Around Nosara

Nosara Biological Reserve

The Nosara Biological Reserve, located by the Nosara River, covers an area of 50 hectares or 125 acres and provides a haven for tropical plants, mangroves and wildlife. More than 270 species of birds call it home, including herons, waders, toucans, motmots and manakins, etc. Other animals are also abundant, such as monkeys, coatis, raccoons, armadillos, snakes, anteaters, crabs, iguanas and others. The access to the reserve is through the Lagarta Lodge where visitors pay an entrance fee of $6 per person, and receive a self-guided map of the reserve and a menu for trees which lists and describes the trees within the biological reserve for observation. Visitors also have the option of taking a 2 to 2.5 hour guided morning or afternoon tour for an entrance fee of $11 per person, with a guide included who can speak English, Spanish or German.

Bird Watching
Birding around Nosara can be very rewarding and pleasurable; there are numerous species of shore birds, raptors, wrens, flycatchers and other tropical varieties among the more than 200 species that have been sighted in the area. They inhabit the forests that border the Nosara River, the beaches, the town and roads. Apart from casual sightings, visitors can join a specialist birdwatching tour at the Nosara Biological Reserve or take a Nosara River boat tour.

Surfing
Playa Guiones is one of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica. Its consistent surf is not only popular with advanced surfers but also provides an ideal learning ground for beginners. There are dozens of surf shops, surf schools and tour companies offering surfing adventure tours. The Nosara Surfing Academy based at the Gilded Iguana in Guiones Village is the place to start for those looking for the best qualified surfing instructors. As a world-class surfing destination, this area has the distinct advantage of offering many beach rentals on Playa Guiones and small hotels and B&Bs located a stone’s throw from the beach.

Yoga
Massages, body and beauty treatment services are widely available through the spas, salons and hotels in Guiones Village. The world famous, Nosara Yoga Institute is offers yoga teacher training and on occasions hosts yoga classes for the public; visit their website www.nosarayoga.com for information.

Kayaking
River-kayaking around Nosara is one of the most enjoyable activities for those who have a love for nature. There are a lot that one can observe while paddling leisurely down a river completely enveloped by jungle. Paddlers will observe exotic flora and fauna, and birds such as kingfishers, herons, roseate spoonbills, whistling ducks, storks, cormorants, anhingas, pelicans, frigates, motmots, sandpipers, kiskadees and hawks, and other wildlife pointed out by experienced tour guides.

Ostional Wildlife Refuge
Playa Ostional and Playa Nosara make up one of the world’s most important nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles, which arrive in such numbers, reportedly exceeding 100,000, that locals refer to the phenomenon as ‘Arribadas’ meaning “The Arrivals.” These mass nesting episodes occur a few times a year between July and November, in the wet season, usually following full moon, and each lasts from 2 to 8 days. In order to curb illegal harvest of turtle eggs, national park authorities have granted local residents special permission to collect a limited number of eggs, which usually end up in bars specially licensed to serve turtle eggs. The road to Playa Ostional is hard to traverse especially during the rainy season and visitors are advised to go with experienced tour guides.

Horseback Riding
Jungle paths, hidden waterfalls and dreamlike beaches are all part of the experience for those ready for a horseback riding adventure. In the company of an experienced tour guide visitors will encounter a multitude of wildlife ranging from monkeys and anteaters to armadillos and a variety of birds. Good guides will also shed lights on the usage of forest resources, such as in the making of natural medicines.

Canopy Tours
The jungle canopy in Nosara sets the stage for one of the world’s most exhilarating canopy rides; traversing majestic mountain ridges, rivers, valleys, waterfalls and ravines, the journey uncovers breathtaking Eden-like jungle vistas and panorama of the Pacific Ocean. The most experienced canopy tour operator in Nosara, Miss Sky Canopy is said to proffer the longest Canopy Tour in the world with a total length of 6400 meters, featuring 14 runs of between 500 and 600 m long and several hundred feet high, located within a 2,500 acre forest reserve a few miles from the beaches. They are known for high safety and equipment standards.

Game Fishing
Costa Rica is famous for its offshore angling and the waters off the Nosara beaches provide a rich source of Sailfish, Dorado, Rooster Fish, Marlin and many other species. Playa Garza, sheltered by the reef south of Playa Guiones, is where the local fishing fleet anchors. Fishing Nosara offers a range of fishing expeditions with several boats to choose from and their office is located in downtown Guiones. Go online to www.fishingnosara.com for tour information.