"The Big Kahuna of Surf Schools"
"1 of 6 Best Surf Hotels"
"New Top Green Surf School"
"Best Get Fit Retreats in and Around the US"
"Kalon Surf: Welcome to Paradise"
"Everything, even sunscreen, is provided for you here"
*****
Kayla
@ Tripadvisor
Daydreaming about my return to Kalon!
I was crazy excited to go to Kalon Surf after reading all the reviews. Kalon definitely lived up to all my expectations and then some. We made friends with the other guests who were completely awesome and plan on keeping in touch with them. Kalon Surf took care of everything from picking us up at the airport with pit stops along the way to the mansion to grab some beers... check out the crocodiles and watch the sunset. The rooms were very nice and everything was kept clean and in order the entire week. The views are to die for and there are fun monkeys to watch in the trees!
Now for the Kalon Surf team... Kjeld and Silene are an amazing couple and made us feel completely welcome. They joined us all for dinner some nights, and Kjeld joined for surf lessons too! Speaking of surf lessons, Roberto and Esteban were always happy to take us to the beach and help us hone our surf skills. (I didn't have much skill... but they never gave up on me!) I think everybody stood up on the board on the first day... at least once. And it was really awesome to see the progression over the week. Roberto is full of great knowledge and always keeping an eye on you, checking to see if he can give you any tips to better your surfing. Esteban is right there to lend you a hand... or his leash to help pull you over some big waves! He's always in a playful mood, like the brother I never had. And all of your surf moments are captured via photo or video by Diego who camps out on the beach to get video for your daily video analysis. Sometimes you can catch him dancing on the beach when he's wearing his headphones... hehehe Fancy foot work! At the house Marcela is always around to take care of anything you need! She's seriously on top of everything and can book any excursions you want to go on. Esmeralda is freaking amazing! She made the best food all week! I was seriously in awe of her mad skills in the kitchen and plotted the entire week of how I would sneak her home with me. Chris is a new member of the team and wow was he awesome! For his first week on the job, he was killing it! It was great waking up in the morning and seeing his smiling face taking care of breakfast, etc. And I can't forget the dogs... Kala is so much fun on the beach! Luna is hiliarious and can keep me entertained with her antics for hours. Coco is adorable. And Charlie... well he's the man!
You may wonder why I spent so much time talking about everybody (and that's still not EVERYBODY). But that's because this team MAKES your trip. Kalon Surf is one big family, and after spending a week with them, you feel like you're part of the family too. It was really hard to leave them, and I've been daydreaming ever since I got home of when I can get back there.
*****
Angie
@ Tripadvisor
Kalon Rocks, Baby!
Wow! What a great adventure and life changing experience! I first started reviewing surf resorts when wanting to surprise my man with a trip. I finally decided on Kalon surf. I figured a luxury surf resort would be a trip in itself and if I learned to surf than that was icing on the cake.
Marcela was my contact and she was sweet, professional and accommodated all of my requests, from choosing a room to locating a place to donate school supplies & clothing. From the moment we got picked up in San Jose until we returned to the airport everything & everyone was top notch!
When we arrived at the resort we were welcomed with fresh fruits and a refreshing juice concoction. We were able to help ourselves to cold beers and wine 24-7 from the fridge.
The breakfasts were plentiful and just what we needed to get rolling in the mornings. Lunch and Dinners were served with beautiful presentation, taste and I think the the chefs threw some love in there for good measure!
Our room (Jungle room) had a picture window and a second door leading out to nice patio which was great for meditation or Pilates. However, we just loved that we had Toucans, Capuchin monkeys and even the elusive 3 toed tree sloth hanging out and welcoming us each day!
SURFING...ya baby this is what you come for! Let me start by saying YES you can teach a dog new tricks! Thanks to Roberto & Estefan I went from a beach bum to a surfer! From my first wave I was up and riding all the way into shore. Over the next few days I could feel and SEE (due to the video analysis) my progression. The video analysis is fun and inspiring as you get to hone in what you are doing right...and wrong ;)
The first couple of days were afternoon sessions so you could feel like you were on vacation w/o having early mornings. These were great as the sun was setting at the end of the day, beautiful. The morning sessions were cool because you were up with the sun and just totally communing with nature. WEDNESDAY was massage day and OH so needed. You will be sore in places you didn't imagine but it's worth every ache! BTW my husband was totally shredding by the end of the week and it was his FIRST time as well!
