Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

14 December 2023

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

Beautiful, seclude home, surrounded by nature

Lovely stay with friends at a gorgeous home, which was decorated with art and furniture created by artisans from the area, making the stay especially unique. Renee did a great job hosting since Michele was out of town. Someone is always present on the property and/or available by phone. Woke up to howler monkeys every morning. Recommended if you want to be close to the beaches of Uvita but in a jungle setting.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Guy T.

28 March 2017

Fantastic Villa

We stayed in Uvita in our 2nd half of our Costa Rica trip and kind of wished we came here a few days earlier so we could have spent more time. The location of Casa Uvita is perfect - far enough off the beaten path to feel very remote, but close enough to all the amenities. And you really can't beat the wildlife literally on your doorstep. Howler monkeys, white faced monkeys, sloths, toucans, parrots etc all seen in our 3 days there. Michele was a great host - gave some great info on local sights and must-dos. I would love to come back here and spend more than just 3 nights!

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sasha W.

15 May 2016

The highlight of our trip to Costa Rica!

Our stay at Casa Uvita was the BEST part an incredible vacation in Costa Rica. We fell in love with the house, the town, local beaches, animals in the trees (we even spotted a sloth hanging out near the pool😀), sunny days, tropical rains and gorgeous sunsets. Michele and her team (Carlos, Argentina & Bella) are such wonderful and generous hosts - each of them made our time at Casa Uvita so memorable. We can hardly wait to return and unplug! Sasha & Jackson

10/10 Excellent

Gayla S., null

16 June 2022

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

Best stay of our Costa Rican Adventure!!

Two families (8 of us) recently traveled to Costa Rica. We stayed in 5 places and without hesitation CASA UVITA was our favorite! All the reviews were so correct - the property manager was fabulous and helped us so much with booking great tours in the area. So glad we went with her recommendations. We all fell in love with this house within the first 15 minutes of arriving and our feeling only increased as we explored the property, hiked to the nearby river, ate at the wonderful cafe, and experienced the wildlife around the property. We saw more monkeys and parrots at this property than during many of our formal tours! We could not recommend this property more highly!

Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edwin S., Heredia, Costa Rica

16 September 2021

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

Nature immersion instantly!

If you ever wonder what it's like to feel a direct connection with nature, then this place is for you! Within 5 minutes you go from feeling the white sand in your feet to immerse yourself into the wilderness where the house is located. From monkeys and toucans to hummingbirds and butterflies, flora and fauna in different sizes and colors create an experience for all your senses. The house had everything we needed to have a comfortable stay, a clean pool, amazing ocean view, very close to supermarkets and restaurants (make sure you visit Scala, great atmosphere and food) and Reneé prepared breakfast for us, we loved it!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chandra B.

13 February 2018

Beautiful, eco conscious home

Beautiful home overlooking Playa Uvita. The caretakers were wonderful and we really enjoyed our stay. A word of caution- The howler monkeys are not reliable alarm clocks. The one morning we were scheduled for an early birding tour at Oro Verde (highly recommended- even for nonbirders like us) - the monkeys skipped the 5 am wake up call! Really fun spot. We loved watching the wildlife and visiting just a handful of the many amazing, beautiful spots in the area. Wish we could have stayed for weeks!

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

9 January 2017

Beautiful and amazing solar home with wonderful views and hostess

We just left Casa Uvita and are so sad that we have to go home. It was the perfect magical home for our family's vacation. It is off the grid, and completely sustainable with solar power and springfed water. The pool is beautiful and overlooks the jungle and ocean, with howler monkeys climbing about in the trees surrounding it. The house is comfortable and clean, with a well-stocked kitchen and anything you might need. You will need to remember that this is a solar home and to use your energy wisely, but for us that just made the house more special. The owner, Michelle, was an amazing hostess and worked to make our trip memorable. She really went out of her way to make sure that we had an wonderful time. We will definitely be back!

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2017

10/10 Excellent

Condy F.

25 July 2019

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

A week in paradise!

When we arrived Michelle gave us a tour of the house. It’s the only place I’ve ever stayed that brought tears to my eyes because it’s so beautiful! I was so overwhelmed. Our stay for the next five days was a dream. Listening to howler monkeys at 5:00 am, watching the monkeys in the trees, enjoying the birds, laying by the pool or our balcony. We stopped at a nearby grocery so was able to make our own breakfast and lunch. There Is a waterfall nearby Johnny can drive you to the walk through the jungle with you. It’s so worth the hike! The beaches near by are stunning. We had a car so could drive to beaches. Went to Dominical one day and enjoyed that. Michelle is a great host and lives in a house next to the rental so is there for any questions. We SO want to come back! We highly recommend this. Really is a dream place to stay.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Criss B.

