Preparing for your arrival

Getting Here & Arrival Process

The countdown to adventure is on! By now, you may have already organized your flight to Costa Rica. If not, here's a quick guide:

Costa Rica has two main international airports: Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) and Guanacaste / Liberia Airport (LIR).  

LIR is much closer, only a 60-minute drive from Playa Grande, while SJO is approximately 4-5 hours away, and flights are usually more affordable here.

If arriving via San José, you can book a regional flight with Fly Sansa for around $100. This will get you to Tamarindo in 45 minutes.

Liberia to Playa Grande - Complimentary Shuttles

If you opt for this option, a driver will be waiting for you outside customs with a NOMA COLLECTIVE sign to whisk you away to your destination. 

This shuttle is catered to each customer and will be scheduled according to flight information. 

Duration - 1 hour and 10 minutes

Tamarindo to Playa Grande - Complimentary Shuttle 

If you opt for this option, a driver will be waiting for you outside customs with a NOMA COLLECTIVE sign to whisk you away to your destination. 

This shuttle is catered to each customer and will be scheduled according to flight information. 

Duration - 30 minutes

San Jose - This option is not complimentary, but we can help organize it.

1. Alajuela Airport to Playa Grande - PRIVATE SHUTTLE. 

Duration - 4-6 hours

1-4 People $330
5-8 People $400
9-11 People $450

2. Paradise Tours and Transfers- SHARED SHUTTLE (with non-Noma guests)

This is a shared shuttle with a set schedule, leaving San José twice a day. 

Duration - 6-7 hours

Morning Shuttle - 8:45 am Departure from SJO Airport 

Afternoon Shuttle - 3:15 pm Departure from SJO Airport. 

$65 per person

Please message @teamnoma for help arranging these private shuttles

CHECK OUT AVAILABLE FLIGHTS HERE

 Orientation

Now, once you've checked into your room, this is where the fun really begins. Our welcome/kick-off ceremony will provide you with all the necessary information about your stay and give you the chance to meet your unique Noma community. 

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Before You Go 

Weather:

Costa Rica has a tropical climate with high temperatures throughout the year and an average of 75°-85°F (24°-29°C). Be aware that the weather in Costa Rica differs greatly depending on what coast you are on; the Pacific coast’s rainy season ranges from May to November and on the Caribbean coast, the seasons are flipped. 

Playa Grande is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The dry season lasts from December to March and the wet season is from May to October. The average temperature in November ranges from a high of 84°F (29°C) to a low of 77°F (25°C). 

Currency:

The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). Although US dollars are widely accepted, you'll receive change in CRC, so it is advised to use CRC as the preferred currency. 

1 USD is worth 509.01 CRC (at the time of writing). It’s important to note that because of its booming tourism industry, Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, so keep this in mind when budgeting for your trip. It is also important to note that ATMs might not be available in smaller towns so it's best to bring some cash with you.

Some helpful Spanish phrases for your trip to Costa Rica include:

Gracias - Thank you

Por favor - Please

Buenos días - Good morning

¿Dónde está…? - Where is…?

La cuenta, por favor - The bill, please

¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?

No entiendo - I don’t understand

¿Dónde está el baño? - Where is the bathroom?

Me gusta - I like

Packing List:

• Raincoat or light waterproof jacket
• Lightweight t-shirts 
• Long-sleeve shirts for sun protection or hiking
• Shorts and skirts
• Long pants
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses and Hat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals/flip-flops
• A dry bag for water excursions (not a necessity, but useful) 
• Day backpack
• Eye mask
• Earplugs 
• Toiletries
• Reef-safe sunscreen 
• Bug repellent
• International credit/debit card 
• Cash - USD or CRC is accepted everywhere
• Water bottle 
• Laptop 
• Chargers
• Portable Charger
• Headphones
• Ethernet adaptor if you require an ethernet cable

Communication

Important - all guest communication is on Slack. 

Please click on the below image to join our Noma Slack channel
Slack App is available on Web, Android and iOS. Please join Noma Collective on Slack clicking on the Slack logo above.

When you join Noma Collective, please DM @teamnoma letting them know the Edition & month you are attending. We will add you to the correct channels:

News And Events - For anything related to on-site events and activity sign-ups. @teamnoma uses this channel to let you know about the onsite event programme and daily announcements.

Onsite Chat - Think of this as your community conversation space, where you can share memes, have casual chats, see what people are up to and more!

#alumni - Once your trip is over you’ll get a VIP backstage pass to the entire Noma Collective Community. You’ll have access to exclusive perks, recommendations, advice, and alumni-only Editions.

