Sharing its borders with Panama and Nicaragua, Costa Rica is a quaint little country nestled within the borders of Central America. Tiny in name only, this country is indeed something special.
How else would it be able to break all tourism records in 2024? This industry generated a revenue of $5 billion with an estimated 2.6 million tourists visiting Costa Rica by the end of the year.
If one needs to experience the best of wildlife and biodiversity, no other place beats this beautiful country. Its 492 districts cover over 4,000 picturesque towns and cities. From these, one that is a favorite among surfers and yogis is the town of Nosara.
In this article, we will dive deep into this town’s rich culture and specialty. Get to know how you can reach Nosara, where to stay, places to eat, and more.
What’s So Special About Nosara?
Located in the district of Nicoya Canton, Nosara is a coastal village with a registered population of a little under 7,000. This Costa Rican destination is wildly popular for its multicultural community, beachy waves, stunning landscapes, and tranquility.
The laid-back atmosphere as well as the focus on health/wellness is what draws yogis and nature lovers alike. Let’s look at some reasons behind Nosara’s popularity and why it’s a must-visit place –
- Yoga culture – The Nosara Yoga Institute is a central hub for yogic teachings and practice. Nosara is also home to numerous yoga retreats and wellness centers that attract health-conscious tourists.
- Surfing – Nosara may be the most suitable spot across Costa Rica for surfing due to consistent waves throughout the year. Surfers of all skill levels can enjoy here, especially at the famous beach of Playa Guiones.
- Pura Vida lifestyle – This may be called the unique lifestyle that Costa Rican residents follow. It emphasizes values like simplicity, slow living, a positive outlook, and an appreciation of nature.
- Sense of community – The community in Nosara is small and hence, close-knit. You will find residents and expats sharing in the town’s lifestyle and wellness culture. Also, the environment is family-friendly and suitable for raising kids.
- Natural beauty – One of the most special features of Nosara is its natural beauty. The town is full of beaches and rainforests that create an amusement park of sorts. Tourists can engage in various outdoor activities like surfing, hiking, bird watching, and more.
Getting to the Town of Nosara
We believe Nosara’s description in the previous section would have made you all the more excited to visit this quaint town. Now, let’s see how tourists can get here. Nosara is situated in the northwestern region of Costa Rica.
There is no airport within the town, so you will have to land at one of the nearby airports. These would include San Jose (5 to 6 hours away) or Liberia (roughly 2.5 hours away). Once you reach any of these places via air, you need to take the road.
Keep in mind that Nosara’s roads are usually not in good condition. This is especially true of the rainy season, so you must beware of puddles and potholes. A high-clearance SUV is the minimum drive required, and even then, it’s important to drive slowly.
If you wish to avoid taking a rental car altogether, bus and shuttle services are also available. This way, you don’t have to deal with unpaved roads or poor signaling on a vacation. Since the town is considered to be a remote location, it can be challenging to reach, so research your options beforehand.
Where to Stay
The good part about visiting Nosara, Costa Rica, is that there is no best time of the year. Your ideal time to visit would depend on what you plan to do there. For instance, the dry season (December-April) is best for outdoor activities.
The rainy season (May-August) is suitable for surfing and discovering turtles on the shores. Finally, the wettest months (September-October) are ideal for exploring lush greenery and abundant wildlife. This period also sees fewer crowds due to the rain and dampness.
No matter which season you choose to visit, the first thing you would want is to unpack and unwind after a hectic journey. This means it’s time to talk about the possible accommodations across Nosara.
The town, albeit modest, boasts a wide range of hotels, each with its unique charm for an unforgettable experience. Two common options to choose from across Costa Rica in general include chain hotels or boutique ones. Most tourists looking for a central location, local cuisine, and greater privacy or personalization opt for a boutique hotel in Costa Rica.
The same holds for Nosara as well. According to Domo Hotel, boutique hotels aim to offer guests the Pura Vida vibe that Costa Rica is so well known for. Some common features across these hotels are southern hospitality, poolside cabanas, and lush outdoor seating areas.
