⚡ Before You Go — Essentials
Rent an ATV or Scooter
Nosara's roads are dirt/gravel and spread out. An ATV (~$60/day) or scooter (~$35/day) is the best way to get around. Coconut Riders and Boca Nosara Tours rent them. A 4x4 SUV works too (~$70–90/day).
Cash is Essential
Many spots are cash-only (colones preferred, USD accepted at tourist places). There's a BCR ATM in the village and one near the beach — withdraw early, they run out on weekends.
Dry Season = Perfect
February is peak dry season — sunny, 30–33°C (86–91°F), low humidity, zero rain. Best surf, best wildlife, best everything.
Pack Light, Pack Right
Reef-safe sunscreen (required by law), rash guard, insect repellent, headlamp (roads are dark at night), water shoes for rocky Pelada.
Arrive & Settle into Pura Vida
Fly into Liberia (LIR) — it's a 2.5-hour drive to Nosara. Settle in, get your bearings, grab a smoothie bowl, and catch your first Guiones sunset.
Land, Drive & Explore the Village
Pick up your rental at Liberia airport (book a 4x4 — you'll need it for Nosara's roads). The drive south through Nicoya is gorgeous — rolling hills, howler monkeys in the trees. Once in Nosara, pick up your ATV or scooter from Coconut Riders near the main intersection, then cruise the dusty roads to orient yourself. The town is spread between three areas: the village (Boca de Nosara), Playa Guiones (the surf beach), and Playa Pelada (the sunset beach).
Sundowner at Olga's Bar
Walk down to Playa Pelada for sunset — it's smaller and rockier than Guiones, with tide pools and a magical golden-hour vibe. Head to La Luna Bar & Grill, perched on the rocks overlooking the ocean. Order a guaro sour (Costa Rica's national spirit) and watch the sky turn orange.
Surf Playa Guiones & Sunset Yoga
Your first full adventure day — morning surf lesson on one of the best beginner/intermediate breaks in Central America, followed by the yoga Nosara is famous for.
Learn to Surf (or Level Up)
Playa Guiones is a 7km white sand beach with consistent, forgiving waves — perfect for learning or improving. Book a lesson with Safari Surf School or Nosara Surf Academy. The beach break is sandy-bottom (no reef), so wipeouts are soft. Expect 3–5 foot waves in February with warm 27°C water — no wetsuit needed.
Smoothie Pit Stop & Jungle Walk
After surfing, refuel at Organico, Nosara's beloved organic market and café. Browse their shop (local chocolate, kombucha, natural products), then take the short jungle trail behind the Nosara Yoga Institute — you'll likely spot howler monkeys, iguanas, and toucans without even trying.
Sunset Yoga at Bodhi Tree
The Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort hosts drop-in classes ($18–22 USD) in a stunning open-air shala overlooking the jungle canopy. The 4:30pm vinyasa flow timed with sunset is a near-spiritual experience. After, walk to Giardino Tropicale for Italian-meets-Costa Rican cuisine under the stars.
Biological Reserve & River Kayaking
Today you dive into the wild side — hiking through a private biological reserve and kayaking a mangrove-lined river teeming with birds, crocs, and monkeys.
Jungle Hike Through the Reserve
The Reserva Biológica Nosara is a 90-acre private reserve with well-marked trails through tropical dry forest. You'll cross hanging bridges, spot howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, coatis, and dozens of bird species. The "Sendero del Mono" trail is the highlight — a 2-hour loop through the canopy. Bring binoculars.
Mangrove Kayak Adventure
Book a guided kayak tour through the Río Nosara mangroves with Nosara Kayak Tours. You'll paddle through tunnel-like mangrove channels, spot crocodiles basking on the banks, see roseate spoonbills and kingfishers, and possibly encounter river otters. The 3-hour tour is peaceful, beautiful, and unlike anything you've done before.
Drinks at Kaya Sol
Kaya Sol Surf Hotel has an open-air bar and restaurant right near the beach. It's the spot for solo travelers — communal tables, live music on Wednesdays, and a mix of surfers, yogis, and digital nomads. Great tacos and local craft beer from Treintaycinco Brewing.
Horseback Jungle Ride & Beach Day
Morning on horseback through the jungle and along the beach, afternoon free-surfing and soaking up the sun. This is peak Nosara adventure.
Ride Through Jungle to the Beach
Book the morning ride with Boca Nosara Tours — a 2.5-hour horseback tour that winds through the jungle interior, crosses a river, and emerges onto a deserted stretch of beach. The horses are well-trained and calm. No experience needed. You'll ride alongside howler monkeys in the trees and possibly spot scarlet macaws.
Rent a Board & Ride Guiones
After a couple days in Nosara, you're ready to rent a board and paddle out yourself. Board rentals at Guiones are $15–20/day from the beach shacks. The inside section near the lifeguard tower is mellow — good for practicing. The outside break has longer, faster waves for intermediates. Spend the afternoon in the water, then dry off on the sand with a coconut from the beach vendors.
Splurge Night at Il Basilico
Treat yourself to Nosara's best upscale restaurant. Il Basilico is a gorgeous open-air Italian restaurant in the jungle with fairy lights, candles, and incredible handmade pasta. The fresh tuna tartare and the lobster linguine are both excellent. Great wine list. Book ahead — it fills up.
Ostional Sea Turtles & Playa Pelada
One of the most incredible wildlife experiences on Earth — visiting the Ostional sea turtle refuge — followed by a chill afternoon at Nosara's hidden beach.
