ONDA

We provide a unique opportunity to really integrate into a small community, and experience life in a small Costa Rican beach/surf town. We have a beautiful hotel with a bar and restaurant that is the social hub of the town. We offer comfortable accommodation, delicious meals, and access to great surf!

Our team is young and we work hard. We expect our volunteers to bring some hustle! We are a close team and we value open, direct communication with one another. We celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes. We grow together and we treat one another with respect. Our volunteers are treated as one of the team, and our team is like family.

Top Host
This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.

All experiences

Join our team & immerse into the simple beach town life

Bartending

Playa Grande, Costa Rica

Reviews

5.0
(18 reviews)18

Staff & Host

5.0

Hours & Tasks

4.5

Hostel

4.5

Learning & Fun

5.0

Spain

5

El lugar es increible y el staff aún más. Se encuentra en un lugar tranquilo a 3 minutos de la playa con los mejores atardeceres. Tuve que acortar mi estancia por un problema médico y eso me dejó con ganas de disfrutar más del lugar, pero lo poco que estuve lo disfruté muchisimo. La gente local del lugar son muy agradables. Sin duda recomiendo 100% hacer este voluntariado.

about 1 month ago

Brazil

3

I loved the people I met at ONDA, both the staff and the guests made the experience really special. The location is also amazing, just a few minutes from the beach and surrounded by nature.

However, the volunteer experience felt more like a work exchange, with unexpected tasks and responsibilities that weren’t communicated upfront. The volunteer facilities could also be improved, the room was too small for two people and the bathroom lacked ventilation, making it constantly damp.

Grateful for the connections, but there’s definitely room to improve how the experience is organized.

about 2 months ago

Danielle replied

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughtful feedback about your experience at ONDA. We're truly delighted to hear that the connections you formed with our team and fellow guests made your stay meaningful. Fostering genuine community is at the heart of what we do, and it means the world to us to know we achieved that for you.

We deeply appreciate your honest insights, as they are invaluable in helping us continue to improve and grow.

Argentina

5

My time at Onda Playa Grande was unforgettable. From the first day, the warm and friendly staff made me feel at home. I grew, learned, made amazing friends, and developed new skills working as a bartender. The place is beautiful, full of good vibes, and every day felt like a new adventure—sunset swims, laughter, deep talks, and personal growth. Onda gave me peace, clarity, and a sense of family I’ll always cherish.

3 months ago

Chile

3

Las habitaciones de voluntarios estaban llenas de moho, y cuando lo comunicamos no hicieron nada para arreglarlo, simplemente lo limpiaban con vinagre y el moho volvía a salir.
La comida pésima, sin aporte nutricional, mucho arroz y frijoles y cosas fritas. Tienen una regla de que no puedes guardar tu comida por más de un día en el refrigerador, o la tiran.
Es una lástima, porque playa grande es hermoso y conocí mucha gente increíble.
Recomiendo onda como hotel, no como voluntariado.

4 months ago

Chile

5

Mi experiencia en ONDA fue increíble
Desde el primer minuto el equipo me hizo sentir acogida
Mi tiempo en playa grande fue hermoso gracias a ellos
Valoraré esta experiencia por siempre,ONDA tiene un lugar especial en mi corazón
Le agradezco profundamente a Allie por la oportunidad y por su preocupación
Me llevo recuerdos hermoso y amigos valiosos de por vida
Pura vida ♥️

5 months ago

Perfect for you if you're looking for

Business

Rural

Beach