Nosara Travel Guide: Itinerary & Tips for Planning Your Trip

Planning a trip to Nosara, Costa Rica? This detailed Nosara travel guide will help you uncover all the information you need to plan the perfect first-time trip to this Costa Rica coastal hotspot.

First-timers get tripped up by basics of planning a trip to Nosara: dry-season dust vs. rainy-season green, is a day or two enough, whether you need a 4×4, which beach to base near, and how to time turtles at Ostional.

I spent a full, lazy 2 months here and road-tested the greatest hits: beginner-friendly waves at Guiones, open-air yoga, a sunset horseback ride by Pelada’s tide pools, and an afternoon spotting turtles at Ostional.

I’ve instilled all of my first-hand experience into this comprehensive Nosara trip planner.

I’ll answer the first-timer questions up front: when to visit, how many days to spend there, where to stay (walkable Guiones or quieter Pelada), how to get around and more.

You’ll land with a plan that actually fits your preferences and takes full advantage of everything Nosara has to offer.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.

A Bit About Nosara Costa Rica

Nosara walks a lovable line between boujee and hippie.

You’ll see health-conscious families, older digital nomads, and surf-yoga diehards sharing the same dirt roads. Organic grocers next to trendy new-age cafés, tuk-tuks zipping past boutique eco-lodges, and surf schools running sunrise lessons like clockwork.

The town’s DNA is pure wave worship: everything sprang up around Playa Guiones’ long, forgiving beach break, and surfing still sits at the top of any “things to do in Nosara” list.

Unlike neighboring Santa Teresa, which grew from an established village, Nosara was built largely by an expat community and only later drew a wider international crowd.

The result is polished but low-key with no high-rises on the sand, just a walkable hub behind the beach with good coffee (Costa Rican beans doing the heavy lifting), Tico-inspired brunch, and smoothie bowls that actually taste like fruit, not ice.

Geography matters here: Guiones is your surfy, walk-to-everything base; Pelada trades waves for tide pools and sunset dinners; and Ostional, just north, is turtle territory when timing aligns.

I spent 2 months here and left convinced Nosara’s mix of nature, wellness, and simple pleasures is exactly why people keep coming back.

Nosara Costa Rica Map

So, where is Nosara in Costa Rica? Nosara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the Province of Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

The town of Nosara Costa Rica can be reached from most tourist destinations, including San Jose International Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport within 3-5 hours.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Nosara?

Because of Nosara Costa Rica’s secluded location along the Nicoya Peninsula coastline of Costa Rica, I recommend staying at least 3-4 full days in Nosara. The ideal would be a full week.

For reference, Nosara’s distance from the main Costa Rica airports and closest hotspots:

• 3 hours from Liberia Airport
• 2.5 hours from Tamarindo
• 4 hours from Santa Teresa
• 4.5 hours from San Jose Airport (SJO)
• 3.5 hours from Monteverde
• 5 hours from La Fortuna

If you’ve already decided to visit the hidden gem of Samara, you can make the journey north along the coastline in about 45 minutes to Nosara, Costa Rica. A great joint trip to experience the Nicoya Peninsula off-the-beaten-track.

I think it’s important to dedicate one day in Nosara as a beach day, since Nosara has some of the best beaches in Costa Rica, in my humble opinion. Relax on the main Playa Guiones, or the more secluded Playa Pelada or Playa Garza.

Luckily Nosara has so much more to offer than just beaches, though. Horseback riding at sunset, sea turtle nesting at Playa Ostional, day trips to San Juanillo and wildlife sanctuaries are all at your fingertips. Of course, never forget Nosara’s favourite past times of surfing and yoga!

Top Things to Do in Nosara

Nosara’s rhythm is easy to love: mornings start on Playa Guiones, (one of the best beaches in Nosara), where a long, sandy break rolls in with the kind of consistency that makes beginners brave and returning surfers greedy for “just one more.”

I spent two months falling into the same pattern (coffee, wax, paddle out before the wind) and it never got old. Late morning belongs to the shalas. Open-air yoga studios hide behind palms, and a gentle flow here feels like part of the landscape.

As the light drops, the energy shifts north to Playa Pelada.

