About Nosara Beach and Getting Here

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 differents surfing packages.

Click here to see our Nosara Tico Surf Packages