Nosara - A Surfer's Dream
Nosara has something for everyone. This coastal town in Costa Rica truly embodies a surfer’s paradise. With consistent swell, beautiful yoga studios, and a variety of great restaurants, this location is hard to beat. Nosara has been a location I never skip over when traveling through Costa Rica. Having been there on three separate occasions now, I’ll share insights on my past experiences and recommendations when visiting this magical location.
Nosara has accommodation options for all kinds of travelers. From luxurious AirBnBs to social hostels, there are plenty of choices for any budget. If you want more privacy, definitely go the AirBnB route. If you’re more adventurous, I would highly recommend finding a hostel in the area. I have had nothing but great experiences bouncing around from hostel to hostel in Central America. During my most recent visit to Nosara, I stayed in a shared dorm room in the Selina hostel. This was such an amazing experience, and I would definitely recommend this option to any solo-travelers or small groups. The hostel was filled with communal areas that fostered social interactions. The crowd was younger, and Selina had interns that organized events for every night of the week. On your first night, they even have a free “welcome shot” where everyone that just showed up meets in the bar for a shot. It was a great way to break the ice and get introduced to a lot of the other travelers that would be staying there at the same time. All of the social events put on by the interns were a lot of fun. On weekends they would have extravagant parties with DJs that were open to the whole town. During the week, there were different activities like spanish lessons, karaoke, and my personal favorite.. Salsa lessons. Again, the entire community showed up to the hostel to dance salsa and share some beers with friends. They start the dancing early for the hostel guests and give some quick lessons and tips for learning to salsa. The locals then start showing up, and they definitely do not need any tips. There was no judgment though, and the locals were so friendly and willing to walk you through the steps. It was so amazing seeing how it brought the community together in an active way.
This hostel also had plenty to do during the day. There were two beautiful pools, relaxing deck areas, and a slackline that ended up being the pinnacle of the social interactions. Something about the mindless activity was very addicting. The slackline always drew a crowd so it was a great area to meet new people. Yoga and other fitness classes were also included in the hostel package. If you have the opportunity, attend as many of these as possible! They are normally early in the morning, and are really great for getting warmed up for a full day of surfing. The last thing you want to do on a surf trip is get a muscle injury on one of the first days. These classes were taught by local instructors who were very attentive, and made sure you were positioning yourself correctly. They were great for all levels - No need to be intimidated if it’s your first time taking a class.
The only downside to the Selina hostel was the proximity to the beach. If you want to walk, it is going to take 20-30 minutes down the side of a dirt road.. A small price to pay given how beautiful the hostel itself is. I will break out the packing list at the end, but highly recommend bringing comfortable shoes to walk in. If walking is not your thing, the front desk will happily call you a tuk-tuk, which is a small cart that will take you to and from the main downtown area for roughly $6. I used these more when we were in a rush heading to dinner or a bar at night. Because of the long commute to the downtown area, I got breakfast every morning at the Selina. This allowed me to operate slowly in the morning - The locals call this running on tico time. The Selina had free coffee in the lobby, fresh juice, and incredible coconut-based yogurt bowls with granola and fresh fruit. I was a little skeptical of hostel food at first, but the hostel had a fantastic restaurant inside of it. Selina often has promotions going on, so you could likely get the full package with breakfast included for cheaper if you book in advance. I spent roughly $25 a night with breakfast included. I stayed in a communal 8 bunk room. Because I was there during the wet season when there are less tourists, there were never more than 4 people in the room. The bathroom off of the room was also very nice, and soaps and shampoos were included. Make sure to bring your own towel though! You will make friends quickly, but they might not be willing to share a shower towel with you that early into the relationship.
