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Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Nosara
Spend 2–3 days in Nosara for surf, yoga and beach time; arrive via Liberia airport and rent a 4WD for the gravel road.
Nosara is a small coastal town in Guanacaste known for its Blue Flag beaches, surf schools and yoga retreats. The town is reachable by a short drive from Liberia Airport and is best explored on foot, by golf cart or bicycle. A 2‑day stay covers the main beaches and a yoga session; a third day adds a river cruise or nearby hike.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡2,500–₡4,500 excl. bed · Mid ₡4,500–₡7,500 excl. bed · High ₡7,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₡800–₡1,200 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | ₡3,000–₡6,000 |
| Surfboard rental (full day) | ₡5,000–₡8,000 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₡6,000–₡8,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIR · Liberia Airport
- Shuttle or rental car to Nosara (~1.5 h, partly gravel).
Typical fares
- Liberia Airport → Nosara (shuttle)
- about ₡12,000–₡18,000, 1.5 h (check)
- Golf‑cart rental (full day)
- about ₡8,000–₡12,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town center is walkable; golf‑cart rentals are common for longer distances. Bicycles and ATVs are also used, but roads to the beach are gravel.
See and do
Known for
- Playa Guiones surf
- Yoga retreats
- Blue Flag beaches
- Wildlife river tours
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Guiones | Walk or short golf‑cart ride from town centre | 5 min |
| Playa Pelada | Bike or golf‑cart, about 10 min | 10 min |
| River cruise (Nosara River) | Book with local operator, pick‑up from town | 30 min total |
Sleep
- Casa Romantica
- Beachfront rooms, pool, good for 2‑night stay.
- Bella Vista Mar
- Ocean‑view rooms, breakfast included.
- Local rentals
- Cheaper houses or apartments near Playa Guiones.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgraˈθjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Road to Nosara is gravel and can be slow after rain; a 4WD is recommended.
- Surf can be strong; beginners should take lessons.
- Some tours require advance booking (e.g., zip‑line, yoga retreats).
Nosara is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur on busy beaches, so keep valuables hidden and use hotel safes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nosara yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Playa Guiones surf
- Yoga retreats
- Blue Flag beaches
- Wildlife river tours
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: www.visitcostarica.com/en
- Wikivoyage: Nosara, revision 4757840 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4757840
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Nosara
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US embassy in San José (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/nosara). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.