You can also choose one of the chain hotels to stay but remember that the experience may not be as immersive and personalized.
Places to Eat
The authentic cuisine of Nosara is purely Costa Rican. This means you will find a whole lot of celajes and empanadas in this place. There are several fine-dining restaurants where you can enjoy wines, cocktails, and live music.
As you tour the town, do not miss the delicacies prepared by Chef Paulo Valerios. He is a renowned rising star who specializes in taking local grandma recipes to fine dining levels.
Now, when at the beach, you cannot possibly choose a fine dining restaurant. Here, your best bet is the numerous alfresco dining spots that serve seafood using locally sourced ingredients. On a side note, if you select a good hotel, it may be possible to enjoy a couple of authentic local meals right in the comfort of your room.
In case you’re looking for vegan options, you may have to do a bit more hunting. However, the good news is that Nosara does have a few scattered vegan and vegetarian food outlets. While you’re there, prepare your food bucket list by adding the following items –
- Gallo pinto, which is Costa Rica’s national dish
- Casado, which is essentially a rice bowl dish having black beans, salad, plantains, and lean protein
- Ceviche, a seafood delicacy made using raw fish cubes marinated in onions, chilies, herbs, citrus juice, and tomatoes
- Patacones, which are nothing but scrumptious pan-fried plantain discs
As a pro tip, keep in mind that Costa Rica on a whole is famous for its farmers’ markets. This means you need to try its fresh produce, including exotic fruits and vegetables.
Fun Things to Do That You Cannot Miss
While you’re exploring the mesmerizing town of Nosara in Costa Rica, do not waste your time on mediocre activities. This destination has a variety of fun things to do for people of all ages and interests. Let’s look at some must-do things you need to note down now –
- The pan-fried plantains we just talked about? You can learn to prepare them in a private beachside cooking class.
- Leave for a full-day jungle exploration via an ATV ride followed by lunch at a coffee farm.
- Similar ATV tours are available for the breathtaking mountainside.
- Consider switching things up with a waterfall rappelling early in the morning.
- Since we’re talking about Nosara, you cannot afford to miss a private surfing class from a local instructor.
Besides these, you surely have the option of going on a local culinary tour or shopping. You will find all kinds of stores, from luxury ones to handcrafted varieties, selling clothes, bags, jewelry, and whatnot.
A Rundown of Important Dos and Don’ts
Each tourist spot comes with its list of important dos and don’ts. Following them is important and symbolizes respect for the place’s culture, laws, and sentiments. Let’s look at a rundown of dos and don’ts for Nosara, Costa Rica –
- Do respect nature and follow all park rules. Also, maintain distance from wild animals and do not feed them.
- Don’t be insensitive to Costa Rican culture. It’s best to avoid controversial topics like politics and religion. Keep the focus on family life, nature, and the multicultural community.
- Do care for your safety since petty crime is common across Nosara. Keep your valuables safe, be it the hotel, car, or any tourist spot.
- Don’t go sightseeing alone in secluded areas, especially at night. Stay with your group and use public transport.
- Do brush up on your Spanish basics. Locals can speak English but knowing basic Spanish will give you brownie points.
- Don’t be in a rush to see everything. Some places are far from each other, whereas certain activities may require an entire day. Even if you cannot do everything in a single trip, focus on enjoying what you do participate in.
- Do pack sufficient beach-appropriate garments because Nosara is largely a tropical town. Rain gear is also necessary along with a few sophisticated outfits for the evenings.
Did you know that Costa Rica emerged as the destination of the year for 2024? After all, what’s not to love about the country in general and Nosara in particular?
Close your eyes and picture yourself relaxing on a white-sand beach with palm trees gently swaying all around. In the distance, surfers are expertly riding the waves while a massive rainforest is waiting to be explored at the back.
Can you feel the moist wind caressing your face? All this can be yours to cherish the minute you venture into Nosara. In truth, there is no single recipe for enjoying this beautiful town, especially now that we have covered all there is to it.