Onto the surf! The main reason why people travel to Nosara. Surfing in Nosara is great for all skill levels. Most of the waves are beach breaks right on Playa Guiones, but the consistency is really what sets this location apart. Travelers can expect 3-4 foot waves nearly every day regardless of the season. The southern area of the beach provides softer waves, and is a little more protected from the swells coming in from the open ocean. This area is better for beginners. The central area of Playa Guiones is my personal favorite. The wave shape is really nice, and the waves form way off shore, allowing you to get crazy long rides. There are typically light off-shore winds in the morning, so if you can get yourself out of bed, I would recommend squeezing a session in before breakfast. It is also a great way to beat the crowd. This area is better for intermediate to experienced surfers, although beginners can catch some of the broken waves in the white water closer to shore. On the average day, you can choose between a longboard or a shortboard, and will be guaranteed to catch some waves. On the bigger days, shortboards were preferable. Since it's a beach break, the waves tended to close out quickly with bigger swells, so you needed the speed to work your way to the open sections. I did not really surf in the northern section of the beach, but it looked similar to the central area. The board rental places are closest to the center of the beach, so it was more a matter of not wanting to drag my board all the way over there - Got to save energy for paddling out! Overall, Playa Guiones is a great spot to improve your skills in a very short time regardless of the level that you surf at. The consistent waves make it so you will be getting a ton of rides during every session.
Board rentals are very affordable, and there are plenty of options. I try to avoid traveling with my boards given how the airlines treat them, so if I know I can rent quality equipment at a location, I will always opt for that option. Juan Surfo’s Surf Shop is where I have rented from the past few times that I journeyed to Nosara. During the off-season, it cost $65 to rent a board for the week. You can store your board at the shop overnight, and pick it up whenever you want to head out to surf. Additionally, if you want to try a different board, they allow you to swap boards as many times as you want. Another great benefit of renting from this place is that lockers are included. Especially when traveling solo, it can be unnerving to just leave your stuff unattended on the beach, so having a locker to store your valuables in is super nice! Other options for rentals were available, but Juan Surfo’s was right off of one of the beach access points, making it super easy to transport boards to and from the beach. The employees were also super laid back and friendly. You could tell that they are local experts, and were more than willing to give some tips on when to surf given the tides, as well as where to go. I believe they also had lessons. If it is your first time surfing, take a lesson! It will save you hours of frustration, because learning on your own is no easy task.
To stay energized for the long surf days, you will need to fill up on the local cuisine. To start your day, Cafe de Paris is a must visit pastries. They are made fresh everyday, and have a great selection for everyone. The cafe itself was very pretty and had a ton of shaded seating, making it a quick and easy option to swing by before hitting the beach. I also made a point to stop at the local carts on the side of the street to pick up fresh fruit before surfing. The fruit was all local and super fresh! For some quick hydration, a lot of the vendors sell coconuts like the gentleman below.
For lunch, I repeatedly went with the local favorite - Rosi’s Soda Tica! They had numerous locations around Nosara, and had one of the best casados that I have had during my travels through Central America. A casado is a traditional plate of rice, black beans, plantains, vegetables, and a protein (or in my case, extra veggies and plantains!). Top the dish off with some vinegar dressing and hot sauce, and you will without a doubt be on cloud 9. Watch out for the food comas that follow though. Casados are also the best deal you will find for lunch. They typically go for about $6 USD, and are enough food to feed a small army!
For dinner, Nosara boasts a ton of amazing restaurants. The Beach Dog Cafe was my personal favorite. They had delicious Mediterranean food, great cocktails, and live music every night of the week. If you are able to go on Saturday, they typically have the same music group there every week. These guys were super talented. Even if you have already eaten, I would swing by to grab a beer and enjoy the show! The Beach Dog is comparable to a lot of the other dinner options from a pricing perspective, and is worth every dollar. The Beach Dog also has a lot of vegan and vegetarian options, so it is great for groups with dietary restrictions.
If you are looking for a view with dinner then you have to go to La Luna. Try and book a reservation ahead of time so that you will be eating dinner during the sunset - This place fills up fast. The restaurant overlooks the ocean right on Playa Pelada, which is just north of Playa Guiones. The sunset is stunning. Most of the food options are seafood or Mediterranean style dishes. The restaurant is on the pricier side, so this dinner serves well to celebrate a special occasion. Everyone dresses nicely when visiting here, so if you packed any clothes for a more formal occasion then this is the time to break them out.
10 Pies is also a must visit when in Nosara. This restaurant provides a needed break from the typical Mediterranean style and seafood restaurants that you tend to see around the area. Their dishes range from pizzas to tacos to quesadillas, and everything on their menu is delicious. Make sure to start your meal off with their chips and guacamole! Their chips are super crispy and the fresh guac pairs perfectly with any drink.
