Nosara Tico Surf School Circa 2011
For a number of years this was the Nosara Tico Surf School located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rico,
Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages.
The current (slick) website with all the most up to date information is found at: https://nosaratico.com/.
One of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets, Playa Nosara, is a hidden paradise lying 55 kilometers southwest of Nicoya, in Guanacaste on the Nicoya Peninsula, and 266 kilometers west of the capital, San Jose. Accessed through the road to Samara, Playa Nosara along with Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada and Playa Ostional, make up the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, where every year hundreds of thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
Nosara's Local Surf School is a locally owned and run surf school. We offer private surf lessons with some of Costa Rica's best surfers. We teach complete beginners and help experienced surfers wanting to get to the next level. Maybe you're a natural, maybe your not, either way you'll leave us knowing that you chose the best option.
Nosara Surf School is a very reputable school in Nosara, Costa Rica. After years of honing their surf coaching skills working for foreign owned surf schools in Costa Rica, the local Nosara surfers decided to make things happen for themselves. They made the brave decision to seek out investment and open the doors to a new type of surfing experience.
The idea was to attract those with a genuine interest in the Costa Rican culture and people. Nosara surf school is not only about learning to surf and having fun in the ocean but also starting to understand how to be part of a community of surfers.
Luigui’s friends look up to him as one of the most talented surfers in the area. He is sponsored and competes on a national level. His discipline and humility is tied to his ISA training. This experience helped this Nosara native to be the dedicated competitor and surf instructor he has become. Luigui’s commitment to be the best shine through his experience and professionalism. Clients will enjoy his enthusiasm for surfing and for life.
Esteban is a hardworking, friendly and kind person. He is native of Nosara and spent his childhood on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, and then returned in 2002 and has since worked for several surf schools in Playa Guiones, which has helped shape his career as a professional surf instructor.
Esteban is trained by ISA (International Surfing Association). He has a great desire to learn more about Jesus Christ every day. He enjoys reading the bible, nature, and spending time with his family. He is fulfilling his dream of having his own Surf School with his good friend Luigui.
Adrian has been surfing the waves of Nosara for the last 6 years and knows the break pretty well. He is a really dedicated person in what he does and speaks good english. He loves to share great surfing times with his students and is very kind and loyal. Being 100% Tico, he is ready to share the experience of his country, and all the wonders of Nosara as well.
Dimitri is a refugee from the tech world, having worked on big data projects in Silicon Valley for several years with a major data science consulting company. So this is a far cry from the world of geekdom and he's fine with his new found life where fun takes on a more significant and spiritual meaning for him. His buddies from the high tech world come to visit and we overhear chats about big data and DevOps, but none of it is foremost on anyone's mind once you ride the waves. Data science be damned!
One of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets, Playa Nosara, is a hidden paradise lying 55 kilometers southwest of Nicoya, in Guanacaste on the Nicoya Peninsula, and 266 kilometers west of the capital, San Jose. Accessed through the road to Samara. Playa Nosara along with Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada and Playa Ostional, make up the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, where every year hundreds of thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
Getting to Playa Nosara is actually quite difficult, as there are no paved roads. The best way to reach Nosara beach is to take a domestic flight from San Jose or Liberia to Nosara Domestic Airport, and then rent a car, ATV, or four-wheel drive truck. Since the village is roughly three miles from the coast, walking to the beach is out of the question for most, as the dirt roads can get rather difficult to cross. Tourists watching their budget in Playa Nosara usually stay in Nosara village because many economical budget hotels, resorts and accommodations can be found here. There are also a number of restaurants and food stalls to be found all over the village. However there are some very nice hotels & resorts just south of Playa Nosara that overlook the beach.
Playa Nosara lies on a delta where the Rio Nosara and the Rio Montana converge. Extending north from Punta Nosara, this beautiful black sand beach offers visitors a fantastic variety of flora and fauna, and is backed by a mangrove swamp. The sunsets here are incredible as this beach offers tourists spectacular vistas to enjoy. In the neighboring tropical forest, a large variety of animals and birds can be seen, making this beach one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecological environments.
