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Our boutique hotel includes five, 1,000 square foot, private air-conditioned villas, each with their own hot or cold infinity pool. Each villa has expansive ocean and jungle views. Guests can enjoy the restaurant & lounge, and an ocean view salt water infinity pool with swim up bar. The pool features a waterfall and an elevated jacuzzi. Our villas feature luxurious soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor showers, a large ocean view terrace with an infinity pool, and a perfect blend of nature and modern, locally designed and made furniture. The property stretches spans over 13 acres surrounded by pristine primary rain forest and over 100 exotic fruit trees. There are walking paths throughout the property and a secluded jungle yoga platform. Howler & white faced monkeys as well as Toucans and sloths are regular visitors. Vista Celestial is located in Uvita, Costa Rica on the mountainside 2,000 ft above Costa Ballena with a direct view of the famous Whale's Tail and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Nestled in tranquility, Vista Celestial is a secluded sanctuary celebrated for its atmosphere of privacy and connection with nature. Guests have called out the wide array of enchanting amenities, including yoga, adventure excursions, and gourmet dining, complemented by stellar service that often exceeds expectations.
The hotel's cleanliness receives consistent praise, with its spacious and luxurious rooms, complete with plunge pools and outdoor showers, making for an unforgettable stay. Reviewers also highlight the breathtaking views and find the experience provides exceptional value, making Vista Celestial a popular choice for a serene retreat.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Everyone must stay at Vista Celestial! I was so surprised by what we got for the price. When it comes to all inclusive, I was expecting the bare minimum, but this place gives the true meaning of all inclusive. Our stay was $4000 total (we added on the adventure package) for us as a couple and this felt like a $10,000 trip for such a low price. The second you arrive, until you leave, the staff treats you like royalty. The resort was full, but somehow we never saw a soul. It felt like our own private resort & we felt like rockstars! Everyone knew all of my food allergies and the chefs curated our experience to fit my needs. I am actually autistic and experience high levels of stress and anxiety, so with that being said, Alexa made this the smoothest vacation I have ever experienced. She planned every adventure, along with scheduling our rides to and from the excursions. She even wrote up a handheld itinerary for me, since I have a horrible memory. If we were gone for 30 minutes, housekeeping would pull in (unseen) and clean that room like a pit stop on a race track. It was CRAZY. We left for lunch one day and came back to massage tables and towel origami set up for our private couples massage. Now let me tell you, that massage was the best I’ve ever received in my life. I don’t know where those girls studied, but she knew EXACTLY what she was doing. A private yoga session was also included & their yoga platform in just to die for. Go check out those photos because it’s where you could only dream of having a yoga session. Just overall, simply amazing. The one word I could use to describe this trip, and everything Alexa did for us, is unimaginable.
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 21 Jun 2024
Wow, thank you for this exceptional review!! We are so glad that the entire team, especially Alexa, helped you feel welcome and cared for! Our housekeeping team does zip in and out in an incredible way and our chefs do an amazing job accommodating any and all allergies. The spa treatments are to die for! We hope to welcome you back in the near future.
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Where do I start? This place is magical. This intimate hotel is tucked away in the jungle. Literally, IN THE JUNGLE. Every morning we woke up to the sounds and views of the jungle and the ocean. It really was stunning. The bed was cozy, the views of the sunsets (especially from the shower; you'll see) were jaw dropping, the private pool, deck and outdoor shower were perfect added amenities. The atmosphere of the entire hotel is so wonderful. Now, the food! We ate our breakfasts and dinners on property everyday and the food is delicious. I think I had the best tuna I've ever had in my life. We didn't have one bad meal. Not only did the food taste great, but it was also beautiful. I should have taken food pics. The staff are all wonderful humans. "No" was never an answer. They all went out of their way to make sure our every need was met. They booked all our fun excursions and transportation and provided anything we needed. Anything. Additionally, there are some great walking trails around the property as well. If you just wanted to move a little before relaxing at the pool, those trails were perfect. We loved getting to know the other guests too. Given the intimacy of the hotel, it really feels like you're staying at someone's super sweet house and getting to know their friends. It's not weird at all. But if you're an introvert, you can still be one here. No one will judge. At the end of our stay, we hugged the guests and the staff; it was hard to leave this place. It really touched us. We've stayed at Four Seasons, Waldorf and other boutique hotels around the world and this place slays. Choose here. You won't regret it. If you don't enjoy yourself immensely. It's you.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 27 Mar 2024
Thank you, Andrea! It was a pleasure to have you and Richard with us at Vista Celestial and I am glad that Greg and I had a chance to meet you in person! I am glad you enjoyed the food, villas, service, and views from the shower :) We hope to welcome you back in the future!