23 March 2016

Our stay at Casa Uvita

We had a very nice experience at Casa Uvita. Michele and her staff were very attentive and happy to help us get the most of our time in Uvita. The kitchen was stocked with start up necessities and the the house itself was very clean. I would advise that if you need silence to sleep bring ear plugs etc. the Howler monkeys mace a lot of jungle music early in the morning. I got used to it at the end of our stay. I highly recommend asking Carlos to take you to the waterfall at the end of Casa Uvita's road. I would also recommend spending more time hiking right around the immediate area to spot wild life. You can do it on your own time frame and it's free! Try to plan your trip here at the coolest temperature time frame that you can.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia M.

5 March 2025

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

Exceeded our Costa Rica Dreams

Casa Uvita was all we had hoped for when we planned our trip to Costa Rica! In choosing a house, we were impressed with the commitment to sustainability and the natural surroundings. When we arrived, it was clear that we got that and more. We were truly immersed in nature on all side: Birds, butterflies, monkeys, lizards, and an amazing diversity of plants. Each of the porches provides a different perspective of the beauty of Costa Rica. The front is a garden with many flowering plants that attract butterflies. As a butterfly fan, I was in heaven. (I guess if you live in CR you get used to the blue morphos) but they never ceased to excite and delight me.)Both sides of the house are in the jungle. It was fun to watch the monkeys as they traveled through. The upstairs side porch provides an eye-level view of the activity in the trees. From the upstairs back porch there is an ocean view, which is especially nice for sunset. In addition to the natural beauty, the house is amazing. Beautifully decorated with art and textiles, a well equipped kitchen, a library with fiction as well as field guides, comfy beds, great bathrooms. The house is designed to maximize breezes and natural light. We enjoyed the outdoor dining area for all of our meals. The patio and pool were great areas to relax. The pool was cleaned every day. Our host Michelle was very friendly and responsive. I'd like to say more but it seems I'm exceeding my space. I just can't say enough about the joy of Casa Uvita!

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

natalie s.

19 April 2017

Absolutely beautiful!

Our family of 6 (kids ages 14, 13, 12 and 8) had the most amazing time staying at Casa Uvita. Michelle is a beautiful person that cares so much about making your stay perfect. She helped us with all of our excursions an has so much knowledge about Costa Rica and the local secrets. Her house is spotless and so comfortable. I miss taking a shower with views of the ocean and jungle. The ocean breeze was refreshing and add that with the surrounding jungle full of sloths, howler monkey's, parrots, toucans and SO MUCH MORE!!! It was so beautiful and fun for the kids. The first thing they did in the morning (5:30 am) was jump in the pool. The last thing they did before bed was jump in the pool. :) We are recommending this house to all of our friends. Out of our 3 visits to Costa Rica, Casa Uvita was hands down the best house rental yet!!

10/10 Excellent

Janet M.

11 February 2024

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

Beautiful home away from the crowds

Our group of four just loved this vacation home and it's owner Michelle. The home is surrounded by the jungle and lots of Costa Rican wildlife. We loved the many different areas to relax in and around the house. The furniture was very comfortable, the kitchen was well equipped, and the beds were fantastic as well! A big bonus was the boogie boards and beach chairs available for use. As recommended by Michelle, we hiked the trail on the property to the beautiful river. It was a great experience but it was a workout! We spent also spent a lot of time in the pool - it too was lovely. We saw monkeys, an ant-eater, Scarlet Macaws, parrots and numerous other birds. I highly recommend having breakfast in the little cafe on the property. Rene is a fabulous cook and she prepared a wonderful breakfast for us on our last morning. The house is off the grid but we had no problems and always had power. The ceiling fans did a great job keeping us cool while we slept. We just loved Casa Uvita and will definitely return!

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jon E.

30 December 2018

Paradise in Costa Rica

Casa Uvita is true paradise. The home is beautiful, well maintained and tucked away in the mountains surrounded by jungle with an amazing view of the south pacific ocean. Every day we saw monkeys, birds, and other wildlife from one of the many outdoor living areas. The pool was a huge hit with the boys. Michele is a wonderful hostess who helped us schedule fabulous local tours to include horseback riding, fishing and kayaking. She also provided advice on different beaches and the best times to visit during our stay. Her knowledge of the local area was exceptional and extremely helpful for our daily excursions. Johnny, the caretaker at Casa Uvita, guided us one afternoon to a local waterfall and swimming hole which we had all to ourselves! If you’re looking for peaceful tranquility and blissful seclusion in Costa Rica, look no further and stay here, you will not be disappointed! Thanks Michele and Johnny for an unforgettable family vacation! It was truly hard to leave. We will be back! Pura Vida!

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

CanoraKevin P.