My husband and I have been officially bitten by the surfing bug...our lives have been enriched and we look forward to this new chapter in our lives together...as surfers!
Pura Vida baby!
Angie & Dan Novigrod
*****
The Peck's
@ Tripadvisor
@ Kalon's Mobile Concierge
An Amazing Vacation!
Everything about this vacation was perfect. The surfing was terrific, and we both advanced tremendously. The food was out of this world, like going to a five-star restaurant in quality and presentation for every meal. Most of all, we could relax when we wanted to.
From Kalon's Mobile Concierge - Feedback
*****
Reena
@ Tripadvisor
Experience of a Lifetime!
This place is more than a surf camp - it is a sanctuary. Nestled in paradise, the crew at Kalon go above and beyond to make sure your stay is everything you want it to be and to make your experience is a personalized one you will never forget. The surf coaches are highly skilled, knowledgeable and professional. You WILL learn to surf at Kalon. I cannot wait to return.
*****
Pia
@ Tripadvisor
Unforgettable Surf Experience !
Kalon is a Villa on top of the hill in Dominical with a southing view to the jungle and ocean. Our surf holiday started as soon as we stepped foot onto this enchanted property. Simply everything was cared for, from waking up to driving down to the beach where our surf coaching begun at perfect surf times. We both made wonderful progress in our surf technique and style and enjoyed the personalized surf analyses every day. Our improvement and joy for surfing has increased even more. We left Kalon surf with the enquiry if there was space to extend our stay for another week of our holiday and we were pleased and sad at the same time that it was nearly booked out despite of the rain season...and who does not love to surf in the rain!! P.S: first time no sunburn since even quality sun protection was provided.
*****
Lisa
@ Kalon's Mobile Concierge
From Kalon's Mobile Concierge - Feedback
--- "The entire staff was phenomenal. It was evident this team works well together and enjoys being a part of the Kalon team. We immediately felt comfortable and welcomed.
Marcela, Ezma, Edelma, Chris, Diego, Roberto, Henry, Esteban and Esteban the gardener were wonderful. The food was amazing, surf coaching and analysis was world class and the team provided personalized service that exceeds that found in 5 star hotels. As well, the leadership of Silene and Kjelt is very evident. They clearly have a vision for Kalon and they delivered on every level.
This experience truly exceeded our expectations. Kalon is a spectacular evironment that delivers memorable experiences and outstanding service."
---"The staff paid very close attention to detail. Our rooms were very well kept and clean."
*****
Repeat Guest
Ned
@ Tripadvisor
3rd Time at Kalon Surf - Gets Better Each Time!
It's a fair question - the world's a large place, with many places to see and many breaks to surf, so why would a person return to the same place three times (with plans to do so again)?
My answer is simple: each visit to Kalon Surf has been great, so I know what I'm getting in terms of a total experience. But Kalon also deserves credit for never resting on its laurels. Each return visit introduces something new, something that makes each trip equally unique and memorable. This is why I almost always book my next trip while I'm still there.
To provide a few examples of what I mean, on my most recent trip Marcela happily arranged for someone to come and give me Spanish lessons so that I could at least express my thanks in the local language. One area where thanks is definitely due is the wonderful food - it is healthy and high quality, with many meals focusing on local specialities and using local ingredients. I took several recipes home with me and failed miserably in recreating the tastiness of the food I had at Kalon. A person works up a healthy appetite surfing for several hours a day, and to be rewarded with such interesting, delicious food is one of many perks of visiting Kalon.
Another great aspect of the experience is the people. The staff has the closeness of a family, and when you're there, you become a member of this family. They take great pride in sharing their local community with the guests. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. The guests are also very interesting - from people surfing for the first time to savvy veterans, from business persons to artists and artisans to doctors and lawyers, it is a diverse mix of people from a variety of backgrounds.
Imagine the following: you've spent several hours surfing in warm waters and then had a video review of what you've learned, and as your hunger builds you then end the day over a great meal with lively conversation on a balcony that overlooks the Pacific as the sun sets (or perhaps during a spectacular lightning show). And you get to repeat it for several days running. This is why I return so often: the certainty of a high quality experience mixed in with daily, unexpected surprises among warm, friendly people.
