Surfing Guide to Nosara, Costa Rica

 

• Summary

• When to go

• Surf Camps

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

   

Summary

Nosara is a beautiful Costa Rican surf town located further down the coast from Tamarindo, about half way to Santa Teresa. Nosara is definitely one of the greatest places to visit on a surf trip to Costa Rica with a few amazing surf spots and a true laidback vibe.   If you are looking for a quiet town, next to some great surf spots, in a tropical environment, Nosara is ticking every boxes. With Playa Guiones and Playa Nosara, you are almost certain to be able to surf every single day as these surf spots are exposed to some of the world’s most consistent swells.   Nosara is great for surfers of all skill levels with wide beaches allowing everyone to chose the appropriate peak for them.    

When to go

The best time to surf Nosara, Costa Rica depends on your skill level. There are typically two distinct seasons. From May to October, waves are more consistent and bigger in size. From November to April, you will find smaller, yet still fairly consistent waves with drier weather. Either way, there is decent surf all year round in Costa Rica.   

	January-February	March-April	May-June	July-August	September-October	November-December
Suitable for:	All surfers	All surfers	Intermediate Advanced	Intermediate Advanced	Intermediate Advanced	All surfers
Air temperature	27°C 81°F	28°C 82°F	29°C 84°F	29°C 84°F	28°C 82°F	27°C 81°F
Water temperature	27°C 81°F	27°C 81°F	29°C 84°F	29°C 84°F	28°C 82°F	27°C 81°F
Crowd	Fairly crowded	Fairly crowded	Very crowded	Very crowded	Fairly crowded	Fairly Crowded
Swell consistency	40%	75%	95%	90%	85%	55%
Swell height	4ft	4ft	5ft	5ft	5ft	4ft

   

Surf Camps in Nosara

Find a surf camp in Nosara, starting at US$750      

Where to stay in Nosara

Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Nosara!

Best surf hotels in Nosara:

Best value : Burnt Toast Surf Camp and Jungle’s Edge High-end: The Nomadic Hotel and The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel    

Getting there

There are a few ways to get to Nosara. You can fly from San Jose, the Costa Rican capital city or take public ground transportation.  

Budgeting a surf trip to Nosara

Nosara, just like most of Costa Rica, is a fairly affordable surfing destination although it remains more expansive than its neighboring countries in the likes of Nicaragua and Panama. In Nosara, a lower end accommodation will cost you about US$50 per night. Meals will go from US$5 to US$15, depending on the restaurant and surfboard rentals will be about US$20.    

Safety/things to know

• For visa information, visit the local tourism website. 
• Rain season is from May to October.

   

Surf spots in Nosara

Playa Guiones

This is the best break in Nosara. Playa Guiones is a fun beach break that works consistently on a Westerly swell and will have offshore winds from the east.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : WNW
• Optimal wind direction : ENE

   

Playa Nosara

Located just north of Playa Guiones, Playa Nosara is a quieter beach break with smaller crowds. It’s a great option when Guiones gets busy, and the waves here work well on a similar swell and wind direction.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : WNW
• Optimal wind direction : ENE