Surprisingly enough, my last restaurant recommendation would have to be The Patio, which is the restaurant attached to the Selina hostel. They have great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is the perfect spot for health fanatics that want to perform well when surfing or doing yoga. All of their food is filled with fresh vegetables and fruit. They also have a ton of vegan and vegetarian options. The seating all overlooks the beautiful pools, and the entire patio is lit up with string lights - The space is very picturesque.
If going out isn’t your thing, the Selina also has a kitchen stocked with all the utensils you could ever need. To save some money, a few of the people around the hostels picked up some groceries, and we did a little communal cooking. This was so much fun - It is those types of little interactions where core memories are formed.
Surfing and eating were the big items I wanted to touch on because those were my focus, but Nosara has so much more to offer. Below are additional activities that you MUST DO during your trip
A few different yoga studios offer classes around Nosara, and I enjoyed the practice at every one I attended. If you stay at the Selina, they offer a class almost every other day. They have a very nice indoor studio that opens up to the pool. The class was great for all levels, and the instructor was very knowledgeable. For a more elevated yoga experience, you have to visit Bodhi Tree. This hotel took their yoga studios to the next level. Their studios sit in the middle of the jungle and make you feel like you are truly isolated in nature. They offer multiple classes a day, and have different classes for different levels. In addition, they have an amazing smoothie bar right next to one of the most stunning pools that I have ever seen. You definitely need to treat yourself while on vacation!
Every weekend, there is a local farmers market right on the main street in Nosara. This market attracts a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, empanadas, pastries, handmade crafts, jewelry, and clothing. When visiting these small towns, it is important to support the local artists and vendors that add to the unique culture and make these destinations so special.
A common theme I have noticed when traveling to Central American countries is how everyone gathers at the beach to watch the sunset and enjoy eachothers company. I think it is one of the key factors in making the people that live here so happy - They have a strong sense of community. There is a short hike that I would highly recommend taking to watch the sunset. The hike is up the cliffs that separate Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada. It takes roughly 15 minutes and is not very challenging. The views are breathtaking though. To get there, you just need to walk down Playa Pelada and head for the jungle trail that connects Playa Pelada with Playa Guiones. Just to the right of that path, you will notice a dirt trail that leads up the side of the cliff. The beginning is steep, but once you power through the initial climb, it is just a slow walk to the views. The end of the trail is marked with the national flag of Costa Rica. You can actually see this from the beach, so you will know where you are headed before even starting the trek. I was fortunate enough to have met someone at the hostel that was filming promotional videos for Selina, so we got some incredible drone footage from the top of the cliff.
The tide pools on Playa Pelada are also an amazing spot to watch the sunset. These can be seen right from the beach access point, so you won’t miss them. The way the colors reflect off of the shallow pools is incredible though, and watching the waves crash off of the rocks makes for a magical experience. One local was drawing a lot of attention here.. And for good reason. He was making these huge bubbles that lit up under the bright oranges and reds of the sky. The sunsets were also stunning every night of the week! It is no wonder why the whole town migrates here to enjoy every single one. Something about them feels so nostalgic and warm.
If you are looking to go out and party every night of the week, then Nosara might not be the best option. Tamarindo has a lot more to offer when it comes to huge events. Nosara does have a few hidden gems however. As I mentioned before, the Selina has great DJs and live music on weekends. The whole town shows up to dance and drink. These parties lasted well into the night and were a lot of fun. If you stay at the Selina, it is also a short walk to bed once you’ve reached your limit! The crowd is a good mix of travelers and locals. The dance floor is also open to the outdoors, making it a very comfortable environment. It was much preferred to the stuffy basements that we party at in the states.
For a more local party scene, El Bar was so much fun! They have reggae nights every Thursday, so I highly recommend going to check out some of the local artists. They played music that made it impossible not to dance.
For a more laid back vibe, I would once again head to the Beach Dog Cafe. They have karaoke nights that can create some unforgettable memories! I witnessed the greatest performance that the world had ever seen. Old Argentinian man turned Nosara local did a wonderful take of ‘Despacito’, which had everyone laughing and smiling from ear to ear.
