What Is Nosara Known For?

Nosara is known for world-class surfing, yoga and wellness retreats, sea turtle nesting at Ostional, Blue Zone longevity, and pristine beaches protected by some of Costa Rica's strictest conservation laws.

The surfing puts Nosara on most travelers' maps. Playa Guiones is a 7-kilometer stretch of consistent, forgiving waves that work for everyone from first-time surfers to experienced riders. Unlike crowded breaks elsewhere, you can actually catch waves here without competing for every set. The sandy bottom and long rides make it one of the best learning beaches in Central America - check out the best time to visit for optimal surf conditions.

Yoga culture runs deep here. Nosara hosts some of the most respected yoga studios and teacher training programs in the world. The combination of surf in the morning and yoga in the afternoon has become a signature experience that draws wellness seekers from everywhere. Healthy restaurants, juice bars, and retreat centers have grown up around this community.

Just north of town, Ostional Wildlife Refuge protects one of the world's most important olive ridley sea turtle nesting sites. During "arribadas," hundreds of thousands of turtles come ashore to nest over several nights - a wildlife spectacle you can witness firsthand with local guides.

Nosara sits in the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, one of only five regions globally where people live measurably longer, healthier lives. The lifestyle here - outdoor living, fresh food, strong community, low stress - is part of what makes Nosara special. And the community's commitment to conservation (no buildings within 200 meters of the beach, no high-rises, strict environmental rules) keeps Nosara looking like the Costa Rica people imagine.