Chapter 4. Costa Rica Activities & Experiences

“Wilderness is not a luxury
but necessity of the human spirit.”

―Edward Abbey

Fall in love with the land that we call home

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Nosara’s way of life is rooted in the preservation of local ecology. Few places in the world offer nature’s playground completely unspoiled by human activity and development. Our pristine beaches and dense jungles hold endless adventure in its most natural form. We offer a wide range of uniquely Costa Rican activities and adventures that are bound to capture your attention. They may inspire you, form new hobbies or stretch comfort zones; but whatever you choose, we guarantee that you’ll leave with plenty of photos, and stories you will tell over and over. Take a look below for a few of the more popular adventures and activities available in our community.

The Beach Club at Gilded Iguana will be your beach activity headquarters for your stay.

Tierra Magnifica guests have complimentary access to the Beach Club at Gilded Iguana. This brand new space is the beachgoer’s haven for surfers and loungers alike, providing towels, bathrooms, board rentals and storage, and more for the ideal day out.

Time: Daily

Included for all TM Guests:

  • Use of locker with attendant
  • Beach towels
  • Bathrooms
  • Changing rooms with fresh water showers

Surfboard & boogie board rentals available at extra cost

Recommended Attire/Equipment:

Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen lotion, beachwear
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costa rica surfing

Surf Lessons

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Nosara is a world famous surf destination with waves 365 days a year. Choose from private, semi-private, or group surf lessons.

Time: 90 minutes / Subject to tide

Includes: Surfboard/equipment, instructor, towel, shower, access to Beach Club

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Sunscreen, swimsuit

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, sharpen your skills with private, semi-private, or group surf lessons. Surf lessons are 90-minutes long and led by ISA-certified surf coaches who are trained to work with both beginners and experienced surfers.

Access to Beach Club is included with surf lessons and include transportation to and from, use of locker, bathroom and fresh water showers.

costa rica horse riding on the beach

Beach Horseback Riding

Take a mesmerizing trail ride up through the forest, then down to the beach for a sunset view from the saddle on our pristine Playas de Nosara. You’ll be accompanied by a local handler who has spent his life around horses

Type: Moderate tour

Time: 2 hours / Best time 8:00am & 4:00pm

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Personal bag, tennis shoes, hat, sunscreen, camera, bug repellent, long pants

Enjoy the amazing Nosara beaches like Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada with a local tour guide that spends his life around horses. This is a once in a lifetime experience getting to explore the beauty of the Nosara community. It’s a must do for couples and single travelers!

costa rica turtle nesting

Ostional Turtle Nesting Tour (Seasonal)

Of all the brand new experiences you’ll have here, this is one you can’t see anywhere else. Discover the world’s most famous nesting beach for the Olive Ridley Turtle, a unique and rarely-seen biological wonder.

Type: Peaceful Tour

Time: 3 hours / Subject to nesting season

Includes: Transportation, local guide & entrance fee to Ostional Wildlife Refuge

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Tennis shoes, camera, bug repellent, long pants

The world’s most famous nesting beach for the Olive Ridley Turtle, a unique and rarely- seen biological wonder. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of sea turtles come to one specific stretch of beach to lay their eggs in the black, volcanic sand of Ostional. Turtles nest year round, but peak time is during rainy season from August through December. ‘The Arribada’, or nesting period, occurs once or sometimes even twice a month and the number of nesting females range from hundreds to thousands. The turtles generally ride in on high tide at night, but during an Arribada they arrive soon after sunset and continue until 6 the next morning.

Costa Rica stand up paddle board

Standup Paddle Boarding Ocean Tour

Paddle around the hidden gems of Guanacaste’s Pacific beaches. Legendary islands, tucked away beaches and outer reefs hold endless secrets and surprises to be discovered.

Type: Moderate tour

Time: 3 hours / According to tide

Includes: Transportation, local guide, water & fruit

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Extra shirt, sunscreen, swimsuit

Paddle around Garza’s northern headland to the fabled Isla Rosada, visit the tucked away “Coco” beach, explore the outer reefs of south Guiones or cruise the Garza bay. Depending on local conditions your ocean paddling experience will be crafted to your groups’ skill level. Explore the offshore reefs and vibrant marine life as you learn to stand-up paddle the open ocean, spot sea turtles peacefully swimming and enjoy the company of your local guide.

Standup Paddle Boarding Mangrove Tour

Paddle the serene waters of Rio Montaña, weaving your way through mangrove tunnels to a hidden trail that leads out to Playa Nosara.

Type: Peaceful tour

Time: 3 hours / According to tide

Includes: Transportation, guide, coconut water & fruit

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, swimsuit

Paddle the serene waters of Rio Montaña, weaving your way through mangrove tunnels to a hidden trail that leads out to Playa Nosara. Take this adventure at your own level and pace while spotting wildlife in the jungle’s trees. Boards and paddles of all shapes and sizes are available to accommodate everyone from the introductory flat-water paddler to the expert paddle surfer.

Costa Rica wildlife kayaking

Boca Nosara Wildlife & Birding Kayak Tour

Take to the rivers and get up close with the natural beauty. This tour will take you through Rio Nosara and Rio Montaña, the largest rivers in Nosara.

