Last Updated: September 2, 2025
Most people know the town of Nosara as Costa Rica’s premier surf and yoga destination. It has always drawn surfers chasing waves and wellness travelers seeking a mind-body connection. But over the years, Nosara has evolved. Slowly, pavement is replacing dirt roads, and the once haphazard streets are turning into small commercial hubs with modern conveniences. Through it all, though, the rugged landscape of wild jungle and powerful ocean dominate. In this post, we’ll tell you more about Nosara, including the best things to do, beaches, hotels, and restaurants.
We first visited Nosara when we moved to Costa Rica in 2013 and spent several months there. Since then, we have been back many times, seeing how things have changed. This post is based on our personal, first-hand experience.
Map of Nosara
Our interactive map of Nosara with the main beaches, neighborhoods, and top attractions.
Quick Overview
Nosara Is Best For
- Surfers of all levels looking for consistent, world-class waves
- Yoga and wellness enthusiasts
- Travelers who want upscale amenities in a natural jungle setting
- Foodies wanting diverse, high-quality restaurant options
- Digital nomads and remote workers (strong expat community)
- Wildlife enthusiasts (monkeys, birds, sea turtle nesting)
Nosara Is Not Ideal For
- Budget travelers
- Families with small children who prefer calm swimming beaches
- Travelers who want everything walkable along one main strip
- Those seeking nightlife or a party scene
- People who want a large selection of organized tours/activities
- Visitors who prefer easy access to other major destinations (it’s remote)
- Anyone uncomfortable driving on unpaved roads
If Nosara doesn’t seem like the right spot for you, check out our Destinations page to learn about more than 50 other towns/cities we cover on this website.
About Nosara
Nosara is located in Guanacaste Province on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast. It’s set somewhat remotely on the Nicoya Peninsula. The closest international airport is Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR), at about 2.5 hours away. Costa Rica’s largest airport in San Jose (SJO) is about 5 hours. The nearest tourist destination is Samara, about 45 minutes south.
From either San Jose or Guanacaste Airport, the drive is along well-paved roads for the most part. As you get closer to Nosara, some local roads are still rough dirt, but they have improved a lot over the years.
Nosara might feel wild and remote, but it boasts an impressive array of amenities. Built into the thick jungle, you’ll find gourmet health food shops, bakeries, surf schools, yoga studios and wellness retreats, spas, boutique hotels, and restaurants with cuisine from all around the world. Because these businesses serve mostly travelers and the large expat community, prices tend to be on the high side for Costa Rica.
Nosara has always been a popular spot among expats but has grown significantly since Covid, with many more year-round residents. Development is on the rise, but the town has a strong sense of community, with locals working to protect what makes Nosara special.
Getting to Nosara
Driving
Renting a car is what we recommend for most people visiting Nosara since the area is spread out. Unless you’re staying in the main area of town, a car is nice to have to get restaurants and activities. If you decide to rent a car, be sure to check out our Rental Car Discount to save 10% and get free extras.
From the airport in Liberia, you’ll head southwest on Route 21 to the small city of Nicoya, then take Route 150 towards Samara (all paved). A little before Samara, you’ll turn onto a side road, which is a mix of rough dirt and pavement. See our Road Conditions post for more details. Guanacaste Airport is the best airport to fly into, but if you come in through San Jose, you’ll travel on all main roads until closer to Nosara.
We recommend a 4×2 SUV for visiting Nosara. Many local roads around Nosara are still rough dirt with potholes so an SUV is nice for the clearance. If you’re visiting in rainy season (May-November) or staying up a steeper side road, a 4×4 vehicle is good to have.
Shuttles
If you’d rather not drive, shuttles are a great option. These will pick you up from the airport or your last destination and have a professional driver. If you’d like any help arranging a shuttle, we work with an excellent local transportation company for getting from Liberia to Nosara and San Jose to Nosara. Just use the links below or find other routes on our Private Shuttles page.
Small Planes
Some travelers prefer to take a small plane from San Jose or Liberia to the airstrip in Nosara to save time. However, we currently aren’t recommending small plane flights in Costa Rica for safety and reliability reasons. Our Domestic Flights post has more information.
