If you want to enjoy gorgeous beaches, great surf, and world-class food, Nosara, Costa Rica is the place to go!
On top of all that, you can really embrace the Pura Vida lifestyle in Nosara in Guanacaste Province. The multicultural and eco-conscious community has a slower, quieter pace for both visitors and locals.
Read on to learn more about what Nosara, Costa Rica has to offer!
Nosara District, Costa Rica
Nosara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula, a part of the world where locals live long, healthy, and active lives. Once you arrive, it’s easy to see why — the great weather, healthy environment, and fresh food all contribute to everyday well-being.
Nosara District has several towns and beaches spread out among the coastline and rainforest. The Chorotega were the area’s earliest settlers, and Nosara is named for a Chorotega princess.
When Spanish colonizers arrived, they cleared much of the land in the area to raise cattle. But in recent decades the land was able to rewild, and much of the area is now part of the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge.
Read on to learn six awesome things to discover in Nosara, one of the most special destinations in Costa Rica.
1. Beaches in Nosara
Costa Rica isn’t short on great beaches, and the Nicoya Peninsula is no exception.
That said, some of those beautiful stretches of sand can get very crowded. If you’re looking for a break from the party atmosphere in Tamarindo, the quieter beaches around Nosara are where you should go.
And because many of Nosara’s beaches fall inside the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, it’s prohibited to build on beach borders. This regulation has kept coastal developments smaller and helped protect the area’s wildlife.
Here are some of Nosara’s must-visit beaches:
- Pelada: Located between Playa Nosara and Playa Guiones, make sure to check out the tidal pools at this beach’s north end during low tide.
- Guiones: One of Costa Rica’s standout beaches, Playa Guiones is a low-key sandy beach that’s great for both surfing and swimming.
- Garza: Located in a local town that centres around fishing, visit this beach to enjoy the charming boats in the water while you have a drink or a traditional Tico meal oceanside.
- Ostional: This dark-sand beach is a good spot for experienced surfers, as long as you aren’t in the way of nesting sea turtles.
2. Surfing in Nosara
Nosara is a popular destination for surfers, both locals and visitors, thanks to its year-round consistent waves.
Many surfers stay in Guiones, which has waves suitable for all experience levels and many local amenities for tourists. In fact, it’s one of Costa Rica’s best surfing destinations. But you can find great waves and amenities like surf shops throughout the region.
Check out one of these options for surfing lessons and camps in Nosara:
- Ten Toes Surf: For a surf vacation for the entire family, book a trip at this coaching-focused resort where kids are welcome.
- Surf Simply: If you want to go in on learning to surf, consider this week-long program located at an all-inclusive resort.
- Mindful Waves: If you want to learn to surf on a girls’ trip, take a look at this women’s surf camp. The program focuses on mindfulness and takes a therapeutic approach to surf instruction.
3. Nature in Nosara
Thanks to its relatively undeveloped vibe, Nosara is the perfect place to experience Costa Rica’s rich natural environment.
The areas coastlines provide opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, and boating. On shore, the forest is a great place to hike and bird watch.
And with several protected areas, Nosara provides many opportunities to view the country’s celebrated biodiversity in its natural environments.
These are some of the most rewarding natural experiences in Nosara:
- Ostional National Wildlife Refuge: This reserve was created to protect sea turtle populations, and Playa Ostional is one of the best spots in Costa Rica to see them nest. The turtle nesting season generally runs from July to December each year.
- Wild Scarlet Macaw Reserve: See these striking parrots in their natural environment, the dry tropical forest, while learning about recovery efforts for the species.
- Nosara Biological Reserve: Located adjacent to Lagarta Lodge, this reserve offers guided tours along its trail system.
- Boca Nosara: This river mouth, where the open ocean and an inland river meet, is a popular local fishing spot. Explore on stand-up paddleboard or kayak to get a view of the mangroves.
4. Yoga in Nosara
Nosara is a popular destination for wellness travel, and yoga is a big part of the draw. The area’s relaxed and relatively secluded atmosphere makes this quiet and centering form of exercise a natural fit.
But yoga is about more than just fitness in Nosara. The local community focuses on diversity and sustainability, and yoga plays an important role. Those values are reflected in many of the yoga studios and retreats found throughout the Nicoya Peninsula.
Here are some of the best places in Nosara to perfect your yoga poses:
- Bhodi Tree Resort: Enjoy the natural surroundings of this Balinese-style property during yoga classes, then catch a shuttle to the nearest beach for some time in the waves.
- Harmony Hotel: Located just a couple minutes by foot from Playa Guiones, this hotel features complimentary yoga classes and a smoothie bar.
- Nalu: This open-air studio offers yoga classes, of course, but also a variety of other fitness classes for all ages.
5. Restaurants in Nosara
The Nicoya Peninsula is considered one of the world’s five Blue Zones, where people live healthfully to 100 and beyond. Food is a big part of the longevity Nicoyans enjoy, and the clean natural environment and relaxed pace of life also play a role.
Nosara town is a great spot to visit if you want to enjoy local Costa Rican culture, including its food. Fresh fruit and seafood, including shellfish, are abundant. The area is also a great place to visit if you’re vegan or vegetarian, with more options than in other parts of the country.
Add these restaurants to your itinerary during your visit:
- Pacifico Azul: Enjoy Costa Rican flavours in this fine-dining environment, which focuses on seafood. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are both available.
- Howler’s Beach Lounge: For a casual — but delicious! — meal of tacos and carpaccio, stop at this outdoor spot.
- La Luna: This casual beach restaurant in Playa Pelada is the perfect spot to watch the sun set while you enjoy a wood-fire pizza.
- Huacas: Visit this restaurant, located in Tierra Magnifica, to enjoy its high-quality cocktail-and-wine menu.
- Celajes Restaurante: If you want to try a traditional Tico casados with meat, veggies, rice, and beans, head to this locally owned eatery.
6. Hotels in Nosara
From their design to the services and amenities offered, Nosara’s hotels and resorts are another place you’ll find the community’s values reflected.
Costa Rica has long been a global leader in eco-friendly tourism. The country has strong environmental regulations to support the industry. The Nicoya peninsula is home to many of the best eco-friendly properties in Costa Rica. Some of them are adjacent to protected areas, or even have nature reserves on site.
Consider some of these standout hotel properties for your next stay in Nosara:
- Hotel Punta Islita: This stylish property is home to the Macaw Recovery Network, which works to recover the scarlet macaw species.
- Tierra Magnifica: If luxury is the goal, this award-winning hotel will get you there. Enjoy a room with a forest or ocean view, discover local ingredients at its in-house restaurant, and explore the area with an e-bike you can rent on site.
- Lagarta Lodge: This eco-boutique hotel is an ecotourism leader. Located next to the Nosara Biological Reserve, guests can book tours to see nesting turtles or snorkel off San Juanillo.
This post highlighted six of the best reasons to get to Nosara, Costa Rica on your next trip to the country. Explore the links to learn more about what makes this part of Guanacaste so special!
