55km (34 miles) SW of Nicoya; 266km (165 miles) W of San José

Playa Nosara is an umbrella term used to refer to several neighboring beaches, spread along an isolated stretch of coast. Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, Playa Garza, and (sometimes) Playa Ostional are also lumped into this area. In fact, the village of Nosara itself is several kilometers inland from the beach. 

Playa Guiones is one of Costa Rica’s most dependable beach breaks, and surfers come here in good numbers throughout the year. Happily, the waves are much less crowded than in Tamarindo.

The best way to get to Nosara is to fly, but with everything so spread out, that makes getting around difficult after you’ve arrived. The roads to, in, and around Nosara are almost always in very rough shape, with little sign that this will improve anytime soon.