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Vista Celestial is wonderful. The room is large with high ceilings and panoramic, unobstructed view of the whales tail (coffee on the deck with that view was perfect start to each day). A 4WD vehicle is required to access, but well worth it. We arranged all of our transfers in Costa Rica through ILT Costa Rica and it cost an extra $35 each way to switch to 4WD vehicle for the hill. But hotel did contact me prior to arrival to ensure we were aware of need for 4WD and offered to assist if needed (bottom line - don't let need for 4WD deter from staying here as this can all be arranged for you by hotel or 3rd party). Included in stay is free shuttle service to the beach/whales-tail each day (at set time; for custom time there is a charge; but set time was perfect for us). We stayed 4 nights and were a little concerned we would not have enough variety for meals, but the dinner menu was changed up each day, and every meal was superbly prepared and presented (our best meals of 2.5 week CR trip were here). Finally was the service; perfect. The staff is well trained and treats you like family. I highly recommend Vista Celestial.
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my second trip to Vista Celestial and it again it over exceeds all expectations. I was able to come in Oct 2023 on a women's retreat and I KNEW I needed my family to experience this heaven on earth. This trip my husband joined and it was once again, pure magical. We felt like royalty. We desired rest and recharge and stayed mostly on site. We did venture on the Tico Coffee Tour as I became friends with Estaben on my last visit whom is the general manager at VC. He treated us a morning at his family coffee farm, an adventurous 45 min jaunt from VC. When I came in Oct 2023, we had much more adventure planned (ATV, whale watching, etc) and Vista Celestial will coordinate literally every aspect from your transportation, sack lunches and refreshments waiting for you on your return. The food is 5 star every meal! If you desire to stay in your very private bungalow, you can order room service too. The entire staff at VC makes sure every aspect of your trip is in perfect order. We enjoyed the pool daily but frankly, we felt we had the place to ourselves as we were surrounded by other guests that preferred ventures around Costa Rica. It was nice to meet the other guests at lunch or dinners and hear how they found Vista Celestial and shared equally great experiences of beautiful Costa Rica, and of their time at Vista Celestial. From daily checks with the concierge team, and our servers and chefs paying constant attention to our meal preferences and beverage preferences, this place is over-the-top. I highly recommend having a glass of Pinot Grigio, as well as Miguelito with your dessert.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 15 Jan 2025
Thank you, CJ! There is no greater compliment than your return visits to Vista Celestial. It was a pleasure to have you and Tyler with us for a week of rest and relaxation and we are so glad that you were able to step away completely rejuvenated. Thank you for the kind words about the food, service, attention to detail, and the service provided by our team. We look forward to your next visit in a few months!
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We had the most amazing Honeymoon with Vista Celestial!!! The entire staff was just amazing, we truly can not thank them enough for their generosity & hospitality. We were treated like a king & queen from the moment we got there.
We arrived VERY late in the evening so they brought us right to our Villa, helped us with our bags & allowed us to check in the next morning with Sharon so we could rest from our wedding & full travel day.
Throughout our stay they provided luxury transportation to everywhere we needed to go, whether that be our scheduled excursions or just to the farmers market & the whale tale; we even got a lift from the manager Esteban who took time out of his busy schedule to ensure we got where we needed to go!
Our meals were nothing short of perfection, they accommodated everything we needed & always had snacks available to us for after our excursions, or for the late night munchies! All the staff were so knowledgeable on what the chef that evening was making & their delivery on the menu made us even more excited to try new things! We enjoyed all our conversations & greetings from Anthony, Vinnay, Andrey, Jose, Pamela, Noelia & Sharon at every meal! The drinks were amazing as well, especially the watermelon lemonade mixed with vodka made by Jose!!!
Our room was ALWAYS cleaned when we left, with fresh towels for showering & the hot tub along with a freshly cleaned coffee maker for my husband every day!
The owners Jenny & Greg along with their children ensured they greeted us, which was so very kind of them to take time out of their busy schedules with the on going renovations of Rancho Pacifico to make sure we were enjoying our stay.
