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La Cusinga Lodge

3.0 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

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Outdoor pool
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ILAN Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor pool

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Spa
    Spa
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Parking included
    Parking included
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Km166 Costarena Sur, Ballena, Puntarenas, 60504
  • Marino Ballena National Park
    17 min walk
  • Arco Beach
    18 min walk
  • Playa Ballena
    18 min walk
  • Drake Bay (DRK)
    223 min drive

Room options

View all photos for ILAN Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

ILAN Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

ILAN Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

  • 161 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Tinamu Deluxe Room

Tinamu Deluxe Room | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Tinamu Deluxe Room

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Manu Deluxe Room Ocean View

Manu Deluxe Room Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Manu Deluxe Room Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for PALOMA Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

PALOMA Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

PALOMA Superior Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Trogon Deluxe Room Ensuite Ocean View

Trogon Deluxe Room Ensuite Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Trogon Deluxe Room Ensuite Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for GEMELA 1 Superior Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

GEMELA 1 Superior Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

GEMELA 1 Superior Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for GEMELA 2 Superior Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

GEMELA 2 Superior Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View | In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

GEMELA 2 Superior Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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Exterior

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

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Breakfast included
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Parking included
4.8 out of 5, Exceptional, (203)
The price is $164
per night
$186 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 6 - Dec 7
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About the neighborhood

Ballena

When you stay at La Cusinga Lodge in Ballena, you'll be near the beach, within a 5-minute drive of Arco Beach and Marino Ballena National Park. .This spa lodge is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Playa Ballena and 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from Uvita Beach.
View more Lodges in BallenaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Marino Ballena National Park - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Arco Beach - 18 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Uvita Beach - 4 min drive - 2.3 miles
  • Catarata uvita - 7 min drive - 4.2 miles
  • Playa Tortuga - 12 min drive - 6.0 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria La Fogata - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Heliconia - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Sibu - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Time - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Marino Ballena - ‬4 min drive

About this property

La Cusinga Lodge

Lodge in Ballena with a full-service spa and free breakfast
La Cusinga Lodge offers 10 accommodations with safes and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Recreational amenities at the lodge include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the lodge's full-service spa. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, and Swedish massages. The spa is open daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 10 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include safes and ceiling fans, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages. Additional features at this lodge include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.
Enjoy a satisfying meal at Aracari serving guests of La Cusinga Lodge. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Aracari - This restaurant specializes in Regional cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Aracari

Things to do

  • Full-service spa
  • Horseback riding/rentals
  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Hot stone massages
  • Spa open daily
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 6 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 6 AM - 6 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Cusinga Lodge Ballena
Cusinga Lodge
Cusinga Ballena
La Cusinga Lodge Lodge
La Cusinga Lodge Ballena
La Cusinga Lodge Lodge Ballena

La Cusinga Lodge Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 38 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alison

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful eco lodge with walks on property and ocean views. Natural landscaping - Birds, monkeys butterflies etc.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jay, Dallas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jay, Dallas

Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Slightly remote lodge, with amazing ocean and jungle views. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The only restaurant served very good food, offers friendly service, with daily specials. The pool is beautiful and peaceful. Lots of wildlife are present, including a troop of Howler Monkeys that howl at 4 am and 4 pm everyday. There are lots of trails for people to explore. It may not be a good place for everyone though. It was a little too quiet for us. It is a place that attracts those who just want to read, mediate or stare into the trees. It attracts older people I think, but the walkways are very difficult for older people, the rocks are slippery and rounded, and the cabins are far apart along steep pathways. There are some very nice trails, but they forbid walking them at night. That really sucks, because that is when the interesting animals can be seen on the trails. I won't stay where I cannot explore at night. There are screens on the cabin windows, but no air conditioning, only fans. We were very warm at night, so lost some sleep. I really like the property, the people, food and scenery, but won't stay there again. Just too boring for my taste. Too many rules! I want to be were I can explore at my leisure and interact with nature and with others. No hotel pool should close at 7 pm!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely first stop in Costa Rica
We had a wonderful 3 night stay at La Cusinga Lodge, starting from being met in the parking area by Mabel, the welcome alcohol free cocktail and the friendly waiting staff. Our room was very large (Trogon) with a inside seating area and huge balcony. The bathroom walls and floor are all lined with pebbles, very "flintstonesque". It was my birthday during our stay and the lodge put fresh flowers in our room and decorated the bed with rose petals. We ate in the restaurant for breakfast and dinner every day and the food was excellent with plenty of choice and big portions. The hotel also has a beautiful yoga platform but sadly they did not have a teacher available during our stay. The pool is a short walk away from the main hotel and is very private. There are also walking trails on the property to waterfalls where you could take a refreshing dip. Whilst here we did a whale watching trip (sadly nothing spotted as we were on the cusp of the right season) and a self guided trip to the Nicoya waterfall which was busy but great fun. We would return to La Cusinga Lodge in a heartbeat.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
one of the best restaurants we experienced on our 10 day Costa Rica trip. A wonderful natural Post, beautiful pool, and so much wildlife right outside your cabin/yurt.... One of our favorite stays.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location, lovely lodges, good food, great cocktails, chilled out pool and natural swimming hole. Most importantly, extremely helpful and friendly staff, who went the extra mile to help us when we had a stressful problem (hire car related and nothing to do with the hotel), which they resolved. Would absolutely recommend.

