Uvita house rental - Villa Kristina Maria, a relaxing tropical retreat in the rainforest.
Villa Kristina Maria, a relaxing tropical retreat in the rainforest.
 
Uvita house rental - Villa Kristina Maria, a relaxing tropical retreat in the rainforest.

Villa Kristina Maria, a relaxing tropical retreat in the rainforest.

Villa Kristina Maria is nestled in the rainforest.

Villa Kristina Maria is nestled in the rainforest.

Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters). Views also include Isle Ballena and Cano Island.

Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters). Views also include Isle Ballena and Cano Island.

Spacious open floorplan, wood beam ceilings, bamboo furniture, lots of windows.

Spacious open floorplan, wood beam ceilings, bamboo furniture, lots of windows.

Sparkling tiled swimming pool features a rock waterfall in a lush setting.

Sparkling tiled swimming pool features a rock waterfall in a lush setting.

Living room is surrounded by windows with views of the ocean, islands, & jungle.

Living room is surrounded by windows with views of the ocean, islands, & jungle.

DIning room, kitchen, breakfast bar - open floorplan

DIning room, kitchen, breakfast bar - open floorplan

Relax on the decks and enjoy views of the rainforest, ocean, islands & wildlife.

Relax on the decks and enjoy views of the rainforest, ocean, islands & wildlife.

The Rancho (covered outdoor entertainment deck) has a wet bar & lounge chairs.

The Rancho (covered outdoor entertainment deck) has a wet bar & lounge chairs.

Enjoy a cocktail at the Rancho bar next to the swimming pool and waterfall.

Enjoy a cocktail at the Rancho bar next to the swimming pool and waterfall.

View of Isle Ballena

View of Isle Ballena

Large upstairs master suite has a sitting area, desk, deck, & awesome views.

Large upstairs master suite has a sitting area, desk, deck, & awesome views.

Master Bedroom Deck overlooks the rainforest, ocean, islands, and Osa Peninsula

Master Bedroom Deck overlooks the rainforest, ocean, islands, and Osa Peninsula

Downstairs master bedroom has a private bathroom with a tub/shower & 2 sinks.

Downstairs master bedroom has a private bathroom with a tub/shower & 2 sinks.

Bedroom #3 overlooks the pool and waterfall, has a deck, and ocean & island view

Bedroom #3 overlooks the pool and waterfall, has a deck, and ocean & island view

Bedroom #4 has a deck, and views of the rainforest, ocean & islands

Bedroom #4 has a deck, and views of the rainforest, ocean & islands

Heliconias are among the abundant tropical flowers at Villa Kristina Maria

Heliconias are among the abundant tropical flowers at Villa Kristina Maria

  • Bedrooms4
  • Sleeps9
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • 1 Half Bath
 

Photos and Description of the Uvita vacation house rental
House, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 9) + Detached Studio Cabin (Sleeps 2)

This craftsman inspired tropical home is nestled on 3.75 acres in the rainforest overlooking Marino Ballena National Park in Bahia Ballena, just south of the town of Uvita. Located in a gated wildlife reserve with 100+ acres of natural rainforest. The panoramic views of the ocean, Isla Ballena, Cano Island, Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters), Osa Peninsula, and the rainforest will take your breath away!

Built in 2008, Villa Kristina Maria sleeps 9 people in 4 spacious bedrooms (including two master suites), 3.5 bathrooms, 2250 sq. ft. of indoor living space plus 1500+ sq. ft. of wraparound decks with lounge chairs and rocking chairs for relaxing and soaking in the scenery. Each bedroom has a queen size bed, and the upstairs master bedroom also has a single bed in the sitting area.

A separate and private casita (Casita Kristina Maria) may be rented separately, if available, at $475/week for 2 additional people. The casita is furnished with a queen sized bed, a kitchenette with stainless steel appliances and a table and chairs, bathroom with a tiled shower, air conditioner, ceiling fans, bamboo furniture, and a deck with adirondack chairs for relaxing and taking in the phenomenal views of the ocean, islands, and rainforest.