Horseback riders pick their way along the tideline and through the tide pools, and the whole place slows down to a warm, amber hum. It’s hard to think of a better way to watch sunset than from the saddle, salt on your skin and jungle at your back.

Leave one night free for Ostional just up the coast: under a dark moon, olive ridley turtles heave out of the surf to nest, and the beach becomes a low, rustling whisper of sand and shell. It isn’t staged or guaranteed, and that’s exactly why it’s one of my favourite things to do in Nosara.

Simple 3 to 4-Day Nosara Itinerary

Day 1 in Nosara, Costa Rica:

• Surfing Lesson at Playa Guiones
• Beach Time at Playa Guiones
• Shopping Playa Guiones

Day 2 in Nosara, Costa Rica:

• Hike in Nosara Biological Reserve
• Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary
• Beach day at Playa Pelada
• Sunset Horseback Riding or La Luna for cocktails

Day 3 in Nosara, Costa Rica:

• Ostional National Wildlife Refuge
• Day trip to San Juanillo Beach

Day 4 in Nosara, Costa Rica (optional):

• Penozah Beach Club on Playa Garza

Best Hotels in Nosara Costa Rica

Okay, let’s take a look at where to stay in Nosara, Costa Rica. The majority of the best hotels in Nosara are located in North Playa Guiones (downtown), South Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada.

There is no hiding that hotel prices in Nosara are a bit higher than in neighbouring Tamarindo or Santa Teresa, due to the quality of the hotel offering here. You can find upmarket boutique accommodation tucked away into large jungled properties. Most offer a more boujee experience.

Albeit, do keep in mind if you want to stay where you have immediate access to the best restaurants in Nosara, amenities and shops, then you are likely to sacrifice ocean views.

Although the jungle view is extremely therapeutic and most hotels will be maximum of 8-minute walk to the beach if you are staying in North Playa Guiones.

If ocean views are an absolute must, I would recommend Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge for couples or Villa Mango B&B for families located in the hills of Playa Pelada.

Of course, you can find something for everyone here, whether you are a young backpacker, digital nomad couple or family looking for a fun adventure-filled holiday.

Here are my faves:

Best Nosara Restaurants

For such a small village, Nosara is packed with delicious restaurants. The best Nosara restaurants can be found concentrated in North Playa Guiones (downtown Nosara).

From some of the best coffee I’ve tasted in Costa Rica at Rolling Waves, to smoothie bowls at Go Juice, Middle Eastern bowls at Falafel Box, top-quality cocktails at Perozah Beach Club and scrumptious vegan burgers at LuvBurger, Nosara really has it all.

I can’t write a Nosara Costa Rica travel guide without mentioning my absolute favourite restaurant in Nosara – Destiny Cafe. I went here multiple times during my 2 months in Nosara, and gosh, I still dream about the brunch there. Destiny Cafe is an absolute must when it comes to Nosara Costa Rica restaurants.

• Destiny Cafe | Best Brunch
• Rolling Waves | Best Coffee
• Fish Bar | Best Fish Tacos
• Al Chile | Best Mexican
• Falafel Box | Best Middle Eastern
• LuvBurger | Best Vegan
• Go Juice | Best Smoothie Bowls
• Perozah | Best Cocktails (Playa Garza)

How to Get to Nosara Costa Rica

By Rental Car

The absolute best way to explore Costa Rica is by rental car. Whether you plan on spending 10 days road-tripping around the Nicoya Peninsula or just want to head straight to Nosara from the airport, you will need a means of transportation once you reach Nosara.

My recommendation is to rent your car from the San Jose Airport (SJO) or from the Liberia Airport, upon landing (it’s always smart to reserve early – I use Discover Cars).

Roads in Costa Rica can be a bit tricky. With the majority of the main roads and highways paved and easily navigatable, you will inevitably run into a few dirt stretches with a plethora of potholes. Nosara is no exception. Actually, it’s been said that Nosara has some of the worst roads in Costa Rica! And I can attest, they are pretty darn terrible.

If you are coming from the Liberia Airport, make sure to follow the paved Route 160 along the coast south to Nosara.