When in Playa Nosara, visit the local fishermen to see them using age old fishing practices to catch fish, and explore the nearby rivers in a kayak or canoe. For those who enjoy a little adventure; ride horseback to the mountains close by or go snorkeling in the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean. You can even go for a swim in the sea or visit the lovely estuary only a short distance away.
The rainy season lasts from May to November, and the best time to visit Playa Nosara is from November to April. The surfing here is pretty good along with the deep sea fishing for angler enthusiasts. However, if you want to relax, take a trip to the Yoga center in the village, or enjoy a day’s excursion to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. Often confusing for visitors, the village of Nosara is actually 6 kms inland, alongside the Rio Nosara, while most of the hotels are situated on the beach. The village of Nosara is still a small traditional Tico town with a few lodgings, supermarkets, typical restaurants and the discotheque of Nosara. Right in the middle of the village is the landing strip for daily flights to and from San José
While most of the Ticos live in the village of Nosara, the beach area is predominantly made up of foreigners. Nosara offers a wealth of activities, from low-key nature exploring to thrilling sports and adventure. The Nosara Biological Reserve is a 50 hectare private nature reserve on the southern side of the Rio Nosara. It is home to monkeys, coatis, armadillos, deer and wild cats. 270 different species of birds have been sighted, and you may even encounter crocodiles in the mangroves. The entrance to the reserve is on the hill beside the hotel Lagarta Lodge. From here you overlook the river estuary and the shoreline as far as Playa Ostional. The entrance fee of $ 6 is paid at the hotel and a trail map with information are included in the charge. In the early morning at 6:30 a.m. you can participate in a guided tour of the reserve where you can learn about trees and plants of the tropical dry forest, one of the world's rarest habitats. Surfing: The best surf spots are Playa Guiones and Playa Nosara. Nosara Tico Surf offer different surfing packages.
PRIVATE & GROUP SURF LESSONS
Nosara Tico Surf School offers private and group surf lessons with some of Costa Rica's best surfers. Our lessons are taught using steps, starting by teaching you how to find and analyze the right conditions depending of your skill level, then learning fast and easy in a safe environment, and finally, by building your confidence in this new sport. Our goal is to get you started catching waves on your own.
When you're surfing with us you're sharing a new culture and also developing new surf skills at the same time we guarantee you will have the most fun experience in this tropical paradise.
All of our instructors are 100 % ticos and bilingual, Nosara Tico Surf School is the certifies by ISA (International Surf Association) & RLSS (Royal Lifeguard & Lifesaving Society)
Your First surf lesson
We select and provide the right board and conditions for you.
Increase your confidence in small white water waves
Step by step instruction on land and ocean safety with continuous feedback
Groups and Private Lessons
Group Lessons: Surfing is more fun when there are few of you together (family or friends) but instructions are provided to each student separate,depending on their skills. Private Lessons: directed to those of you who prefer to get more specific feedback or if you are a more experienced surfer looking for more detailed pointers.
Let us create the perfect package specifically tailored to your needs.
SURF PACKAGES
| TICO MONKEY SURF PACKAGE |
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This package has to offer a lot of action and fun.
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Round Trip Transfers from Liberia-Nosara-San jose-Nosara and Nosara-Airport of Departure. |
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Lodging: Harbor Reef Hotel or The Harmony Hotel Nosara Transport (Airport – Nosara) (Nosara-Airport) / Nature Air or Shuttle Van |
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| NOSARA TICO PACKAGE |
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NosaraTico package has the perfect combination |
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(2) Daily Surfing Lessons includes all equipment for 5 days (max 3 students per 1 instructor) |
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Lodging: Harbor Reef Hotel or The Harmony Hotel Nosara |
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| ARENAL NOSARA TICO PACKAGE |
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We know there are people who likes to combine a little during the time of vacation so we designed a package that allows them to enjoy more of their Free time. |
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2) days of Accommodation in Arenal Volcano Lodge |
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Lodging: Harbor Reef Hotel or The Harmony Hotel Nosara |
Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that has unlimited tourist potential and is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. One of Costa Rica’s main sources of income is tourism. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country, and it has not had an army since the year 1949.