Relax as you sip a margarita in the sparkling tiled swimming pool that features a rock waterfall in a lushly landscaped setting. An adjacent poolside Rancho (palapa) includes a wetbar, bamboo bar stools, lounge chairs and a ceiling fan.

This home offers a private location with a spacious open floorplan, lots of windows with screens, ceiling fans in every room and on the decks, and an air conditioner in downstairs bedroom (although it is rarely needed because it also has a ceiling fan and is cooled by ocean and mountain breezes).

Tropically furnished with locally crafted bamboo furniture and beautiful artwork by local Costa Rican artisans. The bedrooms each have a queen sized bed, pillowtop mattress, bamboo headboard, armoire wardrobe and chair, and a deck with a ceiling fan, rocking chair, and views of the ocean, islands and jungle.

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, tropical designed dishes, a breakfast bar, and is fully equipped with a toaster, electric coffee maker, blender, pots and pans, linens and cooking utensils.

The dining room has an oval bamboo dining table that seats 8, or dine al fresco at the bamboo table on the deck.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, including howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, white-nosed coati mundis (racoon family), agoutis, iguanas, toucans, parrots, and other many other exotic birds, beautiful butterflies including the spectacular blue morpho, frogs, and other jungle wildlife. Hike to nearby waterfalls in the reserve, relax in a lounge chair or read a book in a comfortable bamboo rocking chair on the deck.

Minutes to beautiful tropical beaches where the jungle meets the shore, and the ocean temperatures range from 80-85 degrees year round!

Convenient to delicious restaurants in Uvita, Ojochal and Dominical, banks, grocery and convenience stores, gas station, and a multitude of nearby activities that include swimming, surfing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, zipline canopy tours, hiking, exploring ocean caves and rainforest waterfalls, ATV tours, learning about jungle flora and fauna at Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge, Don Lulo's horseback riding tour to Nauyaca Waterfalls, visiting Reptilandia, a reptile zoo, and shopping for sourveniers at beachside stalls on Playa Dominical, or at the Community Market in Uvita on Saturday mornings.

To take a virtual tour and view more photos of the property, see the 'Links to more information' below, which includes a link to the main house Villa Kristina Maria, and a link to the Casita.

A 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary. We would be happy to refer you to a reputable and reasonable rental car company, as well as provide you with contact information for making reservations for nearby activities and excursions.

Keywords: House,Villa,Resort,Home,Pool,Swimming Pool,View,Ocean,Jungle,Rainforest,Casa,Beach,Monkeys,Birds,Tropical

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About Kathy Divel, Owner

We live in San Juan Capistrano, in Southern California. Kathy is a real estate broker, and Steve is a general contractor working for a local structural steel company. We have a daughter in her mid-20's, and 3 dogs and a parrot. Two of the dogs, 'Perla' and 'Ballena', we brought home from Costa Rica. Steve surfs, and we enjoy nature and hiking. Our favorite beaches are Playa Ballena at Ballena Beach Club and Playa Ventanas, both in Costa Rica. Our favorite restaurant is Exotica in Ojochal, Costa Rica - their Chicken Exotica is Kathy's favorite, and their 'Devil's Fork' dessert is scrumptious.

Kathy Divel, Owner purchased this house in 2006
Why Kathy Divel, Owner chose Uvita

We fell in love with the beautiful views, gorgeous scenery, and abundant wildlife in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica. The Costa Rican people are so warm and friendly, and made us feel welcome.

Perla de Ballena, the private wildlife reserve in a gated community where Villa Kristina Maria is located, reminds Kathy's mother of Jurassic Park because of its lush landscape and natural environment. Being surrounded by nature is a peaceful and renewing experience.

We purchased the property in December of 2006, designed the home in early 2007, started construction in mid-2007 with Ecomaderas, a local Tico contractor, and completed construction in early 2008.

What makes this house unique

Relax to the sound of the river cascading through rainforest. You'll be lulled to sleep by croaking frogs and the sounds of the jungle at night. Awaken to the distinct roar of howler monkeys as they traverse through the jungle, and the squawking of green parrots flying overhead . At lowtide, and when the surf is big, you can hear the waves crashing on the beach.

Access to Ballena Beach Club is included with the rental. Ballena Beach Club is a beachside restaurant and bar, with a swimming pool, restroom facilities, and a palm-lined trail to Playa Ballena. Playa Ballena is a beautiful tropical swimming and surfing beach with views of Tres Hermanas and Isle Ballena. The water temperature is a warm 80-85 degrees year-round.

Perla de Ballena, the gated community where Villa Kristina Maria is located, is a protected wildlife reserve and an ideal setting for viewing the flora and fauna of the rainforest with acres of primary and secondary rainforest, streams, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

13 Reviews of Property 360199 in Uvita, Costa Rica

Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
average rating of 5.0 based on 13 reviews
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
New Jersey
5

Stunning views, amazing house

5 of 5
Submitted: April 17, 2013 Stayed: February 2013
We are a family of 4 with two small boys aged 2 and 4. We shared Villa Kristina Maria with another family of 4 who have two girls aged 1 and 3. This house was a dream for us. This was our 5th trip to Costa Rica, and our best so far. The house had a lot to do with that, as it is really the kind of place you’d be perfectly happy to never leave. It is really well located, extremely private but close to all the beaches and great restaurants of Ojochal.

It’s on a very well-maintained dirt road that is gated and locked – but in no way has the feeling of a housing development. I really love the Craftsman design of this house which is unlike other Costa Rican rentals you’ll find. It’s absolutely stunning.

The pool is heavenly – though it appears small in the photos, it was the perfect size for us and we loved that it had a ledge all the way around that our kids could sit on. The porches are lovely and the views are amazing. In particular, the upstairs master suite has just breathtaking views, and the huge windows make laying in bed and looking at the stars a very unique experience. The open plan downstairs was perfect for making dinner and keeping an eye on the kids – there was plenty of room for us all to spread out, and the table was big enough for us all to sit together.

We heard howlers every day, had some capuchins visiting by the end of the week, and plenty of toucans. The giant toads are always fun – watch out, they leave dog-size poops by the pool : )
I would stay in this house again in a heartbeat. The only warning I’d offer is that the driveway is extraordinarily steep. Not for the faint of heart and I would recommend an automatic transmission (4x4). Our friend almost rolled down the mountain when she stalled in the middle of the driveway and it was terrifying! But don't let it deter you...this house is totally worth it!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Hi Amy, We're happy to hear that you and your family and friends enjoyed your stay at Villa Kristina Maria. The driveway can be daunting until you get used to it. We have found that using low gear in 4WD is the best and easiest way to navigate the driveway. We have a manual transmission and no shifting is required when we use 4WD in low gear. Alternatively, an automatic transmission in low gear 4WD is fine as well. Pura Vida! Kathy and Steve Divel, Owners
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
5

Beautiful in every way!

5 of 5
Submitted: April 11, 2013 Stayed: March 2013
We had a great experience staying in this wonderful home with our 2 boys (12 and 8)! It is everything it says and more. Waking up in the jungle with the howler monkeys and the toucans outside to greet you is an experience everyone should have at least once, and you get it everyday you are at this home. The couple who manage the house are the best! They will help you with anything you need while at the home as well as some great recommendations of things to do while in the area. We have been to the area 6 times and this is our favorite home by far! We highly recommend Villa Kristina.
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Seattle, WA USA
5

