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Hotel El Tecal

2.5 star property
Beach hotel with free breakfast in Ballena

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Photo gallery for Hotel El Tecal

Outdoor pool
Deluxe Apartment | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Aerial view
BBQ/picnic area
Deluxe Studio Suite | Terrace/patio

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Laundry
  • Air conditioning
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included

Explore the area

Map
300 metros del parque Marino Ballena, Sector Chaman, Ballena, Puntarenas, 00011
  • Uvita Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Marino Ballena National Park
  • Punta Uvita
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Drake Bay (DRK)
    ‪166 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Family Shared Dormitory, 1 Bedroom

Family Shared Dormitory, 1 Bedroom | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Shared Dormitory, 1 Bedroom

  • 861 sq ft
  • Sleeps 7
  • 3 Double Beds and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Apartment

Deluxe Apartment | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Apartment

  • 1292 sq ft
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Private kitchen | Fridge

Family Room

  • 538 sq ft
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 King Bed

View all photos for Family Room, 3 Bedrooms

Family Room, 3 Bedrooms | Private kitchen | Fridge

Family Room, 3 Bedrooms

  • 861 sq ft
  • Sleeps 7
  • 3 Queen Beds OR 1 Large Twin Bed

View all photos for Superior Double Room

Fridge

Superior Double Room

  • 592 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Superior Triple Room

Superior Triple Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Superior Triple Room

  • 431 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Superior Quadruple Room

Superior Quadruple Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Superior Quadruple Room

  • 772 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Studio Suite

Deluxe Studio Suite | Terrace/patio

Deluxe Studio Suite

  • 592 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds

View all photos for Economy Triple Room, 1 Bedroom

Economy Triple Room, 1 Bedroom | Private kitchen | Fridge

Economy Triple Room, 1 Bedroom

  • 344 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Quadruple Room

Standard Quadruple Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Quadruple Room

  • 12486 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Family Apartment

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Apartment

  • 807 sq ft
  • Sleeps 16
  • 6 Queen Beds and 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Standard Quadruple Room

Standard Quadruple Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Quadruple Room

  • 409 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Fridge

Family Room

  • 807 sq ft
  • Sleeps 12
  • 4 Queen Beds and 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Double Room

  • 323 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

About the neighborhood

Uvita

Oceanside stay.Your stay at this Ballena hotel places you within a 10-minute walk of Playa Colonia and Uvita Beach. Marino Ballena National Park and Punta Uvita are also within 3 miles (5 km).

What's nearby

  • Uvita Beach - 10 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Arco Beach - 4 min drive - 2.9 miles
  • Catarata uvita - 5 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Punta Uvita - 13 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Playa Hermosa - 15 min drive - 4.4 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria La Fogata - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Sibu - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Time - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante Marino Ballena - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪La Choza de Alejo - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Hotel El Tecal

Beach hotel with free breakfast in Ballena
Free breakfast is served daily. WiFi is free in public spaces. An outdoor pool, barbecue grills, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at Hotel El Tecal. Self parking is free.

This Ballena hotel is smoke free.

  • 12 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Built in 2011
  • Full breakfast (free)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
Hotel El Tecal offers 12 accommodations with air conditioning. 42-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads. This Ballena hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Languages

English, Spanish

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Aerial view

Tropical Beach

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  • Pet friendly
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4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 132 reviews
$46 nightly
The price is $52
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Total includes taxes and fees
Tropical Beach

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 42-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: USD 10 per pet, per stay
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 pets

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children stay free when using existing bedding. Children may not be eligible for complimentary breakfast.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per stay

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club.

We should mention

  • There is no hot water on site.
  • Children may not be eligible for complimentary breakfast.

Property is also known as

Camping y Cabinas El Tecal Hotel Uvita
Camping y Cabinas El Tecal Hotel
Camping y Cabinas El Tecal Uvita
Camping y Cabinas El Tecal
Hotel El Tecal Hotel
Hotel El Tecal Ballena
Camping y Cabinas El Tecal
Hotel El Tecal Hotel Ballena

Frequently asked questions

Does Hotel El Tecal have an airport shuttle?

Hotel El Tecal offers an airport shuttle.

How close is Hotel El Tecal to the beach?

This hotel is a short 7-minute walk from Playa Colonia and 7-minute walk from Uvita Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Hotel El Tecal offer free breakfast?

