The Nosara Vibes
Nosara, Costa Rica is a cute seaside town that has a laid-back and bohemian atmosphere.
The town has a rustic charm, but unfortunately, I think it is starting to lose that a bit as the town becomes more popular with tourists and more roads get paved.
It’s a great place for surfers and yoga enthusiasts looking for a community of likeminded people.
The Location
Located on the Nicoya Peninsula’s Pacific coast, about 2.5 hours from Liberia International Airport (LIR) and 5 hours from San José International Airport (SJO).
The main town is called Nosara. But, the town of Nosara is actually located a bit inland. It is more of a bustling town. If visiting this area you actually most likely want to stay in the Playa Guiones or Playa Pelada area.
These two areas have more hotels, restaurants, and shops geared towards tourists. Plus, by staying here, you will be almost directly on the beach.
There is also a beach as you are coming into town from the south called Playa Garza. There are a few hotels here, but I definitely think you are better of looking at places in the Playa Guiones area.
Background Info About Nosara Costa Rica
Nearest International Airport: Liberia International Airport
Popular Things to Do: surfing, yoga, turtle tours, rent an ATV, snorkel or diving tours
Best Way to Get Around: Rental car, walking in the downtown area
Best Time of Year to Visit: Dry season is from late December until mid-April
The Best Hotels
Domo Nosara
Boutique domed villas blending modern comfort with bohemian flair, surrounded by lush gardens just minutes from the beach.
The Gilded Iguana
A surf-chic landmark with airy rooms, a saltwater pool, and effortless access to Playa Guiones’ famed waves.
Tierra Magnifica
An intimate hilltop resort with panoramic ocean views, chef-driven dining, and personalized, attentive service.
Bodhi Tree Resort
A wellness-focused retreat with open-air yoga shalas, plant-forward cuisine, and jungle-framed suites and bungalows.
Mid-Range Hotels
Villa Mango: Nice hotel that backs up to a wildlife reserve. Guests can enjoy the on-site pool, restaurant, and amazing views.
The Sunset Shack– Located 50 meters from the beach, this hotel offers an on-site restaurant, pool, and simple (but modern) rooms.
Budget Friendly
Burnt Toast Surfcamp – Located just a 5-minute walk from Playa Pelada, Burnt Toast Surf Camp in Nosara features a chilled outdoor pool, surf-lesson hub, and clean modern rooms (dorms and privates)
Vacation Rentals
We always love renting a home or villa for our vacation in Costa Rica. This gives you more privacy and allows you the flexibility to cook your own meals.
Elements Villa
5 bedrooms | 4.5 bathrooms | Sleeps 14
A sleek, design-forward villa just five minutes from Playa Guiones, featuring two full kitchens, a saltwater pool with solar heating, blackout blinds, and luxe hotel-level bedding. Ideal for families or groups seeking privacy and comfort.
Villa Karma
7 bedrooms | 6.5 bathrooms | Sleeps 19
A luxurious private retreat with two pools, sweeping ocean views, and open-air living perfect for large groups or events. Just five minutes from Playa Guiones, with optional chef service and space to truly unwind in style.
Raintree
6 bedrooms | 7 bathrooms | Sleeps 16
A design-driven jungle sanctuary by an award-winning architect. This modern-industrial estate offers an infinity pool, outdoor dining, and lush garden paths—plus an optional private studio with its own plunge pool.
Villa Zenith
6 bedrooms | 7.5 bathrooms | Sleeps 12
A newly built architectural gem with panoramic ocean views, saltwater infinity pool, rooftop fire pit, gym, and sleek mid-century modern interiors. Just minutes from Playa Guiones, this ultra-luxury villa is ideal for stylish group getaways.
How to Get Here
The closest international airport is the Liberia International Airport in Liberia. Book Your Flight ->
Flights
There is a domestic airport located in Nosara. It is possible to take a domestic flight from San Jose here.
Transfer
Enjoy your trip to Nosara from the comfort of a private or shared transfer with experienced driver.
Rental Car
Save 10% plus other great perks with our favorite Costa Rica car rental company.
How to Get Around in Nosara
If you only plan to surf and want to just stay in town, you really do not need a rental car. There are some tuk-tuk-style taxis you can take if you need to get around.
However, if you would like to explore other beaches or make day trips, having a rental car is always the best way to get around in Costa Rica.
Custom Costa Rica, Handled….
Prefer someone else to handle the details? Our favorite trusted in-country planner designs custom trips (think private drivers, boutique stays, off-menu experiences).
Nosara Weather
The most popular time to visit Nosara Costa Rica is between the end of December through early May. This is dry season in Nosara. You can expect extremely hot weather and no rain.
We like to visit this area between May through mid-August. At that time of year, you will likely have a daily afternoon thunderstorm, but there are fewer tourists,
From mid-August through mid-December you can expect the temperature to cool off a bit and more rain.