Town Set Up
Once you arrive, it won’t take long to discover Nosara’s unique layout.
Unlike many of Costa Rica’s coastal towns, Nosara doesn’t have a main strip along the beach. Instead, the roads and businesses are set back from the ocean by a buffer of shrubby jungle. This jungle is protected as part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, which extends north along the coast all the way to Playa Ostional.
To get to the beaches, there are numerous offshoots that run perpendicular to the main paved road (Route 160).
Playa Guiones
One major road brings you to the main entrance of Playa Guiones. This paved stretch has several shops and restaurants. From here, you can walk to most places, including the beach.
Another entrance (marked by a skate park on the corner) brings you to the northern end of Playa Guiones. Along this newly paved way are small commercial areas, with businesses ranging from upscale eateries and juice bars to outdoor food courts and boutiques. Although Playa Guiones is becoming more developed, there’s still plenty of jungle in between.
Playa Pelada and Boca Nosara
The next main area is Pelada, just north. Also growing, Playa Pelada has mostly houses but does have some restaurants and stores mixed in.
Finally, the Boca where the Nosara River empties into the sea is a quieter part of town. This maze of streets is mostly residential houses and vacation rentals. Fronting Boca Nosara is Playa Nosara, a quiet gray-sand beach. You often can see local fisherman in this area near the river mouth.
Pelada and Boca Nosara are smaller and more spread out but have some of Nosara’s best restaurants and hotels hidden among them.
Nosara Town
Following the main road inland, you will find the actual town of Nosara.
Although people refer to the area around Playa Guiones as Nosara, Nosara is actually several miles inland from Guiones. It’s near the airstrip with more practical amenities like a gas station, hardware store, and larger grocery stores. This was the original town center and is still where a lot of the locals live and work.
Getting Around in Nosara
As we mentioned, because Nosara is so spread out, many travelers prefer to rent a car. Another good option for Nosara’s rough roads are ATVs, which can be rented in town.
Tip: If you’d rather not rent a vehicle, opt to stay in Guiones to have the largest selection of restaurants and shops near the beach. If you want to venture out to Pelada or elsewhere, tuk-tuk taxis are always available and are by far the most fun way to travel!
Things to Do in Nosara
As for things to do, Nosara is best known for its beaches, surfing, and yoga, but offers plenty of other options. Here’s a short list of some of the most popular activities and attractions.
Nosara Beaches
We have been fortunate to explore many of Costa Rica’s beaches during our years living here, and Nosara’s are some of the best. Unlike the dark volcanic sand often found, Nosara’s beaches have gorgeous light-colored sand.
Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones is Nosara’s most popular beach and where you’ll find most of the action.
This long stretch of ivory sand has a few different areas, namely Guiones Center (the busiest), Guiones North, and Baker’s Beach to the south.
Like other top Costa Rica surf destinations such as Tamarindo and Dominical, Nosara offers great surfing year-round. Playa Guiones has a consistent beach break that works almost any time of day, making it perfect for surfers of all levels. Since it’s right next to the main area of town, you can easily walk from restaurants and shops down to the beach.
This beach is great for more than just surfing. You can take long walks along the sand, and the sunsets here are incredible. Even when it gets busy, there’s plenty of room to spread out and find your spot.
Lifeguards: Playa Guiones does have some lifeguards. However, it can be hard for them to watch the whole beach. All of Nosara’s beaches have waves and rip currents so aren’t great for swimming. Read our Beach Safety post to learn how to spot a rip current.
Playa Pelada and the Blowhole
Just north of Guiones, the white sand Playa Pelada is smaller and feels more secluded. The waves here break off a rocky point, which creates great conditions for experienced surfers when everything lines up right.
The beach has a quieter, more intimate feel compared to Guiones. It’s perfect if you want to enjoy beautiful sand and great surf conditions without the busier scene.
One notable attraction at Playa Pelada is the Blowhole. Our family has fond memories from this spot. Along the shoreline near the middle of the beach is a place where the water blows high into the air as the ocean rushes over the rocks. This phenomenon only happens at higher tides so be sure to check the tide chart.
