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Surf Simply has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Outside Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and CNN. Surf Simply offer one week, all-inclusive technical surf coaching courses which have revolutionized the way the sport is taught. You can get to know the coaches and coaching methodology by checking out Surf Simply’s video tutorials on Youtube or listening to the Surf Simply podcasts. Our team of 8 ISA and ILSF qualified coaches are surf geeks who work with just 12 guests each week, replacing ambiguous surf lingo with clear, concise, systemized coaching. A week at Surf Simply is all inclusive. So everything is taken care of for you from the moment you land in Costa Rica: transfers, food, drinks, massage, stretch classes, photos, custom video, surf coaching and accommodation at our beautiful new resort, designed by Gensler and completed in October, 2018.
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I recently attended SS as a returning guest. After an extended 2020 lockdown, I was both eager to return to activities I love, but also nervous about venturing out in the post COVID world. I chose SS because of their reputation for attention to detail, and I think that trait has carried well in these unusual times. Everyone was required to have a negative COVID test prior to arrival. The staff was exceptional - the cleaning, the care with which meals were presented, unobtrusive temperature checks, etc. While this visit was certainly different, none of it felt “weird,” or detracted from the experience. The outdoor orientation of the new resort proved ideal for comfortable social distancing. Nearly all of the extensive common areas are outdoors, with lounge furniture, ceiling fans and roofs to shelter from the sun / rain. And of course the coaching remains top notch. Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: October 2020
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kerianne Kreger, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 12 Nov 2020
I was so pleased you could make it down and I know the entire team was happy to see you again. Thank you so much for coming down, especially during this unusual time.
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After an 8 year absence, I returned for my third visit to Surf Simply. This was my first experience at the "new" Surf Simply location, and it did not disappoint. The accommodations are incredible, and the overall experience at Surf Simply continues to be defined as "relentless consistency". The coaching continues to be fantastic, the food is phenomenal, the stretch classes and messages were outstanding, the location is perfect and the videographers/photographers help to capture your experience here for you to re-live as often as you like. The entire staff including the cooks, mixologist, servers, maintenance staff, stretch instructor, masseuse, behind the scenes logistic staff, and the coaches clearly behave like a family, and all 12 guest each week feel like they have been adopted as new family members. I will state without hesitation that Surf Simply sets the standard for what a surf/sport vacation should be, as the coaching and video review provides you with skills that will rapidly accelerate your surfing ability. If you are interested in learning to surf or wish to rapidly improve your surfing in an environment where the only thing you have to worry about is surfing, where everything is taken care of for you, where the food and accommodations are incredible, and you return from your trip with fantastic memories, improved surfing skills and video/pictures to prove it, Surf Simply should be your first choice!!
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Date of stay: September 2022
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Room Tip:all the rooms are fantastic, but try to get something on the second floor
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Robin Bass, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 15 Sept 2022
Paul, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. The team was excited to see you again and we're so happy you shared your week with us.
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Incredible experience. From the food, to the rooms, the communal spaces, classrooms, proximity to the beach, thoughtful scheduling, abundance of gear, and of course the technical coaching and dry land curriculum, Surf Simply is above and beyond. What the Surf Simply team creates for their guests is magical, seamless. The business feels well run and the team is enthusiastic about what they do. I learned a lot and had a great time. The a.m. and p.m kitchen staff, Jessie, Derek, Lau, Diego, Gabby, and Jamie were the team members I most interacted with and they never ceased to surprise and impress. Was easy to be a solo guest. It was expensive but Surf Simply delivered, and there were no surprise costs. It’s been harder to write this review than I would’ve thought—keep getting lost in the memory high of wading into a warm, clear ocean, being handed the just right smoothie in the hot tub after a surf, and the outrageous indulgence of the coconut fridge…
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Robin Bass, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Kristine, we are so glad that you were able join us. Thank you for trusting us with your weeks vacation and your kind words.
