Our Story
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 decision to leave finance behind and try something completely different -- opening a restaurant in Nosara with my friend Wimal. We thought we had it figured out. We opened our doors to our beachfront restaurant and then exactly two weeks later, local authorities shut down all restaurants due to COVID-19. Suddenly, Nosara was a ghost town. Empty beaches from Garza to Guiones to Pelada, shuttered businesses, and a quiet that nobody was used to. Costa Rica soon blocked all incoming flights, which for a town that largely relies on expats and 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.
Our coffee is now available online — order your first bag — and have it delivered to the U.S., within Costa Rica or wherever in the world you like to enjoy your coffee.
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 various other cities around the world. I had experienced what specialty coffee could be -- not just the precision and the craft, but the ability to inspire and elevate a community. I felt that specialty coffee in Nosara had potential but was lacking, and I wanted a chance to help fill the void. I enrolled in a barista course in San José. No formal experience, just passion. I took my first real steps into the science of extraction, the nuances of different brewing methods, and the art of creating something special in a cup. It was certainly a big change from my banking days, yet it felt fun and feasible. They always say "do what you love" and this venture checked all of the boxes.
The first person I called wasn't a seasoned barista -- it was Jesus Mora, a young, energetic 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 much about specialty coffee, but I can learn fast!" And learn lightning fast he did. Over the next year, we became students together. I bought a used La Marzocco FB70 and Anfim grinder from my training course and we set up shop in my rental home (that machine is not recommended for a home, by the way). We ordered kilos upon kilos of specialty coffee from Bocanegra, 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, he was unstoppable, absorbing every detail about extraction science, filtration methods, and what it takes to make a great cup. His knowledge about coffee varieties and his latte art abilities far surpass mine at this point.
By late 2021, as Nosara began to get moving again, we felt we were preparing coffee as well as anyone around us. We found our spot in North Guiones, across from the Gilded Iguana Hotel, and signed the lease. We were particular about our space -- we wanted something small, just enough to allow us to control the customer experience. The name "Rolling Waves Coffee" came naturally -- it captures the energy, power and peace we want every customer to feel. In March 2022, we opened our doors as North Guiones' first dedicated specialty coffee shop. What started as a fun but uncertain project during a global pandemic had indeed become something real: a place where the precision and craft I'd admired in coffee shops around the world could thrive in this corner of Costa Rica.
Rolling Waves has become part of daily life in Nosara. Whether you're a local starting your morning or a visitor discovering what makes most visitors return to Nosara, we exist to inspire and empower our community. Coffee is our craft, but what we're really building is a like-minded community that appreciates quality and pursues greatness. We work exclusively with Bocanegra Coffee Roasters in San José. Led by Mario Salas with nearly 30 years of specialty coffee roasting experience, Bocanegra provides us with a well-rounded selection of single-origin coffees from across Costa Rica's top growing regions -- usually eight or more varieties at any time. We always have something remarkable for every palate. We've also grown beyond coffee. Our collection of Rolling Waves lifestyle goods reflects the same attention to quality and authenticity we bring to everything we do -- pieces inspired by coastal living and the energy of this community. Today you can find us at our original shop in North Guiones near the Gilded Iguana Hotel.
-- Jarin
Our single origin coffees are roasted exclusively by Bocanegra Coffee Roasters and shipped fresh — from the roaster to your door.
SHOP COSTA RICA COFFEE →Shipping to the U.S. and across Costa Rica. For other international destinations, please arrange at hello@rollingwavescr.com