Interested in visiting more beaches during your trip? Our Beaches articles cover 40+ options on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
Surfing
Whether you’re just starting out or are getting into the green waves, a surf lesson in Nosara is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Surfing is the most popular activity in Nosara, so of course, there are tons of different surf schools to choose from.
Our kids recently did a surf lesson with an awesome locally run school. The knowledgeable, patient instructors had them back up on the board, honing their skills in no time. If you’d like to book lessons through this surf shop, just reach out through the link below. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website!
Yoga and Fitness
Peaceful rainforest surrounds, singing birds, waves whooshing in the distance, and outstanding sunsets are some of the key elements for the ultimate yoga escape—and all can be found in Nosara.
Whether you’re a full-on yogi or are just giving it a try, work on your mind-body connection at one of the many studios in town. You’ll not only find yoga in Nosara, but now it’s easy to find Pilates, spin classes, kickboxing, Barre, HIIT, and lots more. Studios offer classes, and some hotels, like Bodhi Tree, have classes that are open to the public.
Horseback Riding
With its roots in farming, and some cattle ranches still in operation today, it should be no surprise that horseback tours are one of Nosara’s most popular activities. A few operators offer these excursions. The view of the jungle and beach from atop a horse is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Usually, the guide will take you into the forest where you might spot monkeys or colorful birds like manakins or mot-mots.
Read about our experience in our post The Pure Life Pace: A Horseback Tour in Nosara.
ATV Tour
Join the locals and kick up some dust of your own in an ATV. These tours are available through many different operators in town. Most take you into the nearby hills, through rivers and to waterfalls, all while giving you some great ocean views.
Wildlife and Bird-Watching
Wildlife, especially howler monkeys, can be seen throughout town, but if you want a closer look, there are a few places to check out.
NCA Trails
The Nosara Civic Association protects 618 acres (250 hectares) of land in Nosara for conservation. They have 5.6 miles (9 km) of trails that snake through Guiones, Pelada, and Boca Nosara.
Many people visiting without cars use these trails to get around, but you can also hike them to see wildlife like monkeys, lizards, land crabs, and birds.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Nosara also has a couple of amazing wildlife centers. Although not fun to talk about, a major issue in Nosara is monkeys being electrocuted. Because of development and habitat fragmentation, more monkeys are using the power lines to cross roads. Many of these lines are still uninsulated and cause shocks.
You can support local wildlife centers helping these animals by taking a tour.
Sibu Sanctuary and International Animal Rescue Costa Rica (IAR) offer visits to their facilities. Our family went to IAR and really enjoyed it. The tour started with a short presentation by one of the passionate volunteers about the center’s work, then we walked the sanctuary to meet some of the animals that could not be released back into the wild. This is a great activity with kids.
Traveling with kids? Be sure to check out our Costa Rica with Kids page for more family-friendly activities and local tips.
Recommended donations are $60 per person (Sibu Sanctuary) or $60/adult, $25/children ages 6-12 (IAR). All proceeds go towards helping the animals. Tours can be booked directly through the wildlife centers.
Turtle Watching
A magical experience if your timing is right is watching sea turtles nest.
During the rainy season (May through November), Olive Ridley turtles come to lay eggs on nearby beaches in massive nesting events called arribadas. During this time, hundreds and sometimes thousands of turtles come to shore.
The best place to see them is Playa Ostional (Ostional National Wildlife Refuge), north of Nosara. All visits must be with a guide. Tours (around $25 pp) are usually at night, but you can sometimes see them in the early morning.
Follow the local association of guides’ Facebook page for more details. They usually announce when an arribada is starting.
Sportfishing
Nosara is a great place for fishing because a deep ledge runs along the coast not far from shore. That means that you can get out to the deeper water faster. Offshore trips target species like sailfish, marlin, yellow-fin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, grouper, snapper, and amberjack.
