An infinity pool frames sweeping jungle-to-ocean views and the iconic Whale’s Tail at this 3-bedroom luxury villa near San José. Enjoy a swim-up bar, tropical gardens, and a yoga palapa for six guests.
Highlights
- Infinity pool overlooking the iconic Whale’s Tail
- Ocean-view pool bar
- Outdoor dining and lounge areas
- Private tropical gardens
- Yoga palapa
- Barbecue grill
- Jungle-to-ocean views
- Frequent wildlife sightings
- Personalized assistance with activities, transportation, dining, and local experiences
The Space
Perched high above the Southern Pacific coast in Escaleras, Ballena Royale is a private luxury villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the legendary Whale’s Tail.
Start the day with coffee overlooking the ocean, spend the afternoon in the infinity pool, and unwind in the private garden bathtub as the sun sets over the jungle and coastline.
Ballena Royale is a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom villa in the Escaleras mountains, situated between the surf town of Dominical and the whale-watching hub of Uvita. The property offers sweeping jungle-to-ocean views.
Every main area faces the Pacific, including:
- The dining area
- All three bedrooms
- The swimming pool
- The palapa
- The infinity pool bar
The distinctive pool features curves inspired by the Pacific coastline, while its infinity edge appears to blend into the ocean beyond. A shaded swim-up bar allows you to enjoy a cool drink without leaving the water.
Toucans and monkeys frequently pass through the surrounding trees. You may also encounter Zoë, a three-toed sloth who has made the poolside trees part of her territory for six years. She comes and goes on her own schedule but is present many days, so longer stays offer better chances of seeing her. During whale season, boat tours from nearby Uvita provide opportunities to see humpback whales.
Outdoor Living
Ballena Royale is designed for enjoying the outdoors. Sit at the patio bar, relax on a lounge chair or hammock while listening to the sounds of nature, or begin the morning with yoga in the palapa.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- The master suite is located on the main floor and includes a king bed, garden bathtub, and shower. You can soak while listening to the sounds of the jungle.
- Upstairs, two additional bedrooms are separated by a balcony.
- One bedroom has a king bed that can be converted into two twin beds.
- The other bedroom features a queen bed and an indoor bathtub.
- All three bedrooms have air conditioning and private en-suite bathrooms.
The villa accommodates up to six guests.
Kitchen and Amenities
The well-equipped kitchen includes a granite countertop with ample space for preparing meals, a dishwasher, and a dining table that seats eight. A grill is available in the patio kitchen.
Additional amenities include:
- Wi-Fi
- Flat-screen television
- Washer and dryer
- Gated entrance
- Multi-car garage
Power outages can occur in the jungle, so the villa is equipped with solar panels and a backup battery to keep essential systems operating when the grid goes down.
On-Site Staff
On-site staff keep the property clean and well maintained. They live in separate private accommodations away from the villa.
Location and Transportation
The villa is located high in the Escaleras mountains, providing its panoramic views and privacy. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required year-round. Assistance is available with four-wheel-drive rentals, private transportation, and local drivers.
Once you arrive, many conveniences are close by. A small complex is located 3 to 4 minutes away, or 1.1 kilometers, and includes:
- Scala, one of the area’s top-rated restaurants
- Alexa’s Market for basic groceries
- Sibu Café for breakfast
Ballena Royale is less than 10 minutes from the coastal highway and within easy reach of:
- Playa Dominicalito
- Playa Hermosa de Osa
- Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
- Marino Ballena National Park, home to the famous Whale’s Tail sandbar
Day Trips
Ballena Royale provides a convenient base for exploring Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific coast.
- Manuel Antonio National Park is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes north, with beaches, trails, and abundant wildlife.
- About the same distance south, Sierpe offers river cruises through mangrove forests. Boats departing from Sierpe also travel to Caño Island and Corcovado National Park.
Property Management and Guest Services
YouGetHere Property Management services Ballena Royale. The dedicated team can assist with:
- Check-in and check-out
- Tour reservations
- Chef recommendations
- In-home massage appointments
- Car rentals
- Shuttle services
YouGetHere’s staff is available by phone or email to help throughout your stay.
Important Information
- Four-wheel drive is required year-round.
- On-site staff maintain the property and live in separate private accommodations away from the main villa.