Although the country is small and it covers only 0.03 % of the surface of the globe, it proudly shelters a 6% of the existing biodiversity in the entire world. 25.58 % of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory.
Costa Rica is also an attractive country for investment and it offers great potential for the establishment of important multinational companies, thanks to the outstanding academic level of its population, as well as the high standard of modern services and social and political stability. Costa Rica: A Favorite Country for Surfing
It seems like every surfer who visits the country agrees that Costa Rica it is one of the best places in the world to surf; not by chance, the country is the third most popular destination for this sport after Hawaii and Indonesia. The reasons are simple: beaches with excellent year-round waves, pleasant weather, warm water, friendly people and reasonable prices. Last year, even the biggest surf competition in the world, the 2009 Billabong World Surfing Games, took place in Costa Rica with the participation of 35 countries.
To be the host country for the games, Costa Rica beat out countries like Brazil and South Africa, two renowned surf destinations, thanks in part to the increasing
The country is also one of the few in the world where two great oceans are within a 6-hour drive of each other. This makes it possible to wake up for a surf in the Pacific and finish the day riding the Atlantic waves in the afternoon. Definitively, a perfect paradise for surf lovers!
More Background On Nosara Tico Surf School
Nosara Tico Surf School is a locally owned surf school located in Playa Guiones, Nosara, on Costa Rica’s north-western Nicoya Peninsula. Over the years, it has earned a reputation for blending professional surf instruction with authentic Costa Rican culture, environmental respect, and a family-like community spirit. The school’s approach to surfing is as much about lifestyle and connection as it is about learning to ride waves — emphasizing that each visitor becomes part of the local Nosara story.
This article explores the school’s origins, ownership, setting, services, reputation, and social significance, drawing on both historical and current information about Nosara and its surf scene.
Location and Setting
Nosara Tico Surf School is based in Playa Guiones — one of Costa Rica’s most consistent surf beaches. Situated 55 kilometers southwest of Nicoya and roughly 266 kilometers west of San José, the area lies within the Guanacaste Province on the Nicoya Peninsula. The surrounding landscape includes Playa Pelada, Playa Ostional, and Playa Nosara, all part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, where Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore annually in spectacular nesting events.
The coastline offers long, open waves suitable for all experience levels. Backed by tropical forest and mangroves, Playa Guiones remains unspoiled, with very limited urban development and no high-rise resorts. This balance between surfable waves and pristine nature has made Nosara one of Costa Rica’s most desirable yet peaceful surf destinations.
Ownership and Founding Vision
Nosara Tico Surf School is entirely locally owned — “100 % Tico” — and was founded by a group of Nosara natives who wanted to create a surf school rooted in community values rather than foreign tourism enterprises. Before launching their own venture, several founders had worked for foreign-owned surf schools in the region. Their experience shaped a vision: to combine world-class surf instruction with genuine cultural exchange and respect for the Nosara way of life.
Instructors such as Luigui, Esteban, and Adrian embody this mission. Each of them grew up surfing Costa Rican beaches, earned professional training certifications, and returned to Nosara to share their passion. They aim to teach surfing not just as a sport, but as an introduction to Costa Rica’s “Pura Vida” lifestyle — patient, joyful, and connected to the ocean.
Professional Standards and Credentials
Nosara Tico Surf School’s instructors are certified by the International Surfing Association (ISA), and the school has promoted compliance with the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) standards for safety and water rescue. Lessons are offered in both English and Spanish, reflecting the team’s bilingual background and commitment to serving an international clientele while maintaining a distinctly local identity.
Safety and personalized attention are central to the school’s teaching style. Each lesson begins on land, with instruction on stance, balance, paddling, and reading ocean conditions. Beginners practice in small, manageable waves under constant supervision before progressing to open-water riding. For experienced surfers, the instructors focus on refining maneuvers, timing, and wave selection at more advanced breaks around Guiones and Nosara.
Services and Offerings
Nosara Tico Surf School provides an extensive range of surf-related experiences designed for every level of participant.
