Nosara, Costa Rica Surf Trip Guide
Warm water, sand-bottom peaks, and 300+ surfable days a year. This guide aggregates real traveler ratings, average surf-camp and hotel costs, wave-by-wave breakdowns and season — from independent operators and editorial sources.
Photos: stills from verified YouTube guides on Nosara / Playa Guiones.
Surfex aggregates real ratings and prices from independent surf camps (Peaks 'n Swells, Safari Surf), hotels and editorial guides (Barefoot Surf, Stoked For Travel, Surfline, The Inertia). We don't accept payment for placement, and every score and price links to its original source.
Nosara sits on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. The main wave — Playa Guiones — is a mile-long sand-bottom beach break with all-abilities peaks and consistency almost no other destination matches. It has become the default warm-water beginner-to-intermediate trip in the Americas, wrapped inside a yoga-and-jungle town.
Why Nosara
Because it's the friendliest world-class surf town on this side of the Pacific. Guiones works almost every day of the year; the water is 25–28 °C; and there's no reef. For anyone in the first three years of surfing, few destinations progress you faster.
Who it's for
Beginners looking to go from lesson to standing up, intermediates chasing wave count, and advanced surfers seeking green-season power at Ostional and river-mouth. Not the trip for advanced surfers looking for reef.
Surf camp vs independent stay
Surf camps (Peaks 'n Swells, Safari Surf) bundle lessons, board rental, breakfast and transfer — ideal for beginners and solo travellers. Independent stays at Olas Verdes or Airbnb work well for confident intermediates who just need a board rental at Coconut Harry's.
Best boards for Nosara
Foamies and mini-mals for beginners; 6'6"–7'2" mid-lengths and funboards for intermediates; a standard shortboard on bigger green-season days. Once you're carving both directions, an all-round like the Channel Islands Happy Everyday is a great next board — see our beginner surfboard guide for sizing.
What travelers are saying
| Source | Score | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| The Inertia — Nosara Costa Rica surf travel | 4.7 / 10 | "Nosara: Offshore Winds, Perfect Waves, and a Fine Bowl of Ceviche… The unbeatable view out onto Playa Guiones." |
| Lonely Planet — Nosara guide | 4.6 / 10 | "Writer Lindsay Cohn guides you through Nosara, Costa Rica's relaxed surf-and-yoga escape." |
| Condé Nast Traveler — Nosara eat, stay, play | 4.6 / 10 | "For us surfers who are stuck somewhere in the middle — and for first-timers, too — traveling to the Guanacaste province…" |
| American Surf Magazine — Nosara guide | 4.5 / 10 | "Nosara, Costa Rica checks every box for a fun, stress-free surf trip, so here's how you should spend your week in Playa Guiones." |
| Tripadvisor — Playa Guiones | 5.0 / 10 | "Playa Guiones is a beautiful beach with amazing sunsets and consistent waves… perfect for all levels." |
| Surf Schools — Safari Surf School | 4.9 / 10 | "One of Nosara's most established schools with 15+ years on Playa Guiones and a National Geographic top-outfitter listing." |
Where to book
Average across 6 operators: $2,886 per person, per week ($980–$6,370).
Video guides
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FAQ
Is Nosara good for beginners?
Yes — Playa Guiones is one of the best beginner-to-intermediate beach breaks in the Americas. Sand-bottom, no reef, warm water, and consistent shoulder-high surf almost every day of the year.
When is the best time to surf Nosara?
May to October (green season) delivers the biggest and most powerful surf. December to April is the dry season — smaller but cleaner, with reliable offshore mornings.
How much does a Nosara trip cost?
Aggregated across five options, a one-week Nosara stay averages about US$1,980 per person, from ~US$750 (hostel) to ~US$2,650 (yoga resort). Surf camps typically include lessons, breakfast and airport transfer.
Is Nosara safe?
Yes — it's one of the safer surf towns in Latin America. Beach theft is the main risk; watch your gear at the beach, and rip currents at Guiones deserve respect on bigger days.
How do I get there?
Fly into Liberia (LIR) — 2.5 hours drive to Nosara. San Jose (SJO) is a longer 5-hour drive. Small propeller flights to Nosara airstrip (NOB) are also available.
Aggregated from 6 independent sources. Average trip cost $2,886 per person per week.