Nosara Starter Pack

Fly into Liberia Airport (LIR), about 2.5 hours drive to Nosara

Or fly into San José (SJO), about 5-6 hours drive

Sansa/Nature Air: Small planes fly directly to Nosara airstrip from San José

Private shuttle: ~$200-300 from Liberia. Book in advance.

Shared shuttle: ~$60-80 per person from Liberia. Companies like Interbus.

Rental car: Highly recommended! 4x4 essential for Nosara's roads.

The roads to Nosara are infamous: Unpaved, river crossings, bumpy. Part of the adventure!

Tourist visa: Most nationalities get 90 days on arrival in Costa Rica.

Border runs: Nicaragua or Panama trips to reset visa are common.

Pensionado: Retiree visa requiring $1,000/month guaranteed income.

Rentista: Requires $2,500/month stable income for 2 years.

Inversionista: Investor visa with $150,000+ investment.

CAJA enrollment: Required for residency. Costa Rica's healthcare system.

Immigration office: Closest office is in Nicoya (1+ hour away).

Dry season (Dec-April): Hot, sunny, no rain. Peak tourism season. 85-95°F.

Green/rainy season (May-Nov): Afternoon rains, lush landscape. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Hottest months: March-April before the rains start. Very hot and dry.

Best surf: Rainy season often brings better swells.

Humidity: High year-round. Coastal tropical climate.

No hurricanes: Costa Rica is south of the hurricane belt.

Tip: Green season is underrated. Fewer tourists, beautiful landscapes, and good surf.

Emergency Services

Red Cross

Nosara has a basic clinic (EBAIS) for minor issues.

Hospital La Anexión (Nicoya): Closest public hospital, 1+ hour away.

For serious emergencies, air ambulance to San José may be needed.

Travel insurance: Highly recommended due to remote location.

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

4x4 vehicle: Essential! Roads are unpaved, have river crossings, and get muddy in rainy season.

ATV/Quad: Popular way to get around. Rentals available in town.

Walking: Possible between Guiones and Pelada beaches, but distances add up.

Taxis: Available but limited. Not always easy to find.

Bike: Some people bike but the heat and hills make it challenging.

No Uber: Too remote for ride-sharing apps.

Main areas: Guiones (main beach/surf), Pelada (quieter beach), Nosara town (local village).

Tip: If you don't have a car, rent an ATV. It's the local way!

Cell carriers: Kolbi (ICE), Movistar, Claro. Coverage can be spotty in remote areas.

Buy SIM at airport or Kolbi/Movistar stores.

Home internet: Improving but can be unreliable. Ask about service before renting.

Starlink: Game-changer for remote workers. Growing very popular.

Cafe WiFi: Many cafes have WiFi, but speeds vary. Try Harbor Reef, Del Mar, etc.

Coworking: The Outpost Nosara is a dedicated coworking space.

Tip: Internet reliability is the biggest challenge for digital nomads here.

Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC), but USD widely accepted.

ATMs: Limited! One or two in town. They run out of cash, especially weekends.

Bring cash: Withdraw larger amounts in Liberia or before arriving.

Credit cards: Accepted at hotels and larger restaurants, but many are cash-only.

USD accepted: Most places take dollars, though at varying rates.

Banking: For full services, you'll need to go to Nicoya (1+ hour).

Tip: Don't rely on Nosara ATMs. Always have cash backup.

Playa Guiones: Main surf beach area. Most restaurants, shops, yoga studios. Heart of expat life.

Playa Pelada: Quieter, more local feel. Rocky beach, tide pools, beautiful sunsets.

Nosara village: The actual Costa Rican town. Very local, cheaper, less touristy.

Hills above Guiones: Mountain views, more space, cooler temps. Need 4x4.

Garza: Beach town 15 min south. More affordable, fishing village vibe.

Long-term rentals: $1200-2500/month for houses. Higher in peak season.

Tip: Rent short-term first. Areas feel very different and you need to experience them.

La Luna: Famous sunset restaurant on Pelada beach. Mediterranean-inspired.

Beach Dog Cafe: Popular breakfast and brunch spot in Guiones.

Rosi's Tico Kitchen: Authentic Costa Rican food at local prices.

Harbor Reef: Beachfront restaurant and bar, great for sunset.

Destiny's: Popular American-style sports bar and restaurant.

Organic markets: Several organic and health-food options cater to the yoga crowd.

Sodas: Small local restaurants serving "casados" (typical plates). Very affordable.

Groceries: Super Nosara and Auto Mercado. Expensive due to remote location.

Tip: Eat at sodas for local food. Tourist restaurants are pricey.

Playa Guiones: Main surf beach. Long, consistent waves perfect for learning or improving.

Playa Pelada: Smaller beach north of Guiones. Rocky points, tide pools, quieter.

Playa Nosara: River mouth beach. Wildlife, less swimming, scenic.

Playa Garza: Fishing village beach 15 min south. Calmer water, local vibe.

Playa Ostional: Famous for olive ridley turtle nesting. North of Nosara.

All beaches are public in Costa Rica.

Tip: Guiones gets crowded with surfers. Go early or try Pelada for more space.

Surfing: What Nosara is famous for! Consistent waves, many surf schools.

Yoga: World-class yoga studios. Nosara Yoga Institute, Bodhi Tree, and many more.

Turtle nesting: Ostional Wildlife Refuge for olive ridley turtle arribadas (mass nesting).

SUP and kayaking: Great on the rivers and calm beach sections.

Horseback riding: Trail rides through the jungle and to the beach.

Wildlife: Monkeys, iguanas, birds everywhere. Amazing biodiversity!

Spa and wellness: Many spa and wellness centers complement the yoga scene.

Day trips: Samara (30 min), Ostional (15 min), waterfalls, and nature reserves.

Surfing: The main attraction. Guiones is perfect for all levels.

Yoga: Dozens of studios and retreat centers. Every style imaginable.

SUP/Kayaking: Popular on calm mornings and in the river estuary.

CrossFit: CrossFit Nosara and other fitness options available.

Gyms: A few gyms in the area. Smaller than city options.

Running: Beach runs at low tide are popular. Hot - go early!

Mountain biking: Some trails in the hills above town.

Fishing: Deep-sea and inshore fishing available.

Surf lessons: Many schools specialize in teaching kids.

Wildlife watching: Kids love seeing monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds.

Tide pools: Pelada beach has great tide pools for exploring.

Horseback riding: Family-friendly trail rides available.

Beach days: Guiones has gentle waves perfect for playing.

Del Mar Academy: Bilingual international school popular with expat families.

Safe environment: Nosara is very safe and family-oriented.

Roads are rough: 4x4 is truly essential, especially in rainy season. River crossings!

Remote location: Everything is harder/more expensive. Plan for it.

ATMs: Don't count on them. Bring cash!

Pura vida: The local saying. Embrace the relaxed pace.

Drinking water: Use bottled or filtered water.

Spanish: Helpful but many locals speak English due to tourism.

Eco-conscious: Nosara is environmentally focused. Bring your reusable bags.

Community: Tight-knit expat community. Get involved through yoga, surf, or volunteering.