Playa Guiones by Nosara is one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica

Most people visiting Nosara head straight for Playa Guiones, which with its beautiful white sand and consistent surf break, is one of Costa Rica's most favored surfing beaches.

This breezy Blue-Flag beach is reputed to have the most consistent surf on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast with "surf-able waves here over 300 days a year," reports the Visit Nosara tourism website. Guiones Point at the south end of the beach juts way out into the Pacific and is a swell magnet, attracting both north and south facing swells. The sandy bottom beach break at Guiones stretches up and down the 7 km (4.5 mile) bay, with waves for every skill level – from beginner to expert, long boarder to short boarder.

Backed by lush vegetation, Playa Guiones is also a haven for sun lovers, beachcombers, joggers and anyone looking for a fun bike ride down the beach. However, it is important to note that there is a 3-meter (9-foot) tide differential, and the beach is rather narrow at high tide. 

Offshore winds blow most every morning during dry season, from December until the end of April, making for great surf conditions early – most surfers are riding the waves between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., then coming back for a sunset session if conditions allow. The wind usually switches onshore by 10:00 a.m., although there are often days during December and January when offshore breezes blow almost all day long, notes Visit Nosara.

When the big swells come in, waves at Playa Guiones can be giant and powerful, and should be taken with extreme caution; Nosara tourist information recommends only experienced surfers should paddle out in big surf. Additionally, tourist information cautions surfers during high tides, when rip currents and surf are strongest.

Just north of Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada is another pretty white-sand beach where the water is a little calmer. Waves here are better suited for beginners. There are tide pools to explore, lots of trees for shade, and it is a great spot for viewing Nosara's spectacular sunsets.

Check out the daily Nosara Surf Report, and see how the waves are in real time on the Nosara Live Cam. Surfing Nosara also provides a detailed, long- and short-range Nosara Surf Forecast.

Hotels in Nosara, Costa Rica

Located on a remote stretch of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, just north of Samara, L'acqua Viva Resort & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel by Playa Guiones. The hotel's name means "live water," which is a key element flowing around the exotic Bali-style architecture. L'acqua Viva is part of the Enchanting Hotels group of Costa Rica.

Article by Shannon Farley