1. Private and Group Lessons
Students can choose from private sessions for one-on-one coaching or small-group lessons limited to a few participants. Instructors match boards and conditions to each surfer’s ability and comfort level. Emphasis is placed on safety, technique, and fun — ensuring that everyone leaves the beach having stood up on a board and gained confidence in the ocean.
2. Surf Packages
The school’s hallmark offerings are its all-inclusive packages, which blend surfing with cultural and wellness activities.
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Tico Monkey Surf Package: A 7-day stay that includes transfers from major airports, six nights of lodging at local partner hotels, daily surf lessons, massages, yoga or Pilates classes, Spanish language sessions, and excursions such as canopy tours or waterfall hikes.
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Nosara Tico Package: Similar to the Monkey Package, but emphasizing yoga, massage, and surf coaching as a holistic retreat.
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Arenal Nosara Tico Package: A combined adventure that starts near the Arenal Volcano, with hot springs and canopy tours, followed by surf instruction at Playa Guiones.
Each package demonstrates the school’s understanding that visitors often want a blend of adventure, relaxation, and local immersion — not merely surf lessons.
3. Customized Itineraries
Nosara Tico Surf School also creates tailored programs that adapt to guests’ schedules, group size, and specific interests. This flexibility allows couples, families, or solo travelers to shape their ideal combination of surfing, nature exploration, and cultural experience.
The Instructors
The heart of the school lies in its teaching staff — locals with deep connections to both surfing and community.
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Luigui: A nationally sponsored competitive surfer known for discipline and humility. His professionalism and passion for surfing set a tone of excellence for the school.
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Esteban: Originally from Nosara but raised partly on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Esteban brings a cross-regional perspective to his lessons. A devout and family-oriented instructor, he is admired for his kindness and patience.
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Adrian: A lifelong Nosara surfer fluent in English, Adrian focuses on making every session enjoyable and accessible while proudly representing his Tico heritage.
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Dimitri: A former Silicon Valley data-specialist turned surfer, Dimitri exemplifies the transformational appeal of Nosara — a place where even technology professionals rediscover simplicity and joy through surfing.
These instructors personify Nosara’s diversity and unity, blending professional expertise with local pride.
Goals and Philosophy
Nosara Tico Surf School’s mission is to teach surfing as a gateway to personal growth, community, and respect for nature. The founders envisioned the school as more than a business — a bridge between visitors and the Costa Rican way of life. Their philosophy centers on:
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Authenticity: Keeping operations locally managed and culturally grounded.
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Safety and Learning: Providing structured, step-by-step training for every level.
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Community Connection: Encouraging visitors to appreciate local customs, language, and ecology.
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Sustainability: Promoting responsible tourism and environmental awareness in Nosara’s fragile coastal ecosystem.
Reputation and Popularity
Over the years, Nosara Tico Surf School has built a strong reputation among international tourists. It has been consistently recommended on travel forums, social-media platforms, and review aggregators. Guests praise the instructors’ professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm, often describing the lessons as life-changing or deeply memorable.
Repeat visitors to Nosara often cite the school’s personal approach — small classes, genuine interaction, and local hospitality — as reasons for returning. The school also benefits from Nosara’s growing status as one of the top global surf destinations, second only to established surfing capitals such as Hawaii or Indonesia for consistent year-round waves.
History and Evolution
Historically, Nosara Tico Surf School began around the early 2010s as part of a wave of locally driven surf enterprises. Before that time, most surf schools in Nosara were foreign-owned. The founders’ decision to build their own venture marked a turning point, symbolizing local empowerment within Costa Rica’s booming tourism industry.
The school evolved from simple beach lessons to comprehensive surf-vacation packages with lodging and wellness options. The website was later modernized to reflect current operations under the domain NosaraTico.com, though the original Nosara-Surf-School.com remains archived as a historical record of the school’s roots.
Today, the brand “Nosara Tico” encompasses not only surf lessons but also a broader identity that includes a surf shop, collaborations with local hotels, and community outreach.
Community and Cultural Significance
Nosara’s charm lies in its delicate balance between tourism and authenticity. Nosara Tico Surf School contributes meaningfully to that balance by employing local instructors, using locally owned accommodations, and guiding visitors toward respectful interaction with the environment.
