Playa Guiones, located in Nosara was once one of Costa Rica’s better-kept secrets. If partying all night long and mingling with the crowds of tourists wasn’t your thing, then heading to this quiet beach town in the Nicoya Peninsula was a good alternative.
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Here, people rise when the sun does, and close the day soon after it sets. The pura vida lifestyle is all about sitting back and relaxing while nature does its thing.
First impressions aside, Playa Guiones and the greater Nosara area is hardly a secret anymore. Over the last few decades, it has become one of the top destinations in Costa Rica. You’ll find that the local scene is dominated mostly by yogis and surfers. If you want to disconnect and maybe ride a good wave, you’re in luck.
There is no lack of choice when it comes to yoga retreats, surfer hostels, and international cuisine. On the other hand, the growing community also means a lot of new establishments popping up here and there. Spotting (or hearing) howler monkeys in the wild is a bit more challenging, but the jungle charm remains.
Playa Guiones is well-loved for its laid-back, small-town vibe. We only have good things to say when it comes down to sea, sand, and surf. Playa Guiones is one of the best Nosara beaches! You’ll see why the moment you spot the mile-long crescent-shaped coastline, with perfect waves consistent all year round.
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How to Get to Playa Guiones, Costa Rica
By Plane
If Playa Guiones isn’t your first stop in Costa Rica, taking a domestic flight to Nosara is the easiest and fastest option. A number of domestic airlines, like Sansa, offer quick flights to Nosara from San Jose Airport or Liberia Airport.
Some hotels or hostels offer transfers from the Nosara Airport to Playa Guiones. Alternatively, it’s easy to grab a taxi and get to the beach in about 15 minutes.
By Car
While taking a flight is quick and easy, we always opt for renting a car to get to this area. The shops, hotels, and other amenities are quite spread out in Nosara area, so having a vehicle is definitely helpful to get around the area around 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) road trip that will take you about 2.5 hours.
Note that while the mountain scenery is wonderful, the road can get rather bumpy. Unpaved roads and poor reception are common in Costa Rica, so be prepared when you make the drive–especially during the rainy season.
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By Bus
If you’re on a tight budget, travelling by bus is an affordable option. You can always purchase tickets at the station or book in advance online. Bus prices usually range from USD $8 to USD $12.
- San Jose to Nosara: A direct bus (operated by bus company Alfaro) leaves for Nosara every morning at 5:30am.
- San Jose to Nicoya: Another option is taking an Alfaro bus to Nicoya. This route has more frequent trips that depart at 5:30am, 7:30am, 10am, 12nn, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.
- Liberia to Nicoya: From Terminal Liberia, the bus (operated by bus company La Pampa) to Nicoya departs at 4:30am and runs every 30 minutes until 8pm.
- Nicoya to Playa Guiones: If arriving in Nicoya, you’ll need to take another bus to Nosara (operated by bus company Traroc) that departs at 4:45am (except Sundays), 10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, or 5:30pm.
Note: A common mistake first-timers make is riding the bus all the way to Nosara Town, which is 4 miles past Playa Guiones. Avoid this by telling the driver that you’re headed to Playa Guiones, or keep an eye out for the bus stop between Coconut Harry’s Surf Shop and Café de Paris.
By Shuttle
From SJO Airport, you can hire a private minibus that takes you straight to your hotel in Playa Guiones. The prices from providers like Tropical Tours Shuttles start at USD $297, and the drive down takes approximately 4.5 hours.
From Liberia Airport, there’s a standard minivan or bus service to Nosara. You can choose between daily shared shuttle bus services (starting at USD $50 per person) or private minibus transportation (starting at USD $160). This will take around 2.5 hours. Once you get to Nosara, it will be a quick 15-minute drive to Playa Guiones.
Parking at Playa Guiones
There’s a safe parking area by the Guiones beach with guards who work for tips. They’re attentive and trustworthy–enough that some local surfers even trust them to hold on to their car keys while they hit the waves.
