Find your Om in Costa Rica's organic surfing paradise
Tucked among the jungles of Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, the Nosara district is a mecca for surfers and yogis from around the globe. Made up of 5 separate beach towns, vacationers come to disconnect from the stress of everyday life at the chic yoga studios, organic cafes, and laid-back bars. Rivers cutting through tropical mangroves lead to pristine ocean waters and some of the best surfing beaches in the world, not to mention some killer sunsets. A Nosara vacation rental is also a perfect home base for getting up close and personal with some fascinating Costa Rican wildlife.
Talk to the animals in the heart of the jungle
At a Nosara vacation rental, you can learn how to hang ten from the best teachers at the world-renowned Safari Surf School. The main draw inland is undoubtedly the animals. Head to Nosara Wildlife Rescue to see the capuchin and howler monkeys swinging through the trees. Be sure to stop by the SIBU Sanctuary, dedicated to rescuing orphaned, injured, and displaced wild animals. The Ostional Wildlife Refuge is best known for its Olive Ridley sea turtle population, where you can watch thousands of them come ashore to lay their eggs, or watch all the babies return to the ocean when they hatch.
Welcome to the jungle, we've got fun and games
Surfing rules the beaches and yoga rules the towns in laid-back Nosara. Named by National Geographic as some of the best surf towns in the world, you can't go wrong. Yoga retreats are in full effect (or just take a class if you're not ready to commit). The outdoor activities on tap are endless -- kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, fishing, snorkeling, and boat cruises, just to name a few. There are even new hybrids like yoga paddleboarding if you're ambitious. Head into the jungle for some adrenaline-pumping canopy tours. There's even some quality celebrity spotting at the bars in town.
Bask in the warmth of the endless Costa Rican summer
Pack the bikinis and leave the winter coats behind -- with an average annual temperature around 90s degrees, there's no need to bundle up. Here, the distinction isn't between winter and summer, but rather rainy and dry. May to November is the wet season, when the jungles turn a vibrant green and the wildlife comes alive (don't worry, the mornings are still usually dry for some quality beach time). It's also "cooler" in these months, with temps in the mid-80s. Nosara vacation rentals are in peak demand during the dry season of November to April, when temps rise to the mid-90s.
A little monkey business never hurt anyone
You'll feel like you've stepped into a different world when you arrive in Nosara, where the landscape is anything but ordinary. The clear waters off the beaches are the cleanest in the whole country. Sandy beach stretches (some dark and volcanic, others white), butt up against estuaries that wind their way through verdant mangroves from the thick jungles beyond. There's no shortage of fascinating animals in these delicate ecosystems. Monkeys, armadillos, crocodiles, anteaters, sea turtles, crabs -- they've got it all. The surf-worthy ocean waves make the perfect backdrop for excellent sunsets and stargazing all year long.
Traveling to and around Nosara
Fly into Daniel Oduber Intl. Airport (LIR), the closest airport, located 43.5 mi (70 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you might consider flying into Nosara (NOB), which is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) away.