The best way to get to Nosara is by flying into the Liberia international airport. It is much closer than San Jose. I typically try to book rides from the airport to Nosara ahead of time. The drive is over 2 hours long, so if you just get a taxi at the airport, it might end up costing you a lot of money. There are plenty of websites that offer shared van services to and from Nosara. These typically cost me around $40. There are buses that will cost dollars, but those could add hours to your commute.
Nosara has a tropical climate. There are two main seasons - wet and dry. You will likely see some tropical thunderstorms for an hour or so each day regardless of which season you go in. I would honestly pack the same either way. I try to pack as light as possible when I travel so I’m not lugging around heavy suitcases with me. As a result, I focus on the essentials. Given that most of your time will be spent on the beach, bathing suits are a must. Pack multiple so that you can rotate through them and give them time to dry in between. If you can, pack board shorts that double as walk shorts. My favorites are from Banks Journal. These board shorts are perfect for the water, but also look nice enough for you to go out at night in them. Most of the places you will visit in Nosara will be pretty casual, so pack a few graphic tees. No particular recommendation for T-shirts - Just wear what you feel confident in. I would also recommend carrying a short-sleeved linen dress shirt with you for a formal dinner. Nosara is humid, so having a light and breathable linen shirt for the nicer dinners is key to not sweating! You don’t want to scare off your hostel crush with gnarly pit stains. I once again point to Banks Journal as my top choice for these shirts. They have a variety of neutral colors that look good with anything. Their looser fit also gives a cool coastal vibe and is very comfortable. For layers, bring one rain jacket and one sweatshirt. You might not need either, but if you get a crazy sunburn on the first day, a sweatshirt always feels nice to hide your skin.
Given the yoga and other physical activities, I would also pack a few pairs of workout clothes. I packed shirts and shorts from Fabletics. Their clothes just fit the best, and the 5” inseam shorts give more of a stylish athletic look. Shorts running down to your knees are not the vibe for the yoga studios. For surfing, DO NOT forget a rashguard! This will help protect you from the sun and from board rashes. I typically surf in a wetsuit so whenever I surf in tropical conditions, my ribs are always raw after a few days. Rashguards can help alleviate some of the pain.
For shoes, I would bring three pairs. A pair of throw away flip flops is essential! There will be mud on the dirt roads, so having some that you don’t care about getting dirty will help prevent a lot of stress during this relaxing vacation. Also pack a pair of comfortable sandals that can be worn to slightly more formal events as will. I went with my Birkenstock Arizonas. These are super comfortable and also match well with all of the clothing I bought. Lastly, pack a pair of running shoes. You will do a lot of walking and physical activity in Nosara. Having running shoes will allow you to enjoy the walks, hikes, and jungle treks a lot more.
I always overpack underwear and socks, but to me that provides peace of mind. Those types of garments are not meant to be reworn. I would pack some of your more comfortable pairs, as well as some that you can do physical activities in.
A light towel is something else that should always be packed. Hostels and hotels can be hit or miss with towels - Some will provide them while others will not. The Selina in Nosara did not. I carry a Slowtide Turkish Towel with me whenever I travel. They are super lightweight, fold nicely, and take up very little space in your pack. They also absorb water just as well as a typical bathroom towel. This is another one of those items where it is better to have and not need rather than need and not have.
Lastly, pack plenty of sunscreen. The sun is strong in Nosara, and that is amplified when you are out in the ocean all day. I really like the Raw Elements Face Sticks to protect my face. My face breaks out with certain sunscreens, but I have not had that experience with this product. Their products are also reef safe. Please try to protect our oceans and use products that won’t cause further damage!
To summarize, Nosara has the means to offer an unforgettable experience for everyone. I have traveled all over the world, but always return to this spot. The surf is great and so consistent - You don’t have to worry about booking in advance just to show up and have terrible conditions. The community is laid back, the food is all local and fresh, and the landscape is unbelievably picturesque. It feels like a surf town out of a movie. As always, the people make the trip.. Fortunately for this location, it attracts some really cool locals and travelers alike. If you want to experience a true surf/yogi adventure, then Nosara is for you.
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