Frequently Asked Questions

Weeks run Saturday to Saturday. Surf sessions take place Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday — always timed to the tide. Because tides shift 40 to 60 minutes each day, the schedule moves with them so you're always in the water at the optimal moment.

A typical Sunday: breakfast from 7:30, a pool technique session at 9:45, then surf and beach lunch from 11:45 until mid-afternoon, and a three-course dinner at 18:15. Monday typically adds yoga and a video analysis session before the afternoon surf — one of the most valuable parts of the week for most guests.

The remaining days rotate through a coffee tasting, cooking class, additional yoga and pool sessions, and plenty of unscheduled time. Wednesday is the rest day — no surf, no obligations.

The week-long Saturday-to-Saturday format is deliberate. It takes a few days to settle in, find your footing in the water, and get the full benefit of the video coaching progression. Guests who arrive mid-week simply don't get the same result.

With a maximum of 20 guests at any one time and rooms that are typically booked back-to-back, partial weeks aren't possible. Many guests choose to extend their Costa Rica trip with a few nights before or after at one of the recommended nearby hotels.

Quite a lot. The property sits at the edge of primary rainforest — there's a jungle trail on site, and wildlife on the property year-round: toucans, sloths, and the occasional monkey. The Osa Peninsula begins right here, one of the most biodiverse regions on earth.

Optional tours are available throughout the week: waterfall hikes, wildlife excursions, kayaking, and more. Included in every stay: yoga for surfing three times per week, a one-hour massage, a coffee tasting, and a cooking class. Wednesdays rest day is a favourite for exploring the area at your own pace.

More diverse than most people expect, yet very much alike. About 65% of guests are women, and the age range sits mostly between 30 and 65 — professionals with busy lives who come to Kalon to genuinely switch off, eat well, and move their bodies.

Around 60% of guests arrive solo, and the format suits it well — long shared dinners and small group surf sessions make it easy to connect without any forced socialising. About 60% have never surfed before; another 20% have only tried once or twice. About a third of guests are returning visitors.

Pack light. Kalon is casual. Kalon is about comfort and being comfortable — shorts, light shirts, sundresses, and flip flops cover most of your week. For surfing, women tend to do well with board shorts or a one-piece; men with 4-way-stretch board shorts. The water sits around 78°F so no wetsuit is needed. A Kalon rashguard is provided, though you're welcome to bring your own.

Beach towels, bath towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion are all provided. SunBum sunscreen is supplied for surf sessions and the pool. If you're planning any inland tours, one pair of closed-toe shoes and a light long-sleeve layer are useful. Costa Rican sockets are the same as the US.

The Red Cross recommends all travellers carry basic personal medication — aspirin, ibuprofen, and anything you take regularly.

No — the week has a rhythm, but it never feels like a group program. Surf sessions, meals, and some activities naturally bring guests together, but the property is large enough that it's easy to find privacy whenever you want it.

Some guests spend the afternoon reading by the pool, others explore the jungle trail or head into town. The atmosphere is relaxed and unforced — more like staying at a private home with great surf coaching than joining a retreat schedule.

Absolutely. In fact, many guests do. Often around 60% of Kalon guests arrive solo, and the format works especially well for it. Shared surf sessions, beach lunches, and long dinners naturally create conversation without feeling forced.

At the same time, the property is spacious enough that privacy is easy to find whenever you want it — whether that means reading by the pool, walking the jungle trail, or enjoying the view from your balcony.

Yes, and you're in good company: about 60% of guests arrive having never stood on a board. The coaching method starts in the white water, building muscle memory and a solid foundation before moving to open green waves. By the end of the week, most complete beginners are catching unbroken waves on their own.

The combination of daily video analysis, pool sessions, small group sizes, and a 3:1 guest-to-coach ratio means progress happens faster than most people expect.

Yes. Intermediate and advanced guests make up a significant part of each week and are coached separately in waves that match their level. The approach is the same — video analysis identifies exactly what's working and what isn't, and in-water coaching addresses it directly.

The key is being genuinely open to feedback, including on foundations. The goal isn't to have you surf the biggest wave of the week — it's to have you surf better than you ever have, and understand why, so you carry it home.