You can also DM anyone by selecting their name in the bottom left which will enable you to discuss anything in private. 

Add a profile picture, pronouns and a short bio of current/previous job roles and any personal information of interest that you’d like to share in the ‘what I do’ section. This will help your fellow community members get to know you better!

If you have any questions for us, or any issues with anything on-site, please DM @TeamNoma. Also, if you’d like to flag anything in a general chat for our attention, simply add @TeamNoma to your post and we’ll pick it up.

We will monitor Slack between 8 am and 8 pm daily (apart from the Community Manager's day off) if there’s anything urgent outside of those hours then please contact the front desk at the resort.

Location

The Neighborhood - Playa Grande

Situated on The Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Grande is a small surf town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Located close to the popular area of Tamarindo, Playa Grande has a much more authentic and laid-back vibe; perfect for the digital nomads who just love to go with the flow. 

For all those keen to catch a wave, the best surf spots in Costa Rica are conveniently located on the Northern Pacific Coast. Playa Grande has its own surf spot, La Casita, a popular location for beginners and experts alike. 

A 3-minute walk to the beach, many restaurants and cafes within a 5-minute walk, everything you need is right on your doorstep.

Onda - Our Noma Home

The Address:

Main Road, 250 to Northeast from MINAE Provincia de Guanacaste Playa Grande, 50309, Costa Rica

Our collaboration with ONDA provides the perfect setting for digital nomads to live and work together in paradise. Merging the community feel of a hostel with the luxuries of a hotel, expect welcoming accommodation with a two-floor coworking space and all the frills.

We have full access to the property for our Edition so you can enjoy all the amenities for just our Noma crew.

Food & Beverage Onsite

ONDA’s Beer Garden is so much more than just a place to eat. It’s the place to meet fellow travelers, socialize with friends, and plan your future adventures. We use only the best ingredients which are sourced locally (when possible) and offer a mixture of traditional Costa Rican dishes, along with some American fusion.

Some Key Info about Onda: 

How does Laundry Service Work?

• We have laundry service available for $15/load of laundry (a large bag). Wash/dry/fold and ready within 24hr.

Room Cleaning Services?

Our standard cleaning processes are as follows:

• Daily room refresh - quick tidying up, sweep, take out trash
• After every 3rd night - complete deep cleaning, full linen change
• If a guest needs a full cleaning (new sheets or something) outside of our regular cleaning schedule they can request it at the bar!

WiFi Info

We have two separate internet connections on-site:

• Our primary connection is a 150Mb up / 150Mb down commercial fiber connection
• Our secondary connection is a 200Mb down / 15Mb up cable connection
• We use a load-balancing router from Unifi that combines the connections so that an outage of either connection doesn't result in a loss of service
• Furthermore, our IT system is connected to an uninterruptible power supply that provides 3-4 hours of power in the event of a power outage.

House Rules & Hours of Service

• Hours of Coworking Space: You are free to use the space 24/7
• Pool Hours: Always open baby! 

IMPORTANT RULES: 

• NO glass in the pool and surrounding pool areas. If any glass is broken in the pool, we will have to immediately close the pool and the client will be charged $2,000 to empty/clean/refill the pool.
• Outside guests are not allowed to stay the night without registering with our Guest Service agent as a guest in our system. It is our legal obligation and safety responsibility to have the information on file of every guest staying with us.
• Guests are responsible for keeping the guest kitchen clean and tidy.

When Going Offsite 

We're thrilled to provide you with a tailored Google Map showcasing our handpicked local hot spots. This map will be your ultimate guide for discovering hidden gems, must-see attractions, and our personal favorites. Get ready for effortless access to insider recommendations that will elevate your Costa Rican adventure! 🗺️🌟 

Check out some of the Team Noma favorite restaurants, bars and cafe's in the local area:

Playa Grande 

• Rip Jack Inn 
• El Huerto 
• Las Olas Brewery 
• El Beach Club 
• Tamarindo 
• El Chiringuito 
• Green Papaya 
• El Mercadito 
• Potrero/Flamingo/Brasilito 
• Gracia La Vid
• Gracias Mar Vista Patagonia del Mar 
• The Surf Box 
• Masala

Playa Grande/Tamarindo Weekly Events

• Tamarindo Night Market - Every Thursday night. Local market with live music, food vendors, jewellery stands, and more. 
• Tamarindo Farmers Market - Every Saturday morning. 
• Beach Club Night Market - Every Wednesday night. Located right next door to ONDA. Local market with live music, jewelry stands, and more. 
• Rip Jack Happy Hour - Every evening from 4 pm to 6 pm. Offering discounted drinks and “bocas” 

Safety Briefing - Playa Grande

1. Beach Safety:

• Always swim in designated areas with lifeguards.
• Be cautious of strong currents and rip tides; swim close to the shore.
• Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water, especially in the heat.

