Nosara Costa Rica
Nosara is one of Costa Rica's oldest expat communities. See History of Nosara. While the actual village of Nosara is 6 km inland, the beaches of Nosara have developed a good tourist infrastructure, mainly focussing on surf, yoga and health services. The beach community has always strived to harmonize development with the protection of nature, so houses and Hotels in Nosara are spread apart and hidden among lush tropical greenery.
A center main road in Nosara
Even in the center of Nosara one feels ensconced in a jungle, with tall trees arching over the roads. A maze of streets weaves through the forest which makes it difficult at times to find the way to a hotel or even to the beach.
The estuary and Nosara Biological Reserve
Almost half of the land in the area is protected forest where no tree may be logged, and a moratorium on hunting animals exists for over 25 years.
The beaches and estuary of the Rio Nosara form part of the Ostional Wildlife Reserve
located a few kilometers north of Nosara. So apart from surfers and yoga fans Nosara also attracts eco-tourists.
See » Nature Tours and Activities in Nosara
The Beaches of Nosara:
Nosara has three different beaches, each with its own distinctive charm and attractions.
Nosara: Playa Guiones
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. Not only is this beach a great place to surf but a popular place
for locals and tourists alike to gather in the late afternoon and watch the sunset.
At the very south of Playa Guiones is the deserted beach of Playa Rosada which boasts a rare stretch of pink sand and
good snorkeling in tide pools. Unfortunately the land owner has cut off the access to the beach, which actually is against
Costa Rican law.
Nosara: Playa Pelada
North of Playa Guiones, past a rocky outcrop, is the shell-strewn beach of Playa Pelada.
Look for the blow hole in the rocks where you can take a natural shower. The spray is at its best during the transition of the tides.
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.
At low tide you can continue north from Playa Pelada past the rocky cliff to the estuary of the Rio Nosara. Wading through the
river brings you to Playa Nosara, the most remote of the Nosara beaches. The black-sand beach
is backed by mangroves and runs into the turtle beach of Ostional.
The waves in front of Playa Nosara are among the tallest in Costa Rica. The surf is for experienced surfers and swimming is not advisable.
Playa Garza: see » Samara to Nosara
The Village of Nosara
The actual village of Nosara is 6 kms inland, alongside the Rio Nosara, while most of the hotels and expat residencies are situated on the beaches of Playa Pelada and Guiones. See » Map of Nosara
The village of Nosara is still small and traditional with some few budget hotels, supermarkets, typical restaurants and the notorious discotheque. Right in the middle of Nosara is the landing strip for daily flights to and from San José.
The History of Nosara and the Nosara Civic Association:
The beaches of Nosara host one of the oldest expatriate communities in Costa Rica. In 1962 a US citizen bought the entire expanse of land
along the coastline of Nosara. He initiated "The Nosara Project", a development slated for 500 residential lots
interspersed with commercial sites, green zones, and a golf course. He built roads, water systems, and installed electricity.
After some years however the project came to a halt for financial reasons.
Individual investors then acquired portions of the land, and property owners organized
themselves into the Nosara Civic Association (NCA) which continued to manage the project.
The NCA and its members are working hard to balance development in Nosara with protection of the environment. Their association is unique in Costa Rica and they fought many battles to keep Nosara free from large-scale developments and pollution.