10/10 Excellent

Molly

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property and view was beautiful. It was very secluded and felt safe. The sunsets and wild life were some of our favorite parts. Food and staff were also excellent. The beach was a pretty intense walk to get to, but beautiful and private once there.

10/10 Excellent

Kristin

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful private bungalows in the rainforest with balconies overlooking the ocean. Friendly staff, great food, wonderful trails down to the beach. They greeted us with pineapple juice when we arrived and packed us fresh fruit to go since we had to leave for a tour at 6 am before the restaurant opened for breakfast. Dinner was delicious! Can’t wait to return!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful nature resort with various lodges
The entire resort is an attraction in and of itself. It offers such a serene environment with an abundance of wildlife and great natural trails. Great for families and hikers alike. If you can make the drive down to the coast, it is worth it to come to see this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emilie

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is stunning full of wildlife and the staff is really professional.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The location is fantastic. The room we stayed in needs some TLC - the bathroom sink faucet was singing some aria while the floor fan had its own tune which disrupted our sleep. As for their spa services, their therapist was terrific. However the spa facility could use some rejuvenation.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

sam, Baltimore

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great property. Loved the hikes to the beach. The view is awesome.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was not what was advertised (poor setup, thin walls, poor light, roof fan barely pushed air). The breakfast is served at 7 although it is posted that it is at 6 and when I called previous to my stay they told me the same.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The beach was amazing! The cabins are very private and comfortable. There are monkeys and toucans on site. The staff was fantastic. So friendly! We got a flat tire and they pointed it out to us and immediately changed it for us...in the dark! Exceptional service! Highly recommended! We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
La Cusinga offers beautiful hikes through the rain forest, spectacular Arco Beach, howler monkeys and other wildlife, good and reasonably priced food, and spectacular ocean and sunset views. The only negatives I can think of for guests would be there is no pool, and staying here requires being able to walk reasonable distances over occasionally bumpy trails. For us, this made it more interesting. Overall a beautiful property and wonderful experience.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely stay at La Cusinga Lodge
The hotel and lodges were beautiful and we very much enjoyed the “private pool” and beach as well as the great surroundings. The service was great and we were always received with smiles and good service for all inquiries. The only small comments we could have for improvement would be; - Complimentary tea and coffee would be great - The coffee at the morning breakfast table was cold - More tanning-areas for enjoying the sun would be great Thanks for a super stay!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice feel of nature and solitude. Unique experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ariel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Trip of a lifetime!
Just returned from a 9 day family trip to Costa Rica, 7 nights of which we stayed at La Cusinga Lodge in Uvita. Can't begin to describe how perfect our experience was. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking, and you really never need to leave property to experience an authentic Costa Rican rainforest. The cabinas have amazing views, and are kept immaculate. The natural swimming pool (La Poza) is so unique, and beats a traditional resort pool any day. The food at Aracari Restaurant (on site) is exquisite. The most memorable part of our stay, though, was the people... the staff is exceptional and really goes above and beyond to make sure each guest's stay is top-notch. The office staff were a huge help (from check in to helping us book multiple excursions throughout our stay), the servers at Aracari were as friendly as possible (our son quickly made friends with our main server for the week), and everyone you encounter from security to maintenance all have a smile on their face and are ready to offer assistance in any way they can. Thank you, La Cusinga, for making our 20-year-in-the-making trip everything we hoped it would be!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Reza, Vancouver

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location and scenery
Had a great time at this hotel, location is amazing, the restaurant food is delicious and love the nature around the hotel. Beautiful private beaches and hiking trails with lots of animals visiting you
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel with excellent trails and great views
We stayed there for two nights in an oceanview room. Included breakfast was very good, also as we left one day very early they made us breakfast. Restaurant was ok, but as there are some really great restaurants within 10 minutes drive, you have options. The trails that start from the lodge are just great, playa arco just turned out to be my favourite beach in Costa Rica. Also, the natural pool they have is a lot fun. Just some chairs around are missing. I booked on Expedia with a discount, unfortunately for just one Person by some kind of mistake. On checkout (!) they wanted me to pay the difference, but would not include the expedia discount. Unfortunately, the very nice receptionist was not able to decide anything, so he tried to call several people and it all got really confusing. Anyhow, in the end after like 30 minutes, everything got resolved to everybody's satisfaction. It is good advice to know what you booked and prepayed, so that there won't be any problems. Would certainly recommend this lodge and will come again.