We don’t encourage others to do this and suggest that you watch over your own valuables. Stay on the safe side and never leave your belongings unattended, especially in a parked car, as petty theft does occur.
Facilities at Playa Guiones
Whether you come in the dry season (December to April) or green season (May to November), Playa Guiones town is a sight to see. The beachfront and forest areas are well-preserved, and there are tons of nature and outdoor activities all year round.
As far as small surf towns go, Playa Guiones has lots to offer. The surf is one of the main draws, and naturally, there are many surf schools offering surf lessons for all ages and abilities. If you need equipment, you won’t have a hard time looking for that, either. There are shops by the beach for board rentals and other things you might need.
Along the shore, vendors often walk by selling different items, from local wares to the occasional cold beer. If something catches your eye, don’t shy away from supporting the locals. The good thing is, that the local vendors are by no means pushy, so if you’re not interested, a simple “no, gracias” will do.
Though the beach is perfect for getting some sun, the white sand stretches on for miles without much shade. There aren’t any trees around–at most, there are medium-sized shrubs far from the water. There aren’t any beach umbrellas for rent, either. We recommend you come prepared with your own beach umbrellas and hats. Otherwise, your best bet is to head to the nearby restaurants to cool off.
If you need to do some shopping in town, there’s a basic minimart and an organic grocery store for food and fresh produce. There are also stores for clothing, swimsuits, and jewelry.
Things to Do at Playa Guiones
Hit the beach! Both surfing and swimming are the top things to do here, but you can also spend the day trying out paddle boarding and kayaking.
Ride a Bike or Go Horseback Riding. If you’ve had your fill of water sports, a beach ride is a fun way to explore the area. You need to watch the Costa Rican sunset on horseback at least once!
Practice Yoga. Playa Guiones has a number of impressive, world-class yoga studios that offer a variety of yoga classes. Some hotels even have yoga studios on site, like Harmony Hotel. The Healing Centre in Harmony Hotel is frequently named one of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica, and is a great place to try yoga classes in Nosara.
Spot the sea turtles at the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. Head north to Ostional Beach, which is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for Olive Ridley sea turtles. It’s an amazing experience to see thousands of them swim to the shore. Peak time is usually from July to November. However, turtles come ashore both in the dry season and the green season.
Visit the nearby beaches. Some other beaches in the area include Playa Pelada, Garza, and San Juanillo. Playa Pelada is more swimmer-friendly compared to Guiones, while Playa Garza is another good surf spot. Both see more locals than tourists and feel very down-to-earth. San Juanillo is a must-visit for snorkelling!
Enjoy a Costa Rican sunset. You can watch it from the sand, on a boat, or even at a beachfront restaurant with live music and cocktails. La Luna Restaurant is a great spot right on the beach, with a great ambience and a delicious menu to match.
FAQs:
Can you swim at Playa Guiones?
Yes. The water is warm all year round, making it great for swimming.
Can you Fish at Playa Guiones?
Yes! There are lots of Nosara tours that can take you on a fishing trip. The waters in Costa Rica are known to have sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, snook, Cubera snapper, yellowfin tuna, dorado or mahi-mahi, roosterfish and more.
Can you Surf at Playa Guiones?
100% Yes! It’s one of the best places for surfing–not just in the Nicoya Peninsula but in the world! No kidding–Nosara was named one of the best 20 surf towns in the world by National Geographic.
What makes Guiones stand out is its consistent waves and clean lines, whether high tide or low tide. The sandy ocean floor and uncrowded waters make it an ideal place for a surf lesson. Beginners and advanced surfers won’t have trouble finding an area that fits their abilities. As for booking your lesson, we recommend doing it once you’re there as the surfing classes might change depending on tide conditions.
Is Playa Guiones Safe for Families?
Playa Guiones, Costa Rica is definitely safe for families. A trip here won’t just make for a good vacation; it’s also a hands-on way to introduce your family to nature. If you’re thinking of staying here for longer, Guiones does have good schools as well as kids’ camps that organize fun activities for the little ones.
