ONDA Playa Grande Boutique-hotel

Playa Grande felt like a hidden gem, with kind people, a laid-back feel, and little of the tourist bustle. The beach was an easy five-minute walk, and the AC was a welcome break from the intense heat. I stayed at Onda for nine nights and loved the gorgeous, clean property. The staff seemed to genuinely enjoy working there and were amazing. I ate most of my meals on site, the food was good and affordable, and I made new friends among the other guests. It was an amazing first trip to Costa Rica. I fell in love with the place and am seriously thinking of coming back next year. Thank you! ❤️

The best part for us was the location. ONDA is about a three-minute walk from a beautiful beach with stunning sunsets. Even in high season it wasn't too crowded. We went before 10:00 or later in the afternoon to avoid the worst heat, and the shaded pool was a nice place to cool off in the middle of the day. We booked our Costa Rica trip at the last minute, and ONDA fit our budget and had a King Room available. We were a little unsure about the hostel setup at first, but felt comfortable quickly. Our room was near the restaurant, where music played but stopped at a reasonable hour. The pool was well kept, the room was large and clean, towels were replaced daily, and sheets every three days. The window faced the walkway, so we kept the blinds down when we were in the room, though we didn't plan to spend much time there. Wi-Fi was very reliable. We ate at the restaurant often and never had a bad meal. Prices were affordable, and there are other good food options nearby too. We're not always very outgoing and mostly wanted to relax, so we wondered whether the other guests' hostel vibe would suit us. Everyone was friendly, respectful, and not pushy. ONDA seemed to work well for people looking to meet others and for those just wanting to travel and unwind. Rene, Matias, Alonso, and the other staff whose names I've forgotten were helpful and friendly. Olivia and Victor helped us arrange airport transport, surf lessons, and trips around Guanacaste. Despite booking VERY last minute, we managed to fill our days with adventures. Our surf instructors, Javier and Allan, were great with us as complete beginners. The lessons were worth the cost, and I'd say they're a must if you're visiting Playa Grande. ONDA delivered what mattered to us without promising more than it offers. If you're after an all-inclusive five-star resort, it probably isn't the place. But for somewhere reliable, affordable, safe, clean, and welcoming as a base for exploring a beautiful part of Costa Rica, it worked perfectly for us. We'd stay again in a heartbeat.

Playa Grande seems to be growing quickly, and the grocery stores are quite far away, so having some kind of transportation would help. Still, we loved the location, just steps from the beach, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to surf. We didn't surf ourselves, but enjoyed the lovely pool, lounge chairs, and pool table. The continental breakfast was an unexpected bonus. Everything was extremely clean, from the rooms to the guest kitchen and bathrooms. The hotel was everything we hoped for and more. We'll definitely come back and look forward to seeing how the place develops.

I stayed at Onda for two weeks over Christmas and New Year's Eve, and it was the best part of my trip. I'd picked it because I wanted a community feel, a shared breakfast, and a chance to improve my surfing, and it was exactly right for that. I walked into my private room and just mouthed “wow.” I surfed every day with a coach from the surf desk, Javi, and the beach is only about a three-minute walk away. The food was delicious, especially the wings. There are also a few cute cafes and restaurants nearby, plus a gym, tennis court, and Brazilian ju jitsu spot just minutes away. I've walked along the beach to Tamarindo three times, a pleasant 45-minute walk. The staff are friendly and clearly love working at Onda. It has a special culture, and that comes through. One night, a very drunk person caused an incident; the team stepped in to separate the parties and kicked him out. I was impressed. Thanks, Emmanuel and Rene! Most of all, it's a very friendly hostel. I met lots of people at community breakfast and during surf lessons, and we spent time together every day, having little adventures. I only wish I could have stayed longer. The one thing missing, in my opinion, is smoothies 😅