Kalon is an official Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs partner, so the quiver covers every level and style — from 5'8" high-performance shortboards to 10'2" longboards. Boards are matched carefully to each guest based on level and the day's conditions.

Leave yours at home. Travel damage is common, and you'll almost certainly progress faster on the right board from the quiver than on your own.

Two pool sessions per week focus on paddle technique, turtle rolls, duck dives and one on breath (holding) exercises. Paddling is one of the most underestimated parts of surfing — stronger, more efficient paddling means more waves, less fatigue, and faster progress in the ocean. The breath holding exercise gives you a better understanding of time, your body, your capability and helps to feel more relaxed, and more in control when in the water. These sessions are in addition to the surf sessions, not instead of them.

Secluded beach breaks on the South Pacific coast — sandy-bottomed, completely uncrowded, and selected each day based on conditions and the mix of levels in the group. One of the beaches regularly sees zero other surfers.

A tent, fresh fruit, and water are set up on the beach for every session. One coach is always on shore recording; the others are in the water with you. The beach names aren't published — keeping them uncrowded is part of what makes them exceptional. The drive from the resort is about 15 minutes.

Yes. Kalon's oldest guest to learn to surf was 82. The coaching adapts to wherever you are physically and technically — there's no standard template and no expectation other than showing up willing to try.

For younger guests, Kalon welcomes guests aged 12 and older for most weeks - contact us for exceptions

No. Guests arrive with a wide range of fitness levels. The coaching is designed so that the week builds progressively — starting in the white water and gradually increasing time and intensity as your body adapts.

Surf sessions typically last two to three hours, but you are always free to take breaks. The beach tent, shade, fruit, and water are there for exactly that reason. Most guests find they are pleasantly tired rather than exhausted, and the mid-week rest day helps keep the second half of the week feeling fresh.

The coaches choose the beach each day based on conditions and the mix of levels in the group. Because Kalon surfs multiple beach breaks, there is almost always an option with manageable waves.

Beginners start in smaller white-water waves while intermediate surfers move further outside. If conditions are unusually large, the session simply shifts to a different beach or focuses on technique work. The goal is always safe, productive surf — not pushing you into conditions you're not ready for.

Chef Josué Gomez grew up in Matapalo — just minutes from the resort — surrounded by the flavours and traditions of Costa Rica's South Pacific coast. His cooking draws from those roots: traditional Costa Rican ingredients given a modern, international edge. He works directly with local farmers and producers to source as much as possible from the surrounding region.

Breakfasts might include gallo pinto, avocado toast with incredibly fresh local avocado, waffles, or homemade yogurt with house-made granola. Lunch is served at the resort or right on the beach depending on the day. Dinners are three courses served dinner party-style with wine or beer. Highlights guests come back for include the handmade pasta, homemade ice cream, and the traditional chorreador coffee served each morning — brewed using the cloth-filter method Costa Rican families have used for generations.

A coffee tasting and a cooking class are both included in the week.

Yes. The pre-arrival survey (sent after booking) includes a section for dietary requirements. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and most other common restrictions are handled without issue. Let the team know in advance and the kitchen will be prepared.

Wednesday is a deliberate break from surfing — no sessions, no obligations. It was built into the schedule because it makes the second half of the week noticeably better: you come back to Thursday and Friday with fresh legs and a clearer head.

Most guests spend the day at the pool, explore the area, take one of the optional tours, or simply enjoy the property. The mid-week massage is typically scheduled on or around Wednesday.

Every stay includes yoga for surfing three times per week on the open-air deck, and one complimentary one-hour relaxing massage. The infinity pool overlooking the Pacific is always open, and the jungle trail from the property connects to primary rainforest.

Additional spa treatments — deep tissue massage, hot stone, bamboo massage, facials, and couples treatments — can be booked on-site throughout the week at additional cost.

There are 10 rooms across four types:

• Luxury Ocean View (six rooms) — 450 sq. ft., king bed, private balcony, rain shower, panoramic Pacific views
• Junior Suite (two rooms) — 600 sq. ft., oversized balcony, couple's rain shower, private outdoor jacuzzi, ocean and sunset views. Available for one or two guests only.
• The Villa — 1,200 sq. ft., two bedrooms (king + twins), full living room, private patio with ocean views, two rain showers, private plunge pool
• The Bungalow — 750 sq. ft., two bedrooms (king + twins), shared living room and patio, two rain showers, mini fridge. Set within the gardens — the most secluded option on the property, with garden rather than ocean views.