We full heartedly enjoyed our stay at VC, we can’t wait to return for future anniversaries & to see all of our new friends again! Pura Vida! - Logan & Mackenzie Vandevyvere ❤️
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 14 Oct 2024
Thank you, Mackenzie and Logan, for selecting us for your honeymoon and for taking time to write this beautiful review! We are blown away by the kind words. Making each moment of your stay (including a middle of the night check in!) as easy and seamless as possible, is our goal. We are so glad you felt cared for by our team and that you enjoyed the food, service, drinks, transportation, cleaning, and everything else. Looking forward to having you back with us at Rancho Pacifico soon! - Jennie, Greg, Gabriel, and Bash
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We stayed at Vista Celestial for our honeymoon and it was a very relaxing and luxurious experience. Since the start of our stay we felt welcomed and pampered. Everything from the cleanliness of the rooms to the organic chef made meals feels perfectly curated to make your experience an unique one. The staff and owner are friendly and helpful. The concierge arranged amazing tours- we went zip lining and whale watching. If you’re looking to enjoy a private villa with breathtaking views, delicious food, welcoming staff, relaxing massages and adventures this is your place.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 26 Nov 2024
Thank you, Yadhira! It was an honor to have you and Andrew with us for your honeymoon. The Adventure All Inclusive package is a great way to go for a honeymoon with every detail taken care of in advance by our team. We are glad you enjoyed the tours, villa, views, food, and most importantly, the kind service provided by our team! We look forward to welcoming you back for an anniversary stay.
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I've never stayed in a place that made me feel as welcome or cared for as Vista Celestial. My husband and I took our two sons, ages 12 and 14, to Costa Rica - the kids' first time out of the US. Our younger son has severe food allergies, and traveling is difficult. I notified Vista Celestial in advance about his allergies, and they assured me he'd be fine. They were far better than any place we've been in the states with separate dishes, straws, and every delicious meal prepared safely. I cannot say enough about the staff (who we befriended), the amazing scenery and views, the gorgeous facility, the epic adventures, and the overall attention to detail. Absolutely unreal. I'd go back in a heartbeat! There's something so special about this place that's hard to describe - it makes you breathe deeper, feel more, see more, and live your best life.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 5 Oct 2024
Thank you, Gavin! It was our pleasure to have you, Rob, Beckett, and Silas with us at Vista Celestial. Our chefs and team do everything possible to accommodate dietary needs and preferences and we are so glad we could support your family in having a wonderful vacation. We hope to welcome you back soon!
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Hands down, the most incredible service I've ever experienced! The resort is even more beautiful than pictured on their website. The villas were very well appointed with refrigerators, soaking tubs, indoor & outdoor showers, very high quality linens & private decks overlooking the famous Whale Tail. The food was excellent & you will absolutely not go hungry or thirsty. The staff was very accommodating & welcoming, planning wonderful excursions for us along with anticipating our every need. Highly recommend!!
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Take wicking materials for daytime as it is warm & humid. Water shoes are a must, as well as long...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you, Sloane, for your kind review!! We loved having you and are so glad you enjoyed the villas, food, and care provided by our team. We hope to see you back in the future!
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Our recent trip to Vista Celestial was truly exceptional. While the drive up the mountain road at night in our 4x4 was challenging, we realized it would have been much easier during daylight hours, especially for our first time visiting the property. However, this minor inconvenience was quickly forgotten thanks to the incredible service we received throughout our stay. Arriving late, we were pleasantly surprised to find a welcome snack of guacamole, chips, fruit, and dessert waiting for us. The breakfast menu offered a delicious selection, and every dish we tried was outstanding. The staff were consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. The cleaning service was impeccable and discreet, always performed while we were out. A thoughtful touch was the refreshing cold washcloths provided after our muddy hikes. We highly recommend the Corcovado excursion offered through the resort. The location is also ideal for independent exploration, with easy access to Jaco and Golfito. Conveniently, grocery stores and gas stations are located in Uvita down the mountain. The villas boast breathtaking views, especially from the bathroom and deck. Watching the tides change and while overlooking the whale's tail was truly magical. Despite the privacy offered by each villa, the resort's bar, restaurant, and impeccable service ensured we never felt isolated. The villas were well-equipped with a mini-fridge and microwave, adding a touch of home comfort. Even weeks later, we still fondly remember our villa, the stunning views, the beautiful country, and the incredible staff. We would definitely return to Vista Celestial. Pura Vida!