Guest reviews
4.8
· 55 reviews
5.0
Cleanliness
4.9
Accuracy
4.8
Communication
4.9
Location
4.9
Check-in
4.8
Value
What guests are saying
5
Melissa
1 year ago
The villa was everything and more! We were able to see Zoe the sloth, every morning and got some great pictures. We were given so many great restaurant recommendations, each place was wonderful. The hosts were always responsive, kind, and helpful. Would highly recommend a stay here!
Host replied
5
Ashley
1 year ago
Just like the pictures! We had a wonderful 5 night stay before heading off to another part of Costa Rica. Our host was very responsive prior to our stay and during. We felt very safe and at home in the secluded house with the most beautiful view you could ask for. The road is a little tricky getting up but we got used to it quickly. Many things to do in the area within 15-30 min. We loved our stay and couldn’t have asked for anything more!
Host replied
5
Melissa
1 year ago
This was our third trip to Costa Rica and this house did not disappoint. It is about a 15 min drive up the mountain to the home but the view is worth it without a doubt. You are surrounded by nature and amazing views of the ocean. The power does occasionally go out due to bad storms but they have a solar backup which helps keep most things running. The longest stretch without was only for a few hours but the solar backup powers most things. With that said, I’d still absolutely recommend this home. The resident sloth on property was always so fun to see. We also saw many birds including toucans. The views of the ocean are unreal. The kitchen is so well-equipped and the outdoor kitchen was so nice to cook dinners at. You also feel very secure as the home is gated. Showering in the master outdoor shower is a real treat. You feel like you’re just standing in the middle of the rainforest. All in all, would recommend this home.
3
Jennifer
1 year ago
House was lovely. Unable to use majority of amenities 6 out of 7 nights of our stay due to excessive power outages. Solar panels only provide power for a few interior lights and water for a few hours. We were without power, WiFi, air conditioning, phone charging abilities, and almost all lights 6-12 hours every night except for 1. After 3-4pm, forget about power and amenities until the next morning. We also couldn’t utilize the pool because there are no outdoor lights when the power is out. Host is extremely slow to respond and zero help. Screenshot everything because the only information about the house is online, the wifi is out regularly and cell service is impossible. The house itself is truly beautiful. We loved seeing the wildlife, we saw Zoe the sloth, a pair of monkeys and a pair of toucans on the property. Overall, we would have picked a different location if we had known how often we would be sitting in the dark.
Host replied
5
Tess
1 year ago
My family and I had great vacation in this beautiful property AGAIN!!! Yes second time around and we enjoy is as much as the first time. We had the amazing opportunity to have Zoe (the slot) sleeping and eating all week from a tree next to the pool. Besides birds, squirrels and butterflies spending their time around the property. Love our time at Costa Rica and will come back for sure.
5
Denise
1 year ago
The host went above and beyond, very well in communication and made us feel right at home. Coordinated when we needed some cleaning done during our stay and assisted when picking up our vehicle took much longer than expected after our designated check in. They made sure we were able to find the location of the property since we came in the middle of the night. would love to come and stay again in the future.
5
Genesis
2 years ago
The place was beautiful and definitely worth the money. While we did have someone guide us to the home on our first night, it is a difficult ride up. When we arrived, unfortunately the home was not ready due to human error but regardless the housekeepers and everyone at YouGetHere were very proactive and accommodating. They were all great communicators and apologized profusely for the delay in checking in. Everything went very smoothly and we felt very safe and relaxed in the home. The views were incredible and we had a sloth by the name of Zoey as our neighbor. Thanks to everyone who made our stay very peaceful and lovely! We appreciated it very much.
5
Adam
2 years ago
What can I say. The hospitality industry could learn a thing or two from YouGetHere. Super responsive, amazing upkeep on accommodations. Helpful recommendations for food and activities and even set several of them up for us. Very impressed with this organization and their homes are top notch.
5
Dana
2 years ago
Great vacation rental! The home was everything we’re looking for in a Costa Rican getaway - comfortable, private, beautiful and spectacular views! Hope to come back soon.
5
Laci
2 years ago
I can not recommend this location enough , it was one of my all time favorite places we have ever been! The sloth by the pool was definitely one of my favorite! The place was beautiful and clean. It was luxurious and beautiful and amazing. We came at a time that the whales tails was down and easy to see. Would definitely come back again. Would recommend staying a full week. Plenty of places to eat close and plenty of things to do local. AMAZING vaca❤️
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