All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms. With a maximum of 20 guests per week across 10 rooms, the atmosphere stays intimate and unhurried.

Yes — WiFi is available throughout the property on the most reliable ISP in Costa Rica, with a backup provider in place. A generator covers any power interruptions, which are rare but can happen in jungle locations. In practice, connectivity is not something guests find themselves thinking about.

Kalon Surf Resort sits on a 6.4-acre estate near Dominical on the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica — in the Costa Ballena region, at the gateway to the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The property is at 1,200 feet elevation, which gives it sweeping Pacific views, a continuous ocean breeze, and cooler temperatures than the coast below.

Surf beaches are a 15-minute drive. Manuel Antonio National Park is about 40min north.

Costa Rica has surf year-round, and Kalon runs at close to full occupancy in every season — return guests come back in all of them, which says something.

Dry season runs November through April, with consistent northwest swells and reliably clear skies. The green season (May through November) brings south swells and occasional afternoon showers — typically a brief, cooling rain before sunset, with blue skies through the day. June through August brings "veranito" a local phenomenon that produces near-dry-season conditions within the green season. Air temperature stays between 82–88°F year-round; ocean temperature around 78°F — no wetsuit needed.

Because Kalon surfs multiple beaches and selects daily based on conditions, the consistency of good surf is higher than at a single fixed break.

Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José — airport code SJO. Google Flights is a reliable tool for comparing routes and fares.

Yes — one round-trip transfer (San José to Kalon and back) is included per booking. The drive is approximately 3 hours along a scenic coastal road in one of the resort's private SUVs.

Saturday is travel day in both directions. For arrivals, flights landing at SJO between 10 AM and 4 PM work well — earlier arrivals from 7 AM onward can also be accommodated, and late arrivals are perfectly fine.

Departure from Kalon is no later than 10 AM on the final Saturday, which gets you to the airport comfortably for most afternoon or evening flights. Early departures are also of course not a problem

Most travellers don't need a visa in advance — a tourist visa is issued on arrival. Standard requirements: a passport valid for at least three months beyond your travel dates and a return ticket within 90 days.

Requirements vary by nationality and can change, so check with your airline or a service like Visa HQ for your specific situation before travel.

Every stay includes:

• 7 nights accommodation (Saturday to Saturday)
• 5 days of surf coaching with pool sessions and all surfboards
• Daily surf video analysis — all videos and photos shared with you
• 1-hour relaxing massage and 3× yoga for surfing
• Coffee tasting and cooking class
• All gourmet meals, snacks, and drinks including beer and wine
• Airport transfers San José – Kalon – San José (SJO)
• Free WiFi throughout the property

Optional extras: tours, additional spa treatments, and liquor. A 13% Costa Rican sales tax applies to all rates.

Send a message with your preferred dates, number of guests, room preference and any questions you may have. Availability is confirmed by email with payment instructions via Stripe (Mastercard, Visa, and Amex accepted). A pre-arrival survey arrives at the same time so the team can start preparing for your week.

Deposit: A 30% deposit is required within 48 hours of receiving payment instructions. The remaining 70% is due at least six weeks before arrival.

Cancellations: Payments are non-refundable. If you need to cancel or change dates, Kalon may apply a credit toward a future stay within 365 days — provided the original dates can be resold. A 10% administration fee applies to the credit. If the dates cannot be resold, no credit is issued.

Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended — covering personal injury, family emergencies, and operator cancellations. Global Rescue's Cancel for Any Reason policy is one option used by many Kalon guests.

In Costa Rica we have the CRC (Costa Rica Colon) and the USD - both are widely accepted. Our rates are in USD

Travel insurance is not required, but it is strongly recommended. We do require you do be covered while surfing in Costa Rica (often your health insurance already does)

Because Kalon operates with small weekly groups and rooms are typically booked well in advance, payments are non-refundable unless the cancelled dates can be resold.

A comprehensive policy that includes trip cancellation, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation provides peace of mind in case something unexpected happens before or during your trip. Many guests choose policies that include "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage.