The Quick Answer (TL;DR)
- Playa Guiones: Best for surfing, long walks, and easy access to cafés and wellness spots.
- Playa Pelada: Quiet bay with tide pools and top sunset restaurants; great for families.
- Playa Nosara: Remote, wild, and peaceful; ideal for advanced surfers and solitude seekers.
- Nearby Beaches: Ostional (turtles), Garza (boats & snorkeling), San Juanillo (calm cove), Rosada (pink sand), Barrigona (secluded paradise).
Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, has become one of the world’s favorite destinations for travelers seeking a blend of ocean, wellness, and contemplative living. Surrounded by protected forests, long stretches of sand, and the rhythm of the Pacific, this coastal region invites visitors to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect—whether through yoga, meditation, qigong, taichi, surfing, or traditional healing practices like acupuncture and shiatsu.
This guide explores Nosara’s most iconic beaches and the nearby gems that shape its reputation as a sanctuary for rest, awareness, and conscious movement.
Playa Guiones
Where the ocean opens like a wide breath, steady and rhythmic—perfect for morning practice and mindful movement.
At sunrise, Playa Guiones feels almost ceremonial: the horizon glows, surfers begin to paddle out, and the long white-sand shoreline offers the space and stillness for sun salutations, standing qigong forms, or simple walking meditation. The energy is expansive and accessible—ideal for beginners in both surfing and wellness practices.
Why travelers love it
- One of Costa Rica’s most consistent surf beaches, with long, predictable waves and a sandy bottom (great for beginners).
- Part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, which keeps the beach wild, open, and free of construction near the shore.
- A lively wellness ecosystem: surf schools, smoothie bars, organic cafes, boutiques, and multiple studios for yoga, breathwork, meditation, and alternative therapies.
Best for
- Visitors taking yoga or qigong retreats who want an easy beach to practice on.
- First-time surfers and families.
- Travelers who enjoy walking everywhere—Guiones is the most connected and walkable area in Nosara.
Playa Pelada
A quiet bay where rock formations, tidal pools, and gentle sea breezes create a naturally contemplative space.
Playa Pelada has a softer, calmer energy than Guiones. The enclosed bay, the curve of the coastline, and the presence of tide pools make it a place for slow mornings, reading under the shade, or grounding practices like standing meditation or gentle taichi sequences.
What makes it special
- Tide pools that appear at low tide—perfect for mindful exploration.
- A residential, family-friendly environment.
- Famous sunset spots such as La Luna and the beloved local restaurant Olga’s, where travelers gather after a day of practice or exploration.
Wellness and activity notes
- Not recommended for surfing due to rock formations.
- Wonderful for walking meditation, nature observation, or simply unwinding after a retreat session.
- A short walking path connects directly to Playa Guiones in just a few minutes.
Best for
- Travelers who value quiet, family-friendly spaces.
- Anyone wanting a beach with a relaxed pace but close to Guiones’ services.
- Retreat participants who prefer peaceful lodging.
Playa Nosara
A wilder, more introspective stretch of coastline—a place for solitude, silence, and the deeper layers of practice.
Playa Nosara borders the river mouth and mangrove forest, giving it an atmosphere of deep nature. It is long, wide, and generally empty, ideal for travelers who want a more private space for meditation, breathwork, and inner exploration.
What to expect
- A remote feeling: fewer people, fewer services, and more wildlife.
- Stronger waves suited to intermediate or advanced surfers.
- A powerful natural setting—mangroves, birds, and the occasional encounter with Costa Rica’s abundant coastal fauna.
Best for
- Experienced surfers seeking uncrowded waves.
- Visitors wanting solitude for mindfulness, qigong, journaling, or beach walking.
- Travelers who appreciate untouched nature.
Nearby Beaches Worth the Trip
(Perfect for day trips during a retreat or wellness stay)
Playa Ostional
A beach defined by nature’s cycles—the legendary arribadas of thousands of sea turtles.
Ostional is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for the Olive Ridley sea turtle. During arribadas, travelers can witness an extraordinary natural event where thousands of turtles arrive to lay their eggs.
- Access during arribadas is controlled and only possible with certified guides.
- There is surfing in non-nesting areas.
- The atmosphere is humbling—ideal for visitors drawn to nature-based spirituality and ecological awareness.
Playa Garza
A peaceful fishing village and gateway to ocean adventures.
Just south of Nosara, Playa Garza pairs a quiet local town with a beautiful bay where boats head out for snorkeling, fishing, and sunset cruises.
Great for:
- Travelers wanting boat tours
- Snorkeling in calm sections
- Watching traditional Costa Rican fishing life
- Ending the day with an oceanfront meditation on the sand
San Juanillo
Turquoise waters and white sand—perfect for a restorative beach day.
San Juanillo is often described as a “hidden gem.” Its protected cove makes it a favorite for:
- Snorkeling
- Calm swimming
- Relaxed, family-friendly beach time
- Gentle taichi or qigong practice in the shallow Waters
Playa Rosada (Playa Cuarzo)
Soft pink-tinted sand and a serene atmosphere.
A small but striking beach known for its rosy sand, created naturally by crushed seashells.
Ideal for:
- Peaceful swims
- Slow photography walks
- Travelers who want a quiet, almost secret-feeling beach
Barrigona & Barco Quebrado
Remote, cinematic beaches for travelers seeking silence and stillness.
Both beaches offer:
- Crystal-clear water
- Very few visitors
- Landscapes ideal for private meditation, writing, or mindful solitude
Barrigona in particular is known for its postcard-worthy scenery and stillness.
Nosara’s beaches form a coastline where wellness feels natural, not curated. Each shore offers a different invitation: the openness of Guiones, the calm embrace of Pelada, the introspective quiet of Playa Nosara, and the unique energies of the beaches beyond. Whether you come to surf, meditate, practice qigong or taichi, receive healing treatments, or simply breathe more deeply, Nosara’s beaches hold space for a slower, more connected way of moving through the world.