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As a beginner surfer, my goal for the week was to stand up on the surf board and ride a wave. With the incredible program at Surf Simply and my coach Justin with assist from Gabriele I was able to develop a foundation from which to build on and by the end of the week, I was catching my own waves and consistently riding the white water!! The entire staff from hospitality, culinary, photographers, massage therapists and coaching were super positive, extremely knowledgeable, kind and patient. The small boutique resort was very well appointed with beautiful rooms each with private balcony, very comfortable beds, a beautiful shared indoor/outdoor lounge, kitchen and pool area and the functionality of the design to allow for classroom and yoga studio space, exceeded all of my expectations. Not to mention my incredible massages I received from Jamie . This week not only exceeded my expectations, but I left having fallen in love with surfing. Thank you Surf Simply - See you soon!!
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Date of stay: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Robin Bass, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 24 Nov 2022
Colleen, we're so glad you enjoyed the week and thank you so much for coming to stay with us. We'll look forward to seeing you again.
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I have been surfing for many years and had hit a plateau with my surf skills. I spent way too much time researching surf schools around the world and Surf Simply seemed to be the consensus pick for the best place for surf coaching. The downside was the waiting list: they are typically booked 12-18 months in advance (by the way, I now understand why - half or more of the people there are returning guests). I tried a different surf school which turned out to be a total waste of time. So I waited my turn to get into Surf Simply and I couldn't be more thrilled that I did.
Surf Simply is amazing in every way. The people, the setting, the coaches, the waves, the curriculum, the resort, the food, the massages, the stretch/yoga classes, .... everything. Regardless of your surfing level (from total beginner to working on more vertical surfing/snaps), this is the best surf coaching available. This is probably the closest experience to being a professional athlete that most of us will ever have.
I already have a 2nd visit booked for this year and am booking 2 more trips next year. If surfing is for you, this is your place.
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Date of stay: January 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kerianne Kreger, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 8 Feb 2021
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. We're all looking forward to seeing you again later this year.
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I returned to Surf Simply the second week of 2021 after a year of no traveling due to the pandemic. I felt grateful to have the opportunity to spend another fun week at this amazing resort. The staff did an great job making the guest feel comfortable with the various restrictions they set in place. As the only time I surf is when I visit Surf Simply I always look forward to see how much I progress as a surfer. As always the coaching I received was so helpful and I definitely feel I made some improvements, even with the waves being bigger than usual. The food was delicious and the accommodations were comfortable in a relaxed setting.
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Date of stay: January 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kerianne Kreger, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 22 Mar 2021
Thank you, Shye. We're glad that we could keep the yearly tradition alive. Looking forward to 2022.
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I just returned from as usual an amazing week with Surf Simply. However, this trip will go down as possibly my most meaningful and appreciated. This was my fourth time as a guest with SS with thesame great coaching, food, waves, and service. However, most importantly during this time of Covid, the staff did an amazing amount job in the detail for our safety while maintaining the SS vibe we all love. For anyone who is hesitant to travel, but is permitted into CR I would strongly encourage you to feel good about staying with SS in this unique time. I can’t thank them enough for giving me a week that was never more needed to feel a sense of fun, serenity, and of course a fantastic time surfing!!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kerianne Kreger, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 26 Oct 2020
Thank you so much, Mike. Everyone was so excited to see you again. We'll look forward to seeing you again in a few weeks.
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Surf Simply has created something beautiful. They have created a space that encourages people from all walks of life, to connect & share their passion for surfing. The team of staff that they have put together is extraordinary. The attention to detail in every department was remarkable. The food that was art & magic in my mouth. The massages were intuitive, relaxing & rejuvenating. The stretch classes just what the body needed. The images media team captured of me doing what I love, was a gift. The images taught me so much & will continue to motivate me. The coaches were amazing. Every guest improved so much in just a matter of days. Highly recommend the fishing adventure offered on your down day. I left Surf Simply feeling inspired, grateful & full of stoke. Any expectations that I may have held for this adventure, were vastly exceeded.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from KerianneKreger, Manager at Surf Simply
Responded 16 Mar 2020
Your words mean a lot to us. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. We all enjoyed getting to know you and hope to see you again soon.
