Nosara
is a city in the Nicoya canton, Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the
Pacific Coast.
‘No Shoes No Shirt Nosara’ is how some describe this beach area famous for surf and yoga, but sophisticated travelers have discovered this serene, unspoiled corner of Costa Rica. Located where the turtles meet the monkeys, this area has enjoyed both the protection of the national park system, as well as the decades-old efforts of the local citizens association that keep the beaches pristine and ensure hundreds of acres of protected forest interspersed with small-scale development.
For generations, the land around Nosara was used mainly for cattle pasture. Large tracts of land were deforested thus greatly diminishing the beauty of the area. However, in the 1970s a community of foreigners was established in the area and they made reforestation a priority.
Today, Nosara is one of the green zones of greatest beauty in all of Costa Rica. Thick rich forest grows in areas that were once razed for the benefit of cattle. Nosara's "Proyecto Americano" or American Project, which includes lots in the northern end of Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada and some of the surrounding hills, is a wonderful example of responsible planning and development. A large number of homes exist in the area yet the first time visitor will can still feel total isolation and surround himself with nothing but a pristine tropical environment.
Nosara serves as a perfect example of planned growth that is the model for development in other areas of Costa Rica. The civic association was established to jealously guard the interests of the people in the zone as well as the environment. As a result Nosara enjoys the cleanest water table in Costa Rica, clean ocean water with no dumping of gray or black water into the streams or beaches, regularly scheduled trash collection, and excellent health and educational services.
The beaches of Nosara host one of Costa Rica's oldest expat communities. While the traditional village of Nosara is 6 km inland, the majority of expats and hotels in Nosara are found on the beaches of Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada where much of the tourism is oriented towards surf, yoga and health.
The community of Nosara has always strived to harmonize development with nature conservation. Houses and hotels in Nosara are spread apart and tucked into lush tropical greenery. A maze of streets and pathways weaves through the forest with tall trees arching over the roads.
The estuary and Nosara Biological Reserve
A large portion of the land in Nosara is protected forest and a moratorium on hunting animals stretches back for almost 30 years.
The beaches and estuary of the Rio Nosara form part of the Ostional Wildlife Reserve located a few kilometers north of Nosara. Therefore, apart from surfers and yoga fans, Nosara also attracts eco-tourists.
The main beach of Nosara is Playa Guiones, a 6 km expanse of immaculate white sand running in a straight line from Punta Pelada to Punta Guiones in the south.
Playa Guiones is one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica. The beach offers easy access and the surf is consistent with long beach breaks, both lefts and rights.
North of Playa Guiones, past a rocky outcrop, is the shell-strewn beach of Playa Pelada.
The beach of Playa Pelada is protected by an offshore reef which makes it well suited for swimming.
Towards the northern part of the bay are tidal pools, and rocks with caves.
The Village of Nosara
The actual Tico village of Nosara is 6 kms inland, alongside the Rio Nosara. The pueblo is still small and traditional but you find some inexpensive cabinas, various supermarkets, typical restaurants, a discotheque, and medical services. Right in the middle of Nosara is the landing strip for daily flights to the capital San José.
‘No Shoes No Shirt Nosara’ is how some describe this beach area famous for surf and yoga, but sophisticated travelers have discovered this serene, unspoiled corner of Costa Rica. Located where the turtles meet the monkeys, this area has enjoyed both the protection of the national park system, as well as the decades-old efforts of the local citizens association that keep the beaches pristine and ensure hundreds of acres of protected forest interspersed with small-scale development.
For generations, the land around Nosara was used mainly for cattle pasture. Large tracts of land were deforested thus greatly diminishing the beauty of the area. However, in the 1970s a community of foreigners was established in the area and they made reforestation a priority.
Today, Nosara is one of the green zones of greatest beauty in all of Costa Rica. Thick rich forest grows in areas that were once razed for the benefit of cattle. Nosara's "Proyecto Americano" or American Project, which includes lots in the northern end of Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada and some of the surrounding hills, is a wonderful example of responsible planning and development. A large number of homes exist in the area yet the first time visitor will can still feel total isolation and surround himself with nothing but a pristine tropical environment.
Nosara serves as a perfect example of planned growth that is the model for development in other areas of Costa Rica. The civic association was established to jealously guard the interests of the people in the zone as well as the environment. As a result Nosara enjoys the cleanest water table in Costa Rica, clean ocean water with no dumping of gray or black water into the streams or beaches, regularly scheduled trash collection, and excellent health and educational services.
The beaches of Nosara host one of Costa Rica's oldest expat communities. While the traditional village of Nosara is 6 km inland, the majority of expats and hotels in Nosara are found on the beaches of Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada where much of the tourism is oriented towards surf, yoga and health.
The community of Nosara has always strived to harmonize development with nature conservation. Houses and hotels in Nosara are spread apart and tucked into lush tropical greenery. A maze of streets and pathways weaves through the forest with tall trees arching over the roads.
The estuary and Nosara Biological Reserve
A large portion of the land in Nosara is protected forest and a moratorium on hunting animals stretches back for almost 30 years.
The beaches and estuary of the Rio Nosara form part of the Ostional Wildlife Reserve located a few kilometers north of Nosara. Therefore, apart from surfers and yoga fans, Nosara also attracts eco-tourists.
The main beach of Nosara is Playa Guiones, a 6 km expanse of immaculate white sand running in a straight line from Punta Pelada to Punta Guiones in the south.
Playa Guiones is one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica. The beach offers easy access and the surf is consistent with long beach breaks, both lefts and rights.
North of Playa Guiones, past a rocky outcrop, is the shell-strewn beach of Playa Pelada.
The beach of Playa Pelada is protected by an offshore reef which makes it well suited for swimming.
Towards the northern part of the bay are tidal pools, and rocks with caves.
The Village of Nosara
The actual Tico village of Nosara is 6 kms inland, alongside the Rio Nosara. The pueblo is still small and traditional but you find some inexpensive cabinas, various supermarkets, typical restaurants, a discotheque, and medical services. Right in the middle of Nosara is the landing strip for daily flights to the capital San José.