Activities - Hotel Nosara B&B Retreat Center

A five-minute walk from the Nosara B&B brings you to Playa Pelada, a beautiful secluded white sand beach made up of several small coves that are wonderful for swimming, or just floating in the waves. The water is warm year round. There are two high and low tides every day. The tides bring a marked change in the level of the sea. High tide has bigger waves, fun to float with if you like body surfing. Low tide is calm. The water is shallow and perfect for swimming. Nearby tide pools are great for children to learn to swim, or for anyone to just relax in.

From Nosara B&B you can hike to Playa Pelada through the jungle, and then south along the seashore to Playa Guiones, Hiking north, you can reach the river mouth, and the Nosara Biological Reserve, a private 90 acre nature-reserve situated along the Nosara River. It is home to a lot of species of plants, mangroves and wildlife. Many different birds, such as seabirds, herons, waders, tukanes, motmots, manakins, etc, can be found in this area, altogether more than 270 species. You can also see other animals, such as monkeys, coatis, raccoons, armadillos, iguanas, anteaters, crabs, reptiles, etc.

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Nosara is a great place to ride a horse, either on the many jungle trails, or along the beaches of Nosara, especially dramatic during the sunset. Beate and Hawe of Boca Nosara Tours take small groups (maximum of 6) on various horseback tours. They know the animals and plants of our area well. With their knowledge and experience you are guaranteed an unforgettable riding experience. You’ll see much of Nosara’s wildlife, including monkeys, anteaters, armadillos & birds, and you will learn which trees the natives use for making lipstick, pots, & natural medicines.

Nosara has long been considered a top surfing destination among surfing enthusiasts. Playa Guiones is an ideal surfing destination and is perfect for all levels of surfing-from beginning to advanced. Nosara has an exceptionally long surf season from October to May, with the most ideal surfing happening between December and April each year. The biggest waves are during the Green season (May through November) swells average 4-10 feet. In the Dry season (December through April) 3-8 feet is the norm. There are several surf schools in the area, as well as shops where you can rent boards and purchase gear.

Surfing

Located within a pristine 2500 acre forest reserve is the Miss Sky Canopy Tour, which is the longest Canopy Tour in the world (the next longest is less than 50% the length) Total length is over 11 km. It’s a thrilling ride that traverses majestic mountain ridges and valleys, soars high above multiple ravines, and provides breathtaking vistas of rivers, waterfalls and of the Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of 21 exhilarating runs, and includes a stopover at a waterfall and river pools. Safe and lots of fun for everyone.

Canopy Zipline Tour

Boat Tours

See the amazing wildlife of the Rio Nosara and Rio Montana with Leroy on a soundless electric powered boat. Floating amongst Mangroves that are over 200 years old, you will be immersed in their primordial stillness, ancient and mystical. Here over 270 different kinds of colorful birds hunt and nest. Huge crocodiles and baby crocs swim or rest on the sandbank. The silence on the river will be interrupted only by the sounds of monkeys, birds, and the mysterious noises of nature itself.

Mountain Biking

Nosara is a wonderful place to mountain bike. You can ride a bike at low tide along the beaches, or venture off and find remote trails in the jungle. For those looking for adventure and a good workout, you can take a longer journey up the coast to San Juanillo, down the coast to Samara, or inland into the mountains and back country where the locals live. Biking is the best way to experience the local countryside and to discover some of the more remote corners of the area. Bikes are available for rent locally by the hour or by the day.

Kayaking

There are several beautiful jungle rivers to explore in Nosara, the Rio Garza, Rio Montaña, and the Rio Nosara. Here you will see many species of birds including kingfishers, herons, Roseate Spoonbills, whistling ducks, storks, cormorants, anhingas, pelicans, frigates, motmots, sandpipers, kiskadees, & hawks. You can also go sea kayaking and head north to Ostional beach or south past the pink island to Garza. There are a few different companies offering kayaking tours, as well as kayaks for rent by the half or full day.

Nosara has a unique marine geology featuring an offshore ledge that brings deepwater fish relatively close to the shore for good fishing year round. Deep sea boat charters embark from nearby Playa Garza and Playa Pelada. Excursions from one hour to all day are available. Spear fishing, surf, and shore fishing are all available in the area. Nosara fish include yellow fin tuna, marlin, sailfish, Dorado (mahi-mahi), snapper, Bonita, corvina (sea bass), and rooster fish. Rent a panga (motor boat) and fish closer to shore, or just go to the Nosara River mouth and fish with the locals using a line with a hook.

Fishing

Birding

You can view numerous species of shore birds, raptors, wrens, flycatchers and many tropical birds which make up only a few of the more than 200 plus species of birds in the area. The many trails along the Nosara River, in the jungle, on the beach, in the rice fields, along the jungle roads, always present many new birds to enjoy. Birds are most active in the morning and at sunset and can be easily seen just by walking along any road or trail. One of the best places to go bird watching is a walk through the Nosara Biological Reserve.

Quads/ATV

Quad (all-terrain vehicles) let you explore the surrounding countryside. They are very rugged and stable on the dirt roads here in Nosara. Rentals are by the hour or by the day, and with one, you can easily go off on an adventure to discover the outskirts of town, or the numerous back roads that cut through the jungle. Take a trip up the coast to see San Juanillo, or down the coast to Garza and Samara. Please remember to never ride your ATV on the beach, and drive safely.

Sea Turtle Nesting

Guided excursions are available to watch the Olive Ridley turtles laying their eggs at the Ostional Reserve, about a 30 minute drive to the north. About once a month, especially during the rainy season, usually just before the new moon, thousands of Olive Ridley turtles arrive at night to lay their eggs during what’s called the Arribada. An amazing site to see, this ritual has been taking place for thousands of years and is an experience not to be missed.

There is snorkeling here in Nosara, though not exceptional, it is fun, and there are some colorful fish to be seen. At very low tide, snorkeling is good at the pools on the southern end of Playa Guiones. You may also want to try snorkeling at the tide pools on Playa Pelada, along some of the coastal bluffs, or at the offshore reefs at one of the neighboring beaches. The pink island between Guiones and Garza is a special spot to enjoy snorkling. If you have a car, you can take a half hour drive up the coast to San Juanillo for the best snorkeling in the area.

Snorkeling

Guanacaste summers (Dec-April) are fiesta and rodeo time, The rodeo comes a couple of times a year to Nosara, Ostional and Esperanza. If it is happening while you are here, go check it out. You will see a lot of local color, many people and families out having a good time. The highlight is the bull riding, but there is also music, dancing, food, games, and vendors selling assorted crafts and merchandise.

Fiestas

We offer daily yoga classes here at the Nosara B&B. Check with the office for the daily schedule or to arrange for a private class. You can also take daily yoga classes at the world famous Nosara Yoga Institute, or at Harmony Hotel, both located in Playa Guiones. If you enjoy jogging, there are miles of beaches and jungle trails to enjoy. Several local Heath and Fitness Clubs offer weight training, boxing, and martial arts. There is a tennis court that can be rented by the hour.