Find out more in our guide to Nosara Weather
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Things to Do in Nosara
- Go Surfing: Take lessons or just rent a board at one of the many surf shops
- Take a Yoga Class: Take a class at one of the yoga hotels, or enjoy a little sunrise yoga on your own at the beach
- Relax at a Day Spa: Because sometimes you desreve to treat yourself
- Go Beach Hopping: There are plenty of nearby beaches and cute towns worth exploring.
- Watch the Sea Turtles Nesting: Nosara is just south of Playa Ostional where thousands of Olive Ridley turtles sometimes gather for nesting. Find all the details here
Check out our list of the 22 Best Activities in Nosara for more ideas
Here are some activities we think you’ll love!
Nosara in Focus
See the beauty come to life. Here’s what you can expect to encounter.
yoga retreats, turtle nesting, surf culture, jungle paths
Nosara Packing
Think a mix of beach, yoga, and surf-wear in a relaxed style.
In Nosara you will probably either be enjoying yoga or surfing.
For yoga we like to bring our own travel yoga mat, and very lightweight breathable clothes for yoga. It is hot here!
For surfing, don’t forget a rash guard shirt that has UV protection. We usually opt for long sleeve because the sun is so powerful.
If possible, we suggest packing your stuff in a large backpack instead of a suitcase. The roads aren’t paved here so sometimes rolling a suitcase around is not ideal.
Also, there are a few cute shops in the downtown area. Save some space in your bag if you think you might want to buy some stuff.
Best Dining Experiences
Nosara FAQ
Is Nosara Costa Rica worth visiting?
Yes, Nosara is worth visiting for the relaxed atmosphere, great surf, and nice beaches.
Is Nosara or Tamarindo better to visit?
That really depends on what you are looking for. Nosara is more geared towards backpackers that want to surf and do yoga. Tamarindo is a lot bigger. It is also a good surfing destination and is popular with families.
Can you swim at Nosara Beach?
It is usually best not to swim at Nosara Beach because the rip currents can be very strong. Always ask someone and pay attention to red flags before getting in the water.
Is Nosara Costa Rica safe?
Generally, Nosara Costa Rica is safe. However, it is always best to exercise caution. Petty theft sometimes occurs.
Hey there!!! Im trying to put together a “per day” budget for my wife and I. We have airfare, and a house booked on Airbnb….Just trying to figure out between food and spending how to make sure we have enough for 10 days. Just not sure how to figure it all out. Thanks!!
Hi Damon, It is kind of hard to figure out because it is hard to say how much you will spend on activities and food. What we like to do is make a budget (like say we are only going to spend $100 per day) and work backwards. So, on our trip if we spend a lot one day for an activity we might eat a cheaper meal that night. You can definitely save money by cooking at your Airbnb for a few nights. You can get an OK meal for about $10 per person, but if you want to eat at nicer restaurants it will be more like $20 per person.
What other beach spots near Nosara do you suggest checking out? Also what other things can we check out near Nosara? We have rented a car with adobe.
Hi Brittany! You’re going to love Nosara! Heading down to Samara is a nice day trip option. Samara is a little busier than Nosara but has a cool hippie vibe and nice beach. You can also head north from Nosara and stop at Playa Osteonal. This is the beach which is known for being filled with turtles. Usually, this is something you will only see in the fall, but depending on which dates you will be there, you may be able to see at least a few turtles. They keep their Facebook page up to date, so definitely check that out. https://www.facebook.com/GUIASAGLO/ Also, we like to just drive the road that borders the ocean up to Tamarindo and pull off at random beaches along the way. So, what you do is instead of cutting out onto the main road to Tamarindo, enter Playa Junquillal (nice place to stop) in your GPS. Most of the little beaches are down unmarked dirt roads which just randomly end at beaches. You can just park your car at the end of these roads, but make sure you dont leave anything of value in the car. I would make your end goal Lola’s. From Junquillal just type Lola’s in your GPS and make sure it is bringing you along the beach road. Lola’s is a cool beach bar on a nice beach called Playa Avellana. https://www.costaricavibes.com/destinations/guanacaste/avellanas/ You could also head to Tamarindo from there or take another day trip up to Tamarindo. If you make it its own day trip, definitely take the interior road because it’s way faster and better maintained. Hope that helps! Let us know if you have more questions.
I first visited Nosara 28 years ago. I instantly fell in love with the place. I felt like I was stepping back in time. There were horses tied up outside bars and restaurants. That was the major source of transportation. The drive here took us over 8 hours. Driving through 11 rivers on a trip with no pavement on the road upon leaving Nicoya. There was only one hotel at the beach, which is still there but it is empty most of the time.
Now, everything is brand new in Nosara, with the recent development. You now have a luxurious airport in Liberia which shaves 2 hours off of the trip.
The drive is a drag except for all of the beautiful scence you will experience.
Enjoy the trip and pura vita.
Wow thats really interesting. Ffor only 28 years this country has definitely changed a lot! Thanks for sharing! I can’t even imagine Nosara like that with horses tied up outside of bars. I’ve driven through a few of the rivers when the bridge was out and I thought that was crazy.