Costa Rica Real Estate Magazine

versity. This country has a serious commitment to the preservation of natural and cultural resources, offering visitors a model of tourism that respects the environment. How do you ensure that your hotel operates in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way? Cristal Ballena has been participating since 2010 in the CST pro gram (Certification for Sustainable Tourism - CST) and we are proud that we have been awarded with the high level of 4 leaves. What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your experience building and running this business? One of the greatest pleasures of running our hotel and restaurant is the daily interaction with our guests, offering us precious oppor tunities to connect with people and cultures from across the globe. Seeing our team members grow professionally and personally has been especially gratifying. Many started with little experience but have developed into skilled hospitality professionals who take genu ine pride in their work. What are some of the unique experiences your boutique hotel offers guests that they can’t find anywhere else? The hotel’s unique hilltop position between the Pacific Ocean and rainforest-covered mountains provides breathtaking panoramic ocean views and spectacular daily sunsets. Our “Pura Vida” Restaurant, pop ular with both locals and visitors, is open to the public and offers in ternational cuisine with an Austrian flair. Guests can enjoy refreshing drinks while taking in the spectacular ocean views during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our Cristal Ballena Pool Club is another popular attraction, offering day passes to visitors who wish to experience our beautiful pool and garden facilities. Here, you can combine swimming, dining, and bird watching all in one location.” The hotel features its own private Cristal Ballena Rainforest Trail where guests can observe howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, coatimundis, and diverse jun gle wildlife. The property’s location attracts toucans and various bird species that guests can observe from their rooms and the pool area. Hotel Cristal Ballena is a top accommodation for bird watching and wildlife holidays in the South Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica. We are part of the Costa Rica Birding Hot Spots, a group of hotels in the country for bird watching, located in the main Important Bird Areas for conservation (IBA’s) declared by BirdLife International in Costa Rica. While birding is a highlight, the South Pacific coast also offers exciting whale-watching opportunities. The waters off this region, particularly around Marino Ballena National Park, are known for their incredible marine life. How has your perspective on life changed since moving to Costa Rica and starting this business? Living here has opened our eyes to new ways of seeing the world and taught us different ways to find happiness and success in life. The reward comes from doing work we truly enjoy and seeing its positive impact. What are your hopes for the future of your hotel and its impact on the local community and environment? We are currently enhancing our natural gardens and park landscape through an exciting new development project. By incorporating carefully selected native plants, we are creating an even more attrac tive habitat for local wildlife, birds, and butterflies. The addition of a planned lagoon will further transform our grounds into an even more

enchanting natural paradise. This project demonstrates our deep connection to nature and promotes sustainable tourism through its eco-friendly approach. We hope that this positive development benefits our staff, the local economy, and the entire region. What activities do you and your wife enjoy doing in your free time? We are fortunate to live in this wonderful hotel property and en joy its tranquility and natural surroundings. For several years, I have pursued nature and bird photography as a hobby. A personal project particularly close to my heart is the artistic transformation of my extensive wildlife and nature documentation, all captured in the surrounding area and on our hotel grounds. I aim to incorpo rate these authentic encounters with nature into the hotel’s design through digital art and fine art prints, creating an atmosphere for our guests that reflects our deep connection to local nature - mov ing beyond standardized hotel artwork. While nature remains in our hearts, we also enjoy our trips back to our home country Austria, where we reunite with family and love exploring Europe. Looking back with 20/20 vision, what if anything would you have done differently after arriving in Costa Rica? Everyone experiences moments in life where, looking back, we could have made different choices. Yet even missed opportunities can teach us valuable lessons and help us look positively toward the future. Part of Costa Rica’s “Pura Vida” philosophy is welcoming each new day with joy and making the most of it. Come Experience Paradise with the Steiners. We invite you to visit us personally at Hotel Cristal Bal lena, where authentic hospitality meets natural beauty. As your hosts, we’d be delighted to share our slice of paradise and our experiences of life in Costa Rica with you. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of our ocean-view property while enjoying exquisite dining at our Pura Vida Restaurant. Let us arrange exciting tours to discover the region’s natural wonders, from whale watching to rainforest adventures. Whether you’re dreaming of making this paradise your home or exploring options for a personal Plan B, we’re here to

share our experience and connect you with trusted local professionals who can guide your journey. Join us for an unforgettable stay where every sunset tells a new story, and every guest becomes part of our extended

family. Contact us to plan your visit and discover why so many have chosen to make this magical cor ner of Costa Rica their home. Andreas Steiner

Hotel Cristal Ballena 7 km South of Uvita de Osa Puntarenas, Osa

55 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE WhatsApp: (506) 8390-6863

E-mail: info@cristal-ballena.com • Web page: www.cristal-ballena.com