Surf Playa Guiones & Plazoleta
Ride powerful, consistent waves suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers or watch from sandy vantage points. Nosara’s surf scene is renowned for its consistency and community atmosphere.
Nosara
Surf, Yoga & Wellness
Why Visit Nosara?
Nosara is a tranquil, yoga-and-surf haven on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, known for its pristine beaches, lush jungle, and wellness retreats. It’s perfect for yoga practitioners, eco-conscious travelers, and intermediate to advanced surfers, offering a laid-back yet enriching coastal escape.
Nosara is deliberately hard to spoil. A local ordinance keeps development set back behind the treeline, so the beach has no hotel frontage and the jungle runs right down to the sand. The flip side is that the town is spread out and the roads are gravel — plan on a car, a bike or a golf cart.
Top Activities in Nosara
Beach & Jungle Yoga
Connect mind and body in beachfront and jungle studio classes offering dawn and sunset sessions. Nosara is internationally recognized for its transformative yoga-centered wellness offerings.
Wildlife SUP & Kayak
Paddle the Río Nosara estuary at golden hour, spotting howler monkeys, birds, and possibly crocodiles in surrounding mangroves—a peaceful wildlife experience.
Ostional Wildlife Refuge
During turtle nesting season, witness mass olive ridley turtle arribadas at Playa Ostional—a rare and powerful wildlife phenomenon.
Zip-line & Canopy Tours
Soar over the verdant canopy for a bird’s-eye view, combining adrenaline with rainforest appreciation. Great for thrill seekers.
What to Do? Featured Tours
RecommendedIntermediate Surf Lesson
Improve your surfing skills with expert coaching—tailored for those ready to catch stronger waves than at beginner beaches.
RecommendedYoga & Wellness Day Package
Combine multiple yoga classes, guided meditations, and holistic workshops for deep relaxation and rejuvenation.
RecommendedEstuary Paddle & Wildlife Viewing
Glide through mangroves by SUP or kayak at sunrise or sunset—excellent for wildlife lovers and photographers.
RecommendedTurtle Arribada Night Tour at Ostional
Join a community-guided turtle nesting tour to respectfully observe arribadas and learn conservation efforts.
RecommendedNosara Canopy Zip-lining Safari
Experience flight over treetops via zip-lines, optional hanging bridges, and panoramic jungle views.
Best time to visit Nosara
Nosara has a tropical dry season and greener months:
- Dry Season (Dec–Apr): Lots of beach days, consistent surf, and retreat energy—ideal for active and wellness travel.
- Green Season (May–Nov): Vibrant jungle color, fewer tourists, and frequent afternoon showers—great for introspective retreats.
| Metric | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg High (°F) | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 90 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 88 | 90 |
| Avg Low (°F) | 75 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Rain (in) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 6.2 | 9.7 | 8.3 | 7.4 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 7.2 | 1.8 |
How to Get to Nosara?
Nosara is about 3 hours from Liberia Airport (LIR) and roughly 4.5 hours from San Jose. Main roads are paved but the last stretch into town and between the beaches is gravel, and river crossings can be serious in the green season — 4x4 is recommended.
Rental Car:
Drive ~3 hours from Liberia or ~4.5 hours from San José—main roads paved, but expect some last-mile gravel. 4x4 recommended.
Shared Shuttle Services:
Daily shuttles from Liberia (LIR) and Guanacaste hubs; reliable and comfortable.
Private Shuttle Service:
Flexible, door-to-door transfer. Click here for private transportation info.
Best Travel Tips for Nosara
- Book surf lessons and retreats in advance during Dec–Apr (peak season).
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and quick-dry gear for daily water activities.
- April and May bring turtle nesting—observe Ostional arribadas respectfully under guide supervision.
- Carry local cash for small wellness studios, sodas, and the Nosara conservation fee.
- Respect local environmental efforts—Nosara is highly focused on sustainability and wildlife protection.
Top Restaurants in Nosara
La Luna Restaurant
Perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean, La Luna offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes and epic sunset views—ideal for a special evening.Rosi’s Soda Tica
A local favorite for Costa Rican casados, fresh juices, and hearty breakfasts—authentic, home-cooked flavors.El Chivo Cantina
A lively Mexican cantina with tacos, margaritas, and rooftop decks overlooking Nosara’s vibrant Main Street.Bodhi Tree Café
A health-conscious café serving smoothie bowls and plant-based meals next to popular yoga studios.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nosara
Is Nosara good for beginner surfers?
Playa Guiones is more of an intermediate wave than a true beginner break: consistent year-round, sandy-bottomed and forgiving in shape, but often with real size and current. Complete beginners do learn here with an instructor, ideally at low tide. Samara, an hour south, is the gentler option.
When is the Ostional turtle arribada?
Olive ridley turtles arrive in mass nestings — arribadas — most months, but the largest are between July and December, usually in the days around the last quarter moon. Ostional Wildlife Refuge is about 30 minutes north of Nosara and access during an arribada is only with a local licensed guide.
When is the best time to visit Nosara?
December to April is dry and sunny with consistent surf and the retreat season at full strength. May to November brings lush jungle, far fewer visitors and better rates, with frequent afternoon showers and bigger swell. September and October are the wettest and the quietest.
Do I need a car in Nosara?
Realistically yes. Nosara is not a single village but several dispersed neighbourhoods — Guiones, Pelada, the town of Nosara itself — spread over several kilometres of gravel road. A 4x4, a quad or at minimum a bicycle makes the difference between a relaxed stay and a stuck one.
Why is Nosara known for yoga?
It has been a wellness destination since the 1970s and now hosts several of Central America’s best-known yoga schools and teacher-training centres, with daily drop-in classes year-round. Combined with the development setback that keeps the beach quiet, it draws a long-stay wellness crowd rather than a party one.
Nosara Reviews
Consistent Waves
“Surfing at Guiones was a highlight—waves were consistent and instructors friendly.”
S
Sarah Thompson
Verified traveler • USA
Soul-Refreshing Yoga
“Yoga at dawn with the sea breeze was soul-refreshing.”
M
Mark Wu
Verified traveler • Canada
Perfect Sunset Paddle
“SUP in the estuary at sunset—saw monkeys and birds in perfect light.”
E
Emily Johnson
Verified traveler • CA
Incredible Nesting
“Turtle nesting at Ostional was incredible—so moving and beautiful to witness.”
L
Laura Campbell
Verified traveler • NY
