Welcome to Vista Ballena Hotel and The Hart Center. Whether you are arriving for rest and renewal, a retreat or program, or simply to experience the natural beauty of Uvita, Costa Rica, we are honored to have you here.
Vista Ballena and The Hart Center are deeply personal creations for me — born not only from a love of this extraordinary place, but from a lifelong journey centered on learning, connection, and purposeful living.
For nearly 50 years, I had the privilege of working alongside my father, Richard Gordon, the visionary founder of IPD Volvo in Portland, Oregon. From 1963 through 2013, IPD was more than a business — it was a community built on strong values, curiosity, and service.
Together, we learned that true success isn’t measured only by what you build, but by how you grow and how you care for others along the way.
One belief guided everything we did: a commitment to continuous learning — personally, professionally, and collectively. Education, reflection, and growth weren’t optional; they were essential. That philosophy was captured in a simple core value that continues to guide me today:
“We continue to learn, grow, change, and share.” Vista Ballena and The Hart Center are an extension of that belief. Set between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this land offers space to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect — with nature, with others, and with yourself.
Here, hospitality is not just about comfort, but about presence. Wellness is not just an activity, but a way of being.
Whether you are here to rest, to transform, to learn, or to explore, my hope is that this space supports you — gently and authentically — wherever you are on your journey. May your time here inspire reflection, meaningful connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Thank you for choosing to be here. Thank you for becoming part of this living, evolving story.
With heart,
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