Inshore fishing is good too, thanks to the rocky coastline. On inshore charters, you’ll fish rocky outcrops and river mouths close to the shoreline. Target species are rooster fish (one of the best fighting fish), snook, cubera, red, mullet, yellowtail & other types of snappers, mackerel, jacks, and tripletail.
Sportfishing tours leave from the calmer Playa Garza, just south of Nosara. Prices are around $400-1,400 for a full-day, depending on the boat. Half-day charters are also available.
Restaurants in Nosara
Since Nosara is one of the most high-end destinations in Costa Rica, it should be no surprise that it’s great for foodies. You can find cocktails bars, fine dining, Indian and Mediterranean, Japanese, Thai, and of course, traditional Costa Rican food. Here are some of our favorite spots.
El Chivo (Pelada)
El Chivo has been a Nosara staple since 2009. Known locally as Nosara’s Cheers, this casual spot serves up tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and burgers, plus they have solid vegetarian options. It’s a great place with kids. El Chivo has a kids’ menu and also some fun games to keep them entertained.
We especially love going on Taco Tuesday when the place is buzzing with locals. The atmosphere is lively and it’s a great spot to mingle with the community.
They’re open for both lunch and dinner. El Chivo has a good selection of local craft beer.
Ser (Guiones)
This upscale vegan restaurant serves sophisticated plant-based cuisine. We’ve tried the carrot-cream gnocchi and Pad Thai made with soba, carrot, and zucchini noodles, and both dishes were amazing.
Ser is kid-friendly with a dedicated children’s menu. Our kids loved the melt sandwich with white beans and mozzarella and “dinosaur tots” made from oyster mushrooms. Ser is open for lunch and dinner.
Rancho Tico (Nosara Town)
If you want a taste of authentic Costa Rican cuisine, head to Rancho Tico. This restaurant and bar in the original part of Nosara is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike. Rancho Tico is great for larger groups and they have a huge menu that will please everyone, even the kids.
Traditional dishes like casados (rice and beans with meat or fish and salads) are typically enjoyed at lunch, and beef, chicken, or fish dishes with delicious sauces are popular for dinner. Rancho Tico also has yummy brick-oven pizza.
Restaurante La Luna (Pelada)
Right on the beach at Playa Pelada, La Luna has one of the best sunset views in Nosara. The upscale restaurant serves international cuisine with a focus on Mediterranean dishes. The beachfront location makes it a popular spot, so be sure to reserve a table in advance. Like many places in Costa Rica, service can be on the slow side, but the setting makes it worth the wait.
Il Pepperone (Pelada)
As the name implies, this open-air restaurant on the way to Playa Pelada is the place to go for delicious Italian cuisine. The wood-fired pizza is memorable, and the seafood and homemade pasta dishes are very good as well. Il Pepperone now has a larger menu, with traditional Costa Rican food and sushi as well.
Restaurante Celajes (Nosara Town)
For traditional Costa Rican food with a more upscale feel, head to Restaurante Celajes. They serve all the classics like casados, arroz con camarones (rice with shrimp), and fresh ceviche.
This restaurant is in the old part of town, right across from the airstrip. It’s fun to watch the small planes coming and going while you eat. Restaurante Celajes is popular with locals.
Olga’s (Pelada)
Right on the beach at Playa Pelada, Olga’s is a local favorite that has been around for years. It’s super casual but is a great spot to grab a beer and watch the surfers and beachgoers cruise by. We highly recommend the patacones (fried plantains) with guacamole.
Rosi’s Soda Tica (Pelada and Guiones)
After surfing one day, we wanted some good local food, and our surf instructors recommended Rosi’s. This local gem serves up traditional fare from their three locations in Nosara: two in Guiones and one in Pelada at the pickleball courts.
Eating at Rosi’s makes you feel like you’re in grandma’s kitchen–the food is homestyle, authentic, and reasonably priced (for Nosara).
Pacifico Azul (Guiones)
For the freshest seafood, head to Pacifico Azul. The main menu has many standard dishes, but the specials are what make this restaurant stand out. Check the daily specials to see what the local fishermen have brought in that day and get there early for the most choices.
