Playa Guiones, positioned in Nosara was as soon as certainly one of Costa Rica’s better-kept secrets and techniques. If partying all night time lengthy and mingling with the crowds of vacationers wasn’t your factor, then heading to this quiet seashore city within the Nicoya Peninsula was an excellent various.
Right here, individuals rise when the solar does, and shut the day quickly after it units. The pura vida way of life is all about sitting again and enjoyable whereas nature does its factor.
First impressions apart, Playa Guiones and the higher Nosara space is hardly a secret anymore. Over the previous few a long time, it has grow to be one of many high locations in Costa Rica. You’ll discover that the native scene is dominated largely by yogis and surfers. If you wish to disconnect and perhaps journey an excellent wave, you’re in luck.
There isn’t any lack of selection with regards to yoga retreats, surfer hostels, and worldwide delicacies. Then again, the rising group additionally means a number of new institutions popping up right here and there. Recognizing (or listening to) howler monkeys within the wild is a little more difficult, however the jungle allure stays.
Playa Guiones is well-loved for its laid-back, small-town vibe. We solely have good issues to say when it comes all the way down to sea, sand, and surf. Playa Guiones is among the finest Nosara seashores! You’ll see why the second you see the mile-long crescent-shaped shoreline, with excellent waves constant all 12 months spherical.
Watching the surf at Playa Guiones, Nosara
The way to Get to Playa Guiones, Costa Rica
By Airplane
If Playa Guiones isn’t your first cease in Costa Rica, taking a home flight to Nosara is the best and quickest possibility. Quite a few home airways, like Sansa, provide fast flights to Nosara from San Jose Airport or Liberia Airport.
Some resorts or hostels provide transfers from the Nosara Airport to Playa Guiones. Alternatively, it’s simple to seize a taxi and get to the seashore in about quarter-hour.
By Automobile
Whereas taking a flight is fast and straightforward, we all the time go for renting a automobile to get to this space. The outlets, resorts, and different facilities are fairly unfold out in Nosara space, so having a automobile is unquestionably useful to get across the space round Playa Guiones.
From San José, Playa Guiones is about 250km (160 mi) away. Driving will take you 4-5 hours.
From Liberia, it’s a roughly 130km (80 mi) highway journey that may take you about 2.5 hours.
Word that whereas the mountain surroundings is great, the highway can get fairly bumpy. Unpaved roads and poor reception are widespread in Costa Rica, so be ready while you make the drive–particularly throughout the wet season.
Downtown Playa Guiones
By Bus
In case you’re on a good price range, travelling by bus is an inexpensive possibility. You’ll be able to all the time buy tickets on the station or e-book prematurely on-line. Bus costs often vary from USD $8 to USD $12.
- San Jose to Nosara: A direct bus (operated by bus firm Alfaro) leaves for Nosara each morning at 5:30am.
- San Jose to Nicoya: Another choice is taking an Alfaro bus to Nicoya. This route has extra frequent journeys that depart at 5:30am, 7:30am, 10am, 12nn, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.
- Liberia to Nicoya: From Terminal Liberia, the bus (operated by bus firm La Pampa) to Nicoya departs at 4:30am and runs each half-hour till 8pm.
- Nicoya to Playa Guiones: If arriving in Nicoya, you’ll must take one other bus to Nosara (operated by bus firm Traroc) that departs at 4:45am (besides Sundays), 10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, or 5:30pm.
By Shuttle
From SJO Airport, you possibly can rent a non-public minibus that takes you straight to your resort in Playa Guiones. The costs from suppliers like Tropical Excursions Shuttles begin at USD $297, and the drive down takes roughly 4.5 hours.
From Liberia Airport, there’s a regular minivan or bus service to Nosara. You’ll be able to select between every day shared shuttle bus companies (beginning at USD $50 per individual) or personal minibus transportation (beginning at USD $160). This can take round 2.5 hours. When you get to Nosara, it will likely be a fast 15-minute drive to Playa Guiones.
Shuttle pick-up at Liberia Airport
Parking at Playa Guiones
There’s a secure parking space by the Guiones seashore with guards who work for ideas. They’re attentive and reliable–sufficient that some native surfers even belief them to carry on to their automobile keys whereas they hit the waves.
We don’t encourage others to do that and counsel that you simply watch over your individual valuables. Keep on the secure aspect and by no means depart your belongings unattended, particularly in a parked automobile, as petty theft does happen.