Ned
Kalon Surf Camp - Awesome Experience!
I just returned from a fantastic week at Kalon Surf – in many ways, it was like two vacations in one: the surfing component was a great workout but it was also a very relaxing time in a house with a great view of the ocean and friendly, interesting and welcoming people who quickly become your friends. This was easily one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken.
From a surfing perspective, the instruction was great, both on the beach and in the water. Jossue and Roberto are passionate and enthusiastic instructors, striking the perfect balance between being encouraging and also pushing me to get better. A really key element of the experience (and one I didn’t full appreciate until I benefited from it firsthand) was the daily video analysis. It really helped to see what I was doing (even the embarrassing bits!) so that I could visualize what I needed to work at the next surf session. As a bonus, they also make a great video at the end of the week that shows highlights and charts the progress you’ve made.
The surfing component alone would have made this a great trip, but the time at the house was equally wonderful. Kjeld, Marcela and Sabriina were accommodating and attentive hosts. The house was great, with spectacular views of the Pacific and an awesome house dog, Kala. The food was great and plentiful, and the Wednesday massage was just what the doctor ordered. The overall atmosphere was relaxing and friendly, and I hated to leave at the end of the week.
It’s also worth noting the lengths to which Kalon Surf goes to take care of everything – I was picked up and dropped off at the airport and really had nothing to worry about in between save for making progress on my surfing and enjoying myself and relaxing. You will definitely leave with an appreciation for Pura Vida and desire to return.
Many, many thanks to Kalon Surf for a great week!
Cheers
Ned Sheeran
Such a great experience ... I came back for seconds!
I first visited Kalon in November 2011 and had such a fun time that I returned in July 2012. Since my initial visit, Kalon Surf has relocated to a new house - the former one was great, but the new place is spectacular: situated up the mountain, nestled among the jungle and kept cool by nice breezes, it has an amazing panoramic view of the Pacific. Each evening, on an open air porch, we ate dinner either watching the sunset or taking in the pyrotechnics of lightning storms over the ocean.
The layout of the new place is great, too - individual rooms are far enough apart to allow privacy when you need it, but there are plenty of spaces of socializing and hanging out, including an infinity pool. The service is top notch - a treat for me was the fresh, healthy food (especially local fare using fish, chicken, beef), awesome desserts (the coconut ice cream is great) and the juices and smoothies made from local fruits. The people are super nice and friendly and interesting, and a cool part of the overall experience is talking to them and sharing stories about life.
The same can be said of the guests, who were all nice, had interesting backgrounds and were a blast to hang out with over the week. The surfing is great, too - Roberto and Mike are great instructors, as is the owner, Kjeld. I can't emphasize how valuable the video analysis is - whether you're hardcore about getting better or just want to make progress during the week, seeing yourself on the video really, really helps and is a great complement to the in-water experience.
The local beaches are close by and really fun to surf. And every now and again, you see something completely unexpected, like two dolphins passing within five feet of my board. I've already made plans to return again in November. Many thanks to Kjeld, Silene, Marcela, Roberto, Mike, Esmerelda, Maria, Esteban and everyone else for another great experience - can't wait to pick up where I left off in November.
*****
Repeat Guest
Thomas
@ Tripadvisor
My only regret is, that we did not stay longer
Let me start by saying they did everything for us. We missed our plane and didn't get in to San Jose until 1am and to our relief our driver was waiting for us. We took the 3 hr. ride in to Dominical and slept until the sun woke us. We stayed in a beautiful room that overlooked the pacific and watched the sun set every night. The People who make up Kalon are awesome! They made sure we had everything we needed. My husband said it was the best days of his life. I thought it would be a close second to our wedding, but.....
Marcela, Kjeld, Jossue, Roberto and Juan are sweet, kind people who really make guest feel like family. We loved our time with them.
And the surfing was consistent. Great waves at a great beach. The instruction from the guys was really personalized and they were patient. When you caught a wave, the smiles on their
faces were as if they caught it themselves.
