This holiday home places you steps from Playa Ballena and within a 10-minute stroll of Arco Beach. Highlights at this beachfront holiday home include a kitchen, a private pool and a washing machine. .Home features 4 bathrooms, a balcony and a living room. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge and a stovetop. A dining area, a coffee/tea maker and a hairdryer are also available. .Sights within a 10-minute drive of this Ballena holiday home include Marino Ballena National Park and Ventanas Beach.
Marino Ballena National Park - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
Uvita Beach - 8 min drive - 7.4 km
Playa Tortuga - 14 min drive - 10.3 km
Restaurants
Pizzeria La Fogata - 8 min drive
Restaurante Heliconia - 8 min drive
The Bakery - 8 min drive
Sibu - 7 min drive
Pizza Time - 6 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access
El Ballenato
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This spectacular beachfront hacienda is just what you and your family and friends are looking for during your Costa Rican vacation. There is so much space, so many awesome amenities, and so many things to do that you'll never want to leave! First thing, throw down your bags, crack open a frosty beverage, and stretch out in the enormous open-concept living space in the main house. You'll love the natural worked-wood supporting beams, the spiral staircase corkscrewing up into the second level, the beautiful floors, and the flood of natural light cascading through huge windows. The beautiful kitchen is equipped with everything your family chefs need to turn today's catch into a veritable feast. Enjoy it out on the expansive lanai with cold drinks and lively conversation then drift off to sleep in the super-comfortable hammock. When you're not down at the beach (just steps away), cool down in the private outdoor pool.
Next to the main house, through the private garden and treeline is a beautiful two-story tropical villa with an open kitchen, natural worked-wood rooms, and balconies where you can choose if you want to take a glance at the pool, the beautiful trees, and surrounding jungles or the amazing blue ocean just in front of you!
What's nearby: Spend your afternoon swimming across the water, or take a surfboard out to catch some waves. Feeling a little rusty? Head over to Surf Lessons Tour, just five miles away, to get some solid instruction on riding stance, balance control, and wave-catching from knowledgeable and friendly instructors. If you'd prefer to get a little farther out on the water, check out Dolphin Tours to book a trip along the shore to find dolphins and whales. You can also see moray eels and white tip reef sharks when you go under for a bit of snorkeling! Baru Waterfalls Tours is only 19 miles away and offers trips to see a three-tiered waterfall tucked away in a South Pacific jungle. You might even be visited by the occasional Toucan while dining out at the seasonal open-air restaurant.
The property has direct access to the beach that is part of the National Park! Walking distance to a short hike at Playa Arco. The beach changes a lot during high tide, you can enjoy the beach at low tide.
Things to know: *Almost no cellphone coverage No Wifi available Two full kitchens Two separate oceanfront beach houses connected by a natural trail Private pool Snowbird-friendly (contact Vacasa for rates) 4WD vehicle required for access
Parking notes: There is free parking available for 4 vehicles. This rental is located on floor 2.
Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 18 years of age to book. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.
Note from host: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Optional golf privileges
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Whale watching nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Garden
Property located in a resort
Unit size: 3,000 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Rules
For information about quiet hours, please refer to the listing description.
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit in all accommodation.
Property is also known as
38993
Frequently asked questions
Are there any beaches close to Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access?
Yep, Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access is a short 6-minute walk from Arco Beach.
Fun beach activities include snorkelling, scuba diving and body boarding. You can also find motor boats.
Does Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access have a pool?
Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access has a pool.
Is there a private hot tub at Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access?
No, but there is a private pool.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access?
No, Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access does not offer an airport shuttle service.
What time are check-in & check-out at Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Are pets allowed at Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access?
No, pets are not allowed.
Breathtaking beachfront house w/ private pool, lanai, balcony & beach access Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 8 reviews
10 - Excellent
4
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 8 reviews
8 - Good
3
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 8 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 8 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
9.4/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
2/10 Terrible
Gabe F.
22 Jul 2025
Gabe F.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Emeline J.
25 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing property, needs TLC
We had 2 families stay together on this property for a week and it was gorgeous!! Don’t get me wrong, there are some things that need a little work, but it was a great adventure. We stayed very busy, but spent some time at the house too since it was rainy season.Things that were not advertised— oven doesn’t work( We had to cook stovetop the entire time); they have a bat problem (which I was told was taken care of); holes in the screen (hence the bat problem) that could easily be fixed; The road getting to the house is almost impossible!! We had 2 Subaru 4x4’s and it was tough. Again, rainy season and they roads were flooded. Even without the water the holes are insane!! If you can get a jeep or SUV, you will be better.There is a resident cat (we named her Dora because she is an explorer) that we were unsure of at first. TRUST ME- you want Dora around. She is really sweet and she hunts ( if you know what I mean).The caretaker next door, Francisco, is absolutely adorable and so kind!! He doesn’t speak much English, but he had fun trying to communicate with our teenagers. He has a dog, Roki that visits too (he likes belly rubs).Overall, the experience was great and it was the adventure we were looking for!!
Emeline J.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Leslie S., Albuquerque, NM
3 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous but lacking
Pros:
Superlative location for nature, beach is practically private, wildlife everywhere, impeccable grounds!
Our party of 5 only used the large house by the pool.
Great WiFi but no cellular service
Caretaker Francisco lives onsite.
All windows have only small-mesh screens (no glass) so the surf can be heard and the breeze felt everywhere.
We saw no mosquitoes or any biting bugs in December.
Cons:
Half mile entrance road is very rough and muddy, needs attention.
The doors on the house are falling off the hinges.
Dim indoor and outdoor lighting, not suitable for reading a book or playing board games.
Only one narrow spiral staircase to the second floor, dangerous in case of fire and impossible to carry suitcases to upstairs.
Doors on the house lock only from the inside!
Wood floors inside are smooth and dangerously slippery, even in flip flops or barefoot.
Getting to the beach is treacherous, 15 meters of loose river rocks sloping down towards the water.
Kitchen is not well-stocked with utensils.
Half the living room furniture was broken and unusable.
Leslie S.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
JoAnn C.
18 Jan 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place to get away
We had so much fun and we loved it! Highly recommend this place.