Where to Stay: Best Nosara Hotels
Hacienda Sarah
Hacienda Sarah is a sustainable, rustic, open-concept villa in Nosara. Playa Guiones is about 15 minutes away by car (4.2km or 2.61mi) from this private oasis. You can book a room for 2, or rent out the whole property if you’re travelling in a bigger group. The place sleeps up to 11 people, with 4 en-suite bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen that opens up to an al fresco dining area.
There’s also enough room for work and play, with designated entertainment and work areas. Apart from that, the villa has lush garden surroundings, a beautifully lit patio, a sparkling pool, and lots of spaces to relax. It’s a great mid-range choice for couples, friends, and families.
Olas Verdes Hotel
Another option is Olas Verdes Hotel, a 4-star hotel only 600 metres from Guiones Beach. It’s the first LEED Platinum Hotel in Costa Rica, one of the highest accreditations given to the world’s best hotels in terms of sustainability. It’s an all-suite hotel run by local staff, with accommodations such as suites for solo travellers and couples and 2-bedroom beach apartments for families and groups of 8. These rooms come with private bathrooms, air conditioning, free wifi, and a balcony or pool view.
Olas Verdes Hotel has a clubhouse, swimming pools, and a restaurant on-site. Guests can go around using the hotel’s free bicycles or walk down the footpath straight to the beach. Their prime location makes access to surf and sand very easy. They can even create personalized itineraries for you–from surfing classes, turtle tours, yoga lessons, wildlife visits, horseback riding, and more.
Lagarta Lodge
For a stay that will put you next to Nosara nature (literally), book a night or two at the Lagarta Lodge here. It’s a 4-star boutique hotel in Nosara located right next to Reserva Biológica. Its prime location surrounds Lagarta Lodge, with two rivers, expansive sandy beaches, and woods right in its backyard.
The Lagarta Lodge estate was also awarded the highest certification for sustainability, making it an excellent choice for the environment. Their suites all have verandas that open up to breathtaking views. You can also soak up the sights from their sun deck, panorama deck, or sunset bar. There’s a restaurant and lodge within the property, along 2 infinity pools, a jacuzzi, a pool with a wet bar, a spa, and an art exhibition and events space.
Where to Eat: Best Restaurants near Playa Guiones
It might sound surprising for a town this small, but there are more international food options in Guiones compared to other parts of Costa Rica. From French pastries at Café de Paris, to Mediterranean at La Luna, to delicious Italian at La Dolce Vita, you’ll find something delicious no matter what you’re hungry for. Here are some of our best picks:
The Gilded Iguana is basically a household name in Guiones. They’ve been operating as a bar and restaurant since the 1980s, and today, they’re still known as one of the best restaurants in town for delicious food and live music. The Gilded Iguana uses only local and ethically sourced ingredients for their dishes. They serve fresh seafood, pizza, pasta, innovative cocktails, and even vegan and vegetarian options.
If you’re looking for a brunch spot, head to Destiny Café in La Negra Surf Hotel, which opens as early as 6 am. They have a complete menu, ranging from smoothies, breakfast burritos, waffles, French toast, tuna poke, and more. They have vegetarian, vegan, keto, and gluten-free options, too.
For authentic Costa Rican cuisine, you can’t visit Playa Guiones without eating at Rosi’s Soda Tica. It’s affordable, tasty, and a great way to experience the local culture. We recommend their casado and gallo pinto, with a delicious fruit smoothie on the side. They also serve vegan and vegetarian dishes, which is a plus!
The Bottom Line
Playa Guiones is one of the best places to disconnect from reality and reconnect with nature. It has a different vibe from the other beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, but the change of pace is more than welcome. Sure, there might not be a vibrant nightlife scene, but you do get VIP access to peace and tranquillity.
If you’re planning a trip to the Nicoya Peninsula or already going on a trip to Guanacaste Province, definitely visit Nosara and the famous Playa Guiones.
