Nosara is a beautiful little surf town along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Check out our posts about how to get there, what to do, and where to eat in Nosara! Here are our recommendations on where to stay in Nosara Costa Rica:
“Nosara” is actually the little town inland, where most tourists never step foot. What tourists are generally referring to when they say “Nosara” is Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada, two small beach communities with restaurants, bars, boutique hotels, and home rentals.
We’ve stayed in both Playa Pelada and Playa Guiones while in Nosara. The two communities are connected by a couple of jungle trails, or if you have a car rental, ATV or moped you can easily move between the two areas.
Playa Pelada is a bit quieter, with less commercial development but many large houses and smaller condo options for rent. Playa Guiones has small boutique hotels as well as more shopping, bars, and restaurants. If you want to be in the heart of the action, we recommend staying within the Playa Guiones community. Check out our blog posts about our favorite restaurants and things to do in the area!
Short-term rental options:
There are a ton of short-term rental options in Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada. These can be great options for a budget traveler or a larger group. Check out a few of our favorites:
1. Lily Pad is located within Playa Pelada so a bit more removed and quiet. There are a few units for rent within this tiny complex, all sharing a central pool and outdoor yoga deck. Each unit has a small kitchen, modern amenities and small porch.
2. Boheme Boutique Apartments is on the south end of Playa Guiones so also a quiet area with a 5-10 minute walk to the heart of the town. This cluster of apartments shares a central pool with lounge chairs. We loved the laidback bohemian vibe and living room area. Check out our video tour of our apartment:
3. Casa Encanto was great for a larger group, as it has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a full kitchen, and pool in a beautiful private outdoor area. This house is in a fantastic location in Playa Guiones and within walking distance to all the main restaurants, bars, and beach access. It is also close to the walking path to Playa Pelada.
The hosting team for Casa Encanto offers a concierge service for booking excursions, catering, and are eager to help with anything you may need during your stay.
Boutique hotels:
Remember that there are no large resorts in the area due to the beach being protected as part of Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. The boutique hotels are set back from the beach but within easy walking distance to the public beach access points.
1. Our favorite option is the Gilded Iguana Hotel – a boutique hotel in the center of town. This hotel has a fabulous restaurant, beautifully curated grounds, a fitness center and saltwater pool. It’s location makes this the ideal location within Playa Guiones – easy walking to everything you need.
We love this hotel so much that we featured it in our blog post about our favorite hotels around the world! We highly recommend staying here!!
2. La Negra Surf Hotel is another fantastic choice and a slightly more budget-friendly option. The restaurant on property is one of our favorites, and the location is super close to the beach and easy walking distance to everything in town. It’s right in the heart of Playa Guiones.
3. Harmony Hotel has lush grounds and many amenities. Even if you’re not staying here, Harmony has a wonderful spa with an outdoor yoga studio, cold plunge, sauna, and massage. Their cafe also offers a great juice bar and is a great place to relax after a yoga class. We just walked in and were warmly welcomed, even though we were staying elsewhere.
4. Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort is in the southern portion of Playa Guiones and is a bit more secluded, located on beautiful grounds set slightly above the town, with views of the ocean. They offer yoga retreats, yoga teacher training, or drop-in classes. Be sure to arrive 15 min ahead of your class time during the dry season, as they can be very popular. What a great way to start your day in paradise!
5. Nosara Beach Hotel is on the south edge of Playa Pelada, near the walking path to Playa Guiones. This central location offers easy access to either beach or community. And it is right next door to our favorite restaurant, La Luna. A big plus!
6. The Nomadic Hotel is a modern adults-only boutique hotel perfect for couples. We haven’t stayed there yet, but we’ve heard great things about it and love the look of the grounds, pool area, and quiet vibe. It’s on our list for our next trip to Nosara.
Be sure to book your accommodations well in advance to get the best deal during the dry season, as the busy tourist season is from November to March. However, we also loved our time in Nosara during the wet season and found great prices on travel, accommodations, and car rental!
Let us know if you have any questions about where to stay in Nosara Costa Rica or recommendations that aren’t on our list!
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