*****
Nancy
@ Tripadvisor
Surf and Relaxation at its Best
Our family of four and my brother spent a week at Kalon in April...It was better than expected! Marcela made the planning aspect very easy so by the time we got there we could just relax and surf! We were met at the airport by Silene and dinner was waiting for us when we arrived at the mansion. Esmerelda and Diego accommodated our children's needs perfectly. Our youngest turned 10 while there and we had a cake to celebrate...there were always more cookies and fruit if you were hungry. Our surf coaches Roberto, Jord and even Marcela were the best...more like family than coaches! We all were surfing at the end of the week and have the surfing bug in us now! The relaxing part was a nice change as well....reading that wasn't for work was a treat! We are already planning our trip for April 2013...I need to book!
*****
Mona
@ Tripadvisor
An Amazing Week of surf and relaxation
I spent a thoroughly peaceful week at Kalon Surf this past spring with my two teenage boys. My boys started the week with no previous surf experience, and ended the week as surfers! Roberto was a wonderful surf instructor! The water was warm and inviting, and the waves were perfect for what we needed. It rained a few days while we were there, but surfing in the rain proved to be quite enjoyable.
After the first day at the beautiful mansion, my 16 year old said to me that he thought he may be bored. I told him to embrace that feeling, as I had never heard him utter those words before. In our busy and hectic everyday lives, we forget to stop and enjoy the quiet days of life. By the end of the week he had read 3 books while lounging on the hammock, and had completely embraced the solitude of the week.
We started each day with a wonderful breakfast of fresh fruit and delicious waffles (we miss those waffles!) and the food only got better and better as the day progressed. Diego and Marcella worked very hard to accommodate our vegetarian diet, and my boys loved all of the food. We were full for the entire week!
As we relaxed at the mansion, the sounds of the jungle were all around us. I would sit for hours on the pool deck with the guide to animals of Costa Rica and just listen and look. We saw howler and spider monkeys, sloths and frogs, toucans and macaws, and much more. On Wednesday we all enjoyed a wonderful massage on a deck that rests over the jungle. It sounded as if the massage therapist had put on a fake recording of "sounds of the jungle".
This was an absolutely wonderful vacation, and we all look forward to returning to Kalon again someday.
*****
Lucy
@ Tripadvisor
An excellent place for a surf school
We recently stayed at kalon's new mansion and had a fantastic time. The instruction is spot on, you get 1 instructor per 2 people and the video analysis makes a big difference to your progress, and also produces a fantastic set of pictures at the end of the stay. We got massages half way through (you need the break!) which were good and if you wanted additional they were only 35 bucks for a full body. It had a great vibe the owner , his wife and the 2 awesome dogs would come to the various beautiful locations we surfed which added to the overall 'family home' vibe. The food was either good or excellent and wine and beers decent. Personally we would have happily enjoyed a bottle of vodka too but that is personal taste and by no means a complaint. Seriously, if you want to learn to surf come here!
*****
Christine & Pete
@ Tripadvisor
We're going back!
My husband and I and our two year old son had an amazing vacation with Kalon Surf. The reviews are right on! It really is the people who make Kalon such an awesome experience. Kajeld the owner and his wonderful fiance Silena take care of all the big stuff, including taking you to great surf spots everyday. And Marcela takes care of all the details, ensuring a worry free trip.
The food is delicious and served with such attention to detail! The accomodations are luxurious and with a beautiful view. We enjoyed seeing monkeys and tucans right outside our door!
We are looking forward to seeing our new friends at Kalon again next year when we
return! Cant wait....
*****
Tobias
@ Tripadvisor
Perfect Surf Week!
I spent 1 week at Kalon Surf and it was definitely one of my best vacations. The mansion is located in a very nice place and has a breathtaking ocean view. The very kind Kalon team cares from the first till the last second about you and is perfectly organized. I could write about many points I liked, I pick out two. The first point is the surf coaching which is very professional. You notice an improvement of your skills already after a short amount of time and also the video analysis helps surprisingly a lot. The second point is the delicious food you get served. I appreciated it so much to come back from surfing and enjoy such tasty meals. At the end I can say I had also very nice company with interesting conversations - best regard to the States/Japan ;). Summarized: A perfect week with amazing moments on the board and very kind people.
*****
Sarah & Jeff
@ Tripadvisor
Pura vida!
