Nosara, Beach district in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Nosara is a coastal district on the Nicoya Peninsula covering roughly 134 square kilometers of land. The area includes several beaches like Guiones, Pelada, and Garza on the Pacific, along with rivers, wetlands, and forested zones.
The district was officially established on January 26, 1988, through Acuerdo 40, after the area had been shaped by cattle ranching for generations. Over the following decades, the region transformed into a destination for people seeking nature and outdoor activities.
The district's name comes from a Chorotega princess and keeps indigenous heritage alive through local stories and customs passed down through generations. This connection to the past shapes how people in the area view their surroundings and community.
Nosara Airport provides flight connections to other cities and is the main gateway to the area. Motorcycles, ATVs, and golf carts are the primary ways to travel locally since many roads are not paved.
The Ostional Wildlife Refuge is a renowned spot where olive ridley and leatherback sea turtles come to nest on the beaches in large numbers. This nesting congregation happens annually and draws researchers and visitors interested in marine life.
Location: Nicoya Canton
Inception: January 26, 1988
Elevation above the sea: 6 m
GPS coordinates: 9.97829,-85.63174
Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:26
Las Baulas National Marine Park
45.6 km
Playa Negra
32.4 km
Ostional Wildlife Refuge
9.3 km
Church of Saint Blaise of Nicoya
26.8 km
Barra Honda National Park
39.4 km
Spiaggia Carrillo
19.7 km
Playa Lagarto
24 km
Playa Barrigona
12.2 km
Playa Junquillal
28.8 km
Playa Coyote
43.9 km
Playa Ventanas
47.4 km
Playa Corozalito
31.3 km
Playa Pitahaya
17.5 km
Playa Camaronal
24.7 km
Playa del Ostional
8.3 km
Samara Beach
16.9 km
Playa Barco Quebrado
10.6 km
Playa Buena Vista
13.6 km
Playa Honda
50.6 km
Playa Garza
7.7 km
Tamarindo Beach
42.5 km
Playa San Miguel
39.9 km
Playa de Nosara
6.8 km
Playa La Islita
28.8 km
Playa de Los Pargos
43.7 km
Playa Caletas
47.3 km
Beach Izquierda
15.1 km
Playa Mansita
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