Hotels in Nosara
Below we give our recommendations for hotels in Nosara. Keep in mind that Nosara also has a wide selection of vacation rentals, which can be great for families and groups. Our post Vacation Rentals: Safety and What to Look for has some important tips about security and choosing a rental.
When deciding where to stay in Nosara be sure to keep location in mind. As we said above, you don’t need a car if you’re in the main area of Guiones, but you may want one for Pelada or Boca Nosara.
High-end Hotels
Olas Verdes Hotel
This high-end boutique hotel in Playa Guiones was Costa Rica’s first LEED Platinum certified hotel. The modern property is surrounded by nature and only a two-minute walk to the beach. Olas Verdes has a saltwater pool and excellent farm-to-table restaurant. The hotel attracts surfers with its onsite surf school as well as non-surfers looking for upscale, sustainable accommodations. Rooms range from suites to two-bedroom apartments for families and groups. Olas Verdes is certified for sustainability in Costa Rica. $200-750/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort
If you’re coming to Nosara for yoga, this is one of the best places to stay. Bodhi Tree has a beautiful yoga studio and many daily classes. The upscale jungle resort has around 60 rooms; some for couples and others for families. A juice bar serves healthy smoothies, and the on-site restaurant is known for its innovative cuisine. Has a pool, fitness center, both yoga and Pilates classes, and spa onsite. Villas, bungalows, and rooms: $350-1,000/night. Multi-bedroom houses: Starting at $900/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge
Lagarta Lodge is a newly renovated boutique eco-lodge that sits high atop a hill with incredible ocean views. Wildlife is commonly seen right on the property, and the hotel owns a 90-acre nature reserve with trails to explore. The 26 rooms are clean and contemporary, with a spacious balcony and A/C. The property also has 2 infinity pools, an outdoor lounge (great spot for sunset), bar and restaurant, private wine cellar, and spa. Since Lagarta Lodge is in Boca Nosara, farther from Guiones, it’s nice to have a rental car. This hotel has a sustainability certification in Costa Rica. $180-600/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Mid-Range Hotels
Hotel Guiones
Hotel Guiones is a small hotel conveniently located within walking distance to Playa Guiones and the center of town. The bungalows are bright and made with gorgeous native wood. The hosts are known for their friendliness and willingness to give local recommendations. All rooms have a large porch and kitchenette. Hotel Guiones has a pool and yoga platform. Guests have free use of bicycles. $150-375/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Boutique Hotel Luna Azul
Boutique Hotel Luna Azul is located north of Nosara, near the famous turtle-nesting beach of Playa Ostional. This boutique-style lodge has two rooms and seven private bungalows set in the peaceful jungle. Each bungalow has an outdoor shower and large terrace (some with ocean views). Since it is outside town, a rental car is recommended. $120-215. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Budget Hotels
Villa Mango B&B
Located on a hill in Boca Nosara, Villa Mango has sweeping jungle and ocean views, a saltwater swimming pool, and warm decor throughout. Wildlife like howler monkeys can often be seen on the property. This charming B&B is definitely a great deal for the area at $85-125/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Green Sanctuary Hotel
This eco-hotel has basic, but comfortable, double and triple rooms made from converted shipping containers. It has a modern feel, which is balanced by its organic setting of lush garden and jungle. Green Sanctuary Hotel is outside the main area of Guiones so a good option if you’re looking for something quieter. Has a pool. $80-150/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Conclusion
Nosara might not seem like an idyllic vacation getaway right away but spend some time exploring and you’ll start to discover pieces of paradise. Hidden beaches, jungle trails, gorgeous lookouts, and even gourmet cuisine. The road, though long and sometimes bumpy, really does lead to paradise.
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Practical Information About Visiting Nosara
Weather
Like most beach towns in Costa Rica, Nosara is hot and fairly humid year-round. It has two seasons: dry season from December-April and rainy season from May-November.
During dry season, most days have full sun with barely any rain. Temperatures are consistently in the 80s-90s ℉ (27-32 ℃ ), making it the most popular time to visit. Late in dry season (March and April) can be very hot and arid since there typically hasn’t been rain for months.
