First published in 2018 – last updated: November 2023

In this blog post Surf Costa Rica Nosara you will find out why Nosara in Costa Rica is the perfect destination for surfers from around the world and why Playa Guiones in Nosara is so special for surfers of all levels.

Costa Rica is one of the world’s top surfing destinations, and for good reason. With its beautiful beaches, tranquil lifestyle, and lush scenery, it’s no wonder that surfers from all over the world flock to the Nicoya and Osa Peninsulas to catch some waves which became famous by the Movie Endless Summer Two.

Nosara – one of the best places to surf in Costa Rica

Travel & Leisure and National Geographic have both ranked Nosara as one of the top surf towns in the world. Located south of Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula, Nosara offers a variety of surf spots that are perfect for beginners. The waves are generally mellow and soft, and the sandy ocean floor is forgiving if you fall. 

Once you arrive in Nosara by plane, shuttle, car, or bus from Liberia or San José, you’ll find a variety of surf-inspired accommodations to choose from, such as Aloha Surf Nosara. In fact, Nosara was built around surfers and ocean lovers, so you’re sure to spend your entire days immersed in the surfing culture. You’ll find plenty of board rentals, surf schools, lessons, and shops.

Nosara offers prime surf conditions at beaches like Playa Guiones and because Nosara is free of beach developments, it remains tranquil and scenic, offering the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. The long beach extends to more private beaches to the north, with a variety of wave conditions to choose from, ranging from soft and mellow to offshore and hollow depending on the tides and swells.

Learn to surf Costa Rica Nosara

There are also a number of surf schools and surf camps in Nosara that offer beginner surf lessons. These lessons will teach you the basics of surfing, such as how to paddle, pop up, and ride a wave. Read our Learn How to Surf in Nosara Guide!

surf costa rica nosara

Nosara Surf Spots for Beginners and Beyond

Once you’ve learned the basics, you can start exploring the different surf spots in Nosara. Playa Guiones is a popular spot for beginners, as it offers consistent waves and a gradual sandy ocean floor. Other beginner-friendly surf spots in Nosara include Playa Pelada and Playa Ostional.

Beginning surfers can expect to ride some of the longest waves of their lives in Nosara, thanks to the way the waves break. On smaller swells or higher tides, the waves break softly on the outside and roll towards the shore, often reforming, offering many chances and places to catch and ride the wave. As you improve your surfing skills, the same break offers more advanced and rip-able waves on bigger swells.

Playa Guiones: A Surf Break for All Levels

It’s not every day that you find a surf break that’s well-suited for all levels of surfing. But that’s exactly what Playa Guiones in Nosara, Costa Rica is. With its hundreds of miles of uncrowded south-facing beaches, offshore wind, and almost year-round surf, this beach break and accessible reef breaks offer a great spread of options for beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers alike.

Beginners generally gravitate towards the gentler surf away from rocks or obstructions, which is why the main beach at Nosara is so great for travelers looking to try out surfing for the first time. The ocean floor is relatively flat here, so catching a long wave to practice pop-ups on is always an option.

Down the beach, there are rock outcroppings and reefs that offer more high-intensity and challenging waves that are sure to bring excitement to intermediate and advanced surfers.

And if leaving the main beach isn’t an option, surfers simply need to paddle outside of the white water to ride the waves that have more of an accessible lip and wave face for surfers to practice cutbacks and off the lips.

Why is Playa Guiones so special for surfers of all levels?


Uncrowded south-facing beaches:

Playa Guiones is located on the south side of the Nicoya Peninsula, which means that the beaches are generally less crowded than those on the north side. This is a major advantage for beginners, who may feel intimidated by surfing in crowded waters.

Offshore wind:

Offshore wind blows from the shore towards the ocean, which helps to create clean and well-formed waves. This is ideal for surfers of all levels, but it is especially beneficial for beginners, who are still learning to balance and control their boards.

Almost year-round surf:

Playa Guiones has consistent waves throughout the year, with the best conditions occurring during the dry season (November to April). This means that surfers can visit Playa Guiones any time of year and be confident that they will find good waves.

What to expect at Playa Guiones?


Surf schools and rentals:

Playa Guiones is home to a number of surf schools and rental shops, making it easy for beginners to get started.

Variety of wave conditions:

Playa Guiones offers a variety of wave conditions, from soft and mellow to offshore and hollow. This means that there is something for everyone, regardless of skill level.

Relaxed atmosphere: 

Playa Guiones has a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, making it a great place to learn and improve your surfing skills.

To sum it up in a few sentences about surfing in Nosara Costa Rica:

If you’re looking for a great place to surf, Nosara, Costa Rica is the perfect destination. With its consistent waves, gradual sandy ocean floor, abundance of surf schools and surf camps, and uncrowded Guiones Beach, Nosara is the ideal place for surfers of all levels and ages.

Playa Guiones is the main surfer beach in Nosara, and it’s known for its offshore wind, consistent and long waves. Beginners can expect to find soft, mellow waves here, while more experienced surfers can find more challenging waves further out.

For an accurate Nosara surf report and surf forecast go to surfline.com

tyler surfing guiones

Tyler Marsh’s top surfing tips for Nosara

Looking for some more surfing tips for all levels? Reach out to Tyler, the founder of the first surf school in Guiones and owner of Aloha Surf Nosara Rentals.