Kalon is in a private, sunny house on the top of a hill with a stunning view of the surf and the sunset. The water's warm, the waves are perfect and the food is healthy and delicious, but it is the people that give Kalon a really special vibe that makes it such a magical spot.
Everyone takes their job very seriously, everyone works hard, but you can tell they all think they have the best job ever.
Kalon doesn't feel like a hotel or a resort. It feels like you are visiting friends (really welcoming and gracious friends who are lucky enough to live by a consistent surf break in Costa Rica), surfing with their friends (who are awesome surfers and they really want you to be too) and that every night's a dinner party (your friends even have a friend who is a great cook!). They have dogs, they like to watch surf films and they are tapped into the surfing world. That is what makes it so hard to leave and hopefully equally easy to return to.
*****
Repeat Guest
Kevin
@ Tripadvisor
Pura vida!
I was lucky enough to spend four days and five at Kalon Surf in November. My primary objective in going to Kalon was to get some first class surfing instruction and was not disappointed. Jossue and Roberto are top-notch instructors. (Jossue also does an awesome backflip from the rope swing at the waterfall!) The extensive use of video analysis was an invaluable training aid. Everything at Kalon Surf is all inclusive from pickup and return at the airport to three incredible meals a day. The accomodations at Kalon are also first class. It didn't take long until I felt more like I was staying with old friends than just a guest. Many thanks to Kjeld, Marcela, Jossue, Roberta and Sabrina (and Kala!) for making me feel so welcome. Unfortunately, my wife was not able to make the trip with me but I've already booked a return trip for both of us in April.
*****
Andrew
@ Tripadvisor
Fantastic Surf Vacation
Just got back from a week at Kalon Surf and it was exactly what I was looking for, which was a fairly lux surfing trip with not a lot of distraction. I've traveled through Costa Rica before and I'd say that both the accommodations and food were better than anything else I've experienced except the Four Seasons (which while very nice is a little corporate and not near any surfing). The house was beautiful and very new, and each room was quite private.
If you're there, though, it's mostly for the surfing, and for me it was a great balance - 5 days of in the water 2+ hours per day, plus video analysis after each session and on land practice. What worked exceptionally well for me was that balance between practical and theoretical. The instructors (Josue and Roberto) are young and extremely good hardcore surfers who get you placed properly in the water, and work on form, timing, paddling etc. (and are very friendly and nonjudgmental). Kjeld, who owns the school, really helps understand the theoretical - from when you want to go and why, to how wave and board shapes work and affect your surfing.
Marcela is fantastic and basically runs the show, and takes care of anything you could want with a smile.
Highly recommend Kalon Surf, and likely to go back.
*****
Repeat Guest
Huub & Beatrice
@ Tripadvisor
A perfect start of 2012!
We arrived on New Years Day late at night, slightly tired after attending a wedding in Colombia and wondering if we were up for 4 days of surfing. The next morning all possible concerns were gone the moment we woke up and saw the Pacific, looked around at the beautiful house and realised that we found our small paradise here in Costa Rica. This feeling never left us the days we spend together with the Kalon team.
Having only done some windsurfing in the past (which was of little use I discovered), the surf coaches made you feel eager to go and keep having fun, even if you kept on falling off the board. The video analysis made actually learning how to surf easier and quicker because you could see where you could improve. The most impressed I was when my 12 year old daughter was struggling and the whole team supported her and got her going again. I think they were even clapping, whistling and yelling louder than she was when she rode her first waves again. I think anyone that wants to learn or improve how to surf can benefit from the Kalon Surf approach. My body was tired but I wanted to keep on going surfing, so enjoyable was it !
Besides the surfing, the most impressive was how all other elements of the experience like the house, the rooms, the food and the Kalon team came together to give you the feeling that you are staying with some old friends who do their best to make you feel at home because they want you to stay as long as you want and come back whenever you feel like. If that was the intention then it worked for a 100%, since my daughter already asked when we are going back and with nowadays the easy connections between Europe and Costa Rica, this will certainly happen !
*****
Chris
@ Tripadvisor
Pura vida @ Kalon Surf
For this years vacation I was searching for a unique spot where I can learn surfing. If the hotel was nice and the area would be nice even better. And if the people there would be cool it would even be great.
