Moana Surf Resort – Nosara, Costa Rica
Arriving at Moana Surf Resort feels like being welcomed into someone's beautifully curated home. This intimate six-suite boutique has been thoughtfully created by passionate hosts Danny and Tali, who transformed a privileged parcel at the northern end of Playa Guiones into something genuinely special. Every hand-selected piece of local wood, every morning's homemade breakfast, every sunset recommendation whispers their commitment to creating not just a place to stay, but a place that feels like home—one you'll want to return to again and again.
Nestled amid lush tropical gardens with private beach access through a protected jungle refuge, Moana offers something increasingly rare: the intimacy of a family-run property with the sophistication of a luxury retreat. Just a two-minute barefoot walk leads you to one of Costa Rica's most celebrated surf breaks, where consistent waves roll in year-round and the most spectacular sunsets you'll witness in your lifetime paint the sky each evening—the kind that stop conversations mid-sentence and draw the entire beach into reverent silence. The resort's privileged location means you're steps from world-class surfing yet close enough to walk to Nosara's vibrant restaurant scene, organic markets, and that easy Blue Zone lifestyle that makes this corner of Costa Rica so magnetic.
The Rooms
Moana's six accommodations range from spacious studios with kitchenettes to expansive three-bedroom suites, each designed with natural materials and a pared-down aesthetic that lets the surrounding jungle take center stage. Local woods warm every space, while clean lines and neutral tones create a sense of calm sophistication. Floor-to-ceiling windows invite the outdoors in, and private terraces offer front-row seats to the morning animal parade—howler monkeys, toucans, and endless tropical birdsong that serves as your daily alarm clock.
Upper-floor units feature soaring wood-beamed ceilings that feel both rustic and refined, while ground-floor cottages open directly onto lush gardens where iguanas bask in afternoon sun. Every room includes thoughtful touches: premium linens, spacious bathrooms, and those little luxuries that matter after a day in the surf and sun.
The Experience
What sets Moana apart is the genuine warmth that permeates everything here. Danny and Tali don't just run a hotel—they create a community. Morning breakfast becomes a gathering spot where guests swap surf conditions and dinner recommendations over fresh tropical fruit and homemade pastries. The carefully curated playlist sets the perfect laid-back vibe. Their local knowledge transforms your stay from good to exceptional: which beach has the gentlest waves for beginners, where to find the best local fish tacos, which sunset spot is quietest on any given evening.
The resort's expert surf instructors cater to everyone from nervous first-timers to advanced surfers looking to perfect their technique. But surfing is just the beginning—the new Santai wellness experience offers a stunning Finnish sauna and cold plunge pools for the ultimate contrast therapy, while skilled massage therapists work out the kinks from your ocean adventures. For those seeking stillness over surf, countless yoga studios dot the neighborhood, all within easy walking distance.
Moana's commitment to sustainability runs deep: biodegradable toiletries, comprehensive recycling programs, zero single-use plastics, and native plantings throughout the property. They understand that preserving this pristine corner of Costa Rica matters just as much as sharing it.
Why We Love Moana
This is the kind of place that turns first-time visitors into annual returnees. The combination of intimate scale, authentic hospitality, and that rare private beach access creates something you simply can't find in larger resorts. You arrive as a guest and leave feeling like family—already planning your return visit before you've even departed.
There's something about waking to howler monkeys in the trees, padding barefoot down that jungle path to empty morning surf, then returning for breakfast where Danny and Tali greet you like the dear friends you've become. It's the definition of pura vida—that Costa Rican philosophy of simple, unrushed living that makes every moment feel more vivid, more present, more alive.
Moana doesn't try to be everything to everyone. Instead, it perfects what matters: genuine connection, spectacular natural beauty, and that intangible quality that makes you feel completely at home in a place you've traveled thousands of miles to reach. It doesn't just offer accommodation; it offers transformation, reminding us that the best travel experiences come not from ticking off bucket list items, but from finding places worth returning to, season after season.
Looking to discover your own hidden gem in Costa Rica? Let's plan your escape to Moana or another boutique property that becomes your annual tradition.