Services at Playa Guiones
Whether or not you come within the dry season (December to April) or inexperienced season (Could to November), Playa Guiones city is a sight to see. The beachfront and forest areas are well-preserved, and there are tons of nature and outside actions all 12 months spherical.
So far as small surf cities go, Playa Guiones has tons to supply. The surf is among the major attracts, and naturally, there are a lot of surf faculties providing surf classes for all ages and skills. In case you want gear, you received’t have a tough time in search of that, both. There are outlets by the seashore for board leases and different stuff you would possibly want.
Alongside the shore, distributors typically stroll by promoting totally different objects, from native wares to the occasional chilly beer. If one thing catches your eye, don’t draw back from supporting the locals. The great factor is, that the native distributors are under no circumstances pushy, so if you happen to’re not , a easy “no, gracias” will do.
Although the seashore is ideal for getting some solar, the white sand stretches on for miles with out a lot shade. There aren’t any bushes round–at most, there are medium-sized shrubs removed from the water. There aren’t any seashore umbrellas for hire, both. We suggest you come ready with your individual seashore umbrellas and hats. In any other case, your finest guess is to go to the close by eating places to chill off.
If you have to do some buying on the town, there’s a primary minimart and an natural grocery retailer for meals and contemporary produce. There are additionally shops for clothes, swimsuits, and jewellery.
Locals catching up outdoors of Nosara Espresso Home, Playa Guiones
Issues to Do at Playa Guiones
Hit the seashore! Each browsing and swimming are the highest issues to do right here, however you may as well spend the day making an attempt out paddle boarding and kayaking.
Journey a Bike or Go Horseback Using. In case you’ve had your fill of water sports activities, a seashore journey is a enjoyable method to discover the realm. It is advisable watch the Costa Rican sundown on horseback a minimum of as soon as!
Apply Yoga. Playa Guiones has plenty of spectacular, world-class yoga studios that provide a wide range of yoga lessons. Some resorts even have yoga studios on website, like Concord Resort. The Therapeutic Centre in Concord Resort is often named among the finest yoga retreats in Costa Rica, and is a good place to strive yoga lessons in Nosara.
Spot the ocean turtles on the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. Head north to Ostional Seaside, which is among the world’s most vital nesting websites for Olive Ridley sea turtles. It’s a tremendous expertise to see hundreds of them swim to the shore. Peak time is often from July to November. Nevertheless, turtles come ashore each within the dry season and the inexperienced season.
Go to the close by seashores. Another seashores within the space embrace Playa Pelada, Garza, and San Juanillo. Playa Pelada is extra swimmer-friendly in comparison with Guiones, whereas Playa Garza is one other good surf spot. Each see extra locals than vacationers and really feel very down-to-earth. San Juanillo is a must-visit for snorkelling!
Take pleasure in a Costa Rican sundown. You’ll be able to watch it from the sand, on a ship, and even at a beachfront restaurant with reside music and cocktails. La Luna Restaurant is a good spot proper on the seashore, with a fantastic atmosphere and a scrumptious menu to match.
Two backpackers on the seashore in Playa Guiones
Yoga space in Nosara Concord
Turtle laying eggs on Playa Ostional throughout the Arribada
FAQs:
Are you able to swim at Playa Guiones?
Sure. The water is heat all 12 months spherical, making it nice for swimming.
Are you able to Fish at Playa Guiones?
Sure! There are many Nosara excursions that may take you on a fishing journey. The waters in Costa Rica are recognized to have sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, snook, Cubera snapper, yellowfin tuna, dorado or mahi-mahi, roosterfish and extra.
Are you able to Surf at Playa Guiones?
100% Sure! It’s among the finest locations for browsing–not simply within the Nicoya Peninsula however on this planet! No kidding–Nosara was named among the finest 20 surf cities on this planet by Nationwide Geographic.
What makes Guiones stand out is its constant waves and clear strains, whether or not excessive tide or low tide. The sandy ocean ground and uncrowded waters make it a great place for a surf lesson. Freshmen and superior surfers received’t have bother discovering an space that matches their skills. As for reserving your lesson, we suggest doing it when you’re there because the browsing lessons would possibly change relying on tide situations.
Is Playa Guiones Protected for Households?
Playa Guiones, Costa Rica is unquestionably secure for households. A visit right here received’t simply make for an excellent trip; it’s additionally a hands-on method to introduce your loved ones to nature. In case you’re pondering of staying right here for longer, Guiones does have good faculties in addition to youngsters’ camps that manage enjoyable actions for the little ones.
One of many few outlets in Playa Guiones.
The place to Keep: Finest Nosara Lodges
Hacienda Sarah
Hacienda Sarah is a sustainable, rustic, open-concept villa in Nosara. Playa Guiones is about quarter-hour away by automobile (4.2km or 2.61mi) from this personal oasis. You’ll be able to e-book a room for two, or hire out the entire property if you happen to’re travelling in an even bigger group. The place sleeps as much as 11 individuals, with 4 en-suite bedrooms and a completely geared up kitchen that opens as much as an al fresco eating space.
There’s additionally sufficient room for work and play, with designated leisure and work areas. Aside from that, the villa has lush backyard environment, a superbly lit patio, a glowing pool, and many areas to calm down. It’s a fantastic mid-range selection for {couples}, pals, and households.
Olas Verdes Resort
Another choice is Olas Verdes Resort, a 4-star resort solely 600 metres from Guiones Seaside. It’s the first LEED Platinum Resort in Costa Rica, one of many highest accreditations given to the world’s finest resorts by way of sustainability. It’s an all-suite resort run by native employees, with lodging reminiscent of suites for solo travellers and {couples} and 2-bedroom seashore flats for households and teams of 8. These rooms include personal bogs, air-con, free wifi, and a balcony or pool view.
Olas Verdes Resort has a clubhouse, swimming swimming pools, and a restaurant on-site. Visitors can go round utilizing the resort’s free bicycles or stroll down the footpath straight to the seashore. Their prime location makes entry to surf and sand very simple. They’ll even create personalised itineraries for you–from browsing lessons, turtle excursions, yoga classes, wildlife visits, horseback using, and extra.
Lagarta Lodge
For a keep that may put you subsequent to Nosara nature (actually), e-book an evening or two on the Lagarta Lodge right here. It’s a 4-star boutique resort in Nosara positioned proper subsequent to Reserva Biológica. Its prime location surrounds Lagarta Lodge, with two rivers, expansive sandy seashores, and woods proper in its yard.
The Lagarta Lodge property was additionally awarded the highest certification for sustainability, making it a superb selection for the atmosphere. Their suites all have verandas that speak in confidence to breathtaking views. You may also absorb the sights from their solar deck, panorama deck, or sundown bar. There’s a restaurant and lodge throughout the property, alongside 2 infinity swimming pools, a jacuzzi, a pool with a moist bar, a spa, and an artwork exhibition and occasions house.
The place to Eat: Finest Eating places close to Playa Guiones
It’d sound shocking for a city this small, however there are extra worldwide meals choices in Guiones in comparison with different components of Costa Rica. From French pastries at Café de Paris, to Mediterranean at La Luna, to scrumptious Italian at La Dolce Vita, you’ll discover one thing scrumptious it doesn’t matter what you’re hungry for. Listed below are a few of our greatest picks:
The Gilded Iguana is mainly a family identify in Guiones. They’ve been working as a bar and restaurant for the reason that Eighties, and at this time, they’re nonetheless often known as among the finest eating places on the town for scrumptious meals and reside music. The Gilded Iguana makes use of solely native and ethically sourced components for his or her dishes. They serve contemporary seafood, pizza, pasta, revolutionary cocktails, and even vegan and vegetarian choices.
In case you’re in search of a brunch spot, head to Future Café in La Negra Surf Resort, which opens as early as 6 am. They’ve a whole menu, starting from smoothies, breakfast burritos, waffles, French toast, tuna poke, and extra. They’ve vegetarian, vegan, keto, and gluten-free choices, too.
For genuine Costa Rican delicacies, you possibly can’t go to Playa Guiones with out consuming at Rosi’s Soda Tica. It’s inexpensive, tasty, and a good way to expertise the native tradition. We suggest their casado and gallo pinto, with a scrumptious fruit smoothie on the aspect. In addition they serve vegan and vegetarian dishes, which is a plus!
Go Juice Truck at Playa Guiones
The Backside Line
Playa Guiones is among the finest locations to disconnect from actuality and reconnect with nature. It has a distinct vibe from the opposite lovely seashores in Costa Rica, however the change of tempo is greater than welcome. Certain, there won’t be a vibrant nightlife scene, however you do get VIP entry to peace and tranquillity.
In case you’re planning a visit to the Nicoya Peninsula or already happening a visit to Guanacaste Province, undoubtedly go to Nosara and the well-known Playa Guiones.