But: this stay at the Kalon Surf School exceeded my expectations.
First: The house where we stayed was a cool James Bond Villa with a stunning view over the Pacific Ocean. The room was cool, clean, there was an own terrasse with an own hammock. The villa is situated in the middle of the jungle, you can see and hear so many animals, it was amazing. And: the food was delicious.
Second: The surf lessons were absolutely professional and fun. I was teached surfing step by step, beginning from small white water waves until I was riding breathtaking bluewater waves. Yes guys, I saw a lot in my life but you will NEVER forget your first wave! And: the beaches where we have been were unique.
Third and most important: The team consisting of the owner Kjeld and the very nice people around him made my stay perfect. When I came there it felt like visiting friends whom I know for a long time. They gave me an warm welcome, let my enjoy my stay wonderfully and made it really hard to leave these marvellous people.
All in all: it was a stay which I will never forget and always look back to it until I will be there again!
*****
Repeat Guest
Jesse
@ Tripadvisor
Top Notch Operation
When a talented and capable group of people get together to undertake something they are all equally passionate about the results are often quite special. This sentiment sums up the truly exceptional experience my wife and I enjoyed for a week in late August in Dominical Costa Rica with Kalon Escuela. Kjeld and crew (Kjeld-El Capitan, Jossua-surf guru, Marcela-logistics and crack camera woman, Chef Pablo-fish specialist and Sabrina-breakfast/lunch beauty and damn good coffee maker) play host to a fabulous adventure vacation. Dominical offers a multitude of beautiful, beaches and breaks for all level of surfer and what makes this place so special is how much fun the Kalon team has sharing what the clearly love. If you like great waves, swinging from a rope into tropical waterfalls, delicious fresh fish, spectacular sunsets and most of all good people then Kalon surf is well worth dropping in on ;).
Big Thanks to Kalon Surf!
JW-NYC
*****
Ashley
@ Tripadvisor
La Ola Perfecta
Trip, after trip, after trip.. Falling into a routine with vacations can happen almost as quickly as our daily agenda. Same destinations, hotels, and restaurants, until you realize that you want to try something new, different and maybe a little spontaneous. Well, we were no different. And thankfully, those thoughts lead us directly to Kalon Surf.
Hands down, without a doubt the absolute best vacation. My boyfriend and I booked out surfing adventure TWO days before we left. Rob had surfed a little back in college. But myself, being a Louisiana native, never mixed alligators and surf boards. So we tried out luck with a trip that guaranteed the best surfing experience. And it was nothing short of successful!
The accommodations were wonderful, but the service and camaraderie was top notch. The people who initially were your coach, photographer, coordinator, and cook quickly became new best friends. Everyone went out of their way to make sure that we were comfortable and enjoying out stay. You will never meet a group of individuals who love what they do more than everyone at Kalon!
The layout of the trip was exactly what we were looking for. Adventure and activity with a side of relaxation. Surfing early morning and afternoon was a great workout, and made the midday lunch, movies, games, and lounging much appreciated. There was never a short supply of incredible food, drinks, smoothies, pineapple and the famous brownies! Having video analysis of each surfing session was the key to leaning and improving the way we surfed. It is always easy for someone to describe what to do, but see yourself in action creates a different realm of learning. Plus having some insane photography to prove to everyone back home how amazing the trip was is definitely a plus!
We began as intimidated paddlers on boards and ended surfing with the locals. Regardless of your level of experience you will leave Kalon Surf a better and stronger surfer. We are forever thankful for the incredible memories and experience that everyone at Kalon provided us... but they haven't seen the last of us! We are currently planning out next getaway to beautiful Domincal, for a reunion with some of our new best friends!
If you're looking for the perfect wave.... look no further than Kalon Surf Camp!
*****
Saki
@ Tripadvisor
Fanastic Surf Trip
I have been back from my trip to Kalon Surf for a month now and my friends are pretty tired of me telling them how awesome the trip was. My friend and I wanted to go to a surf school where everything was taken care of and we could just focus on learning to surf and having fun. Kalon was the perfect place. We surfed all morning with Jose, a great instructor and awesome guy, had lunch on beautiful beaches, surfed some more in the afternoons, then went back to the mansion we stayed in for video analysis, hung out with Kjeld and Marcela who run the place, and then had amazing dinners prepared by Pablo, the terrific on-site chef. The folks at Kalon are totally focused on making your trip a great and very personal experience and I can't recommend it enough.
