A Real Girl's Guide: Fun in Nosara, Costa Rica — A Girls Trip for Those Who Want It All!

Yoga

Nosara is a yoga mecca! Being a yogi myself, but not the "woo woo" kind, I approached the yoga classes in Nosara with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I was a bit intimidated, worrying that the classes and other patrons would be so advanced that I would just end up embarrassing myself. This fear turned out to be completely in my head as is usually the case! I attended several classes at Bodhi Tree, and they were INCREDIBLE! There were a variety of classes, and the instructors were fantastic. If you get a chance to do their sunset flow in the Oceana Shala, DO IT!

Places to do yoga in Nosara:
Bohdi Tree Yoga Resort
Public and private classes, other fitness classes, retreats.

Nido Yoga
Public and private classes. Check out their online yoga course for equestrians!

Norte Yoga & Surf Hotel
Public classes, training, and retreats.

Nexus Yoga Institute
Training.

Nosara Blue
Public classes and retreats.

Jade Nosara
Retreats.

Surfing

Nosara is a big surfing town. There are great waves right in the middle of the main beach, Playa Guiones, so whether you're looking to catch some waves independently, get lessons, or just watch the surfers (like moi!), it's all right there! Many of the hotels are surf hotels and have boards available for guests. Plus, lots of hotels are within walking distance to the best waves on the beach!

Want lessons?
Corky Carroll’s Surf School
Nosara Surf Academy
Nosara Tico Surf School
Safari Surf School
Nosara Independent Surf
Mindful Waves
Agua Tibia Surf School

Fishing

Fishing in Nosara is said to be some of the best sport fishing in the world! Although I didn't try my hand at getting a fish on the line, many people I met had traveled to Nosara specifically for fishing.

Check out Fishing Nosara to book a variety of fishing trips. You can also book horseback riding with them, and we actually rented a golf cart from them for the week! Unfortunately, it broke down (most likely our fault, as we were basically two circus bears joyriding through town in that thing!), but, conveniently enough, we were right by one of their offices. They helped us get a new cart right away and even drove us to lunch, having the new cart delivered there!

Boating/Snorkeling

I would highly recommend getting out on a boat anytime you can, but especially when you are in Nosara! We took a private evening trip to snorkel, see the pink sand beach, and catch our last Nosara sunset. Boats mostly depart from Playa Garza, which is an incredible beach to visit even if you are not getting on a boat. There is a shipwreck you can snorkel around, adding a cool element to the experience, though it may be a little scary for some (cough cough* my travel partner). Book as soon as you can, as spots fill up quickly, especially for group tours.

You can book private and group tours though these companies:
Kaya Nosara
Sky and Sand Nosara
CR Secret Spot

Horseback Riding/Zip Lining/ATV Adventures

If you somehow get tired of the beach there are many fun day trips you can take in the surrounding jungle and get your fill of adventure. The landscape is not only beautiful but the terrain makes for a perfect playground for adventure seekers.

Experience Nosara
Everything!

Nosara Family Surf
Everything!

Tico Tours
Horseback Riding, ATVs, Kayaking

Costa Rica Descents
Zip Lining, River Floats, Waterfall Repelling, Cooking Classes

Playa Ponies
Horseback Riding

Toro Bravo Tours
Horseback Riding

Gilded Iguana
Horseback Riding

Off Road Adventure
ATVs

Shopping

As an interior designer, with a background in fashion, I can appreciate some good shopping when I see it. I wasn't expecting the amazing shopping in Nosara, but there are endless cool boutiques here, offering an eclectic blend of unique pieces. In fact, I loved the shopping so much that I wrote a whole guide on it! Check it out: The Style Enthusiast’s Guide to Shopping in Nosara, Costa Rica.

Sunset

My favorite thing about Costa Rica, hands down, is the culture around sunset! In all the beach towns I visited (but particularly Nosara and Santa Teresa), everyone gathers on the beach to watch the sunset together. Many surfers will still be in the water catching the last of the waves, kids will be playing, dogs will be living their best lives, and friends will be gathering for the evening, all in one place. It is a magical experience, to say the least, so try not to miss a sunset while you are in Nosara!

Nightlife/Music

Nightlife may not be the biggest scene in Costa Rica, but my friend and I managed to stumble upon a DJ dance party at the Selina (a renowned bougie hostel chain). They have low-key evening events on weekdays and on weekends they turn up and have DJ parties drawing people from all over for a night of music and dancing! If this doesn’t sound like your scene but you still want some late-night drinks and socializing, head to Elixir for some after-hours (meaning until midnight) fun!

Howlers
I would describe Howler’s as the "Cheers" of Nosara. The staff let me hang out there when I arrived in town way before my house was ready, and they were super welcoming. My friends and I kept going back, and we soon realized that it is a gathering spot before and after sunset to grab a beer or bite to eat!

Rosi’s
Breakfast at Rosi's is a must! It appears to be your typical soda (local mom & pop authentic restaurant) but their omelet blew my mind! They have two locations in this small town, and I am not surprised!

La Brasa Argentinian Grill
Make a reservation or be prepared to wait but it is totally worth it! Amazing steak, good wine, awesome atmosphere, the whole 9!

El Manglar Restaurant
This restaurant at the Olas Verdes Hotel is a great little place to have a peaceful meal. It is very chill and beautifully set in the trees on the hotel grounds. The service was lovely, and the food was great! We also had the entrainment of a large iguana running around the rooftops as we ate, which was a bonus!

Pura Pizza
We grabbed some slices at Pura Pizza one night when we wanted to stay in, drink wine, and cozy up with a documentary (this was a girl’s trip guide after all), and Pura Pizza was perfect. It's just a window attached to the local grocery store, but it's delicious and a no-brainer when craving takeout!

Pulpo
There is a great food court in town and Pulpo was the standout of the several places I tried (in one sitting) there. I would describe it as Mediterranean-Asian fusion and was great for leftovers!

Guiones Brewing Company
I did not eat here, but we had a drink on the rooftop while waiting for a table at La Brasa. I ordered a margarita, and it came with a Tajin coated gummy bear, enough said!

La Luna
If you're going to visit just one restaurant in Nosara, this is the one! It offers fantastic food, and the atmosphere is unbeatable. Situated right on the beach, it's the perfect spot to catch the sunset. Just make sure to make a reservation for sunset if you plan to dine here after for dinner!

The Gilded Iguana
We went to the Gilded Iguana for a fancy lady dinner on a Saturday, because they have live music, and it was wonderful! The service was amazing (not always the case in Costa Rica), the food and drinks were great, and the music and the atmosphere made for a fun night!