Uvita, Costa Ricas Hidden Gem: Vista Celestial

Nestled high on a mountaintop in the jungle of Uvita, Costa Rica sits Vista Celestial. This gorgeous boutique hotel just got a facelift and is the perfect spot to get away, unwind, and get lost in nature. Vista Celestial hosts countless yoga and wellness retreats as they have one of the most incredible yoga platforms tucked into the jungle and another overlooking the whale’s tail and the breathtaking sunsets. Picture yourself surrounded by the sound of howler monkeys as you sit on your private villa patio watching the sun kiss the Pacific Ocean good morning. The beauty of this hotel (and Costa Rica generally) can only be experienced but I will do my best to put it into writing.

First, a little information about Costa Rica and why hippies seem to love it so much. About 28% of Costa Rica is protected land and Costa Rica is thought to be the 4th most biodiverse country in the world with over 500,000 species of wildlife. You will see monkeys, toucans, coatis, sloths (if you’re lucky), and many many more. Pura Vida is said instead of thank you and literally all the time, you can pretty much use it at any time and anywhere. It literally translates to pure life but it has a much deeper meaning than that. Pura Vida really encompasses the entire vibe you get being in Costa Rica, talking and mingling with Tico’s and truly appreciating the laidback, friendly atmosphere surrounding you.

Getting There

You can fly direct to San Jose which is the main hub in Costa Rica, from there it is about a 3 hour drive, the drive is beautiful and you can stop and take in the sights along the way but if you prefer not to be in the car for 3 hours after your plane ride, there are other ways. You can take a small plane from San Jose to either Quepos (2 hours north of Uvita) or Palmar Sur (1 hour south of Uvita), either way you’re driving so you may as well pick up a car or a shuttle in San Jose and make the trek. You can stop along the way at Tarcoles bridge to see the crocodiles (very touristy, but neat for a quick stop and right on the route), Manuel Antonio is another good stop but I would allot some time for that stop if possible. Other than those popular stops there are some lovely beaches and waterfalls along the way, just give yourself time, feel free to take the roads less traveled by and when doing so stop at one of the “Sodas” (local food) or one of the fruit stands on the way. Do be aware that petty theft is a small problem in Costa Rica and although you will probably be fine, just try to cover up your luggage as much as possible if you are leaving it in the car.

The Hotel

Unless you have a 4×4 you will not be able to make it up the road to Vista Celestial as it is very steep, unpaved, and precarious so keep that in mind when you are renting a car (about 15 minutes straight up the mountain). The hotel sits on 13 acres of gorgeous rainforest with the most incredible ocean views of the whales tail, a formation of sand and rocks in the shape of a whale tail jutting out from the ocean at low tide. Each villa is 1000 sq ft (100 sq m), can accommodate 1-4 people and like I said, just got a facelift and are just stunning now (not that they weren’t before). The villas include a private infinity pool, a soaking tub, outdoor shower, kitchenette, complimentary locally grown coffee (by Esteban, you will meet him if you go, he is incredible) and much more! The villas have plenty of space for you to do yoga on your private patio, sunbathe, or just sit with some coffee and listen to the peace of nature working its magic all around you.

As I mentioned, this property has a jungle yoga deck located a short walk (1-2 minutes) down from the villas which is a lovely place to practice right when the jungle is waking up. They also have the ocean view yoga deck up next to the hotel pool which is lovely for evening practices as you get to watch the sun say good night to Costa Rica. There are multiple hiking trails located on the property, most of which are very steep and are frequently wet so definitely bring some good shoes if you’re planning a hike down to the waterfall. If hiking isn’t your speed you can indulge in a massage (or a few), a sound bath, a cacao ceremony, or a facial. The spa menu is lovely and you have the choice of having your service in the privacy of your villa or on the jungle deck. I had mine on the jungle deck and it was probably the most relaxing massage I’ve had.

Vista Celestial has hundreds of fruit trees on their property, a small garden where they harvest herbs and vegetables, and a strong value on creating healthy dishes that reflect Costa Rican cuisine. The breakfast is by far my favorite, it is called Gallo Pinto and I could eat it 24/7. It is a rice and beans breakfast with some plantains, eggs and a little cheese (sometimes), it is incredible and I highly suggest you have it at least once. Vista does offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you truly do not have to leave the property if you do not desire to. One side note, the hotel has quite a few steps and is quite steep so if you’re not in great shape or not looking for a small workout every time you go up to the common area, this may not be the place for you.

Things To Do in The Area

If you are a more active traveler and you get a little bored relaxing, you should really look into that because you deserve to relax every once in a while. Just kidding (mostly) but if you do want to participate in some activities you can arrange them directly through Vista Celestial as the area is very small and they have a relationship with most local businesses that cater to travelers. You can find excursions on your own as well, but it is always nice to have a little local guidance on what to do, where to go, who to do it with, and which companies are owned by locals.

Aside from the obvious (visit the beaches and walk out to the whales tail), they offer tons of activities, more than I will list here but I will tell you the ones I did. I have done the Osa canopy zip lining twice now, it is beautiful, you drive up for what seems like forever to the top of a mountain and go down 6 zip lines, 3 rappels, 2 suspension bridges and if you’re lucky and it’s not rainy season, the Tarzan swing! The guys who run this company are excellent, they are funny, helpful, and make you feel very comfortable and the location is breathtaking. We also did a boat tour out of Bahia Ballena to see dolphins and whales. We saw dolphins, missed the whales but got to jump into the water and hear their singing, one of the wildest things I have ever heard. There are countless other activities in the area including a few national parks and Cano Island where you are guaranteed to see abundant and unique wildlife. Don’t skip the Tico tour, a tour of Esteban’s coffee farm high up on the mountain (yes, higher than the hotel). You are immersed in what this proud man does every day and it is an honor to be let into his and his families life high up in the mountains of Costa Rica.

There truly is no shortage of things to do, places to see, animals to look for, and delicious food and fruits to eat in Costa Rica. It is truly a nature lovers playground and we didn’t even mention the surfing. Costa Rica is absolutely worth a visit to experience the Pura Vida lifestyle, the kindness of the Tico people and the beauty of this unbothered country. Enjoy responsibly, Pura Vida!