Hotel El Tecal offers free full breakfast every day from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

Is there a casino at Hotel El Tecal?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Hotel El Tecal?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM.

Is there free parking at Hotel El Tecal?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does Hotel El Tecal have a pool?

Hotel El Tecal features an outdoor pool.

Does Hotel El Tecal have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Hotel El Tecal to downtown Ballena?

Hotel El Tecal is 0.7 mi away from Uvita.

Hotel El Tecal Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 35 out of 63 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 63 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 63 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 63 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 63 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Caroline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Garrett Neil

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

More than we expected

Amazing big and clean room with a balcony. Did not expect it would be that huge and nice.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mario

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, easy access, clean. Well worth the money
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Billy, Colorado Springs

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joan

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

Just book it.

Loved this place so much we booked to stay longer. Fantastic location just 5 mins walk from the national park beach which is stunning. The grounds of the hotel are lovely with two pools to cool down in after a hot day in the beach. Staff are exceptionally helpful snd kind. There is a restaurant attached to the hotel and a Mexican restaurant just along the road. We had the superior double room with a large kitchen and terrace so nice that we went to Maxi Palí supermarket at the end of the road and bought food to cook in the lovely kitchen. Now sitting in a hotel further up the coast and wishing we hadn’t left paradise
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Great pkave!

Great place, nice pools and breakfast was wonderful. Started early enough for us to eat before heading out on our adventures. We will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karla

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. People were nice!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Andrew

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Quality rooms and the restaurant has good food. Outside of the main town, walkable to beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

SHAWN

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
2nd night good place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

SHAWN

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a few noisy neighbors our first night, they have a pool looked nice did not use, 2 minute drive to whale tail beach entrance. Breakfast was excellent.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Anthony, Alajuela

Traveled with family
There's not enough space in the rooms. Kind of uncomfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Oleksandr

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Agata

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love free breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is right next to the beach, walking distance and great location. Across the street is a great restaurant! The staff is so friendly. Breakfast there starts at 6:30am and is made to order. The beds are comfortable and you have a fridge and freezer and can control your own AC temperature. They give you two towels each which is very nice. They have a pool and showers. There is a cute orange and white hotel cat. I wish they had a lamp and towel hangers in the room.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Grettel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karol

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Cristian

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Swimming pools are above ground and highly chlorinated, no where to sit and socialize around pool(s) area. There was no Internet nor cable television which is not the hotel's fault BUT they should have offered a discount or have a solution ready.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

sarah

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For such an economical price i did not expect a nice breakfast included. Or a pool. Or a kitchen in our units. The staff are very courteous and keep the facilities clean. This place is definitely a good bargain.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chantelle

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, beautiful room with all we needed. Full breakfast and friendly staff. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

2/10 Terrible

Eileen

Traveled with group

Construction noise woke up at 5.30 am every day .

Extremly dissapointed . Hotel was good but i was woken every morning between 5.30 and 6am with very loud construction noise . On the last day they also started a reno on the room next door . They droped something on my door at 5.30 am then stated moving stuff in and out and banging on the pipes. Im on vacation i dont want to be up before 6 am . Tried to explain to staff and ask for the manager they said he wasnt in . I paid good money yet got little sleep . Id like a refund .
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

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

Decent hotel

The hotel seemed new and was very clean but a little impersonal but well located. There are other hotels closer to the beach though for the same price
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were spotless clean, you could eat off the floors.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alexander

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I stayed at this hotel at the end of January. Overall I was very pleased with the hotel. The reception staff didn’t speak much English but were doing their best to be helpful. My room was clean and cozy. The hotel is located within walking distance from the Uvita beach. There are a few restaurants close to it. I would definitely come back again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Nice but our room was visible to the neighbors.

We stayed in the Deluxe Apartment and overall it was very good. The bathroom was amazing, the beds were comfortable, everything was clean, the staff was nice, and it was quiet. However, we were pretty uncomfortable the next morning to find that the closet that was locked off to us was open to the adjacent apartment, and they could easily look right through the spaces beside the sliding closet doors into our room. If they fix that, I’d gladly stay there again but otherwise we would not be interested in going back.
Entrance
Parking
Deluxe apartment balcony on the left
Hotel hallway
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022