Nosara is best known for its friendly and inclusive atmosphere. There is no such thing as a VIP here. It’s the one place on Earth where all walks of life share in the “pura vida” simplicity of living, where strangers greet each other like lifelong friends.

Nosara is a place for people who want to escape the cardboard cutout 9 to 5 life. It is the place where you spend more quality time with those you care about. It’s full of character and a place where everyone feels free to be themselves.

Nosara in Detail

Nosara is spread out and is made up of different areas, all of which are surrounded by lush, natural beauty.

The Town

The town of Nosara is overflowing with culture, where every day can bring a new adventure. With its many shops, restaurants, and nightlife, Nosara has a fun, small-town/city feel to it. There’s locally produced organic vegetables and fruit for sale, a library that has both Spanish and English books to loan as well as language classes, a garden nursery, football (soccer) fields, a baseball field and a fairground with a bullring for the “fiestas.” The town of Nosara is a largely Christian community, with a newly restored Catholic church along with an Evangelical church in its town center. All are welcome who are willing to live and let live peacefully.

Explore the surrounding areas like Arenales, Santa Marta, Bijagua, Garza, Coyoles, Cuesta Winch, Delicias, Esperanza, Río Montaña, San Juan, and Los Angeles, and you’ll appreciate the diversity of this beautiful community. Join weekend football (known as soccer to North Americans) and baseball games, dine, dance, take in some live music, and chat with the locals; they will be so excited to show you their culture and town, you’ll feel like you’ve rediscovered a long-lost friend.

The Beaches of Nosara

The stunning, unspoiled beaches of Nosara are one of the best features of the area.

Playa Nosara
This black sand beach is accessible by foot across the Nosara River mouth and offers outdoor activities such as handline fishing, kayaking, and Stand Up Paddle down the river.

Playa Pelada
Playa Pelada is a tan sand beach that offers tide pools, naturally shaded seating areas, a blowhole, hand line fishing, boogie boarding, and the only place on the beaches of Nosara with two restaurants right at the sand line. During low tide, you may even have the chance to explore the bat cave, one of the many natural wonders of Costa Rica.

Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones is one of the most popular Nosara beaches, but it is still pristine and relatively untouched. Here, you’ll discover some of the best beach break surfing available, where there isn’t a day without waves. It has a great length for long walks or jogs on the sand. Not to be outdone, it boasts beautiful tide pools at the south end as well.

One of the most gorgeous beaches in Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific is named after the beautiful Princess Nosara. If you’re curious about the legend behind the name, pop over to our blog post and read the Quick History of the Beaches of Nosara Area

Click the map below and zoom in to see the different sections of Nosara!

Section A
Known to the inhabitants as Pelada Heights, this area hosts Lagarta Lodge with amazing views from the lounge and restaurant of Playa Guiones, the Nosara River mouth, Playa Nosara, and Playa Ostional. There are also a couple of smaller bed and breakfast options that include Villa Mango & Casa Kismet, along with residential and vacation homes.

Section B
This is the entrance leading up to Section A, what used to be known as “5 Corners,” before the paving of Highway 160 changed the intersection. This is a new, up-and-coming residential neighbourhood.

Section C
Flatlands on the beach side of Section A from both sides of the main road stretching from the cement tennis courts through Pelada beach to the Nosara River mouth. Adjacent to this Section is the Nosara Beach Hotel and La Luna. Being a mixed-use area supporting hotels, restaurants, shops, bike and ATV rentals, as well as primary and vacation rental homes. This area has trails that connect it to Guiones Beach via bicycle or walking paths.

Section D
Known as Las Huacitas (little Huacas). This Section has mountaintop residential homes and a small hotel.

Section R
Known as Nosara Springs, it is located in the flatlands that are on the inland side of Section A. This area has access to the bio reserve trail systems, the Nosara ASADA (water provider), Playa Ponies horse school and stables. It is growing rapidly with residential and vacation homes.

Section E
Situated midway up the Las Huacas mountain, these properties offer beautiful ocean views of Guiones Beach.

Section EE
Section EE perches at the top of the mountain, locally called las Huacas and overlooks Guiones beach. This was where the original larger ocean-view homes were, built mostly by people who lived in the beach area of Nosara full-time. In the last 10 years, it has expanded with many new homes both for full-time and part-time residents. It also hosts Huacas restaurant located within the hotel Tierra Magnifica.

Section F
Section F is on the east side of Highway 160 of the Guiones beach area. It is where you will find Marlon Bills, Organico, Beauty Bar, National Car Rental & Economy Car Rental.

Section G
Because it serves as the northernmost entrance of Guiones, closest to the beach, it stands to reason that Section G is Nosara’s most densely populated and active area with many hotels, shops, restaurants, & nightlife. Everything anyone could want is within an easy walk.

Section H
Nestled between Section G and the west side of Highway 160, Section H serves a residential area with restaurants and smaller boutique hotels. There is protected parkland that runs between Section H and Section G.

Section I
Primarily a commercial shopping area, Section I sits on the west side of Highway 160 and includes Cafe de Paris, Colibri Tennis courts, medical and dental offices, surf and clothing shops, souvenirs, jewelry, and holistic stores.
Section J.

Section J is located at the middle entrance of Guiones Beach. It is a continuation of Section I with restaurants, bars, shops, boutique hotels and rental homes.

Section K
Conveniently located between Guiones Beach, Bhodi Tree Spa & the Nosara Yoga Institute. The beach entrance is locally called Baker’s Beach. It is a mostly residential area.

Section L
This is the road between Pelada Beach and the town of Arenales. Section L contains the Astra boutique hotel, the private school Del Mar Academy as well as Nosara Recycle Center.

Section M
The homes in these foothills of the northeast side of Las Huacas mountain mainly boast views of the jungle and the town of Nosara.

Section N
This up-and-coming commercial area is conveniently located where the only gas station in the area leads to the town of Nosara. The commercial businesses in this area include a bakery, restaurants, vegetable store, liquor store, coffee shop, beauty salon, post office, professional offices (legal, architects, property management & accounting), agricultural & hardware store, optometrist, organic and decorative stores. You will also find our offices here, where you’re free to stop by for a friendly chat about the many exciting opportunities in Costa Rica.