If you are considering a trip to Nosara on the Northern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula you may be wondering where exactly is the right spot for you.

The area of Nosara boasts five very different beach towns. Here is a breakdown of each neighborhood and what it has to offer to help you determine the best home base for you.

Playa Guiones

Desert Koi

When travelers talk about Nosara, what they are usually referring to is the area’s most popular neighborhood Playa Guiones. The beach stretches for three miles with white sand and great surf.

In fact it is known for having some of the most versatile and consistent surf in all of Costa Rica. At the shore is easy white water for beginners to learn on while further out are perfect waves for intermediate and even advanced surfers. The surf schools are plentiful in this neighborhood and many places have board rentals.

Most of the popular yoga studios like Nosara Yoga Institute and Harmony Hotel are in this neighborhood with many of the retreat centers on the outskirts of town. Here you will find pilates studios, bodywork, and other health and wellness activities.

Accommodations are available for all budgets with many backpacker hostels, mid-range hotels, and even luxury hotels. There are also plenty of delicious restaurants to choose from.

Of all the towns, Playa Guiones is the most developed with a strong expat community, however it is still small and one can easily find stretches of beach that are entirely deserted even in peak tourist season.

Playa Garza

Beatriz San Martín

A short drive from Playa Guiones is the beautiful crescent beach of Playa Garza. The beautiful white sand beach is small with big cliffs on each side of the bay making it perfect for fishermen and fishing boats.

In fact, it’s possible in the afternoon to purchase fresh fish right off the boat. This little pueblo is very undeveloped and consists mainly of fishermen. Some expats do live in and around Garza in the hills overlooking the bay.

In addition to fishing there is great swimming and snorkeling here which brings a few tourists looking to enjoy the scenic palm tree-lined beach. There are some reefs just beyond the beach with clear water for spotting marine life. These reefs keep the bay protected from the nearby big swells and make it the moorage point for boats and pangas. At low tide a small cove with pink sand made from seashells is accessible.

The beach itself is lined with quaint restaurants and bars.

Playa Pelada

Chris Goldberg

At Playa Pelada on the North side of Playa Guiones, snorkelers and divers can explore the rocky caves and swim in the calm tidepools. Fishermen also lead tours from here to observe dolphins, turtles, and whales during mating season.

With its small curving white sand beach between two points it is arguably the most beautiful beach in the area. The shore is lined with a few fishing pangas. A trail at the end of the beach winds through the jungle and onto the Nosara Rivermouth.

The town is quiet and perfect for those looking to relax. Community and fun can be found in front of Olga’s bar where local fishermen, tourists, expats, and employees come to watch the sunset and play sports on the beach. On the weekends many local families spend the day here at the beach, offering a look at local Costa Rican life.

The famous restaurant La Luna is a lovely beachfront place to watch the sunset and eat some delicious fusion cuisine.

Playa Nosara

C. Elise

Playa Nosara is a dark volcanic sand beach stretching from Playa Ostional to Playa Nosara and the Nosara Rivermouth. This is a popular beach for local Tico families on weekends.

The beach is backed by the lush mangroves of the Nosara River which makes it a great place for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. You can spot 270 species of birds as well as monkeys, coati, raccoons, armadillos, anteaters, crabs, and crocodiles.

This beach is mostly deserted with the occasional surfer, turtle, or fisherman. Fishing can be excellent here especially at low tide when you can walk across the Nosara River to reach the beach on the other side. It is a great place for peace and relaxation.

Playa Ostional

Kat Brobson

Travelers come to Playa Ostional to witness one of the most incredible sights in the world. This seaside village is the largest nesting site in the world for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. On the darkest nights following a full moon hundreds of thousands of turtles come onshore to lay their eggs between May and November.

After the nesting it’s possible to see the turtle hatching where thousands of baby turtles run into the ocean. Volunteers come to protect the baby turtles from predators. There are many opportunities here to get involved.

Surfing is also prime here.

Each of these beach towns has something unique to offer. The great news is no matter which town you choose to stay in, all of the towns are accessible to one another and easy to explore.