Olas Verdes
On Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, majestic natural beauty unfolds between dense tropical jungle and the deep blue of the Pacific. This is a landscape shaped by pristine coastline, warm ocean waters, extraordinary wildlife and a year-round outdoor lifestyle—and home to one of the world’s celebrated Blue Zone regions, renowned for the longevity and vitality associated with life on the peninsula.
Within it, Nosara has emerged as one of Costa Rica’s most coveted coastal destinations. Surf, wellness and nature define the rhythm here, while open-air cafés, yoga studios, independent boutiques and restaurants bring a cosmopolitan spirit to the tropical setting. The result is a destination that feels both distinctly Costa Rican and effortlessly international.
At its heart is Playa Guiones, an expansive stretch of Pacific coastline celebrated for its surf, spectacular sunsets and natural beauty. Surfers head for the water with the morning light, yoga classes begin beneath the palms, and evenings gather around the beach as the sun sinks into the Pacific. Hidden within the tropical landscape of Playa Guiones, Olas Verdes is perfectly placed to experience it all. The hotel borders the Ostional–Nosara Wildlife Refuge, with a short jungle path leading toward Playa Guiones. Follow the trail beneath the trees and within minutes the Pacific comes into view.
The location brings together the best of Nosara. Guests are surrounded by jungle and wildlife, while the area’s restaurants, cafés, boutiques, yoga studios and celebrated surf culture are all within easy reach. Complimentary bicycles make exploring part of the experience, whether heading toward the beach or discovering the surrounding neighborhood. Private, relaxed and deeply connected to its surroundings, Olas Verdes captures the spirit of one of Costa Rica’s most distinctive coastal enclaves.
THE STAY
Olas Verdes feels like a collection of private residences tucked into the jungle.
Suites are spacious and understated, with separate living areas, private balconies and terraces, and details sourced from Costa Rican artisans. Poolside Suites create an intimate setting for couples, while larger Luxury Suites and Beach Apartments offer generous space for families and groups. Thoughtful touches include locally grown Costa Rican coffee, eco-friendly water bottles in each room, complimentary bicycles for exploring Nosara, and a pool framed by lush tropical greenery.
Adding another layer to the experience is the hotel’s concierge service, connecting guests with the experiences that define Nosara and the surrounding Nicoya Peninsula. From surf lessons, yoga and massages to nature excursions, horseback riding, snorkeling, fishing and local adventures, the team can curate days around each guest’s interests.
Step outside in the morning and the jungle is already alive. Birds move through the canopy, monkeys make appearances overhead, and the Pacific is only minutes away.
SURF. STRETCH. REPEAT.
In Nosara, wellness is woven naturally into the day.
Playa Guiones is one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated surf beaches, known for its consistent waves and broad sandy bottom. Beginners can take lessons with experienced instructors, while seasoned surfers can grab a board and head straight for the water.
Olas Verdes’ open-air yoga shala sits beneath a magnificent pochote tree, surrounded by tropical greenery and the sounds of the forest. Sessions unfold with birds overhead and Pacific breezes moving through the space, creating a practice intrinsically connected to the landscape. After surfing, yoga or a day spent exploring, massages can be arranged in-suite or on the yoga deck overlooking the jungle. Treatments range from deep-tissue and relaxation massages, to hydrating treatments, facial massage and couples massages. A morning surf followed by yoga and an afternoon massage quickly becomes a favorite Nosara ritual.
BEYOND GUIONES
The majestic landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula invite exploration.
The hotel’s concierge can curate days throughout the region, while an on-site certified naturalist guide leads early-morning birdwatching walks through the gardens and nearby mangroves. Evening excursions reveal another side of the forest, introducing guests to the remarkable wildlife that emerges after sunset. Further afield, horseback rides travel through the Guanacaste countryside and along the coast. Snorkeling excursions explore the Pacific waters around San Juanillo and Playa Garza, while fishing charters head offshore from nearby Playa Garza. ATV adventures journey deeper into the surrounding landscape, with routes incorporating forests, beaches, waterfalls and coffee farms.
