Surf Inn Hermosa — Hotel in Jacó

Booked the learn to surf package for a somewhat last-minute mid-winter trip with my wife. Christina was very responsive and replied to my emails within minutes with answers to any questions I had.||||Met at the airport by our guide and surf instructor for the week, Oscar. Easy drive to the inn from San Jose, about an hour and a half. Upon arrival met Marisol, who showed us to our room. We booked a studio but were upgraded to the ocean-view room on the second floor, which was great. Very large and well furnished.||||The inn itself is in a perfect location; Hermosa beach has a strip of a few very good beach-side restaurants and bars, and the inn is right on the beachfront. It is not too crowded at all and it seemed like most of the other guests in the area are regulars, so it seemed like everyone knew everyone else for the most part. Very casual and welcoming.||||Our surf lessons were great. Oscar is a very experienced instructor and guide and got both my wife and I surfing by the end of the week (6 lessons). We went out for 2-3 hours each day, followed by breakfast in town (Jaco, a few minutes up the beach from Hermosa). We'd meet again in the evenings and he took us to several different places for dinner, which we probably wouldn't have found on our own. He spoke perfect English and seemed to know everybody in town. Made us feel right at home.||||Several other highlights: ||||-Surf competitions on Friday and Saturday, going into the night. Very fun with good size crowds on the beach.||-Water is very warm, beaches are large, uncrowded, and clean.||-Food and drinks at local places are very good and inexpensive. Several smaller food places within walking distance for lunch or coffee.||-Nice lawn area directly in front of the inn for hanging out.||-Very, very relaxed atmosphere and everyone is incredibly friendly, including the other guests and all the locals we met.||-Hermosa is not touristy at all. Jaco has all the souvenir shops and whatnot but still doesn't feel all that touristy compared to any other place we have been.||-Jaco has a wide selection of shopping, food, and drinks.||-A couple other local instructors from Jaco beach worked with us during the surf lessons... they were great and really helped my wife do well by the end of the week.||-Everywhere we went felt very safe. Never felt that little bit of anxiety like you do in Mexico or some other places. Costa Rica in general is very developed and feels much more welcoming and friendly than most every other destination we have been to in the Caribbean and Mexico. We would have no problem walking around the inn and surrounding area at night.||||A couple other notes good and bad:||||-Still need to be careful when eating/drinking. I got food poisoning after the second day, I am thinking from the water (got a glass at lunch without thinking... the cleanliness of most places in general made me a little complacent). Oscar stopped at a very nice supermarket on our drive in and we were able to buy bottled water, probably should have gotten more than we did initially.||-If you are going to do the learn to surf package like us, probably a good idea not to overbook other activities or make a lot of plans... it's a very good workout and you'll be pretty exhausted by the end of the week. Better to just hang out on the beach.||-The inn/rooms are designed more as rentals than a hotel, with no daily housekeeping other than trash and towels when requested. Our room had a well-equipped kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, and a large living room. On your way in, best to pick up some basic supplies at the supermarket to make your stay better (some cleaning supplies for dishes, etc). ||-Lots of local doggies hanging out (and a beach piggy).||-The bar/restaurant next door had live music a few nights until about 9-10. Just be aware if you plan on going to sleep that it'll be pretty...

The perfect spot for a relaxing vacation. I was traveling alone and decided to book their Surf and Yoga Package. I am so glad that I did! Christina (the owner and manager) was amazing from start to finish. She went above and beyond with customer service-I felt like I was her only client. Each day began with a yummy breakfast at a local spot and ended with a delicious dinner at another local restaurant (both spots being tailored to what I liked to eat). Christina showed me some great local spots for Sushi, local and classic Costa Rican cuisine-we even went to a great beach bar to watch the Super Bowl. We had daily yoga sessions with different teachers in different locations around the city that varied from oceanfront to a tranquil studio in the jungle. Oscar, who gave me surfing lessons each day, was the best! By the end of my stay I was surfing by myself!

My room was oceanfront on the third floor and it was HUGE. I had my own private balcony that was perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset-trust me-you don't want to miss either of those! There were three local beachfront restaurants that were perfect spots to grab lunch and watch the surfers. If you want to add on an excursions-just let Christina know and she will take care of scheduling.

I cannot recommend Surf Inn Hermosa enough. I am already planning my...

I've been to Surf Inn numerous times and every time I leave I wish I was heading back right away. The inn keep Marisol is amazing!! Not only does she keep the rooms and suites clean and stocked with all the essentials, she is friendly and incredibly helpful. ||The owner Christina is amazing at getting back to each client in a timely manner and is very professional. ||Surf Inn is located right next to some amazing restaurants that have music, Surf competitions and other events on a regular. From craft beer and sushi to sipping a Pina Colada in a hammock while you watch a beautiful sunset these locations do not disappoint.||Now for the views.... this is by far one of my favorite beaches in my travels. The dark sand with the mountain views make a calming experience along with the surrounding wildlife which comes alive at all times of the day.||There are hiking trails just down the road and a local brewery by the name of Puddle Fish that has a half pipe inside just incase you want a break from the surf.||Speaking of surfing the Surf Inn homes one of the most constant waves I've seen. This wave draws in all types of surfers from all around the world so meeting new people is bound to happen on a trip to this amazing hotel nestled perfectly on the Playa...