HONEST HOTEL REVIEW – Whale Tail Hotel Uvita
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Uvita, Costa Rica is one of my favorite places in the world, and that’s because it’s not full of people. This does mean that there aren’t as many choices for accommodations as in other places in Costa Rica. In this post, I’ll give you my unbiased review of the Whale Tail Hotel in Uvita.
About The Whale Tail Hotel
The Whale Tail Hotel is a hotel/hostel located in the city center of Uvita, Costa Rica. It bills itself as a magical place, and I would agree. It’s adjacent to the Whale Tail Brewery, one of my favorite microbreweries in Costa Rica. From Whale Tail you can explore the entire Costa Ballena- from Marino Ballena National Park, Nauyaca Waterfalls, Manuel Antonio National Park, Dominical, and more.
The hotel offers many tours in the area including whale watching, dolphin tours, and waterfall chasing. There are yoga classes, surfing lessons for all levels, and even extreme watersports. I thought the rates on these tours were really good, too. The internet is wicked fast, and this is one of the best co-working hotels in the area. But don’t let me get ahead of myself.
Whale Tail Hotel Location
The hotel is located in the city center of Uvita. When entering from Highway 34, or la Costanera, you’ll take a left at the highway store and head about 400 meters. You’ll see the brewery first, and then the entrance to the hotel. It’s super easy to find, and not far from the bus stop- if you are backpacking you can easily walk. If you are driving in Costa Rica you will have an ample and secure parking lot for your car.
Rooms At The Whale Tail Hotel
There are three types of rooms at the Whale Tail hotel: private rooms, shared rooms, and a cabin with a kitchen.
The private rooms have a double bed and a twin bed, a private bathroom, and a patio on the front with a car park. I stayed in a private room and it was simple but super clean and the bed was really comfortable. There is a private family room on the end of the private room complex that has beds for four or more.
The shared rooms have all types of configurations, from 2-bed rooms to 8-bed dormitory-style rooms. These room options give the hotel a hostel-style feel as many solo travelers and backpackers take advantage of the great prices and proximity to town.
Finally, the private cabins sleep three and have a kitchenette, which is super convenient. All the rooms had air conditioning.
The only disadvantage to the Whale Tail Hotel is that if you want to stay there with a family you’ll need to book the family room as it’s the only non-dormitory room that sleeps more than three people.
The complex itself has a community kitchen and a full Costa Rican breakfast is included with the price of your stay, making this a great place to stay to save money on eating out.
Despite the proximity to the brewery and the lobby, I found the hotel to be extremely quiet and laid back. People weren’t coming in late and making noise or getting up really early and making noise. It was really nice.
You can always call the hotel the hotel via WhatsApp to ask them which style of room is the best for you and your party, and if you book directly via the phone you’ll get the absolute best deal- especially if you pay in cash.
Whale Tail Hotel Amenities
The best part about the Whale Tail Hotel is the laid-back vibe. The main lobby where the front desk is located is an open-air concept. You’ll hear the birds while you sit at one of the couches or the wooden tables to work or to meet fellow travelers.
The wi-fi at Whale Tail is super fast, and I saw a lot of people working during the morning and exploring in the afternoon.
The stay at Whale Tail Hotel offers a full breakfast, which was gallo pinto, eggs, tortilla, fried plantain, fresh Costa Rican fruit, and coffee. There’s a shared kitchen for other meals, which was large, well-equipped, and super clean.
The hotel desk also serves as the tour desk, and almost every type of local tour was offered for what I thought were competitive prices. This is especially attractive to visitors who have not rented a car in Costa Rica, as the majority of the tours provided transportation to and from the activity.
They have the whale watching tour, and we loved it.
The hotel has a nice outdoor swimming pool, a large grass space, and a tilapia pond. You can walk across the green space to the Whale Tail Brewery which offers trivia night, and live music on Fridays. They’ve got a solid offering of beers, Costa Rican appetizers, and main dishes.
The Bottom Line
You can’t beat the Whale Tail Hotel! It’s got an incredible location, great prices, and a very “pura vida” vibe. For the price, it is my #1 pick for accommodations in Uvita.
BOOK IT NOW: Whale Tail Hotel Uvita
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FAQ
Is breakfast included at the Whale Tail Hotel?
A full Costa Rican breakfast including gallo pinto, fruit, coffee and eggs is included for each guest of the Whale Tail Hotel in Uvita.
Is the Whale Tail Hotel family-friendly?
I’d say yes. The accommodations are comfortable for families and the price point is excellent. The hotel has more of a hostel vibe, so I’d say families with young children might be the only people with kids there when they visit, but would be more than welcome.
Is there a pool at Whale Tail Hotel?
Yes, there is an outdoor pool at the Whale Tail Hotel in Uvita, Costa Rica.
Christa Jimenez
Welcome! I’m Christa, a Spanish teacher married to a handsome Costa Rican and mother of two bilingual daughters. We’ve spent over 25 years living in and traveling to Costa Rica with our daughters, and this website is my love letter to all things Costa Rica- and to bilingual parenting too. You can read my full story here. Thanks for stopping by!
