Nosara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula of the Guanacaste Province and is one of the oldest ex-pat communities in Costa Rica. This small village with a population of just over 5,000 is not lacking in amenities, quality lodging and dining, but the residents here are uninterested in glitzy, large-scale resorts.
The area has remained undeveloped along the coastline in large part due to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, which receives on average of 150,000 nesting turtles each year, but also to the type of traveler that journeys here. For visitors, the journey can be up to a five-hour drive on bumpy roads to arrive at this yoga/surfing paradise and the residents are happy to leave it that way. Even so it has increased in popularity as a destination in Costa Rica since Nicoya was named by New York Times bestselling author, Dan Buettner as a “Blue Zone”. The Nicoya Peninsula, according to the author, is one of five locations on Earth where people live longer and healthier lives. Apparently, the traditional way of life extends life expectancy and many people live into their nineties if not beyond. The yoga and surfing lifestyle combined with fresh, organic plant-based cuisine, fresh air and social activities can make any feel better!
The main town center has the pharmacy, market, post office, public library and Banco Popular (ATM with $100 per day limit). The surrounding communities are all named for the beaches they border; Playa Nosara, Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, Playa Garza, and Playa Ostinal.
Activities:
Surfing: Playa Guinones is world renowned for its consistent waves. Out of 365 days a year at least 330 are recorded to have rideable waves with November through April being the most consistent. The beach is popular with both novices and experienced surfers and there is no shortage of surf shops, instructors and schools for lessons and board rentals. Most will even rent a board and let you exchange it during the week as you improve your skills.
Head to Playa Pelada if you have kids or need a break from tourists and surfers. This beach has no swell, interesting tide pools to explore and fewer visitors. Enjoy a swim and lunch at one of the two beachfront restaurants.
Sport Fishing is popular here due to the deep shelf close to shore which attracts all types of sea life, even humpback whales. Not far from the coastline you can catch blue and black striped bass, marlin, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, mahi mahi and snapper. Since Nosara has a strong fishing heritage, there are plenty of local experienced captains to show you the best spots to cast your line.
Esquina Parq, a local skate park serves as a meeting ground for local youth to “shred” and “catch air”. Don’t have a board, no problem you can also take in the action and people watch from the comfort of two restaurants bordering the park. On Saturday afternoons, the local organic farmers market sets up shop so you can stock up on fresh baked bread and locally grown produce for a beach picnic.
Yoga is another big draw to Nosara. The natural beauty and sounds of the surrounding jungle offer the perfect environment to practice this ancient art. There are a plethora of eco-lodge retreats where you can take a daily class, and indulge in spa treatments and gourmet vegetarian cuisine. More serious enthusiasts can participate in teacher training courses at well-established schools which offer anywhere from 200 hour to 1,000 hour teaching credentials.
The Ostinal Wildlife Refuge is part of the Tempisque Conservation area established in 1982. It is considered one of the two most important nesting beaches for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles and extends 200 meters along the beach, and six kilometers out to sea. The park protects turtles that nest each year on the shores of its beach. The largest recorded nesting season was 500,000 in 1995, but yearly averages are more like 150,000 between July and December. When turtles nest they come between 4 to 10 times during the season and stay from 3 to 10 days. These visits are known as “arribadas”. During these nesting times, the succeeding waves of turtles tend to destroy the eggs of the first arrivals. Ostional Wildlife Refuge came to an agreement with the local community to both reduce poaching and provide an economic resource for the inhabitants. Therefore, Ostional is the only refuge in the world that allows eggs to be harvested and sold legally during the first few “arribadas”.
Ostional, is also home to iguanas, monkeys, coatis, crabs and various species of birds. It is best to go on a tour with a guide as unaccompanied tourist may be turned away for protection of the turtles.
A 4x4 is highly recommended as the last stretch of road (20kilometers) to the town, and the town itself, are unpaved.
From Liberia: The 123 kilometers drive should take about 3 hours from Route 21 to Route 160.
From San Jose: The four to five hour drive is 247 kilometers on Route 1.