The school’s integration of yoga, Spanish lessons, and cultural tours connects guests to Costa Rican traditions beyond the beach. Participants often visit turtle-nesting sites, take horseback rides through the hills, or explore the Nosara Biological Reserve — reinforcing the idea that surfing is only one part of a holistic Costa Rican adventure.
In the community context, the school supports the local economy while promoting a sustainable form of tourism that prioritizes education, environmental awareness, and mutual respect. Its focus on authenticity helps counteract the perception of surf tourism as an external commercial force.
Natural Environment and Sustainability
Playa Guiones and its neighboring beaches form part of a protected ecological zone. The convergence of the Río Nosara and Río Montaña creates a biologically rich estuary filled with mangroves, tropical dry-forest species, and migratory birds.
Nosara Tico Surf School operates within this context of conservation, guiding students to appreciate the natural environment they are enjoying. While formal eco-certifications are not explicitly advertised, the school’s messaging emphasizes environmental respect — choosing proper board materials, avoiding overcrowded surf zones, and encouraging beach preservation.
This ethos aligns with Costa Rica’s global reputation as a leader in eco-tourism and biodiversity protection, with over one-quarter of the nation’s territory designated as protected land.
Practical Information for Visitors
Travel and Access:
Getting to Nosara can be an adventure itself. Roads are largely unpaved, and visitors typically arrive via small domestic flights from San José or Liberia, or by shuttle vans that wind through scenic rural landscapes. The effort is rewarded with tranquil beaches, warm water, and an inviting small-town feel.
Best Season:
The dry season from November to April is ideal for surfing and sightseeing, though waves are consistent year-round. The rainy season (May–November) brings lusher scenery and fewer crowds but requires flexibility with travel conditions.
Accommodation and Partnerships:
The school partners with local hotels such as the Harmony Hotel and Harbor Reef Hotel for surf-package lodging. These properties are known for sustainability and comfort, complementing the surf experience with tropical gardens, yoga decks, and healthy cuisine.
Who It’s For:
Nosara Tico Surf School attracts beginners, families, and intermediate surfers seeking skill improvement in a safe, supportive environment. Its cultural and wellness options make it especially appealing to travelers who prefer personalized service over mass-market surf camps.
Press, Media, and Global Recognition
While Nosara Tico Surf School itself is a boutique local operation, the broader Nosara region has achieved global media recognition. Major travel publications and television features have highlighted Nosara as one of the world’s most consistent surf towns, praised for its lack of high-rise development, its yoga culture, and its strong environmental ethos.
By positioning itself as locally owned and culturally rooted, Nosara Tico Surf School benefits directly from this visibility, often appearing in travel guides, surf directories, and online articles that describe it as a friendly, authentic, and reliable surf school for visitors to Guanacaste.
Broader Impact and Legacy
Beyond teaching people how to stand on a surfboard, Nosara Tico Surf School represents a successful model of local entrepreneurship within a global tourism industry. Its founders’ story — from employees at foreign surf schools to proud owners of their own business — mirrors Costa Rica’s larger movement toward community-driven, sustainable travel initiatives.
By anchoring the business in local culture, they ensure that revenue, employment, and influence remain in the hands of residents. This model has inspired other young Costa Ricans in Nosara to create their own surf, yoga, and eco-tourism ventures — multiplying the community benefits while preserving the region’s character.
Nosara Tico Surf School stands as a symbol of Costa Rica’s surf culture, hospitality, and entrepreneurial spirit. Set amid the serene beauty of Playa Guiones, it provides a bridge between visitors and the authentic Costa Rican experience — one where surfing, nature, and community blend seamlessly.
Whether a first-time surfer discovering the joy of catching waves or a returning traveler seeking deeper connection, every student leaves Nosara Tico Surf School with more than just technique: they leave with an understanding of why this corner of Guanacaste is so special to those who call it home.
From its humble beginnings to its current role as a respected surf institution, the school continues to embody the values that make Costa Rica a global model for sustainable, people-centered tourism — a true “Pura Vida” story in motion.