Ned Sheeran Reviews
Kalon Surf
20+ visits and counting — why one guest keeps coming back to Costa Rica
A Home Away from Home
Ned Sheeran first visited Kalon Surf in 2011. He's returned more than 20 times since — solo every time. His story captures what makes Kalon different: consistency you can count on, surprises that keep it fresh, and people who feel like family.
Below you'll find Ned's reviews spanning over a decade of visits, from his very first trip to his most recent stay. Each tells a slightly different story, but the thread is always the same: great waves, incredible food, and a place that feels like home.
Ned's Journey at Kalon
Four reviews spanning over a decade — each one written after a return trip to Kalon Surf.
November 2011
1st Visit
Kalon Surf Camp — Awesome Surf 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.
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
July 2012
2nd Visit
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. 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 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.
2013
3rd Visit
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.
2018+
20+ Visits
15x Kalon Surf — Here Is Why
Several years ago, I decided I wanted a surf vacation, so I looked at some websites and wrote a few emails. The first (and fastest) reply came from Marcela at Kalon Surf. That level of service and professionalism is one of many reasons I've visited Kalon more than 20 times now.
Each time I come back, I can count on two things. The first is that the waves will be good, the sunsets awesome, the people friendly and welcoming, and the food will be five-star quality. I value this consistency when vacations are rare and you want and need the time to really count. But I also know something will be different and better than the last visit, and this is the second reason I keep coming back.
The highlights this time were the new accommodations. The mansion blends into the local scenery, perched amid the jungle and nearby rain forest and offering stunning vistas of verdant countryside and winding coastline. It has resort quality amenities but also a local flavor and aesthetic that keeps a person comfortable but also provides a window into the culture. The rooms all have terrific views – it's such a treat to start the day with a cup of coffee on the deck and see local birds or maybe a monkey and to then end the day with a communal meal as the sun sets.
When you add such a great place to a great experience, it makes for a memorable vacation. I've met such interesting people, from around the world and a variety of backgrounds and professions, from families to couples to solo travelers, and it's common to keep in touch even after the vacation ends. And it's an equal treat to returning to see the people who run Kalon – Kjeld and Silene are engaged owners, Marcela makes everyone feel at home, Roberto and his crew are committed to providing a fun, safe surfing experience, and Esme and Christopher's food will have you asking for more (and for recipes).
In this respect, Kalon has become a home away from home, a place where I escape from a busy life and unwind and relax while chasing the perfect wave and hanging out with an interesting, friendly people. Not everyone is going to come to a place 20 times, but this wouldn't happen if the first time hadn't left such an impression. I wish people the same experience if they visit Kalon.
In Ned's Words
"The food will be five-star quality. I value this consistency when vacations are rare and you want the time to really count."
"I can't emphasize how valuable the video analysis is — seeing yourself on the video really, really helps."
"The staff has the closeness of a family, and when you're there, you become a member of this family."
What Other Guests Say
Common Questions
Who is Ned Sheeran and how many times has he visited Kalon Surf?
Ned Sheeran is Kalon Surf's most loyal return guest. He first visited in November 2011 as a solo traveler and has returned more than 15 times since. His four published reviews span over a decade and document how the resort has evolved — from the original house to the current hilltop mansion — while maintaining the quality, personal service, and surf coaching that keeps him booking his next trip before the current one ends.
Is Kalon Surf a good destination for solo travelers?
Absolutely. Ned is one of many solo travelers who choose Kalon Surf. With a maximum of 20 guests per week and shared meals on the terrace overlooking the Pacific, you'll connect with interesting people from around the world within hours of arriving. As Ned puts it: "it's common to keep in touch even after the vacation ends." The all-inclusive format means everything is taken care of, so you can focus entirely on surfing, relaxing, and meeting new people.
What makes guests return to Kalon Surf year after year?
Ned captures it well: consistency you can count on, combined with something new every visit. The surf coaching quality stays high, the food remains exceptional, and the team remembers who you are. But the resort also evolves — new accommodations, new activities, new menu items. That combination of reliability and freshness is rare, and it's why many guests book their next visit before leaving. The small group size (max 20 guests) means you're never just another visitor.
What is the guest-to-coach ratio at Kalon Surf?
Kalon Surf maintains a 3:1 guest-to-coach ratio in the water — meaning every surfer gets personal attention. With a maximum of 20 guests per week, the coaching team can tailor each session to your ability level, whether you're catching your first wave or working on advanced techniques. Ned specifically highlights how the instructors "strike the perfect balance between being encouraging and also pushing me to get better."
Is Kalon Surf all-inclusive? What's included in the price?
Yes, Kalon Surf is fully all-inclusive. Your 7-night package includes daily surf coaching with video analysis, three chef-prepared meals per day, airport transfers from San José (SJO), accommodation, a mid-week massage, yoga, high-speed WiFi, and access to all resort amenities. As Ned notes: "Kalon goes to great lengths to take care of everything — I really had nothing to worry about." View the full breakdown on our rates page.
How important is the video analysis for improving my surfing?
It's one of the most-mentioned highlights in guest reviews. Every surf session is filmed from the beach, and the daily video review helps you see exactly what you're doing right and what to adjust. Ned calls it invaluable: "whether you're hardcore about getting better or just want to make progress during the week, seeing yourself on the video really, really helps." Many guests say the video review is what accelerates their progress from day to day.
What is the food like at Kalon Surf?
The food at Kalon Surf is chef-prepared and consistently rated as a highlight by guests. Three meals per day feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a focus on Costa Rican specialities, fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and creative desserts. Ned describes it as "five-star quality" and mentions that he "took several recipes home and failed miserably in recreating the tastiness." Dietary requirements are happily accommodated — the kitchen team will prepare off-menu dishes when needed.
What kind of accommodation does Kalon Surf offer?
Kalon Surf is set in a hilltop mansion surrounded by jungle, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Accommodation options include Luxury Ocean View rooms, Junior Suites with private jacuzzi, a two-bedroom Bungalow, and a two-bedroom Villa with plunge pool. Ned describes it as a place that "has resort quality amenities but also a local flavor and aesthetic" — comfortable but with character. Browse all options on our rooms page.
Why Guests Keep Coming Back to Kalon Surf
Ned's story isn't unique — many guests have returned to Kalon Surf for a second, third, or even tenth visit. What sets the experience apart is a commitment to quality over volume: a maximum of 20 guests per week, a 3:1 guest-to-coach ratio, and a team that remembers your name, your surfing goals, and how you take your coffee.
Whether you're a solo traveler like Ned, a couple looking for adventure, or a family seeking a shared experience, the all-inclusive format means everything is taken care of — from accommodation and meals to daily surf coaching with video analysis.
Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast offers consistent, warm-water surf year-round, and Dominical is one of the country's best-kept secrets for uncrowded breaks. Between sessions, the resort sits high on a jungle hillside with views of the Pacific — exactly the kind of setting where you can truly disconnect, recharge, and come back home a little different than when you left.
Have questions about what to expect? Get in touch — we're happy to help you plan your trip. Or read more about what our guests have to say about their time at Kalon.
