Surfing Nosara: Best Beaches, Conditions, and When to Go

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Nosara is one of Costa Rica’s most consistent surf destinations. The main beach is Playa Guiones, which works for beginners through advanced due to its long sandy bottom and many peaks. Best surfing is usually early morning. The dry season (Dec–Apr) tends to be smaller and cleaner, while the green season (May–Nov) brings more swell and power.

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Surfing Nosara at a Glance

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• Best overall beach: Playa Guiones
• Best time of day: Early morning
• Best season for beginners: December–April
• Best season for stronger surf: May–November
• Warm water year-round: Yes (rash guard recommended)

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Best Surf Beaches in Nosara

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Playa Guiones (Best for most surfers)

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Playa Guiones is Nosara’s primary surf beach. It’s long, sandy, and has multiple peaks that spread surfers out. It’s the best option for lessons and for most travelers because it offers a wide range of wave sizes depending on where you paddle out.

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Best for: beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers looking for consistency.

Playa Pelada (Quieter alternative)

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Playa Pelada can be a good option when Guiones is crowded or when conditions line up. It can feel punchier depending on swell and tide and is less consistent than Guiones.

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Best for: intermediate surfers and confident beginners on smaller days.

Playa Ostional (More advanced)

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Ostional is north of Nosara and can be more powerful with stronger currents. It’s less forgiving and is best approached with experience (or with local guidance).

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Best for: advanced surfers.

Best Time to Surf in Nosara

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Early morning is usually best because winds are lighter and wave faces are cleaner. Afternoon sessions can still work, especially for beginners in whitewater, but conditions are more variable.

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Nosara Surf Seasons (What to Expect)

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Dry Season (December to April)

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Dry season often brings smaller, cleaner surf and more predictable mornings.

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Good for: beginners, intermediates, travelers who want easy conditions.

Green Season (May to November)

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Green season brings more swell energy and more powerful surf. Mornings are still typically the best window before winds increase.

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Good for: intermediates and advanced surfers, surfers who want more size and power.

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Best Time to Visit Nosara for Surfing (By Skill Level)

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If you’re a beginner

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Plan your surf-focused trip during December–April for smaller, cleaner conditions and easier learning.

If you’re intermediate

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You can surf year-round. If you want to level up, May–November often offers more consistent swell and more opportunity to improve timing, positioning, and wave selection.

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If you’re advanced

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You can find good waves year-round, but May–November generally offers more frequent swell and more challenging sessions.

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Surf Lessons in Nosara: Who They’re For

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Surf lessons in Nosara are not just for first-timers. A good instructor can help you improve faster by focusing on the things most surfers struggle with:

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• wave selection
• positioning on shifting sandbars
• timing and takeoff technique
• reading currents and sets
• practical feedback in real conditions

This is especially helpful if you’re visiting for a short time and want to make your sessions count.

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What to Bring for Surfing in Nosara

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• Rash guard or surf shirt
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Surf wax (if you bring your own board)
• Board rental (available locally if needed)

Wetsuits are not required for most surfers.

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FAQ

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Is Nosara good for beginner surfers?

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Yes. Playa Guiones is one of the best places in Costa Rica for beginners because it’s a long sandy beach with a wide range of wave sizes and many areas to practice safely.

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What is the best beach to surf in Nosara?

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For most people, Playa Guiones is the best beach to surf in Nosara due to consistency, space, and beginner-to-advanced accessibility.

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When is the best time to surf in Nosara?

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Early morning is usually best because winds are lighter and the surf is cleaner.

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What months have the biggest waves in Nosara?

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In general, May–November sees more frequent swell and larger surf days than December–April.

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Surfing Nosara With Local Guidance

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If you want to learn faster, surf the right section of the beach for your level, and avoid wasting sessions on poor timing, local coaching helps. Monkey Head Adventures offers surf lessons for beginner through advanced surfers, tailored to conditions and your goals.