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Travelled with spouse
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 23 Jan 2025
Thank you for this very kind review! We are so glad to read that you enjoyed your time at Vista Celestial. it is our pleasure to take care of the small details, whether it be a snack for a late arrival or cold towels after a tropical hike, so that you can fully enjoy your time in this beautiful country. You are correct that Uvita is a wonderful starting point for enjoying much of the southern zone of Costa Rica ,from Corcovado National Park to Caño Island and Manuel Antonio. We hope to see you again in the future!
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I hope I can give VC justice with my review. It was perfection. The moment we pulled up the concierge was waiting with warm towels and fruit drink. Before we knew it, our bags had been taken to our room. And what a spectacular room it was. But besides that, the thoughtfulness for function and comfort was not lost on us. Our outdoor jacuzzi was a great way to have a glass of wine and admire the view of the whale tail and hear jungle noises. Howler monkeys especially. There are only 5 villas and the tasteful separation between them with foliage was great for privacy. The linens and beds were so comfortable as soon as our heads hit the pillow we were out. Cleanliness was not to be beat. With the whatsapp we were picked up for meals or excursions pronto, Now the staff: oh my gosh we felt like we had known them forever. We loved Jose and his sense of humor, Sebastion was so sweet and even brought us some rambutan (so good), Andres was the wine aficionado and we loved talking to Tony about his tattoos! I loved the food; seafood ceviche was one of my favorites. Drinks were sooo tasty. The fixed price for lunch and dinner was such a great idea. Pam and Ana, the concierges were so accommodating and nice. I dealt with Dusty when organizing tours and she was responsive and so helpful. I would recommend booking tours through the hotel, whale watching , corcovado, eco mangrove tour. The staff made sure we had a breakfast to go when we were leaving for early tour. We were sorry to leave.
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:We opted to be driven to tours, town, etc. No worries the hotel is super about driving you;...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennie Peterson, Owner at Vista Celestial
Responded 1 Oct 2024
Thank you, Mary, for taking time to share this kind review!! We loved having you and Brian with us for a special family trip. I am so pleased you enjoyed the villas, wildlife, food & beverage, and the tours. You hit some of the absolute highlights for the area - Sierpe Mangrove Tour, Whale Watching, and Corcovado National Park! We hope to welcome you back in the future.
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There are a few options to get to us. First you would fly into San Jose (SJO) , the international airport. From there you can either rent a car ( we can help you with getting quotes) or we can arrange a shuttle for you. The drive is 3.5-4 hours on well maintained roads and highways. It is a pretty and scenic drive.
Your other option is to fly from SJO to Quepos/Manuel Antonio/ Boca Naranjo on either Costa Rica Green Airways , SkyWay , TAC Airlines , Sansa Regional or Nature Air . It is a 22 minute direct flight and then from there it is only a 45 minute drive to us.
The puddle jumper flight is a nice option and is almost like a quick aerial tour. The fares are generally pretty affordable as well. Sometimes it can be difficult to coordinate your international flight times with the regional flight times.
A private car/shuttle from SJO is $220 each way ( with an additional $40 fee for late night/super early morning fares ) . From Quepos it is $110 each way ( with an additional $40 fee for late night/super early morning fares ). We will gladly assist you with arranging your ground transportation needs.
It is approximately 4 miles to the nearest beach from our property. The downhill drive is roughly 15 minutes and then the drive to the beach from the base of the mountain ( depending on which beach you go to ) varies. In total to the closest beach it should take no more than 20 minutes.
There are many options for beautiful beaches along our coast.
Hope this is helpful.
The hotel is 3.5-4 hours from the San Jose Airport , on well paved roads, however a 4x4 is required to get up the mountain road to the hotel, as well as many of the Costa Rican back/side/mountain roads.
We are only 45 minutes from Quepos/Manuel Antonio, so you also have the option to take a puddle jumper flight from SJO to Quepos. You can check out either Sansa Regional or Nature Air for the regional flights. It is only a 22 minute flight from SJO to Quepos :)
Jen
There are more places to choose from in the Uvita area.
PRICE RANGE
$1,001 - $1,879 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasUvita
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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