From Wall Street to Specialty Coffee in Nosara: The Rolling Waves Story | Costa Rica

March 15, 2022

Sometimes the best stories begin with the most unexpected plot twists. Ours certainly did.  How a former investment banker in New York City is building community through third-wave coffee in Costa Rica.

When the World Stopped, Our Coffee Journey Began

It was May 2020, and the world had come to a standstill. After a decade in investment banking in New York City, I had made the bold decision to leave finance behind and try something completely different—opening a restaurant in Nosara with my friend Wimal. We were living the dream for exactly two weeks before local authorities shut down all restaurants due to COVID-19.  

Suddenly, Nosara was a ghost town. Empty beaches from Garza to North Guiones to Pelada, shuttered businesses, and an eerie quiet where the usual buzz of surfers and tourists once filled the air. Costa Rica had eventually blocked all incoming flights which for a town that relies on tourism was a real struggle.  But sometimes, when one door closes, another opens—and for me, that door was a familiar one, one that opened to positive energy, beautiful aromas and baristas pulling shots at all times of the day.    

Chasing the Perfect Cup

During those quiet pandemic months, I found myself drawn back to one of my deepest passions: specialty coffee. All those years traveling for work had taken me to incredible coffee shops in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Sydney and numerous cultural centers around the world. I had experienced what third wave coffee could be at its finest—the precision, the artistry, the community it creates. At the time I felt that specialty coffee in Nosara had potential but was lacking in many ways and I wanted to fill the void.

I enrolled in a beginner barista course in San José, Costa Rica, taking baby steps into the science of extraction, the nuances of different brewing methods, and the art of creating something truly special in a cup. It was a complete 180 from my banking days, but it felt right in a way that surprised me.

Building Something Beautiful Together

The first person I called wasn't a seasoned barista—it was Jesus Mora, a local Tico who had been our bartender at the restaurant. When I explained my vision and drew parallels between the precision of cocktails and coffee, Jesus responded with that infectious smile of his: "I don't know anything about specialty coffee, but I can learn fast!"

And learn fast he did. Over the next year and a half, we became students together. I bought a used La Marzocco FB70 and Anfim grinder from my training course and set up shop in my house (that huge machine is not recommended for a home!). We ordered kilos upon kilos of specialty coffee, invited Costa Rica's seasoned baristas (including a former national barista champion) to train with us, and spent countless hours perfecting our craft. Jesus, in particular, was like a sponge—absorbing every detail about extraction science, filtration methods, and the subtle art of creating the perfect cup.  I must admit, his knowledge about coffee varieties and his latte art abilities far surpass mine at this point!  

Rolling Waves is Born

By late 2021, as Nosara began to wake up again, we knew we were ready. We found a nice spot in North Guiones, across from the Gilded Iguana Hotel, and signed the lease.  We were very particular about our space - we wanted something small, just enough space to allow us to control the customers' experience.  The name "Rolling Waves Coffee" came naturally—of course we're a bit more than a stone's throw away from the beach but it really captures the peace and subtle but powerful energy we wanted every customer to feel.

In March 2022, we opened our doors as the first pure-play specialty coffee shop at the beach in Nosara. What started as an unexpected detour during a global pandemic was blossoming into something beautiful: a place where the precision and artistry I'd admired in coffee shops around the world could thrive in this incredible corner of Costa Rica.

More Than Just Coffee

Today, Rolling Waves has become woven into the fabric of daily life here in Nosara. Whether you're a local starting your morning or a visitor discovering what makes this place special, we're here to ignite inspiration in every cup we serve. We work exclusively with Bocanegra Coffee Roasters to curate an extensive collection of single-origin coffees - usually 8+ varieties at any time. This allows us to offer something exceptional for every palate, from the coffee aficionado seeking complexity to someone just looking for a perfect black coffee.

As Rolling Waves has continued to grow, so has our vision. We recently began curating a collection of our own-branded lifestyle goods that embody the same attention to quality and local authenticity we bring to our coffee. Each piece reflects the coastal lifestyle and conscious living that defines Nosara.

It's been an incredible journey from investment banking to barista, from New York City to the beaches of Guanacaste, and we're just getting our feet underneath us with what we hope is a long and impactful journey.

---

Come visit us at Rolling Waves Coffee in North Guiones, Nosara. We're always happy to share our passion for exceptional coffee with our community.