Oxygen Jungle Villas & Spa

The night walk and birdwatching tours on the Oxygen property were a highlight. Andrea and Alex guided us, and their knowledge and enthusiasm for the animals and the land really stood out. We also loved the pool, drinks there, hearty breakfasts, and early evening cocktails. We went for our honeymoon, and they welcomed us with roses and champagne. Every staff member was kind and generous, and the front desk team was especially helpful with all our Uvita questions and travel plans. The property is beautiful, high up on a steep hill, with amazing views from the rooms and pool. Just be aware that their drivers cost $22 each way to and from Uvita. Looking back, we would have rented a car. You’re surrounded by nature while still having a very elevated experience. Oxygen is incredible, and we highly recommend it.

We didn’t stay at the hotel, so this is only about the spa and restaurant. The treatment was outstanding, the therapists were talented, and the spa setting felt magical. I much preferred hearing the jungle to the cheesy music most spas play. We enjoyed the pools and waterfall before our treatment, then had excellent food and drinks at the restaurant. We even watched birds from the bar and saw toucans.

The food was amazing, and I still miss their fresh juice. Everyone on staff was friendly, helpful, and happy to answer questions. My jungle-view room was clean despite being in the middle of the jungle, and the patio bathtub was beautiful. Some animal came onto my patio every night. It scared me the first night, but I was ready for it after that. I was too scared to open the curtains and find out what it was! I visited in rainy season, so I couldn’t get a massage by the waterfall, but you could hear it from the spa and it lulled me to sleep. The spa shower is outdoors and very peaceful, and my masseuse had just the right touch. I’d recommend this place again and again.

The views are stunning, and the staff we met were welcoming and kind. But our stay at Oxygen Jungle Villas was deeply disappointing, especially for the price. My wife and I spent the second half of our honeymoon there, after almost a year of research and planning. It was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we found no mention of this kind of problem in the reviews. There were cockroaches in the villa, including the bedroom and bathroom. We expected some wildlife in a jungle setting, like ants, spiders, and beetles, but this felt unsanitary and unacceptable. We kept our luggage sealed and elevated, and only took things out when necessary because we were afraid roaches would get into it. Twice during our six-day stay, staff asked us to leave the villa for extermination. It seemed to mean spraying insecticide. When we came back, dead cockroaches were scattered around the bed, bathroom, and even the bathtub, making the place feel even less usable. Management said cockroaches should be expected in the jungle. We understand the setting, but had no such problem at Rancho Pacifico, just 10 minutes away. They offered a $70 room service credit, which felt wholly inadequate after we spent around $5,000 on this part of our honeymoon. We also booked extra excursions to avoid being in the villa during treatments, adding unexpected costs. My wife became violently ill with food poisoning for days after eating the lettuce on the chicken cub sandwich. We wouldn’t return or recommend the property given the serious pest and cleanliness issues.