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The folks at Surf Simply are the consummate hospitality professionals. Every detail is thought-out; every aspect of your stay has been planned. You are free to focus on one thing and one thing only: surfing. From coaching, to massage and stretching sessions, to board selection, to amazing meals to keep you fueled, it's all been covered. Now, if only the wait list to return wasn't so long...
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from KerianneKreger, Manager at Surf Simply
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Thanks so much, J. We hope to see you two again soon.
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I was a first time guest at Surf Simply last week, although most of the other guests were returning customers. As per the other reviews, the surf coaching was phenomenal. Peerless, in my experience. Next - I wanted to share somethings that hasn’t been said a thousand times before about Surf Simply. What really stuck out to me about the experience were two things. First, that there are many aspects of the package, like the food, for example, which would have been perfectly fine if they had been done in a slightly more economical way, but it really stands out how Surf Simply do not cut any corners or try to save pennies. They just want your experience to be as good as it possibly can be. This is a rare sentiment from a business, and really what separates Surf Simply from the competition. The second thing that leapt out at me is all the little things and moments that make a great surf trip are not happening by accident. They have been carefully refined, distilled, and curated over decades, to deliver the most optimized experience imaginable. The package is incredible, the caches are the best I've ever experienced, which adds up to the most enjoyable vacation that I have ever taken. Simply incredible. Ten stars for Surf Simply!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kerianne Kreger, Other at Surf Simply
Responded 12 Jul 2021
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We hope to see you again.
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The surf in Nosara is good year round but below is a more detailed description of the average surf conditions throughout the year. It's important to remember however that these are based on statistical averages made up on many days which are exceptions. So while you can predict the average for a time of year, it is impossible to predict the conditions for any given week.
In Nosara, the dry season months of December to March can be a more crowded as North American tourists escape the winter. The most popular months at Surf Simply however are June, July and August. These months offer the most consistent swell window of the year also the pleasant afternoon showers keep the heat down and mean that the jungle is at it’s most beautiful.
A typical season sees knee to head high surf from November to March, then shoulder to overhead surf between April to September. This is a mean average however, so it is perfectly possible for any given week in August to be smaller than any given week in December.
The wind, which blows mechanically off shore every morning from November until May, usually turns on shore mid morning and then offers an evening glass off about 50% of the time.
In the greener months of June to October the wind is less predictable but the surf is glassy in the morning about 75% of the time and a lunch time shower will often cause the wind to die off in the afternoon, giving us smooth conditions once again. This is another advantage these months have over the more arid months of Dec – Apr.
It's a great care down there. Our wives did the yoga and we went for a day excursion zip lining.
We had an amazing experience. The surfing was new for me as I primarily kitesurf and windsurf. The instruction was first rate and our experience was great. It's a boutique setting so it was very intimate. It is a very well run and organized place. We will definitely go back. Hope that helps. Good luck.
I did not have a problem at all and have very bad allergies to mold. Surf Simply is very clean and the bedrooms are simple. I would not think you would have a problem but may not be as sensitive to mold as you. Hope that helps. I normally stay in very high end hotels and was happy with the room at Surf Simply!
Sarah
San Jose, California85 contributions59 helpful votes
Hi Christina, I never noticed any issues at all with their facilities. It is a jungle, literally, and there are some critters around the grounds and it is hot & humid, but they are really good with their facilities and maintenance. We've been there twice and going a third time in December and all visits have been uneventful and well done.
Do you have experience in this time of climate (Costa Rica, Hawaii, etc.)? If so, and if your question is how well they run their business, it's very well run. If you've never been to this type of climate, then I'd say you need to be really diligent in the bathroom/shower and I'm not sure if "natural mold" just in the jungle would be a problem..?
There are more places to choose from in the Nosara area.
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of GuanacasteNosara
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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