Sea Turtle Nesting Beach
Drive 20 minutes north to Ostional, one of only two beaches in the world where Olive Ridley sea turtles arrive in massive "arribadas" (mass nestings). Even outside arribada season, you'll see turtles nesting at dawn. A local guide is required ($10–15 USD) — they'll take you to the nesting sites and explain the conservation program. Arrive before 6am for the best sightings.
Explore Pelada's Rocky Coast
Back in Nosara, head to Playa Pelada at low tide. The rocky outcrops reveal incredible tide pools full of sea stars, crabs, anemones, and small fish. Bring water shoes and explore the northern end of the beach — there's a blowhole in the rocks that shoots spray 20 feet high when the swell is up. The beach is quieter than Guiones and perfect for a solo afternoon.
Pelada Sunset & Koji's
Stay at Pelada for sunset — bring a beer from Olga's and sit on the rocks. Then head to Koji's for surprisingly excellent Japanese-fusion cuisine. The tuna tataki and dragon roll use fish caught that morning. It's a hidden gem most tourists miss.
Zipline, Waterfall & Cooking Class
Your biggest adrenaline day — canopy ziplines through the jungle, a hidden waterfall swim, and an evening Costa Rican cooking class to bring the flavors home.
Fly Through the Jungle
Miss Sky Canopy Tour (20 min from Nosara) has 11 cables and one of the longest single ziplines in Costa Rica at over 750 meters. You'll soar above the jungle canopy with views of the Pacific. It's thrilling, safe, and the howler monkeys below don't even flinch anymore. The "Superman" cable (face-down, arms out) is the highlight.
Cascade Escondida Hike
Ask your zipline guides or hostel staff about the "hidden waterfall" near the Nosara river — locals call it Cascade Escondida. It's a 30-minute jungle hike to a small but beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole. Not on Google Maps, not in guidebooks. The water is cool and refreshing after a morning of adventure. Ask at Miss Sky or your accommodation for current trail directions.
Learn to Cook Tico-Style
Book a cooking class with Nosara Cooking Experience or through your accommodation. You'll learn to make gallo pinto, ceviche, patacones, and a traditional guaro cocktail. It's hands-on, fun, and you go home knowing how to make casado for friends. Usually includes the meal and drinks — great value for the last full evening.
Sunrise Surf & Farewell
Your last morning — one final surf, a farewell smoothie, and the drive back to Liberia with a heart full of pura vida.
One Last Ride at Guiones
Set your alarm for 5:30am and paddle out for dawn patrol at Guiones. The sunrise over the jungle behind you, the empty lineup, the warm water — this is why people come back to Nosara year after year. Surf for an hour or two, then rinse off at the beach showers and soak in the feeling.
Drive to Liberia
Allow 3 hours for the drive back to Liberia airport (roads can be slow). Stop in the town of Nicoya for a quick casado at a local soda if you're hungry. Drop your rental, check in, and already start planning your return trip.
💰 Budget Breakdown (per person, per day)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍽️ Food & Drinks | $25 USD | $50 USD | $85 USD |
| 🚗 Transport (ATV/Gas) | $10 USD | $20 USD | $35 USD |
| 🏄 Activities | $15 USD | $45 USD | $80 USD |
| 🍺 Nightlife | $5 USD | $15 USD | $30 USD |
| TOTAL/DAY | $55 USD | $130 USD | $230 USD |
* Excludes accommodation. Hostels $15–25/night, boutique hotels $80–150/night, luxury $200+/night. Selina Nosara is the top hostel pick for solo travelers.
📋 Pro Tips & Practical Info
🚗 Getting Around
- • ATV/Scooter is the move. Roads are unpaved, distances are short, and it's way more fun. Coconut Riders rents both. Helmets included.
- • 4x4 rental from Liberia if you're not comfortable on two wheels. Regular sedans will NOT make it on Nosara's roads.
- • Walking works within Guiones beach area, but everything else requires wheels. Village to beach is ~15 min by ATV.
- • Uber doesn't exist here. Some taxis operate but they're unreliable and expensive. Your own wheels are essential.
💰 Money Tips
- • Colones (₡) is the local currency. $1 USD ≈ ₡530. Tourist spots accept USD but give bad exchange rates.
- • ATMs: BCR in the village, one near Guiones. Withdraw max amounts — they charge per transaction.
- • Tipping: 10% service charge is usually included in restaurant bills. Extra tip for great service is appreciated but not expected.
🔒 Safety for Solo Travelers
- • Nosara is very safe. It's a small, tight-knit community with a strong expat presence.
- • Don't leave valuables on the beach while surfing — bring a waterproof pouch or lock stuff in your ATV.
- • Roads are unlit at night — use your headlamp if walking, and drive slowly on the ATV.
- • Surf with others when possible. Rip currents exist at Guiones — swim near the lifeguard tower.
🌡️ Weather in February
- • Peak dry season. Sunny every day, 30–33°C (86–91°F).
- • Water temperature: 27°C (80°F) — no wetsuit needed.
- • UV is extreme — reapply reef-safe sunscreen every 2 hours, wear a rash guard in the water.
📱 Connectivity
- • WiFi is available at most restaurants and hotels, but it's Costa Rica — expect occasional drops.
- • Buy a Kolbi SIM at the Liberia airport for ~$10 USD with data. Works well in Nosara.
- • WhatsApp is how everything works here — tours, restaurants, even ATVs. Have it installed.
🤝 Meeting People as a Solo Traveler
- • Selina Nosara is the social hostel. Communal dinners, surf trips, yoga classes.
- • Organico is the daytime social hub — sit at the communal table and you'll be chatting in minutes.
- • Surf lineups are inherently social. Fellow surfers are the easiest people on earth to befriend.
- • Yoga classes at Bodhi Tree or Harmony Hotel draw solo travelers from around the world.