14 December 2015

Unbelievable Luxury in the Jungle

Casa Uvita was an unvelievable joy to stay at. What luxury right in the middle of the jungle. The owner has designed a gorgeous, very high end getaway. We were a family of 4 (mom, dad, teenage son and 10 year old daughter) and felt like we had hit the jackpot to stay here. Grounds were gorgeous, pool so refreshing, kitchen a delight, owner and staff available to help with any need. My husband even had the fun of surfing with the owner and her friends. We couldn't have asked for more. House was 5 minutes from a perfect beach (silky sand, warm temperatures, great beginner/intermediate surfing waves). Uvitas has everything you need and Dominical (20 min away) has the great upscale hippie vibe. And, if you are missing your own pets, the owner has her own that will come and visit (but very well behaved) if you'd like. Truly perfection! Only thing to know is this is a solar house - so, don't leave the fridge open, turn off all lights except what you are using at night, charge electronics during the day. Wasn't difficult - just had to be aware.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

judy S.

11 January 2015

Amazing home and host

We were looking for a private setting where we could enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica, with our family, and we found it at Casa Uvita. We've visited Costa Rica many times and this is by far one of our favorite spots. The open design of the home allowed us to feel part of the environment and enjoy the splendid view of the ocean. The wildlife around us was truly spectacular. Howler and white faced monkeys, sloths, toucans and a variety of other birds greeted us. The location is close enough to the ocean ( 5 Minutes), yet far enough away to allow a quiet retreat. On the days we didn't hit the beach, we lounged around the pool and enjoyed the serenity of the rain forest. The home is tastefully decorated and can easily accommodate a family of six. If you choose to make your own meals the kitchen has everything. We found the gas grill to be a bonus. Michele and her staff kept the property immaculate. They made sure we had everything we needed. They took us to explore "hidden treasures" within the area. Michele provided awesome suggestions on places to check out, she certainly has a wealth of knowledge about Costa Rica. We would love to return to this special place.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robin B., Berkeley

29 January 2014

Rustic Nature Setting or Luxury? At Casa Uvita You Can Have It All!

Wow, Casa Uvita was all we hoped for from reading the reviews, and more! First, the house itself is gorgeous. It is amazing to be in such a remote and eco-conscious place, completely off the grid, and yet experience such luxury. Secondly, the setting is fabulous. Just sitting on the deck, taking in the view and the sights and sounds of the jungle, was all we needed to make our vacation a huge success. We saw wonderful birds, monkeys and even a sloth – no need to go to a crowded park; it was all right there in our front and back yard! The wildlife is especially amazing at dusk and dawn – we really miss waking to the sounds of the howler monkeys! If you want to do more (though you don’t really need to in order to have a great visit), there are so many options – beautiful hikes, picture postcard perfect beaches, waterfalls and swimming holes all to yourself, kayak and snorkeling adventures, and great restaurants (though we mostly ate in – the store is right at the bottom of the road, the kitchen is lovely and there is an outdoor BBQ). And these are just the things we managed to fit into 4 days at Casa Uvita – we need to come back and stay longer! The best part: our hostess, Michele, was so warm, welcoming and happy to help us plan our days of adventure. We never would have discovered a fraction of the area on our own. She will tell you the best place to hike at low tide, the best beach spot for the sunset, the best guides in the area, the best restaurants, whatever your heart desires. Her sense of wonder, excitement and passion for protecting the environment are infectious. Thank you, Michele, for the best visit to Costa Rica imaginable!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joanne A.

24 February 2016

Beautiful off-grid home immersed in nature with ocean views

We enjoyed 2 spectacular weeks at Casa Uvita. The house, forest and views were every bit as spectacular as advertised. We didn't expect such a warm welcome from our hosts; they made us feel comfortable, welcome and safe the whole trip. Michelle lent us two of her bicycles to go with her on a morning cycling trip (I was a bit hesitant at first given the last time I was on a bike was over 20 years ago – but it was super fun!). My favourite part of the morning was getting to see and take some great photos of the Scarlet Macaws having their breakfast in the trees. We also had the opportunity to use Michelle’s boogie boards to catch a few waves. Casa Uvita is a luxury house in a jungle setting that is off the grid and fully run on solar power. We loved that we could be close to nature, while leaving a light footprint. The weather was very hot when we were there and we found that the fans and cross-breezes through the house kept us comfortable at night for sleeping, however, if you are looking for cold, air-conditioned rooms, then this probably isn’t be the place for you in the high season. The pool was amazing! It felt refreshing all day in the heat, and at night, when the air cooled off, it almost felt warm. We just loved it! Every morning we'd wake up with the howler monkeys and enjoy coffee on the deck, watching the toucans and parrots play. The town and beaches are all close and comfortable (just make sure you rent a 4x4 :) ). There are stunning nature walks right around the property, including 2 stunning waterfalls and many inspiring ocean views. Michelle and her team were 'above and beyond' generous with their time and knowledge - we arrived as customers, but left as friends.

