Arboura Eco Cabins Review: A Slow-Season Stay in Uvita, Costa Rica
Stay Score: 3.6/5 (Eco-lodge / hostel, private cabina)
- Location & Access: 3/5
- Cleanliness & Comfort: 3/5
- Amenities: 3/5
- Safety & Security: 5/5
- Staff & Service: 5/5
- Value for Price: 3/5
- Social Vibe: 2/5
- Sleep Quality: 3/5
- Self-Catering: 5/5
Best for: Travelers coming for whale watching, or anyone who wants to slow down for a while
Skip if: You want a walkable town, a social scene, or you're not coming for the whales
Verdict: A friendly, well-run hostel in a very sleepy town. Come for the whales, plan to slow down, and bring cash.
How I Ended Up in Uvita
Uvita wasn't on my list. Then I found out it was humpback whale season. A few quick searches showed that Uvita was on my way, had whale watching, and was somewhere I'd never been. That settled it.
Getting There (and Why You Need Cash)
I book almost everything on Booking, and this stay was no different. What the listing didn't make obvious is that the hostel is cash only. No cards, for anything.
(Heads up: it's listed as "Arbura" on Booking, but it's Arboura everywhere else.)
I took a taxi from town for about $5 and only found out I needed cash when I checked in. The staff handled it well. They let me get settled in my room first and then let me use a bike to get to the ATM.
That brings up the bikes. The hostel lends them out for free, and you'll want one. Uvita is spread out. I usually walk everywhere when I travel, and this town made me dread doing that.
The Room: Cabana #1
I booked a private cabana, specifically cabana #1, and the number matters.
Cabana #1 is the first one you pass when you walk in, and it's raised off the ground. It has big windows on both sides, and you'll want them open. But, when they are, you feel like you're on display to the staff and to every traveler coming and going. There's parking underneath, so you'll hear the occasional car pulling in or out.
The breeze is nice, but during heavy rain, water can splash in. Ants and other bugs came and went too. It wasn't a lot, but enough that I kept an eye on my stuff. The humidity was bad enough that my phone kept giving me charging warnings. I barely opened my laptop. (this was rainy season)
The best part of the cabana is its own kitchenette, so you can cook whatever you want.
I woke up early to howler monkeys outside. If you've never heard them, they sound terrifying. Once I figured out what it was, I rolled over and went back to sleep.
Amenities & Extras
- Laundry: $12 for a large load. The timing was perfect for me. I didn't do laundry anywhere else on the trip, so I can't say whether that's a good price.
- Local info: The staff have a good map of town and know where everything is.
- Pool and patio: A good place to lounge. I spent a lot of my short stay there.
- Wifi: wifi was more than enough to let me use and scroll on my phone
Whale Watching
The hostel set up my whale watching tour for $75. I thought they ran it themselves, but they're more of a middleman: someone meets you at the park entrance and hands you off to one of the tour groups. I didn't compare prices, but you could probably find a better deal if you shop around.
Social Vibe
I was there in slow season, and it showed. There were a few other travelers around, but we didn't really talk beyond passing each other. The town felt the same: quiet, empty, and without much going on. That might be completely different in peak season, but I can only review what I saw.
Things to Know Before You Book
- Bring cash. It's the only payment they take.
- Ask for a cabana other than #1 if privacy matters to you.
- Use the bikes. Uvita isn't a walking town.
- Shop around for whale tours before booking through the hostel.
- Pricing: I paid $36 in September 2026, during slow season. Rates will likely change with the seasons.
Would I Stay Again?
Maybe, but in a different room and with different expectations. Arboura is friendly and well run. The staff were great, and the kitchenette makes it easy to settle in. Just go knowing Uvita is a place for lounging and wandering slowly around town when you feel like it, not a place where you'll be busy.
Disclosure: The map above includes affiliate links. If you book through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Where's Pablo on the road.