Nosara Area

Introducing Nosara Area

The attractive beaches near the small Tico village of Nosara are backed by a pocket of luxuriant vegetation that attracts birds and wildlife. The area has seen little logging, partly because of the nearby wildlife refuge, and partly because of real-estate development – an unlikely sounding combination.

There are a few hundred foreigners living permanently in the Nosara area (mainly North Americans), the majority of them keen on protecting the rain forests. One resident describes the area as ‘sophisticated jungle living, ’ and indeed blending retirement with conservation is an interesting experiment. However, Ticos remain hostile to the development of the area, mainly because land prices have been driven through the roof in just under a decade.

The Nosara area is a magical destination as you can sometimes see parrots, toucans, armadillos and monkeys just a few meters away from the beaches. There are three distinct beaches here. North of the river is Playa Nosara, which is difficult to access and primarily used by fishermen. Further south is Playa Pelada, a small crescent-shaped beach with an impressive blowhole that sends water shooting through the air at high tide. The southernmost beach is Playa Guiones, a 7km stretch of sand that’s one of the best surf spots on the central peninsula.

Last updated: Sep 23, 2008