Nosara, Costa Rica
Five beaches, a wildlife refuge and A NATIONAL PARK
There are five main oceanfront communities in the Nosara area, each named after their respective beaches: Playa Nosara, Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, Playa Garza, and Playa Ostional. These represent the largest areas of foreign-owned residences, tourist hotels and restaurants, centered on Guiones and Pelada. The area of Esparanza borders the Playa Guiones area, sitting between its first two beach entrances to the south. Esparanza is home to the Blue Spirit Resort, a tennis club, a school and soccer field, hotels, and restaurants. Further south, Garza is a beautiful beach cove, largely undeveloped for tourism but very popular as a point to embark on fishing trips.
Unlike most coastal tourist towns, Nosara lacks nearly any development directly on the beach as much of it consists of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge (necessitated by the presence of breeding Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtle populations). Nosara is also a surfing destination as Playa Guiones is one of the most consistent waves in the world with over 330 days per year of rideable conditions. Playa Guiones is also the location of a world-renowned Yoga school.
Nosara is also a short distance from National Park
playa guiones community
When most travelers say that they have been to Nosara, what they really are talking about is the area closest to the primary beach, Playa Guiones and the small community of hotels, private homes, restaurants, shops, surfing and yoga schools that exist there. The official town center of Nosara is located 3.7 miles / 6 km inland from the beach. Within “Nosara town” is the market, pharmacy, post office, churches, school, police station, public library and Red Cross clinic. Playa Pelada is just north of Guiones with another pristine beach and the popular La Luna Restaurant which is an anomaly in being the only real restaurant in the area with a direct view of the beach and ocean. The area around Pelada also has a small cluster of other restaurants, a specialty foods market, a gelato shop, and a dive-bar on the beach.
Playa Garza
Playa Guiones
Playa Pelada
Playa Nosara
Playa Ostional
How mellow can you be?
Test the limits of what real relaxation feels like. Grab a cold drink, sink your toes in the sand and settle in. There are plenty of things to do here, but then again nobody cares if you do anything at all. Let the world happen around you and enjoy the sights and sounds of the wild surroundings. Restaurants are all a short walk away and they don't have the need for walls, let alone doors. Stake your claim along miles of uncrowded, undeveloped beach with warm, shallow water waiting for you. Smile as you pass friendly locals who may greet you with the words "pura vida". Set a goal to finish a novel, or just to finish your next drink, either way you set your own pace.
How active can you be?
Nosara is undeniably a place that suits people in pursuit of well-rounded health, vitality, inner-balance and fitness. Home to one of the most consistent surf breaks in the world it has been a favorite of surfers for decades. Whether you're an expert surfer looking for powerful waves or you are just interested in trying surfing for the first time with instruction, Nosara is a great place to be. Be among the crew who paddles out at sunrise each morning with spiritual dedication or take a leisurely surf at sunset, or both. The Nosara / Playa Guiones area also offers opportunities for practicing yoga, swimming, tennis, hiking, running, zip-lining, horseback riding and biking, so get out there!
