Exciting And Easy Day Trips From Nosara

Nosara has earned the reputation as Costa Rica’s wellness capital, as well as a surf haven. From pristine beaches and lush rainforests to charming villages and cultural marvels, these day trips promise a delightful mix of excitement and ease, making them accessible to adventurers of all ages and interests. While there are quite a few activities to keep you busy while you are staying in Nosara, if you find yourself down there for a bit and want to explore some more, here are a few easy day trips you can take.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Ostional Wildlife Reserve

Playa Ostional hosts thousands of olive ridley sea turtles annually for nesting season, usually taking place between August and December. There are problems with people interfering with the nesting and hatching turtles, so it is strongly advised that all visitors refrain from any such interference. You are welcome to observe the natural delight as if you were a fly on the wall, or a monkey in a tree. Relatively easy to get to from Nosara, guided night tours are available for whoever wants to witness this incredible event.

San Juanillo is a gorgeous protected bay and small fishing village just a short ATV ride or drive from Nosara. The beach is lined with coconut and almond trees, the sand is fine white, and just offshore is a lovely coral reef where you can go snorkeling. This is an easy day trip from Nosara and you can even make it easier on yourself by taking a guided ATV and snorkeling tour there.

Playa Samara

Aerial view of Sámara, a small village in the Guanacaste province, Costa Rica, Pacific coast

Playa Samara is about an hour south of Playa Guiones. This cute little beach town is a nice change of scenery if you’ve been in Nosara for a while. There are several restaurants, bars, and boutique shops, as well as tranquil beach that is protected by the swells that typically hit Playa Guiones. This is an excellent swimming beach and an even better place to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset.

Playa Rosada

Playa Rosada is a rare pink sand beach that is just north of Playa Pelada, the most northern part of Nosara. This extraordinary beach is protected by a barrier reef, which keeps its shallow waters very calm and clear. This is an ideal spot to swim or go snorkeling. There are three ways to access this secluded beach during the low tide. You can walk from the south, walk from the north, or arrive by boat.

Mala Noche Waterfall

The Mala Noche Waterfall is such a hidden gem that you will be unlikely to find it unless you go with someone who has been there before, such as a local guide. The thriving secondary forest that conceals this treasure has a rich history of its own that includes gum harvesting, jade, and indigenous tribes. A guided hike to these falls is an educational and exhilarating experience.

San Juan Mountain

If you are looking to spend a half day off the beach, a guided ATV tour through the San Juan Mountains to the east of Nosara is fun way to spend your day. If you flew into Nosara, it is likely that you saw the crisscross of trails and roads that cut through these beautiful mountains. There are coffee plantations, small villages, and captivating vistas that you will ride through on this adventure.

Santa Rosa Coffee Tour

One of the best ways to get up to the Santa Rosa coffee plantation is to cruise up on an ATV. A tour of this plantation is a wonderful way to learn all about coffee, one of Costa Rica’s main exports, as well as enjoy the freshest cup of coffee you’ve ever had straight from the source. The views from the ridge line where this family-owned finca sits has exceptional views of the surrounding mountains, low laying farm lands, and, of course, the Pacific Ocean.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.