Ten years ago we had a dream, a set of drawings, and a lot of mud. We had no idea who would believe in it. This is the story of the people who did, and what they taught us.
The dream
We came here with a simple wish. A sustainable life in Nosara, with less rush and less stuff. Time with our kids. Mornings in the water, yoga, good food, and the beach with friends and family. A slower, happier way to live.
Nalu is what grew from that wish. It is a place where we could share it.
The architect who believed in us
Late one night, I wrote an email to an architect who had designed a home for his mother on a budget. I told him our story and our dream, and everything we hoped this place could be.
By surprise, he and his wife were in town. We met. And he agreed to design our hotel.
He believed in the dream when it was only words in an email. He has since become one of the most influential architects in the world, and we are so grateful he said yes.
Before it was ready
Our first guests booked when all we had were computer renders online. They were a well-known actor and actress couple, and we were honored that they trusted us. We got to know them. We surfed together.
One day, after a surf, he told me that his parents had run a bed and breakfast when he was growing up. He knew how much work it is, and how many people you meet along the way. Then he said:
"What you have here is special. You're doing a great job."
Those words meant more to us than he could have known. Kind words from someone who understood. It was the first time we thought: maybe we really are building something special.
The day we opened the studio, there were planks of wood laid across the floor to get over the mud. There were exposed wires. The fans did not work yet. Our teachers and friends asked whether we were sure we would be ready in time.
Somehow we made it, with the resources we had. A small group of instructors came together. We told them about the dream. They believed in us, and took a chance on a place that was still half built. Some of them are still with us in the studio today. We are grateful to every one of them.
What we found here
When we worked in New York, we only met people in our own industry. Within a couple of weeks in Nosara, we were meeting families from every walk of life. We all wanted the same things. A slower pace of life, and the same dreams and aspirations. We found our people here.
Guests often arrive in a hurry. They come in hot, still carrying the pace of home. By the end of their stay they are smiling, happy, and giving us hugs. We never take that for granted. It is the part we love most.
We have learned that it is easy to get stuck on the details. What matters most is the overall experience, and the simple moments of kindness.
Nosara, ten years on
Nosara has changed a great deal in ten years. It has grown fast. But it still has the magic that makes it special. The gatherings at sunset. The steady surf. Food made with love. And a way of thinking that says: enjoy each day as it is, and worry about the day you are living.
What comes next
The studio is closed for a short time and reopens on November 8, with new energy. We are planning a few things to mark the year, and we will share them next month.
We have never been ones for big celebrations. But ten years feels like something to celebrate, and we want to celebrate it with you.
Thank you for the stays, the classes, the friendships, and the kindness. Thank you for believing in us the way our architect and our first teachers did. We could not have done this without you.
Come and celebrate with us. Our villas are open, with no booking fees.
Check availabilityWritten by
Domel — Founder, Nalu Nosara