Amazing home in an amazing place

5 of 5
Submitted: January 22, 2013 Stayed: December 2012
We were four adults and three teenagers, stayed here for two weeks. The house and property were even more amazing than the pictures. Not only was there great attention to comfort (plush towels, big bathrooms, convenient kitchen), but the entire house and rancho were artistically decorated with Costa Rican furniture and beautiful art that we could then try to find and take home, mostly found in Dominical. We loved it all. The connection to Ballena Beach Club and Cliff's jungle restaurant were a definite plus (we ate there four times, including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, superb Ahi tuna, and went to the beach from there, showering and using his space to store our things). Two of us were senior citizens and spent time in his bar, while the younger ones went to the beach. We got over our intimidation of the steep drive up to the house quickly. Appreciated the landscaping and pool which is bigger than in pics., enough to cool down in when it's hot. Saw two kinds of monkeys, coaties, toucans from the decks. Ate in Ojochal three times (Exotica, Ylang and the Bavarian place) went to San Isidro to see how Ticos live, several waterfalls, Hacienda Baru ziplining, explored other beaches, Ventana for one. Uvita had everything: two supermarkets, Sat. market, Sonia at the Tourist Office was great for cars, and tours., as was the owner. It was all perfect, best exotic vacation ever. This is where the rain forest begins; further north, as we drove down from San Jose, it looked dry compared to Uvita's lushness. Really got to appreciate the rain forest and its beauty. We were so happy with our choice. Anyone would like Villa Kristina Maria and its location and amenities. Met many expats, but few tourists which is all to the good. Hope to be back to explore the things we missed and will definitely stay here when we do. The road from San Jose was all paved and good. Next time we will drive ourselves instead of being driven from the airport, though that was also nice and fairly reasonable. All the Ticos we met, though few, were incredibly friendly and nice. Cliff, though American, has lived there 18 years was super friendly, would stop by the house or leave notes. Interesting to see the lifestyle available there and have a pretend experience at the Villa. Internet connection was fixed without us calling anyone, everything functioned as intended. Loved the spacious decks and rancho, spent most of our time out there. Wonderful pineapple, breakfast on the deck, fantastic.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Romantic Getaway
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Portland, OR
5

Beautiful House! Amazing jungle and ocean views!!

5 of 5
Submitted: November 30, 2012 Stayed: November 2012
This is a beautiful house with beautiful grounds. You are on a private secluded lot with not a neighbor in sight. The open floor plan inside and out is great for a large group of people. (we had a group of 8) We rented both the house and the casita. Both locations exceeded our expectations. Fresh flowers inside upon our arrive was a nice welcoming touch and it brought a taste of the beautiful jungle inside. We saw toucans, white faced monkeys, poison dart frogs, toads, katydids, coatis, walking stick bugs, humming birds, butterflies, geckos.. and much more. The house was safe and secure. The pool is larger than it appears in the pictures. The driveway is pretty steep so a 4x4 is needed to get in and out, but there is a parking spot above the driveway if you didn't have one. The kitchen was modern, clean and fully stocked with all cooking pans and dishes. Bathrooms were spacious. I would definately recomend this locations to people who want to relax and soak up the noises and sights of the jungle.
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 1/1
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Los Angeles, CA
5

Jungle Paradise!

5 of 5
Submitted: June 27, 2012 Stayed: June 2012
We loved our stay at this house! The flora and fauna around you are impressive! At night we heard frogs and in the mornings we heard/saw monkeys and toucans. The view of the pacific ocean from the multiple decks is incredible and the house is so relaxing and beautiful. The bedroom and bathroom sizes are quite large and very comfortable. The property is tucked away and very private. Everyone in the nearby towns are very friendly and helpful. We highly recommend staying here if you're going on a Costa Rican Adventure!
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Pet-friendly, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 1/1
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Boulder
5

Can't quite believe it was real...