Rainy season brings afternoon showers and higher humidity, but mornings are often sunny and the landscape is lush. Temperatures cool slightly during rainy season.
Weather forecasts in Costa Rica are notoriously unreliable, so don’t worry if you see rain predicted–it often doesn’t mean much. For more information, read our post about the weather in Costa Rica.
Unsure of what to pack for your trip? Our Packing guide can help.
Safety
Nosara is a safe destination but does have some petty theft.
When parking at the beach, be sure not to leave anything inside your car. The town recently installed security cameras at some key parking lots at Playa Guiones to help with this, but you should still be careful. Also, you’ll probably see informal parking attendants in the beach lots. It’s customary in Costa Rica to tip them a small amount (around $3 for the day) in exchange for them watching your car.
If you’re staying in a vacation rental, always be sure to completely lock up when you leave and use all security measures they have in place. Burglaries do occasionally happen at Airbnbs. Also be sure to have someone stay near your car when unloading your luggage. Here’s a link to our post on Vacation Rentals for more safety tips.
As always when going to the beach in Costa Rica, take only what you need and don’t leave valuables unattended on the sand. Our general safety tips post has more information to help you prepare.
Drinking Water
Nosara’s water is supplied by a local water association and generally safe; however, it contains a lot of minerals that can upset your stomach if you’re not used to it. When we visit Nosara, we drink filtered or bottled water. Here’s a link to our Drinking Water Safety post with more information.
Medical Facilities
Nosara has several private medical clinics for emergencies. Paradise Medical Services and Lifeguard Costa Rica are two private clinics with a good reputation. The nearest hospital is a public hospital in the small city of Nicoya, about 1.25 hours away. Private hospitals are in Liberia (2.5 hours) and San Jose (5 hours).
Be sure to purchase travel insurance for your trip as medical care is often not covered abroad.
Language
English is widely spoken in Nosara. Most restaurant menus are in both English and Spanish, and hotel staff almost always speak English. Learning some basic Spanish phrases is still appreciated and helpful when venturing outside the main tourist zone. Our Simple Spanish for Costa Rica post can help.
Currency and Payment Info
Costa Rica uses the colon (₡), but US dollars are widely accepted in Nosara, especially at hotels, restaurants, and tour operators. Just be aware of the exchange rate you’re getting. Credit cards are accepted at most businesses, though some smaller sodas and local businesses may be cash-only. Tuk-tuks are cash only.
There are a few ATMs in town that dispense both colones and US dollars. It’s best to carry some cash for tips, parking attendants, and small purchases. When paying in US dollars, you’ll usually receive change in colones. Read our post Money Matters for more information.
Family-Friendly Activities
Beyond the main attractions, Nosara offers several kid-friendly activities:
Eskina Skate Park: Right on the corner off Route 160 is this big skate park. It’s great for kids who have skateboards or scooters. There is also a skate shop and basketball court.
Aerial Yoga and Kids Fitness Classes: Have your kids try aerial yoga at Norte Nosara or get their energy out at a kids’ tumbling class at Nalu Nosara.
Tide Pools at Playa Pelada: These tide pools and the blow hole (described above) are really fun with kids.
Nosara Day Camp: For fun, kid-friendly adventures like water trampolines, farm visits, boxing, and horseback riding, there’s Nosara Day Camp.
Are you planning your trip to Nosara? Let us know if you have questions in the comments below.
Looking for more information to plan your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:
Samara: Guanacaste’s Most Overlooked Destination – A little south of Nosara is one of our favorite beach towns in Guanacaste, Samara.
Tamarindo: Where Paradise Meets Convenience – Wondering how Tamarindo, another popular surf destination, compares to Nosara? This destination guide explains the differences.
Playa Avellanas: Going Off-the-Beaten Path in Guanacaste – Playa Avellanas is a smaller beach town north of Nosara. Learn about what it offers with this post.
Dominical Locals’ Guide – Dominical has surfing and yoga but is much more laid back and casual compared to Nosara.
Destinations: Plan your trip with our destinations page. We cover 50+ towns/cities all across Costa Rica.
