Nosara is an up and coming beach town in the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica known for its surfing, yoga, and laid back lifestyle. When we were planning a spring break trip to Costa Rica, I knew I wanted to get away from the crowds in the more popular beach areas, like the Guanacaste region.
The Nicoya Peninsula is also considered one of the 5 Blue Zones of the world, where people live healthily over 100 years, which appealed to me.
Spoiler alert! Nosara was everything I could have dreamed for and more. While it was a dusty, bumpy drive to get there, the travel was well worth the time spent in this magical little town. A few things to note: we went during the dry season, which meant that the roads were drivable – I had read that during the rainy season they could be washed out or difficult to navigate (and I believe it!). It also meant that it was VERY hot during our visit. Coming from Colorado in the winter, it was what I was hoping for to escape the cold, but be prepared for very hot and dry conditions.
Nosara is not for the casual vacationer – like I mentioned, roads were bumpy and travel was slow, and the entire town shut down after sunset. But the laid back vibe, beautiful scenery, and escape from the crowds was exactly what I was looking for on our trip.
One more thing to note, there is a regional airport in Nosara. If you are not flying directly there, it would be very difficult to get to Nosara without renting a car. If you are renting a car, I would recommend going during the dry season (November-April). Nosara is about a 5 hour drive from San Jose International airport and a 2.5 hour drive from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia.
Where We Stayed
Nosara is still a small beach town (while quickly growing as it becomes a tourist destination, especially for surfers), so accommodations are limited. Most of the hotels are smaller, boutique hotels, or you can book a short term rental. If visiting during the dry season, be sure to book early, especially if you are a family that will need a larger room!
We stayed at the Lagarta Lodge, which was a beautiful boutique hotel on top of a hill. This meant beautiful views, but no direct ocean access. Our room was the Motmot Suite, which actually had two separate bedrooms, which was nice to have some space after nearly a week of “family time”. One of our favorite things was the monkeys who would hang out in the trees around the hotel. The views from the entire resort couldn’t be beat!
If it is in your budget, The Gilded Iguana is a well known surf lodge that offers yoga retreats and a surf club. It is located right next to Playa Guiones, a popular beach. The Nosara Beach Hotel is another great option for families, and some rooms have kitchens.
Because our hotel was on a hill, we used the local “tuk tuks” to get around town. It was a much better option than worrying about driving on the roads (especially after dark) and fun for the whole family!
What to Do
Nosara offers a blend of outdoor activities, wellness experiences, and opportunities to connect with nature, ensuring a memorable vacation for the entire family. You will find all of the major tourist activities available – like ziplining and horseback riding – but I find the beautiful setting is a chance to embrace the “pura vida” lifestyle.
Beaches – We spent much of our beach time at Playa Guiones, a popular beach that is easy to access. There was a long stretch of sand perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and taking walks along the shore. For the sunset, Playa Pelada offered stunning views and then it was a short walk over to Olga’s Beach Bar for dinner and drinks.
Surfing ($) – Nosara is well-known as a destination for surfers, so it is the perfect place to go if you are looking at catching some waves or learning the sport. There is no shortage of surf shops and schools happy to arrange a lesson for you or rent you a board. If surfing is not your thing or you have young kids who might not be ready, the waves are perfect for boogie boarding as an alternative.
Stand Up Paddleboard or Kayak ($) – Explore the rivers or head out to the ocean to enjoy the beauty of the area and spot wildlife. Paddle through mangrove forests and watch for native birds and maybe even a crocodile!
Yoga ($) – Nosara is a well-known wellness retreat, and the scenery provides the perfect backdrop to join a yoga class, or just find a quiet spot to practice your shavasana.
Other Activities: Nosara is located near the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve, which was established to protect the turtles that come each month to Ostional beach for nesting their eggs. We were not there at the correct time of month to see an arribada, a mass nesting event when thousands of sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, but it is on my bucket list!!!
How to Spend 2 Days in Nosara
For our trip to Nosara, relaxation was the theme. There are plenty of activities we could have taken advantage of, but we enjoyed spending time at the beach and at our hotel pool!
Day 1: Arrive in Nosara and get settled into your hotel. Head down to Playa Pelada for the sunset (you won’t want to miss one while you are in Nosara). Walk over to Olga’s Beach Bar for dinner and drinks.
Day 2: Head to Playa Guiones for a surf lesson, or just to spend time on the beach. Once you have had enough of the sun, explore the shops. Don’t miss Rosi’s Soda Tica for traditional Costa Rican food. Stop at The Market for banana bread to take back to your room for later.
Day 3: Head back to the beach for another day of fun or maybe take a horseback ride instead. Be sure to head back to your hotel with enough time to get ready for dinner at La Luna, said to be one of the best restaurants in town. Enjoy one last splendid sunset.
