An Insider’s Guide to Nosara: Costa Rica’s Wellness Capital

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Many people pitch themselves in the surfing hotspot of Playa Guiones. And while there’s plenty of places to stay here, ranging from hostels and budget-friendly hotels to boutique resorts and luxury property rentals, two, in particular, embody what Playa Guiones is all about: the Harmony Hotel and Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort.

While there are dozens of dining options dotted around the Nosara area, the Beach Dog Cafe and Rosi’s Soda Tica offer budget-friendly, home-made, fresh and delicious food. Both have the kind of cuisine that makes your belly smile and will give you energy for yoga, surfing, long beach walks or just soaking in the Nosara lifestyle.

Beach Dog Cafe has a delicious assortment of fresh smoothies, home-made pastries and bread, burritos, wraps, sandwiches with in-house roasted meats, and cold refreshments and snacks that are just perfect for a midday recharge. It’s also one of the cheapest places to eat in Playa Guiones, with the quality of the food far exceeding the price.

Rosi’s Soda Tica is a traditional Costa Rica soda that serves some of the best local dishes in town. Each meal is prepared to order and tastes like it was made with love. There is not one bad thing on the menu. Rosi whips up tasty cascados (banana pancakes) and other home-cooked creations. Make sure you try the special dressing she provides on each table; it goes with everything. Rosi’s is definitely a local favorite and a place you most likely will want to eat at more than once.

The main beach in Playa Guiones is 2mi (3km) long. At low tide, the sand is perfectly packed in and ideal for taking a long stroll. Walking is an excellent way to exercise as it helps to improve coordination and balance, strengthens your bones and muscles, burns a surprising number of calories and promotes a happy mood. It’s a beautiful beach and, since there are no buildings on the beachfront, feels secluded. The immense size allows everyone personal space. To the north of the main beach is Playa Pelada, which has a lot of tidal pools that are lovely for dipping in during the heat of the day.

Playa Guiones is well known for its year-round waves, with lefts and rights up and down the beach. It is a great beginner spot but can also hold some big swells, which makes it excellent if you’re a more experienced surfer. As a visitor, remember to always respect the local people and the rules and etiquette of surfing. If you don’t know what those are, it’s a good idea to take a surf lesson. There are lots of great instructors and schools in Playa Guiones to get you started on shredding those Nosara waves.

The Nosara Biological Reserve is home to 270 animal species, including monkeys, armadillos, bats, iguanas and many types of birds. It’s also full of mangroves, Guanacaste trees, hibiscus, Panama trees and cedar trees, just to name a few. A two-hour, guided nature tour is available through the Lagarta Lodge. There are also several hiking trails through the reserve that you can take at your leisure. The number of visitors is limited in order to minimize the human impact on this precious and thriving ecosystem.