*****
Rob
@ Tripadvisor
Best trip ever!
I am the last person to write a review, but i couldn't resist. It was 5 days of paradise. The pictures on the website don't do the villa justice, and the food was incredible (thanks to pablo). You can probably find these surf camps throughout other parts of Costa Rica, but noone can come close to recreating Keld, Jossua, Marcela, and Sabrina (the people who run Kalon Surf). I can honestly say, i will miss all of them, and be sure to be back soon. The surf was incredible, check out some of the videos on VIMEO (search Kalon Surf).
*****
Alla
@ Tripadvisor
One of the most amazing experiences in my life!
I am young female professional from New York, who loves to travel and explore what this world has to offer. However, the more you travel and see, the harder it gets to be impressed with anything new. This summer I tried a new hobby – surfing, and right after season was over in New York, I noticed the ad of Kalon Surf School and decided to give it a try… I had one of the most amazing times in my life!!!
Everything was perfectly organized, you get greeted at the airport and taken to the villa with the most incredible and breathtaking view you can imagine, neither pictures nor words can describe how beautiful it is. The place is truly luxurious, boutique, but very spacious with simple and sophisticated design, offering a very attentive service with a lot of details. Dinners with candlelight and wine, prepared by a private chef made our stay even more special…
Every surf session was started with a warm up and instructions on land. I got to work with a great and dedicated coach, who genuinely wanted to see the improvement in my skill and takes his job very seriously, but yet knows how to make it fun. Perfect waves come one right after another, wild secluded beach, tropical forest - complete nature immersion, all that creates unforgettable experience. I was enjoying fresh fruits during the breaks, and cold coconut water from “pipa” after surfing was very refreshing.
Over our stay the staff became almost our family and I (who is not a pet lover) even fell in love with the dog Kala who is one of the smartest and friendliest dogs I ever met. The video analysis was very helpful and also was a lot of fun to watch. Our wonderful memories were documented with a very fun, artistically cool video and pictures created by Kalon, which we got as a present after our stay!
*****
Ken
@ Tripadvisor
My 2 cents
OK, my wife normally does these sort of reviews; vacations are fun and then you go back to work...
It's the same year after year, right?
Until now...
We spent a week with Kjeld, Marcela, Jossue, Pablo, and Sabriina at Kalon Surf Coaching Resort and I am still home sick. Each morning we awoke to the conversations of the monkeys outside our windows, and then enjoyed Marcela's fresh baked breads as we prepared for the days surf instruction. Kjeld and Jossue kept us busy with drills, evaluations, stretching and all sorts of fun stuff in the surf. We shared our lunch on the beach with the local Iguana's and Hermit Crabs as they listened intently to tales of our morning accomplishments and exploits (while waiting for a handout). After lunch we hit the waves, or in my case, napped under the palms as my son and daughter honed their skills in the surf. The evenings were spent enjoying family dinner as prepared by Pablo and Sabriina while we laughed and recounted the day.
As a 54 year old man who can count the times I have been in the ocean while I live less than two miles from the beach…I have now ordered my first surf board with Kjeld’s help.
I need to polish my skills before I ask for a job at Kalon…
*****
Lisa
@ Tripadvisor
The Best Vacation We Ever Had
I am a mother of two teenagers and it is very hard to find a vacation spot that everyone loves….Kalon is that place! My Husband (54) and kids (13 and 16) started lessons with next to no experience and left confident with their surfing skills. The mansion and entire team made this such an awesome vacation. From Marcella who just managed everything for us, to Jossua, who was and incredible surfer as well as a riot, Sabrina, who helped with all the household items, and finally the private chef, Pablo, who blew us away with five star quality dinners. The owner Kjeld’s concept of doing actual teaching, on the sand, in the water, and finally video analysis before dinner worked beyond what we could have hoped for. We learned so much about the “real” Costa Rica, not just the tourista spots. Even learned some Spanish. Left feeling like we were part of the family. Got back late last night to Florida and before everyone went to bed we talked about when we could go back!!!.”