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B.

27 March 2023

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

Breathtaking home, great location and most generous host ever!

As all the other reviewers have mentioned, this place is magical. Michele has preserved a unique space in the wild, as much of the surrounding area of Uvita continues to grow and further develop into the forest. Her space is quiet, filled with wildlife and a welcoming atmosphere for you to explore as you wish. Within the first days, we saw a sloth, toucans, howler monkeys, basilisk lizards, katydids, toads and so many beautiful birds surrounding the home. To get there from the main road, we drove up a short hill (5+ minutes) through the trees and jungle canopy to the property (easy to find signage all along the way). Michele was there to greet us and help answer any questions as soon as we arrived -- with a platter of cookies in tow! My kids fell in love with this place immediately. I travelled with my two children (ages 7 and 10) and mother, and we were beyond comfortable in the spacious bedrooms and beautiful porches that wrap around the property. The pool was perfect for cooling down at the end of an adventurous day. The location of this property was also incredibly convenient if you want to stay in one place, and have lots at your fingertips. Lovely beaches, horseback riding and other excursions just 10 minutes away, and an incredible tour of the mangroves in Sierpe just 1 hour drive (highly recommend!). So much to see and do, but without needing to spend lots of time in the car to get there. There are also plenty of restaurants (all with many dietary options), bakeries, well-stocked grocery stores, banks for anything you might need during your trip. Throughout our time, Michele was always available to help with recommendations, arranging bookings and connecting with great local guides who know the area best. Don't pass up the chance to stay here -- it was a gift to meet Michele and visit this magical place she has stewarded. Thank you for everything!

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol P., West Olive

14 March 2014

Just what we were looking for

We are coming to the end of our month at Casa Uvita, and we will be sad to go. It has been an amazing adventure! And a true home away from home. As we round the corner coming up the mountain and see the beautiful flowers cascading over the bank, we know we are back to our refuge. The house is beautifully designed to make you feel like you are a part of the rain forest--almost like being outside all the time. The wood floors and ceilings and woodwork and furniture are exquisite--and immaculately clean! The daily light housekeeping was far from light! The best treat was just sitting on whatever deck had the best ocean breezes at the moment and watching and listening to the forest life around us. Howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, toucans, aracaris, mealy parrots, and even a Scarlet Macaw. We could hear the sound of the surf, even from our bed. Owls hooted at night. Just a short drive down the mountain and across the highway and we could walk the long beach out to the whale's tale at low tide. It was the perfect place for swimming, as the waves were minimal. Michele was a great host, always ready to help with anything we needed, and wanting to make our stay perfect. Consuelo, besides keeping everything so spotless, taught us how to make tortillas and pizza dough and chicken asado. Gerardo found the sloth for us, whenever it was around. Alison was a joy, practicing her English on us. And Keylor has the internet connection in great working order! We even shared some "extended family" meals together. The Uvita/Ojochal/Dominical area has many fine restaurants. Michele will be happy to pass on our recommendations. We can't imagine a better place to have started learning to be retired.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Benoit T.

2 April 2017

Lovely vacation but...

We spent one week in casa uvita in family with our two boys. It was great to live into the wild life, watching animals and wonderful view on the pacific. Antonio is a great cooker, all was trully wonderful. The house is bigger than the pictures let appear. All was there to spend memorable vacation but we haven't been warned of the dangers of the area, and especially on the beaches of Marino Ballena parc. And at the end of our holidays, we have been attacked by two savages on playa Arco. They were masked and had machetes. We were threatened with death, and rubbers stole our baggs with money, credit card, driving license, passports, and professional camera with all our souvenirs. I have been hurted, and one of our children escaped into the rain forest... we had news of him one hour after the attack. Paradise became an horror movie ! It happened in February, and we are still shocking. Police has done nothing to find the rubbers, the locals from the first house were not helpfull, but fortunately, a group of tourist next house were very kind and helpfull with us. We still don't understand why we have nerver been alerted about the dangers of the area, especially on the beaches. We told to Antonio on the morning we wanted to go on playa Arco, we told to the guard of the parc, nobody told us Arco is very dangerous... and we were in family ! We can't believe that locals didn't know these attacks since three monthes on playa Arco. So be very very vigilant on Marina Ballena, some guys are hidden with machetes to steal you, we aren't only one to have this kind of bad experience ! Our trip have been ruined.

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2017

10/10 Excellent

Barbara G.

6 August 2023

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

Casa espectacular en medio de la selva con vistas al mar

La casa es maravillosa! En un entorno precioso, en medio de la selva y con vistas al mar. Amplias habitaciones, todo tipo de detalles, y terrazas fantásticas con inmejorables vistas. Michelle, la propietaria, es un encanto, siempre dispuesta a ayudar. Recomendable 100%!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

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