Places to See in Nosara

Beaches: (north to south)

Playa Ostional
Just five miles north of Nosara, Ostional is an important nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles. While a few experienced surfers do brave the waters here, waves are rougher and larger than other beaches in the area, and it is not recommended for novices. Remember – turtles always take precedence!

Playa Nosara
A long, dark stretch of shore, Playa Nosara is located north of Playa Pelada, and between Playa Ostional and the Nosara river mouth. The beach is completely encompassed by the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. More isolated parts can be reached by kayak, perfect for those seeking privacy or exclusive surfing waves. Expect to find large and sometimes hollow left and right beach breaks at Playa Nosara.

Playa Pelada
Playa Pelada, or “bare beach,” is a picturesque, crescent-shaped cove in between Playa Guiones and Playa Nosara. The white sands are soft and inviting, lined by idyllic palm trees offering shade. This is not known as the best surfing spot around, but the reef break in front of Olga's Bar and Restaurant provides ample swells around mid to high tide. Vacationers and locals frequent this swimming beach to relax and enjoy Pelada’s calming, tranquil waters.

Playa Guiones
The core of the Nosara area is inarguably the 3.5-mile long Playa Guiones, where surfers enjoy some of the most consistent and impressive waves in the country. Left and right beach breaks tend to be hollow at lower tides. Here, restaurants, hotels, spas, Internet cafes, an ATM machine, a pharmacy, and even a doctor’s office are concentrated in one area – much more than in Pelada or Nosara.

Playa Rosada
An extension of Playa Guiones, Playa Rosada is the stretch of pink sand at the very south end of this long surf beach. Bring snorkeling gear at low tide to take advantage of crystal clear waters and tide pools.
 
Playa Garza
Playa Garza is a tiny fishing village located four miles south of the Nosara area. As there is little in terms of lodging or restaurants, the beach receives minimal tourism. Many boat tours depart from Playa Garza. Two distinct barrier reefs protect the shore from large waves, creating nice swimming beaches.

Nature Reserves and Wildlife Refuges:

Ostional Wildlife Refuge
The Ostional Wildlife Refuge is crucial for the protection of the Olive Ridley sea turtle, locally known as the lora. Encompassing nine miles of shoreline, the refuge covers 180 acres, stretches an impressive three miles out into the ocean. During the nesting season between August and November, enormous females come to Ostional’s shores in droves to dig holes and lay eggs.

About one of every one hundred hatchlings survive overwhelming obstacles that lie in wait, such as vultures, mother turtles trampling nests, poaching by humans, and underwater predators. Those that manage to defeat the odds return in 10-15 years to lay eggs on the very land where they hatched. Flash photography is prohibited, and only red-light flashlights are permitted at night. Entrance fee is $6, plus a mandatory guide for $7. Read more about Ostional Wildlife Refuge

Nosara Biological Reserve
The 90-acre Nosara Biological Reserve is home to over 270 species of birds including motmots, herons, manakins, waders and toucans. Animals including coatis, raccoons, howler monkeys, armadillos, snakes, and anteaters are common. Sunset at the reserve’s Lagarta Bar and Restaurant is nothing short of breathtaking. 

From this vantage point 130 feet above sea level, it is possible to see with great clarity the winding Nosara and Montana rivers and  the rivermouth where both empty into the Pacific Ocean. The entrance fee to the reserve is $6, and includes a trail map.

Explore the Nosara Biological Reserve on our travel blog