If you are travelling from San Jose Airport (SJO), although you will follow paved highways for most of your journey, you will end up entering Nosara down a very bumpy, very dusty dirt road in the last stretch of your journey. A detour is possible though if you go straight to Samara and make your way back up the coast to Nosara, an added 10km (6 miles) up Route 160.

Renting a Car in Costa Rica

I personally use and recommend booking through Discover Cars. Whether you are looking for a budget Costa Rica car rental or looking to rent a 4×4 in Costa Rica, this platform has you covered. 

What’s great about Discover Cars is they compare local, national and international rental companies to give you the best price. Plus, they give you full insurance coverage for only $7USD a day (30% lower than booking directly with the local company). 

By Shared or Private Shuttle

Costa Rica is blessed with a pretty great network of shuttles that transport visitors from any main airport or hotspot throughout the country, including Nosara. You can find either a shared or private van transfer from either San Jose Airport (SJO) or Guanacaste Airport (LIR) to suit your party size and preference.

Private & shared shuttle from San Jose Airport (SJO) to Nosara | 5-7 hours

Bus, private & shared shuttle from Guanacaste Airport (LIR) | 3 hours

This is a great way to get around the country if you really don’t want to bother with a rental car.

By Plane

Yes, you can reach Nosara from San Jose Airport directly through domestic Sansa Airlines, which is a 50-minute flight. In high season from December-April, they fly 3 times daily from SJO to Nosara.

While this seems like it would be the most efficient way to get to Nosara, you do have to keep in mind the amount of time it will take to board another plane and get into Nosara town after landing, plus the luggage weight restrictions on their twin-prop airplanes. Make sure to check their site for the latest restrictions before booking. Plus flight and luggage tickets add up quickly.

The Nosara Airport (NOB) is located a 15-minute drive from downtown Nosara. You can grab a taxi there and make your way to your Nosara hotel.

The downside is that there is no car rental or parking located at the airport, so you will have to arrange a car or ATV rental when you get into town, which undoubtedly will cost more than picking up your car rental in the San Jose Airport or Liberia Airport.

How to Get Around Nosara Costa Rica

Rental Car

A rental car is the best way to get around Nosara and Costa Rica for that matter. Some of Nosara things to do are located outside of town, a 15-minute drive or more away, and I would hate for you to miss out on them. Plus, the dirt roads in Nosara are quite bumpy, and an SUV or 4X4 is recommended.

Of course, there are a couple places in town you can find a Nosara car rental but definitely expect a premium price. If you can, reserve your car through Discover Cars and pick it up at San Jose Airport (SJO) or the airport in Liberia before arriving in Nosara.

ATV / Golf Carts

The second best way to get around Nosara is by ATV or Golf Cart. You can find ATV rentals in Nosara Costa Rica at Tico Tours Nosara for $90USD/day (full 24 hours), or $60USD for a half day (6 hours).

Tuk-tuk Taxi

If you want to forgo renting a car or ATV, you can always get around using the unique Nosara tuk-tuk! You can usually find them parked at the street corner across from Organico Grocer or across from Go Juice by The Gilded Iguana Hotel. Make sure to negotiate the price before getting in and remember to bring cash!

Bicycle

Getting around Nosara by bicycle will be your most economical option. Find cheap beach cruiser rentals at The Frog Pad by Rolling Wave Coffee Shop for $10USD/day. Or you can opt to pick up a higher-end machine from Nosara MTB, run by The Gilded Iguana.

Walking

Walking takes the last spot on this list because it really is a last resort when it comes to getting around Nosara. The roads can be dusty, pot-hole ridden and most importantly, things are quite spread out when it comes to restaurants, amenities and shops in Nosara’s downtown core of North Playa Guiones.

Of course, if needed, you can opt to get around with a combination of walking, bicycle and tuk-tuk taxi for those further out things to do in Nosara, Costa Rica.

Best Time to Visit Nosara Costa Rica

Nosara has two distinct seasons, the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October).

Wet (or Green) Season

During the wet season, you can expect daily showers which often last an hour or two in the late afternoon. The upside of visiting during this time is the weather in Nosara Costa Rica is more clear and you’ll find fewer crowds as it’s Costa Rica’s low season. Plus, you won’t get the dusty conditions from the roads during this time, albeit maybe a little mud.

