Olas Verdes Hotel

Owned by a family from New Jersey, and operated by locals, Olas Verdes offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere where guests bond over surfing while taking lessons at the on-site Safari Surf School. One of the best and longest-running surf schools in Nosara, Safari Surf has excellent, English speaking teachers who cater to any age and experience level. Travelers come to Olas Verdes to learn how to surf, so those who aren’t interested in surfing may feel bored or out of place here. What separates Olas Verdes from the rest of Nosara’s surf lodges is its higher-end, family-friendly atmosphere. This is not the type of place where backpackers crash for a few weeks and test out the waves -- and the hotel’s nightly rates reflect this. Instead, Olas Verdes appeals to families and couples looking for an active vacation in a clean, comfortable setting. The hotel’s atmosphere is warm and communal. Guests get to know one another quickly, and they often share meals together at the on-site restaurant. During our visit we bonded with fellow travelers over breakfast, and encouraged one another during difficult surf lessons. The clientele at the time of our visit consisted of a solo female traveler from Alabama, a doctor from Spain, a father and son duo from Michigan, and a retired couple from New York.  

Olas Verdes Hotel is located in Nosara, and for many travelers, this area offers the perfect blend of rustic Costa Rica and modern convenience. Along its gravel roads, local vendors sell coconuts next to chic boutiques; Tico “sodas” neighbor vegan smoothie joints; and yoga classes are as widely available as surf lessons. Nosara is known throughout Costa Rica for having some of the best and most consistent wave breaks in the country, which compels surf enthusiasts from around the world to relocate here. The large expat population brings global cuisine and a health-conscious lifestyle to Nosara, evidenced by the town’s numerous trendy restaurants, organic cafes, and yoga studios. Travelers come to Nosara to take part in its unique culture; therefore most hotels offer surf lessons, yoga classes, and healthy on-site restaurants. Nosara’s one glaring flaw is the condition of its roads. The gravel side streets around town add to Nosara’s charm, but its punishing potholed “highway” is nightmarish. All of the major roads that lead to Nosara are horrific, and travelers will likely encounter river crossings without bridges. Four-wheel drive is necessary -- so are patience and a sense of humor. Part of Nosara’s allure is its hard to reach location, but some travelers may not find the trek worthwhile. The closest international airports in Liberia and San Jose are a whopping three and four hours away by car. Tamarindo is another popular surf town in Guanacaste that’s easier to reach and is only about 90-minutes from the airport in Liberia. However Tamarindo lacks Nosara’s “jungle in the middle of nowhere” vibe. 

The touristy part of Nosara centers around Playa Guiones, one of the country’s best surfing beaches. This area of Nosara is often referred to as the G-section. Building is not permitted on Playa Guiones, so none of the area’s hotels are truly beachfront. Olas Verdes Hotel is as close to the beach as is legally allowed -- guests only need to walk through protected wetlands for five-minutes before hitting the beach.  

Rooms at Olas Verdes are some of the nicest, and largest, in Nosara. Decor is modern, colorful, and decidedly high-end for the area, and features lots of local wood accents. Rooms are housed in several two-story buildings across the property. Upper-floor rooms feel larger and airier than their lower-level counterparts thanks to vaulted ceilings and large windows. Olas Verdes has two room types -- entry-level poolside suites and larger luxury suites. Both room types are one-bedroom style units with separate living rooms and small kitchenettes. Rooms don’t have TVs, but they do offer access to the hotel’s free Wi-Fi. 

Poolside suites are about 375 square feet, while luxury suites are approximately 525 square feet. Families or groups traveling together can rent two or four luxury suites in the same building to create larger, multi-bedroom units. Some poolside suites have outdoor balconies, but luxury suites lack outdoor space. Since the hotel tries to be as eco-friendly as possible, only bedrooms are air-conditioned. Living rooms have fans, but can feel uncomfortable in Costa Rica’s hot, humid weather. Bathrooms are beautifully finished with recycled-glass countertops and mosaic tile walls and showers. Olas Verdes provides its own eco-friendly toiletries, and encourages guests to be mindful of their water consumption. 

The on-site Safari Surf School is Olas Verdes’ greatest feature. Since its opening in 1998, Safari Surf has established itself as Nosara’s premier surf school. All of its instructors are Costa Rican ISA Level One or Two surf coaches and certified lifeguards. Safari equips students with Walden and Firewire boards and equipment, but guests should bring their own rashguards. Wetsuits are not necessary as Nosara’s ocean temperature ranges from 77 to 86 degrees. 

Though Olas Verdes is owned by a New Jersey family, the hotel only employs local staff members. Its on-site restaurant and bar, El Manglar, is owned by two local women who employ other local women to work as cooks and servers. The menu changes frequently but typically includes a mix of Costa Rican and international specialities. The owners only use regional ingredients, and use organic produce whenever possible. El Manglar is open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included in the nightly room rate for hotel guests. The restaurant is located on an outdoor, covered deck next to the pool. 

The pool itself is a beautiful freeform body of water situated in the center of the property. There are a few shallow ledges where guests can sunbathe, and a deeper section in the center. Next to the pool, a handful of cushioned lounge chairs sit beneath a thatched roof awning. Guests use the pool throughout the day between surf lessons, but it’s never too crowded. The majority of guests choose to spend their days on Playa Guiones, whether surfing, swimming or sunbathing. The massive beach offers a taste of local life -- residents run with their dogs, teenagers play soccer along the shoreline, and surfers constantly haul their boards to the waves. From Olas Verdes, guests only need to walk about five-minutes through protected wetland before reaching the sand. 

Olas Verdes offers lots of freebies, including free breakfast, Wi-Fi, loaner beach bikes, and round-trip airport transportation from Nosara Airport (a tiny regional airport with connections to larger cities like San Jose and Liberia). It also has an outdoor yoga pavilion where it offers occasional free classes. 

As a LEED Platinum hotel, Olas Verdes is committed to sustainability. The property was intentionally built around existing vegetation, and the owners planted only native plants on its grounds. Native plants require little water, mitigate the effects of erosion, and provide a natural habitat for native fauna. The hotel’s solar powered photovoltaic system and hot-water heaters provide 20 percent of its annual energy demand, and its efficient taps and gray-water recycling systems cut back on water waste. The hotel composts all of its yard, and some of its kitchen waste, and sends food leftovers to a local pig farm. It also sends all of its recyclables to a nearby recycling center. The hotel supplies guests with reusable water bottles and biodegradable toiletries, and uses non-toxic cleaning products.