Home with a view in Uvita

The morning starts with birdsong. Somewhere in the canopy above the house there’s movement, and more often than not it’s a troop of monkeys passing through. This is a home set deep in tropical forest on the hills above Uvita, yet it opens fully to the Pacific, looking out over Marino Ballena National Park and the long sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail. The coastline below is protected and undeveloped, so the view stays as it is: forest, water, and very little else.

Getting here is simple. The house sits just off the main road, with a short, straightforward approach and no need for a 4x4. The beach is three minutes away by car, and Uvita, with its groceries, restaurants and everyday services, is five. Confident walkers can reach the sand on foot, though the return is uphill all the way, which most guests treat as the morning’s exercise rather than an inconvenience.

The property is one of only three residences inside a private gated enclave, and it’s run with discretion in mind. A security guard is on site through the night. A commercial-grade generator takes over when storms knock out the power, which on this coast they occasionally do, so the air conditioning, the fridge and the lights carry on as if nothing happened.

Four bedrooms each have their own bathroom, a king bed and a private balcony. Two of them face the jungle and include an additional twin bed, which works well for families travelling with children. A separate workout room, reached from outside, has a full-size Murphy bed for an extra guest if needed. It has no bathroom of its own, so it’s best kept for occasional use rather than counted as a bedroom.

Life here moves between inside and out. The infinity pool runs along the edge of the terrace, facing the whale’s tail directly. A covered deck set aside for yoga or stretching sits a little apart from the main living areas, which are generous and loosely arranged with sofas, outdoor lounges, Masaya chairs and hanging swing chairs. Sonos speakers are built into the ceilings of the living room, kitchen and pool terrace.

The kitchen is well equipped, with a large fridge and freezer that suit longer stays or a private chef, and a barbecue sits close to the pool. Air conditioning runs throughout, with individual units in each bedroom and central cooling in the shared spaces. There’s a washer and dryer, and a private garage.

The local concierge team can arrange airport transfers, car hire, private chefs, tours and activities, both before arrival and throughout the stay. It’s included, and it’s offered quietly, when it’s wanted.