Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- LIR
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Nosara911 ▾
- Police / Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nosara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyNosara is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur on busy beaches, so keep valuables hidden and use hotel safes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIR Liberia Airport (Shuttle or rental car to Nosara (~1.5 h, partly gravel).).
- Getting aroundThe town center is walkable; golf‑cart rentals are common for longer distances.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₡800–₡1,200
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₡6,000–₡8,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 2,500
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomCRC 12,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomCRC 20,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 3,500 · Mid CRC 5,500 · High CRC 9,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIR Liberia Airport (Shuttle or rental car to Nosara (~1.5 h, partly gravel).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nosara: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Playa Guiones
goDoor to door: 5 min
Walk or short golf‑cart ride from town centre
Surf lessons available; rent boards locally.
Playa Pelada
goDoor to door: 10 min
Bike or golf‑cart, about 10 min
Calmer swimming beach, no strong rip.
River cruise (Nosara River)
goDoor to door: 30 min total
Book with local operator, pick‑up from town
See crocodiles, iguanas, birds; bring sunscreen.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡2,500–₡4,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡4,500–₡7,500 excl. bed
- High
- ₡7,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 2 nights × CRC 12,000 | CRC 24,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CRC 5,500 | CRC 22,000 |
| Car rental (4WD, 2 days)2 × CRC 20,000 · check | CRC 40,000 |
| Surf lesson (1 h)2 × CRC 18,000 · check | CRC 36,000 |
| Yoga class (single session)2 × CRC 12,000 · check | CRC 24,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 14,600 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 40,150 per person per day, bed included | CRC 160,600 |
check
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₡800–₡1,200 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | ₡3,000–₡6,000 |
| Surfboard rental (full day) | ₡5,000–₡8,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₡6,000–₡8,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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).
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
NosaraNosara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US embassy in San José (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Liberia Airport → Nosara (shuttle): about ₡12,000–₡18,000, 1.5 h (check)
- Golf‑cart rental (full day): about ₡8,000–₡12,000 (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (graˈθjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwanˈto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nosara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Nosara
Loading…
Was this useful?