Olas Verdes Hotel, Nosara

Pros

• Only about three minutes to the beach via a private path.
• Some rooms include a microwave or toaster oven.
• Complimentary laundry service, bikes, and boogie boards.
• Focused on sustainability and conservation at the property and the surrounding area.

Cons

• Not a beachfront property and no ocean views.
• Located outside of downtown Guiones, so it takes a little longer to get to restaurants and shops.
• Limited amenities as there's no gym or spa available on-site.

Authenticity

Olas Verdes has a classic Costa Rican atmosphere, featuring bright and colorful rooms with decor that brings a tropical feel to the property, which is surrounded by lush greenery.

Location

Olas Verdes is located in South Playa Guiones, a slightly quieter area of Nosara. While the location is more peaceful, restaurants and shops are a bit farther away, but still easy to get to by foot or bike. The beach is easily accessible and about a three-minute walk down a private path.

Rooms and Bathrooms

Olas Verdes offers 17 suites, 14 luxury suites, and three poolside rooms. The poolside rooms are smaller and better suited for solo travelers or couples, while the luxury suites offer a separate room with a queen and twin bed, as well as a sofa bed in the living room. Seven of the luxury suites are two-bedroom apartments with an upstairs and downstairs room, which are a great option for families.

Wildlife

Several national wildlife refuges are in close proximity to the hotel, and travelers have found that local wildlife will regularly visit and pass through the hotel's grounds. In particular, you're likely to see spider and howler monkeys, as well as iguanas and many colorful native birds. 

Amenities

The hotel has somewhat limited amenities as it doesn't have a spa or gym on-site. Still, you have access to all the essentials like free parking, WiFi, and laundry. There are two pools available, with one designed with families in mind, while the other is more adult-friendly. The hotel is accessible for travelers with limited mobility, and several wheelchair accessible rooms are available. 

Family-Friendliness

Infants stay for free at the hotel, while children ages one to five years old stay at a reduced rate, and children six and older are charged as adults. Cribs, paid babysitting, a play area, and a children's food menu are the highlight features for families. The Luxury Suites are ideal for smaller families as they sleep up to four people, and adjoining units can be booked together to create a two-bedroom apartment for larger families (up to eight people). 

Other Highlights

The hotel's on-site restaurant, El Manglar, is open all day and serves a mix of local and international dishes, with a focus on seafood. Travelers can take advantage of the laundry service included in their stay, as well as the complimentary use of bikes and boogie boards. Surfboards are also available to rent. Olas Verdes offers airport pickup from Nosara Airport with enough notice.

Sustainability

Olas Verdes promotes its focus on sustainability in several ways, including its program to donate $1 per person per day staying at the hotel to the Ostional-Nosara National Wildlife Refuge. It also participates in the "Pack for a Purpose" initiative, which encourages travelers to reserve a small portion of their luggage space for supplies to be donated to a local school. In addition, the hotel has implemented multiple eco-conscious measures at the property itself, including water collection and recycling, using solar energy, sourcing local foods, composting, and preserving native plant life.