2. Wildlife and Nature:

• Admire wildlife from a distance; avoid touching or feeding animals.
• Be cautious of local plants and insects; some can cause allergic reactions.
• Respect the natural habitat; do not disturb nesting sites or wildlife.

3. Security:

• Avoid displaying valuable items in public; use the hotel safe for your belongings.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night; travel in groups if possible.

4. Local Customs:

• Respect the local culture and traditions; dress modestly outside of beach areas.
• Learn basic Spanish phrases for communication; locals appreciate the effort.
• Ask permission before taking photos of locals, especially indigenous people.

5. Medical Assistance:

• Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest medical facility.
• Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries; seek medical help for significant issues.
• Inform hotel staff about any medical conditions or allergies.

6. Emergency Contacts:

• Keep a list of important contacts, including local authorities and your embassy.
• Program local emergency numbers into your phone: Police (911) and Medical Emergency (128).

Work 

Your Digital Nomad Guide 

As digital nomads ourselves, we know how important it is to our community to change their working environments. This is why there is an onsite co-working space.

This brand-new, two-floor coworking space with fast, reliable internet connection enables you to work remotely with comfort and peace of mind. The ground-floor coworking lounge features comfortable cafe-style seating in a quiet area of the hotel so you can work in a relaxed but productive environment. 

On the second floor, our coworking office provides a more formal work vibe with dedicated hot desks and two private meeting rooms designed for Zoom meetings or small group in-person huddles.

Community

Our community, events and code of conduct

Events Schedule

Stay tuned for your personalized Google Calendar detailing all our exciting events during the two-week trip, ensuring you won't miss any activities you wish to join.

We announce the weekly events schedule on Slack every Sunday afternoon which includes at least one event a day, offering something for everyone.

The events consist of 4 categories:

Wellbeing: Yoga, meditation, workout classes and surf lessons.

Adventure: Weekly group excursions ranging from ATV trips and National Park tours to cooking classes and surf lessons.

Community: We host various community events including a weekly family dinner and group game nights

Professional Growth: Noma community members have the chance to host workshops that focus on their professional background or personal interest/skill. We usually have one a week. If this is something you're interested in, please let us know!

Code of Conduct 

We are a diverse and inclusive community, committed to supporting one another in our shared journey. Please extend your support to those organizing events and don't hesitate to ask questions; there are no such things as 'stupid questions' or 'boring events.'

At Noma, the safety and comfort of every member are paramount. We have solo travelers and staggered arrivals, so let's make every newcomer feel genuinely welcome and supported in their experience.

Understanding and Consideration

Noma attracts individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ideologies. It's essential to be mindful of this diversity. Avoid making comments or jokes related to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, divisive political figures, or national stereotypes. Let's practice empathy and understanding at all times.

Respectful Communication:

In our community, respectful communication is paramount. We have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior such as sexual references, innuendos and passes that could make others uncomfortable. Let's foster an atmosphere of professionalism and mutual respect, ensuring everyone feels secure and valued.

Ensuring Safety:

1. Consent Matters: Never touch someone without their clear and enthusiastic consent.

2. Respect Personal Space: Everyone deserves their privacy and personal space; please respect their boundaries.

3. Reporting Concerns: If you witness any unsavory, criminal, or unwelcome behavior, please report it to a member of the resort staff immediately. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation and are unsure how to handle it, Team Noma is always available to assist.

Maintaining Confidentiality:

We value discretion and will handle issues with utmost sensitivity unless you specify otherwise. Reach out to us in person or DM on Slack if you have concerns or need assistance.

Accountability and Support:

If you wish to report something related to your Community Manager or escalate any issues, please feel free to email the Head of Community Operations at calla@noma-collective.com or DM her on Slack. Your safety and comfort are our top priority.

Thank you for making Noma a safe, respectful, and supportive community for everyone.

Leaving Process

Join our final night celebrations before you head home! Shuttles to your airport or destination will be arranged based on your provided information. 

Finally, sit back, relax and start counting down the days until you arrive in Costa Rica! We can't wait to see you and show you around one of our favorite places - it's going to be an incredible adventure. Safe travels!