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Basically it all revolves around Playa Guiones. Many people who come to Nosara are confused about where Playa Nosara is, but usually what they’re looking for is Guiones Beach. Playa Nosara does exist, but it’s a place that tourists wouldn’t regularly visit unless they’re taking a SUP tour through the mangroves.
Nosara itself is the district and town where all these beautiful beaches are and where the citizens of this global community live. Playa Guiones is the most popular beach and the heart of Nosara. This is a 7km long beach with white sand, divided in sections and 6 public entrances.
First entrance counting from south to north Guiones is right next to playa Garza and not many people go there as it is far from most facilities and the road to get there is pretty gnarly.
Second south entrance is the one of the bus-stop that says Tica Massage and if you go there you will basically find a reef, few people and some beach-front old houses.
Third south entrance is known by locals as “Baker’s” and this is the first one where you can surf and find more people hanging; but if you take a left you will also find some fun tide pools during the low tide.
The fourth entrance is known as “main or center entrance” and this is at the end of the road of Café Paris.
Fifth entrance is known as the one of “La Negra” which is the hostel right next to the trail that takes you there.
Finally the Sixth entrance is known as the one of north Guiones and this is where the most action has been happening in the last few years.
Basically what you need to know is that the last 4 entrances that we mentioned, are the ones where you can surf at and where you will find more people around, as well as restaurants, surf schools and other businesses.
Guiones is well known for its all-year-round consistent waves for surfing, magical sunsets and its general beauty. This is the best beach to learn how to surf, whilst experienced surfers will also have fun here. Most of our vacation rentals are very close to Guiones beach, from walking distance to a few minutes driving.
Playa Pelada is the second most popular beach in Nosara Costa Rica; being the next beach after Guiones, going north. Here you will find another part of the community with some nice restaurants, private properties and a few stores.
This beach is closer to to the gas station and to the center of Nosara town, where you will find other less touristic services such as the big supermarkets, hardware stores, and sawmills amongst others. Pelada Beach is also beautiful and white sanded.
Here you will find many more sea shells, reefs, tide pools and even some caves at the end of the beach. The famous La Luna restaurant of Nosara is located here, as well as the more folcloric Olgas bar and restaurant.
It is possible to surf in Pelada when the tide is high and with the right swell but mostly only locals surf here as the reef and conditions are not as friendly as in Playa Guiones.
The beach town around Playa Pelada has been developing more in the last few years and despite it not being the main attraction of Nosara there are definitely very cool places to check out here and a couple of good restaurants with breathtaking views.
Five minutes driving from Pelada, you can find the Nosara Biological Reserve, where you can book a hike with a tour guide and observe some of the different species of plants and animals that we have in Nosara.
Let us know when you would like to visit Playa Pelada and we can recommend you the best experiences.
Garza Beach is enchanting, authentic and romantic. This is basically a low-key town of fishermen that you will find right next to Playa Guiones going south; and you will instantly recognize it as it has all the boats lining up on the water, right in front of the beach.
This is where you go if you want to take a boat tour. The beach is almost empty most of the time, despite the locals and fishermen. Not many tourists hang in Playa Garza because there aren’t as many attractions here as in Guiones or Pelada.
You will find the fish shop, a few small super markets, local vendors selling ceviche and other street foods, as well as some nice but low-key restaurants.
The sand of Garza is white, and this beach is also beautiful, but you can’t watch the sunset from here because it hides behind the mountain. As for surfers, there are some awesome secret spots here, which you can only get to by boat, but these are mainly for experienced surfers as the conditions are gnary.
There is also a beach break and a reef that you can surf but only at certain times of the year when the tide and swell are right. We strongly recommend you spend some time in Garza Beach during your time in Nosara, as it is so peaceful and has such a different vibe from the other beaches.
Let’s plan your stay here wisely so that you can do a little bit of everything.
The privileged beach that was chosen by the olive ridley sea turtles. Unlike the others we’ve mentioned, Ostional Beach has very dark sand. Around, you will find few businesses, as this is a less developed town and a smaller community.
When you arrive, you’ll see the football field, a few sodas and “pulperías” (small grocery stores) apart from the houses of the people who live there. The Ostional National Wildlife Reserve is a protected area, created to preserve the sea turtles, that’s why tourism here is more regulated.
For example when there are turtle arrivals you can only go to see them with an authorized tour guide, which are mostly locals and they will give you very specific dos and don’ts to make sure that the sea turtles are not disturbed when laying their eggs.
Perhaps you didn’t know this but Guiones Beach and Pelada Beach are also part of this Refuge of Ostional, that’s why dogs are technically speaking forbidden and bonfires as well, because some sea turtles get lost and end up laying their eggs at these other beaches.
At Ostional you can surf and the waves are generally bigger and faster than in Guiones, but you can only access the beach when there isn’t a turtle arrival.
Also this is one of the only places in the world where harvesting and selling turtle eggs is legal for the locals; as the turtle arrivals are so massive that many turtles end up digging out other turtles’ eggs to use that space for their own nest and then these expelled first eggs are wasted or eaten by vultures.
So yes, basically the sea turtles are the queens of Playa Ostional and we love that!
San Juanillo Beach is another gem! 40 minutes driving from Guiones you will find this stunning white sand beach which has the ocean on both sides and a very cool view point.
This is a great place for a day trip; you can pack a change of clothes, some towels, sunblock and water as that’s all that you’ll need to enjoy this magical place.
Right at the beach there is a nice restaurant with tables on a small hill that will give you the best view while you eat your delicious pizza, nachos or ceviche amongst other options.
The food is super good and there are also a couple of street food stands that you can order from.
You could even order your food and go set a picnic on the sand, which is a great plan too. The restaurant has toilets and showers, which makes everything even easier.
Another highlight of San Juanillo is snorkeling. There are beautiful fishes of many colors as well as other animals but let’s keep this as a surprise for you to discover!
Some people would say that Barrigona Beach is one of their favorite beaches in the world but most people don’t discover it until they come several times to Nosara.
This place is almost a secret and you have to drive at least 35 minutes from Guiones to get here, but it’s totally worth it. Generally speaking, this is another beautiful white sand beach, where you can surf if you are experienced enough, when the conditions are right; but it also has its own magic and charm for all beach goers.
This is a beach where you might want to spend a whole day at and leave right before or after the sun sets. The difference between this beach and the others that we mention is that Playa Barrigona doesn’t have any businesses or facilities around.
It is the kind of place where you want to go with enough water, food and props to be able to enjoy fully.
When you arrive, the first thing you will see is a small estuary, which you have to cross to get to the beach. Then if you take a right and walk for a few minutes, you will find a paradisiacal area of palm trees, where you can lay a beach blanket under the shadow and enjoy a beautiful picnic.
At some point it feels as if you were in The Blue Lagoon movie, as the vibe is so peaceful and secluded. If you continue walking to the right you will find some tide pools if the time is right.
Don’t miss the chance to discover Barrigona, just pack a couple of liters of water per person, some snacks, a change of clothes and thank us later.
Alba Properties Nosara
Calle Guiones, Café de Paris, next to Harmony Hotel, 2nd floor C21 Guiones, Nosara, Guanacaste – Costa Rica 50206
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