Nosara Tourist Attractions

Nosara is mostly home to North American and other foreign residents. The area is very attractive; a wildlife refuge is nearby and the present residents have lobbied against land development. Plenty of wildlife, such as parrots, armadillos, toucans and monkeys, are often spotted around the village and at the nearby beaches. The area is spread out and lacks a real center; however, there are several options for accommodations and dining.

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

Only 8km/5mi in length, this wildlife refuge is a narrow strip of land found on the western coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. With a total land area of 162ha/400ac, the refuge also includes 587ha/1,450ac of the adjoining Pacific Ocean. The reserve was created to protect the nesting grounds of the olive ridley sea turtle.

The refuge includes two beaches, one of which hosts hundreds of turtles in large groups annually. Ostional Beach is also is home to a tiny village in which residents are allowed to harvest some of the early batches of turtle eggs, which are popular snacks in Costa Rican bars. Unregulated harvesting was another factor in the creation of the reserve and is now controlled.

Several bird species, green turtles, crabs, iguanas and monkeys are also found in the refuge. The best area for birding is a mangrove swamp found near the mouth of the Nosara River in the southeast end of the refuge.

Punta India is a rocky point in the northwestern end of the refuge featuring several tide pools. Here, visitors often spot sea urchins, starfish, shellfish, transparent ghost crabs and a variety of lizards.

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Ostional Beach

Large groups of olive ridley sea turtles nest on this beach annually from July to November. The best time to see the turtles is on very dark nights and villagers will lead visitors to the best places to view the spectacle.

Nosara Beach

Sunbathing and swimming are popular at Nosara Beach, which is backed by thick vegetation. Birds and wildlife are attracted to the area.

Bare Beach

This crescent shaped beach offers lots of shade and is good for swimming and sunbathing.

Guiones Beach

Good snorkelling opportunities are found at this white-sand beach, the southernmost in the Nosara area.