The wet season is also the best time to surf if you are an intermediate or advanced surfer, although you can find a pretty darn consistent break here all year round.

Dry Season (high season)

The dry season is the best time to visit Nosara for most travellers and runs from December to April. The weather is sunny and dry with very little rain. With a high of 27°C (80°F) during the day and a low of a comfortable 20°C (68°F) at night, you can pack light. The downside of the dry season in Nosara is the dusty conditions. Expect most vegetation to be coated with a layer of dust.

The Sweet Spot

While on a day trip to Tortuga Island from our one month spent in Santa Teresa, my knowledgeable local guide mentioned that visiting most of the Pacific Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, including Nosara, in November is the sweet spot.

The rains from the wet season have subsided but you still get to enjoy the lush green rainforest before it dries out. Plus, hotels in Nosara have lower rates and you can experience fewer crowds.

Nosara Costa Rica Packing List

Generally speaking, the dress code in Costa Rica is comfortable and casual. Quick-dry, moisture-wicking or airy clothing in Nosara is the ticket here, especially during the dry season (December-April), with its dry rainforest climate.

I lived in athletic shorts, a cotton tank top and a light linen cover-up for most of my trip in Costa Rica. You also couldn’t find me without a trusty ball cap to keep the sun off my head, even when it’s cloudy, you can still be affected by UV.

Since you will be on and off the beach frequently, a pretty surong to quickly cover up is also a great idea. A packing list for Costa Rica should always include mosquito repellent and sunscreen, too.

Nosara Costa Rica Budget

Costa Rica is known for being a relatively expensive country. Why? There are several reasons. With a relatively stable government (rare for Central America), Costa Rica enjoys higher-quality labour laws, a better national health system and generally speaking, higher quality of life. 

It’s important to note, that Costa Rica’s top earning economy is tourism, and the majority of that tourism comes from the USA. Given that, the government decided to price tourism-related amenities closer to American prices. 

Also, the government puts a lot of money into preserving the biodiversity of Costa Rica, making the rainforests in Costa Rica some of the best maintained in Central America. 

You most definitely can do Costa Rica on a budget, just make sure you have extra time built into your Costa Rica itinerary to deal with multiple bus transfers.

Costa Rica uses both the Costa Rican Colones (CRC) and the American Dollar (USD).

Daily Nosara Costa Rica Budget (for 2 people)

*excludes international flights

• Nosara Hotel: ~$260USD Nightly (on average)
• Nosara Car Rental: ~75 USD Daily
• Nosara Food: $50 USD Daily per Person

Total Daily Nosara Costa Rica Budget (for Couple): ~$435 USD Daily Budget (not including organized tours)

Travel Insurance for Costa Rica Nosara

Nosara Costa Rica is known for water and jungle adventures, and with that, comes the risk of fall, injury or accident. Don’t be left with huge hospital bills and protect yourself with the right travel insurance.

Travel insurance is one of those things I hope you never have to use. But in case you do, you’ll want reliable insurance on your side. Plus, it’s such a small cost for peace of mind. Please, don’t leave home without it!

I used HeyMondo insurance on my trip to Costa Rica and can recommend it.

What’s great about HeyMondo:

• No out-of-pocket fees
• 24/7 doctors available through their handy app to answer all of your questions
• Covers travellers from any country in the world
• Offers short-term, long-term and multi-trip annual plans (I recommend single-trip insurance for Costa Rica)
• Covers trip cancellation – very useful these days!

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Nosara Travel Guide Wrap-Up

Nosara rewards a simple plan and a little restraint. Give yourself 3–5 days (a week if you can), stay near Guiones if you want to walk to surf and studios, or Pelada if sunset tide pools are your thing.

Choose 2-3 of your favourite things as anchors to your Nosara itinerary, then let everything else flex around tides and energy.

Pack light and practical: reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, long pants for riding, small bills for smoothies and tips. Eat well, nap when the heat rises, and leave white space in the afternoons for beach hopping.

I spent 8 weeks here on that rhythm and left with sore shoulders, sand in every pocket, and exactly the kind of reset I flew down for. Plan just enough, then let Nosara do what it does best.

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