We visited Casa Uvita as a group of four girls for three nights in July. As women travelers, we not only enjoyed the beautiful house and beaches, our host and activities, but we also felt very safe and well-cared-for.
Casa Uvita is very obviously well-loved and kept immaculately. I have stayed in many rental houses in Costa Rica and none have been in such good condition, from the furniture to the linens and bathroom fixtures to the equipment in the kitchen. Another plus is that there are four full bathrooms, so we could all get ready at the same time! From the house we saw many toucans and heard the howler monkeys every day. Michele or her staff was ALWAYS nearby if we had any questions or needed any help. They arranged an awesome horse ride for us where the horses were brought directly to Casa Uvita and we rode down hills, over boulders, through rivers and streams and mangrove forests, directly down to the whale’s tail! Michele also gave us recommendations for the best beaches to visit (many were deserted except for us!), restaurants, and even brought us fresh-made tortillas one night! Most evenings, we had drinks on the beautiful patio at the house and cooked dinners for ourselves in the well-equipped kitchen. We did our shopping at a very nice grocery store right at the bottom of the hill. There were also lots of board games and movies to entertain us in the evenings.
As women travelers, we were looking for something peaceful, beautiful, off the beaten-track, and above all, safe. We found many vacation houses advertised in the Uvita area during our dates, but only Michele at Casa Uvita could assure us someone would be on the property at all times, 24/7, to help us and to be there in case of an emergency. Costa Rica is certainly not dangerous, but as women travelers, it’s best to take precautions to be safe! I hope to return to Casa Uvita again soon as there are many more activities we didn’t have time for: waterfall hikes, surfing, and exploring more beaches and restaurants!

Casa Uvita is beautifully designed and maintained, and very comfortable. It was spotless when we arrived, and we were delighted to find that there was light housekeeping provided every day. Michele was extremely helpful and patient with my questions before we arrived. It is lovely having her and her housekeeping and maintenance staff (Consuelo and Gerardo) close by. She helped to arrange several outings for us (sea kayaking and surf classes), which were great, and provided suggestions for restaurants and other activities in the area. We loved hiking to two waterfalls with a cold, fresh swimming hole, within a few minutes' drive of the house. She even came and gave us a lift when our car couldn't make it up a local hill! Much of the beachfront close by is within the Marino Ballena National Park. You do have to pay to access the beach each day, but each beach we visited was gorgeous, pristine, and sparsely used, so it was well worth it. The kitchen is well-stocked and organized. There are two good supermarkets close by so it was easy to prepare some meals at home. We loved bird-watching and admiring the sloth and howler monkeys from the house's beautiful verandas. Our two teenage children also loved our week at Casa Uvita.

Our stay at Casa Uvita was a delight! We stayed here at the beginning and end of our 10-day trip to Costa Rica, and I think coming back was even more fabulous than the thrill of waking up to howler monkeys and toucan sounds on our first morning. The house is beautiful and open, and it feels like you’re living in the forest canopy (especially on the upstairs deck), but in total comfort! There are tons of things to do in the area, and Michele will help you figure all of that out, with the best guides, etc., but what we most enjoyed was sitting (or lying in the hammock) right there on the deck or patio, and watching for toucans, listening to (and sometimes seeing) the howler monkeys, watching the occasional blue morpho flap by, checking out the beautiful poison dart frogs on the lawn (not dangerous!) – and on our last day, getting to watch a sloth slowly climb up into the canopy. Michele, Consuelo and Gerardo all took great care of us (home made tortillas one morning; hike to a waterfall another day, instructions for finding the best beaches, and help when my daughter had an ear infection!). And all off the grid! Ask Michele about her solar panels, and her water catchment system… We would come back in a flash.

Excellent place to stay. Our first time to use a service like this. Owner and "staff" are in small home next door. Owner VERY helpful recommending places to see and eat at. As far as location Casa Uvita is very well located. From traveling back towards San Jose to go to Manuel Antonio (not really worth it but we did see best sloth siting here....don't pay for a guide...just follow along and see where every one is looking.) to all the beaches along the way and then south about 2 hours (towards Panama) to fabulous Wilson Botanical gardens the house was very ideally located. Multiple beaches are very close as mentioned. 3 or 4 within very quick drive (under 15 minutes) Plus...the reason I say Manuel Antonio was not worth it is that you can see all it offers plus more right there at Casa Uvita. Owner will tell you sounds to listen for and how to spot them, but if you've ever gone to "view wildlife" anywhere else you can pick up what to listen and look for pretty easily. TONS of monkeys around there. And if you drive or walk up the road (walk for a distance or drive and frequently stop to get out to go all the way around) you can see many different things. Lots of picture opportunities but everything lives high up in trees so take a good (really good...think way UP when choosing) lens for your camera and best binoculars you can afford.
As to the house. VERY nice and open which we love. Sleeping is under a mosquito net. If you absolutely hate no a/c this not the place for you but temps are good even in beginning of rainy season as it cools down and besides everything including all eating is done outside in Costa Rica anyway. No hairdryers...so do realize that. Furniture comfortable and kitchen extras well stocked. Water was good straight out of tap every where (I drank it entire time) but they do have a filter faucet too. I would go back if I where visiting this area again.