Type: Peaceful tour

Time: 3 hours / According to tide

Includes: Transportation, guide, coconut water & fruit

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Hat, sunscreen, bug spray, swimsuit

Rio Nosara and Rio Montaña are the largest rivers in Nosara, and there is a tremendous amount of natural beauty where they meet. For nature lovers and those who like to kayak, this is quite simply the best tour in Nosara. Explore the wildlife alongside a birding expert and lead guide. Kayak among great blue herons, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, and maybe even a few reptiles. Weave through mangrove tunnels as wide as your boat, while enjoying the exquisite sounds of the jungle.

Costa Rica canopy zip lining

Zipline Tour

Nosara is home to one of the longest and highest ziplines in the world! Soar over the treetops and discover hidden wildlife wonders on this thrilling and safe adventure.

Type: Moderate tour

Time: 4 hours / Tour available at 7:30am or 1:00pm

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Shorts, tennis shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, fanny pack or similar bag

This zip line tour is one of the longest and highest lines in the world! Soar across the treetops in this thrilling, exhilarating and safe adventure. Get to know your local English and Spanish speaking guides and spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Enjoy 13 ziplines between 300m and 800m long, for a total length of 11km. It’s an experience you can’t miss!

Costa Rica sport fishing

Sport Fishing

Take a thrilling full or half day out on the open water, getting up close with the tropical fish of the Pacific.

32’ T Craft: Up to 6 people with bathroom included

Time: Half day & full day options / 7:00am

Includes: Craft, crew, fishing equipment, water, fruit, snacks, & lunch for full day option

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Comfortable Clothes, Hat, Sunscreen, Swimsuit

This world-class tropical fishing tour will give you a chance to fish in the crystal blue water at local fishing spots with a beautiful view of the Costa Rican coastline. Enjoy the thrill of catching marlin, sailfish, tuna, snapper, wahoo, rooster fish, tarpon or snook. The captains we charter for you know how to locate and catch the fish, along with helping those clients with little-to-no fishing experience. Dolphin and sea turtle spotting is also an added bonus to a fun day of fishing here in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica SCUBA diving

Scuba Diving (PADI certified guests only)

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is known for its fabulous, thriving large marine life. Take a glide below the surface and marvel in the beauty and grace of the ocean’s inhabitants. Previously certified guests can participate, and certification courses are available if you contact our concierge.

*PADI diver card or number required. Discovery Dive option is available for non certified divers*

Time: 5 hours

Includes: Guide, two tanks, snacks, fruit & water.

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Swimsuit, sunscreen

This dive center is located in Garza Beach, 30 minutes south from Nosara. Enjoy the marine life under the waves with professional and certified diving guides, new and regularly maintained equipment, and a 32’ specially designed for diving boat. You will enjoy the Pacific Coast, with maximum depths of 25m, and perfect spots to admire colorful sea life in the warm waters of Costa Rica. Certification courses and Discovery Dive (certification not required) also available, please ask our concierge for more information.

Ecological Restoration with Costa Verdes

Learn more by giving back. Connect with the land of Nosara by planting and adopting a native tree, while learning about the species and the coastal forest around you.

Time: To be arranged with biologist

Recommended Attire/Equipment: Hat, bug repellent, water bottle, sunscreen

Leave your mark on Nosara by reducing your carbon footprint. Founded in 2009, Costa Verdes is an organization that restores coastal forest by reintroducing native plant and tree species in Guiones and other coastal locations in Costa Rica. To help restore our coast, you can plant and adopt a native tree, at the same time you will learn about planting techniques, dry tropical forest, native species and more.

Mala Noche Waterfall & Wildlife Adventure

Experience one of Nosara’s hidden gems. This 45 minute hike includes crossing several slow-flowing creeks, traversing a lush cattle farm and weaving through a primary canopy of tropical dry forest. Stop along the way to take in the vibrant colors of flowering trees and sounds of young howler monkeys before discovering a series of fresh swimming holes and small waterfalls.

Type: Moderate tour
Time: 3.5 hours / Available only during
Green Season (June - November)
Includes: Transportation, refreshments, fruit & guide
Recommended Attire/Equipment:

Early Morning Birding & Wildlife Hike

Rise and shine! Over 270 species of birds have been documented within the borders of the
Nosara Biological Reserve. Amateur and serious birdwatchers visiting Costa Rica will be thrilled with this early morning hike. Visit the heart of all the biodiversity in the Nosara region and see it through the eyes of a true naturalist.

Type: Moderate tour
Time: 3 hours / Best around 7:00am
Includes: Includes transportation, refreshments,
fruit & local guide.
Recommended Attire/Equipment:

Nosara Tennis Center

Tennis racquets available With a new selection of 5 full size courts – including red clay and DecoTurf® Hard Courts. This tennis center offers hourly rental and professional lessons for beginners or to improve your tennis skills with the best coaches.

Time: To be arranged with concierge
Recommended Attire/Equipment:

Nosara Mountain Bike Tours

This Mountain Bike Tour is for riders ages 16 + and climbs a 1,200 meter altitude. Ask our concierge for the Pro Tour Option.

Type: Rough tour
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Includes: Specialty bike, helmet, gloves, hydration, guide & first aid assistance, professional guide & mountain bike instructions
Recommended Attire/Equipment: professional attire