Can't quite believe it was real...
5 of 5
Submitted: March 7, 2012 Stayed: March 2012
We just got home and were still buzzing with how much fun we had. What a special place. The road is steep... so I would suggest avoid very young kids and elderly. We rented a Hyundai Tucson and it was a great car to get up and down. There's no way we could rate our stay less than 5 stars. The wildlife is wonderful in the mornings and the beach club is a big plus. Can't wait to get back for a much longer stay!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 2/2
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
San Francisco
5

Amazing getaway

5 of 5
Submitted: February 8, 2012 Stayed: December 2011
A group of 8 of us rented this property and we have been home a month yet can not stop talking about what an amazing trip we had. The owners thought of everything!!! We stayed 10 days and only went out to eat twice because it was so delightful to go back to the house enjoy the sunset then eat drink and be merry. We found great books and articles on the area in the house making it very easy to navigate the sites.We did day trips to the beach, surfing, ATV tour and OSA Mountain Ziplining but the highlight of the trip was the house and casita. The owner is very responsive to inquires she made the unknown become easy to navigate. We brought games and books and enjoyed the decks all around the house, even though there were 8 of us we all found a cozy spot to relax. The birds and wildlife visited daily even the pool guy was a joy teaching us about lizards and frogs. The house maybe off the beach but the getaway is unbelievable!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 2/2
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Quebec, Canada
5

Perfect base in Costa Rican paradise

5 of 5
Submitted: January 30, 2012 Stayed: January 2012
We stayed in this home for 8 nights and loved every minute. The views are unbelievable from every room and the deck. Every morning and evening became wildlife viewing time--we saw toucans, white faced monkeys and many other creatures without leaving the deck. We were a group of 6 adults and there was ample space for all and even more would have been fine. I would not not hesitate to rent this home again and will likely do so on our next visit to beautiful Costa Rica. The Ballena beach club access is a welcome addition as many of the beaches are tricky to find easy access to and the beach at the club is perfection. The food available at the beach club was fantastic and very good value as was the service there. Our group spent 3 afternoons there during the trip.
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing
Helpful votes: 2/2
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Seattle, WA
5

If nothing else in Costa Rica, spend time at this house!

5 of 5
Submitted: January 2, 2012 Stayed: December 2011
We spent one week here with our family and friends. It was spectacular. This home is way up on the hill overlooking the ocean. You are nestled into the jungle. Yes this means Howler Monkeys woke me each morning at 4am and spider monkeys at 5am but WOW! I got up and saw toucans, monkeys, green parrots, hummingbirds all while sipping coffee. Nighttime brought on the frogs, crickets and bats. The house really belongs in Aspen or Vail, but here it sits in Costa Rica. The pool was lovely and refreshing. We had all the comforts of home right at hand. Nice kitchen, washer dryer, decent wifi, really lovely beds and bathrooms. It was a treat to stay here. Be prepared to 4 wheel it up the road. When we went out it was for the whole day since getting to and from the house did take some doing. The membership and rights to use the Bellena Beach Club really made this a five star experience. You have access to another pool, restaurant (really nice guy named Cliff who owns the place) and a stroll down to the most beautiful beach imaginable. We often went at eleven, spent a few hours on the beach, ate lunch, dunked in the pool and came home to our paradise on the hill exhausted. You really must stay here!
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Pet-friendly, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 4/4
business
Panoramic Ocean, Islands and Rainforest Views - Swimming Pool
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p360199vb
949-496-5675
Uvita Puntarenas
Yorkshire, UK
5

Tropical Paradise

5 of 5
Submitted: June 5, 2011 Stayed: June 2008
The Villa Kristina Maria is a wonderful place to stay, set right in amongst the rainforest, giving you a real sense of being in the middle of nature. The sights and sounds of monkeys, toucans and many more tropical animals waking you up in the morning or leaping through the trees just feet away from the deck, make this home such an idyllic and inspiring retreat. The views are unbeatable, and the peaceful setting of the house makes it hard to tear yourself away from a quiet moment on one of the many outside decks taking in the exhilarating surroundings, or relaxing by the pool. There is so much to do in the area, from swimming and kayaking in the ocean, to ziplining through the tress, or just taking a hike through the rainforest on one of the trails from the house where everywhere you look there is something new and interesting to see. This was without doubt the best vacation I have been on, an unforgettable experience, and the perfect getaway for both the adventurer and those wanting a quiet spot to relax and enjoy nature in a quite spectacular environment. Pura Vida!
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Sightseeing, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 2/2