One of the region’s most memorable experiences takes place at nearby Playa Ostional, part of the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. Here, olive ridley sea turtles arrive from the Pacific to nest, and guided excursions offer the opportunity to witness this extraordinary natural event when conditions align. From Pacific surf and tropical forest to mangroves and wildlife, each experience reveals another dimension of the Nicoya Peninsula.
THE NOSARA TABLE
Open to the gardens and warm Costa Rican air, the restaurant carries the relaxed elegance of Nosara from morning through evening. Tables overlook tropical greenery and the pool, creating a setting that moves effortlessly from post-surf breakfasts to leisurely lunches and dinners under the tropical sky.
Mornings begin with freshly squeezed juice, Costa Rican coffee, tropical fruit and local favorites, accompanied by bread baked fresh in the kitchen each day. After an early surf or yoga session, breakfast becomes one of the pleasures of the morning. Lunch embraces the warmth of the afternoon, with fresh, colorful dishes suited to lingering poolside before returning to Playa Guiones.
As evening arrives, the menu turns toward the Pacific. Fresh fish and seafood take center stage, with dishes such as seared tuna, coconut shrimp and the catch of the day paired with bright tropical flavors. Mango, pineapple, avocado and other local ingredients appear throughout the menu, while house-made pejibaye gnocchi brings a distinctly Costa Rican ingredient to an Italian classic. The Guiones Bowl layers tuna, chicken or tofu with sushi rice, grilled pineapple, avocado, kale, cucumber and vegetables—a colorful reflection of the fresh, health-conscious food culture that has become synonymous with Nosara.
At the bar, seasonal tropical fruit finds its way into cocktails and alcohol-free creations, ideal as the afternoon light begins to soften. Select evenings bring their own rhythm, from sushi nights and seafood dinners to live music. Dining at El Manglar feels intrinsically connected to the destination: fresh ingredients, tropical flavors, open-air tables and the sounds of the surrounding jungle. It is as much a part of the Olas Verdes experience as the surf, yoga and beach.
CONSCIOUS BY DESIGN
Olas Verdes’ commitment to sustainability is woven throughout the property and feels especially fitting within the extraordinary natural environment of the Nicoya Peninsula. Solar energy, natural ventilation, rainwater collection, wastewater treatment, recycling, composting and extensive native landscaping all form part of the hotel’s environmental approach. The grounds incorporate more than 130 native plant species, creating a landscape integrated with the surrounding forest and providing habitat for the wildlife frequently seen throughout the property.
Guests can also take a sustainability tour to discover the systems and practices behind the hotel’s environmental initiatives. That philosophy extends into the community through partnerships with Costa Rican artisans, local businesses and conservation organizations, strengthening the connection between Olas Verdes and the destination it calls home.
THE ART OF NOSARA
Life on the Nicoya Peninsula has long been associated with well-being, connection, movement and longevity, qualities that have helped establish the region as one of the world’s celebrated Blue Zones. In Nosara, those ideas take on a distinctly coastal expression.
Surf Playa Guiones as the morning begins. Return for Costa Rican coffee and breakfast at El Manglar. Take yoga beneath the trees. Cycle through Guiones for cafés, boutiques and local discoveries, or let the concierge arrange an afternoon exploring farther along the peninsula. Come back for a massage overlooking the jungle before following the path toward the beach for sunset. As evening arrives, golden Pacific light filters through the palms and Nosara moves into its nighttime rhythm—dinner outdoors, live music, tropical cocktails and warm evenings beneath the stars. At Olas Verdes, surf, wellness, gastronomy, wildlife and adventure come together amid the majestic beauty of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.
It is a place to experience the spirit of Nosara at its most vivid—and to understand why this extraordinary corner of Costa Rica continues to captivate travelers from around the world.
