Nosara
Save12 hand-picked places in 5 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
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Tips
7 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Long protected surf beach with consistent waves and wide sunsets.
3 tips
- Beginner waves at low to mid tide
- No buildings on the sand
- Watch for rip currents
📷 Photos
- 2
Rocky cove beach with tide pools and a famous blowhole at high tide.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Explore tide pools at low tide
- Great sunset spot
- Quieter than Guiones
📷 Photos
- 3
Beach refuge famous for mass arrivals of nesting olive ridley turtles.
3 tips
- Arribadas happen around last quarter moon
- Night visits require a local guide
- Dirt road needs a 4x4 in rainy season
📷 Photos
- 4
Private reserve with mangrove and forest trails by the Nosara river.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Trails start near Lagarta Lodge
- Bring insect repellent
📷 Photos
- 5
Calm crescent bay with a fishing village south of Nosara.
3 tips
- Good for swimming
- Fresh fish at local sodas
- About 15 minutes by car
📷 Photos
- 6
Beachfront restaurant on the rocks at Pelada, ideal for sunset.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Arrive before sunset for a table
- Mediterranean-style menu
- Book in high season
📷 Photos
- 7
Laid-back local beach shack on Pelada serving casados and fish.
3 tips
- Try the fish casado
- Cheap and casual
- Feet-in-the-sand seating
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Nosara tips
Transportation
- Fly into the Nosara airstrip: Small domestic flights from San José land near town, sparing you a long, bumpy drive across the Nicoya Peninsula.
- Rent a 4x4: Most roads around Guiones and Pelada are dirt, dusty in dry season and muddy in green season, so a 4x4 with good clearance is worth it.
- Get around by bike or ATV: Locals hop between Playa Guiones, Pelada and Nosara town by bike, ATV or golf cart; rentals are easy to find in Guiones.
Security
- Respect rip currents: Playa Guiones can have strong rips; swim near surfers or lifeguard flags, and float parallel to shore if you get pulled out.
- Never leave valuables: Theft from cars and beach bags happens, so keep passports locked at your stay and take only what you need to the sand.
- Avoid the river mouth: Crocodiles live around the Nosara river mouth near Playa Pelada, so do not swim, paddle or walk dogs close to the estuary.
Saving
- Eat at sodas: Family-run sodas serve casado plates with rice, beans, salad and meat for much less than the cafes on the Guiones strip.
- Pay in colones: Prices are often shown in dollars, but paying in colones at sodas and markets can work out cheaper; carry small notes.
- Visit in green season: From May to November prices drop and crowds thin, while mornings are usually sunny before afternoon rain.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for heat and dust: December to April is the hot dry season with dusty roads, so bring light clothes, a sun hat, reef-safe sunscreen and a buff.
- Plan for green season rain: From May to November afternoon storms are common, peaking around September and October, so pack a rain jacket.
- Bring bug repellent: Mosquitoes can carry dengue in the wet months, so pack repellent and light long sleeves for evenings near the jungle.
Cultural
- Say pura vida: Costa Ricans use pura vida for hello, thanks and all good; using it with a smile goes a long way with locals.
- Celebrate Guanacaste Day: On 25 July the province marks its annexation to Costa Rica with sabanero cowboy parades, music and traditional food.
- Respect the wildlife: Howler monkeys, iguanas and coatis live around Nosara; never feed them, and keep a distance on beach and jungle paths.
Local Hacks
- See turtles at Ostional: The Ostional Wildlife Refuge hosts mass olive ridley nesting arrivals, mostly in the rainy season; go with a certified guide.
- Surf early at Guiones: Morning offshore winds give cleaner, emptier waves before the breeze picks up, so get in the water at sunrise.
- Check tide charts: Low tide at Playa Pelada reveals rock pools and blowholes, while high tide narrows the beach, so plan walks around the tides.
1-day itineraries in Nosara
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.