About Una Ola
One Wave Can Change Your Life!
There's something about the ocean that has a way of putting life into perspective.
The ocean doesn't care about our plans, our schedules, or who we think we are. It moves to its own rhythms, and if we want to enjoy what it offers, we have to learn to pay attention, adapt, and sometimes simply let go.
Surfing teaches us patience, humility, and respect. It reminds us that we can't control everything, but we can learn to recognize opportunities and make the most of them when they arrive.
These ideas have shaped Una Ola from the beginning.
For us, Una Ola has always been about more than catching waves. It's about living close to nature, sharing good food and good company, making new friends, and appreciating the simple experiences that make life meaningful.
Whether you come to Pavones to surf the longest waves of your life, learn something new, or simply spend time by the ocean, we hope you'll find something here that stays with you long after you leave.
A Journey That Led to Pavones
Una Ola began with a vision of creating a place where people could come together around surfing, yoga, wellness, and a shared appreciation for life by the ocean.
That vision took shape through years of experience, beginning with a surf school in San Diego, where we taught surfing from 2003 to 2006, before making the move to Costa Rica in 2006.
In 2008, the first Una Ola hotel opened in Playa Grande, on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast.
Two years later, the journey brought Una Ola south to Pavones, a small coastal community known for its remarkable waves, natural beauty, and slower pace of life.
Pavones felt different. Here, the ocean, rainforest, rivers, and community are all part of everyday life. Surfing isn't simply an activity people travel here to experience; for many of us, it's woven into the rhythm of living.
Over the years, Una Ola has operated from several locations in Pavones, adapting and evolving while remaining connected to the same original vision.
In 2021, Una Ola found its present home on a beautiful beachfront property with a history of its own.
The People Behind Una Ola
Colin, the founder of Una Ola, and Joseph, a longtime friend and collaborator, share a love of surfing, the ocean, and life in Pavones.
Joseph owns the beachfront property where Una Ola operates today. An accomplished surfer and experienced coach, he purchased the property in 2004 and originally named it Rancho Cannatella in honor of his mother's family.
Over the years, their friendship and shared interests created a natural opportunity to bring Una Ola and Rancho Cannatella together.
Today, they work together to welcome guests, share their knowledge of the area, and help people experience the place they call home.
Joseph's son, Kainoa, represents another generation growing up with the ocean at the center of everyday life.
Born and raised in Pavones, Kainoa learned to surf under his father's guidance from an early age. Today, he is an accomplished young surfer who also shares his local knowledge and experience through surfing instruction and guiding.
Together, their different experiences and perspectives contribute to the character of Una Ola.
It's a place shaped by friendship, family, a shared passion for the ocean, and years of living and surfing in Pavones.
Caring for the Place We Call Home
One of the things that makes Pavones special is the extraordinary natural environment surrounding it.
Rainforest reaches toward the coastline. Rivers flow down from the mountains. Wildlife is part of everyday life, and the ocean connects it all.
Living here brings an appreciation for how closely these environments are connected, and how important it is to care for them.
We believe that protecting the natural beauty and ecological health of Pavones is essential to preserving what makes this place so special.
That means respecting the coastline, rivers, forests, wildlife, and waves that sustain both the local community and the experiences visitors come here to enjoy.
Our hope is that future generations will have the same opportunities to experience and appreciate this remarkable place.
The Meaning Behind One Wave
Una Ola means One Wave in Spanish.
For a surfer, every wave is an opportunity.
No two waves are exactly alike. Each arrives in its own way, shaped by forces far beyond our control. Some pass us by. Others challenge us. And occasionally, one comes along that changes how we see what's possible.
We believe life works much the same way.
The circular, swirling form of the Una Ola logo reflects this idea. Like a wave, a hurricane, or a galaxy, it represents movement, energy, and the powerful natural forces that connect us to the world around us.
Joseph has a saying that captures another part of this philosophy:
“Waves come from you, not to you.”
It's a reminder that our experiences are shaped not only by what happens around us, but by how we approach and respond to them.
Every surfer follows a different path. Some are just beginning, while others have spent a lifetime in the water. Each has something to learn, and each wave offers another opportunity.
That's the spirit behind our motto:
One Wave Can Change Your Life!
It doesn't mean every wave has to be extraordinary, or that every visit needs to be life-changing.
Sometimes it's simply about being present enough to appreciate the moment when it arrives.
Sharing the Life We Love
At Una Ola, we enjoy sharing the things that have made life in Pavones so meaningful to us.
For some guests, that means long days in the surf, discovering new breaks, improving their skills, or experiencing the thrill of riding a wave they never imagined they could catch.
For others, it's the quiet pleasures of being here: waking up near the ocean, enjoying fresh food, exploring the surrounding landscape, relaxing by the pool, or spending time with friends and family.
There's no single way to experience Una Ola.
We believe the best experiences come from following your own interests, remaining open to new possibilities, and allowing yourself the time to enjoy where you are.
Our role is to share what we've learned, help you discover what this place has to offer, and make you feel welcome while you're here.
After all these years, the things that first drew us to the ocean still inspire us.
And there's something special about getting to share them with others.
We invite you to come experience Una Ola for yourself.