Three Days in Nosara: An Activity-Focused Itinerary

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Because Nosara's sun is strong by midday and river/surf outings depend on the daily tide chart, the smartest Nosara itinerary pairs one early-morning water or trail session (7:00–10:30 a.m.) with one late-afternoon or early-evening experience (2:30–6:00 p.m.).

Core 3-Day Nosara Activity Itinerary

• Day 1 — Playa Guiones Waves & Sunset Horseback Ride to Pelada: Start your first morning with {tl('private-surf-class-local-instructor-guiones')} (331978P2, 90m) or {tl('private-surf-lesson-nosara')} (469876P1, 2h). After a shaded lunch, ride through the Guiones hills to a golden-hour finish at Playa Pelada on {tl('nosara-golden-sunset-horseback-riding')} (5521744P14, 2h).
• Day 2 — Río Nosara Mangrove Paddle & Traditional Wood-Fire Cooking: Paddle with the morning tide at Boca Nosara on {tl('kayaking-stand-up-paddle-boarding-nosara')} (375503P1, 2h), then head into Nosara Town for hands-on Guanacaste cooking and lunch on {tl('2-hour-cooking-class-nosara')} (12541P27, 2h).
• Day 3 — Nosara Biological Reserve, Mountain Viewpoints & Ostional Turtles: Walk the 85-acre reserve on {tl('hiking-and-birdwatching-nosara')} (444953P1, 2h) or ride ridge trails on {tl('half-day-mountain-tour-nosara')} (331349P1, 3–4h ATV), followed by an evening visit to Ostional on {tl('tour-of-ostional-beach-turtles')} (5604877P1, 2h).

Extending to 5 or 7 Days in Nosara

• Day 4 (Dry vs. Green Season Pick): In dry season (Dec–May), book {tl('discover-the-magic-of-nosara-cycling-tour')} (389530P1, 2–3h from The Frog Pad). In green season (Jun–Dec), book {tl('waterfall-rappelling-nosara')} (12541P24, 3–4h) or {tl('nosara-river-gentle-rafting-safari')} (12541P25, 2.5h).
• Day 5–7 (Nearby Sámara Bay Day Trip ~45 Min South): Drive or taxi south along Route 160 to Playa Sámara for {tl('half-day-dolphin-watching-snorkeling-samara')} (12702P56, 3.5h) or {tl('playa-samara-ocean-kayak-snorkeling')} (12702P39, 2.5h to Isla Chora).

Combining Nosara with Monteverde (138326P9) or other regions of Costa Rica? See #standalone-tickets below and visit EasyCostaRica.com.

Recommended Tours & Excursions Featured in This Guide

Private Surf Class with a Local Instructor

Our local and experienced surf coaches will have you standing up and riding your very first wave, or improving your existing skills, in no time! We are experts in this area and know where to catch the top waves suited for your experience level.

• Departure / meeting zone: Playa Guiones (any convenient Guiones beach entrance) · Area hub: Playa Guiones · Category: Surf Lessons & Coaching
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes · Format: Private (Private tour (your group only, up to 6 travelers per booking))
• Included: Surfboard
• Run by: Tierra Costa · Reviews: 5.00 average from 21 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Nosara Golden Sunset Horseback Riding Tour

Discover Nosara’s beauty on a horseback ride through jungles and rivers. Enjoy panoramic views, a sunset at Playa Pelada, and capture golden-hour photos. Begin your adventure in the hills of Guiones, guided by a professional who ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all ski...

• Departure / meeting zone: Playa Guiones Main Road (200m south of Beach Dog Café) to Playa Pelada sunset · Area hub: Playa Pelada · Category: Horseback Riding
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 10 travelers per booking))
• Included: Private transportation; Water; Safety Equipment; Well trained horse; Photo stops
• Run by: Discover In · Reviews: 3 customer review(s) on Viator (4.33 score)
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Kayaking and Stand-up Paddle Boarding in Costa Rica

Come join us on a unique experience in our beautiful wild national reserve. Its a magnificent place for all to admire and get to know our ecosystem and ways to sustain it. We will drift down river with the perfect tidal conditions to ensure maximum entertainment. Grab a "Pipa" wh...

• Departure / meeting zone: Boca Nosara / Río Nosara & Río Montaña (Playa Guiones pickup option) · Area hub: Playa Nosara & Biological Reserve · Category: Kayaking & Paddleboarding
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 30 travelers per booking))
• Included: Snacks; Kayaks, doubles or singles and SUP boards are provided
• Run by: Everyday Nosara Outdoor Experience · Reviews: 5.00 average from 37 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara

You will get hands-on training from a local chef. You will learn traditional Costa Rica cooking techniques and cook on wood fire stove. Vegetarians options, please let us know ahead. Enjoy this amazing culinary experience and book now! Memories of traditional Costa Rican foods wi...

• Departure / meeting zone: Nosara (near Hostel Nicao / 300m before Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary) · Area hub: Nosara Town (Inland Village) · Category: Food, Cooking Classes & Culture
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 6 travelers per booking))
• Included: Lunch; Bottled water
• Run by: Costa Rica Descents · Reviews: 4.99 average from 159 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Night Walk Nosara Activity

Our activity is different from others because of the knowledge of our guides. The Nosara Biological Reserve is a protected area in Nosara with a fascinating mangrove forest. Our guides enjoy explaining different processes in this environment, especially its nocturnal life. Our ty...

• Departure / meeting zone: Nosara Biological Reserve (mangrove & dry-forest trails) · Area hub: Playa Nosara & Biological Reserve · Category: Wildlife & Nature
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 10 travelers per booking))
• Included: Flash lights
• Run by: Hiking Tours Nosara · Reviews: 2 customer review(s) on Viator (5.00 score)
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Half day Mountain Tour in Nosara

This tour provides you with some of the greatest views you can find in the area! There are several viewpoints where we can stop on the way to look down over the mountains and beaches in Nosara.

• Departure / meeting zone: Nosara town / mountains above Nosara beaches · Area hub: Nosara Town (Inland Village) · Category: Adventure Tours (ATV, Bike, Zipline & Waterfall)
• Duration: 3–4 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 10 travelers per booking))
• Included: Lunch; ATV, helmet
• Run by: Macho ATV Rentals and Tours · Reviews: 4.98 average from 82 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Discover the Magic of Nosara Cycling Tour

Experience the thrill of adventure as you learn about Nosara and its surroundings on our unique front suspension bamboo mountain bikes. Led by our experienced guides, you'll discover hidden trails, off-road paths, and beach areas. Don't miss this opportunity to explore, learn, an...

• Departure / meeting zone: Playa Guiones (outside The Frog Pad surf shop) · Area hub: Playa Guiones · Category: Adventure Tours (ATV, Bike, Zipline & Waterfall)
• Departure & season note: Dry-season schedule: next bookable season runs December 12, 2026 through May 20, 2027.
• Duration: 2–3 hours · Format: Shared (Shared small-group tour (up to 4 travelers per booking))
• Included: Bike helmets, handle bar bag and fruit; Bicycle use; One refreshing coconut water at end of trip.
• Run by: Bamboo Rides Nosara · Reviews: 4.97 average from 29 customer reviews on Viator
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Tour of Ostional Beach Turtles

Discover the natural wonder of Lora turtle arrivals at Playa Ostional, a fascinating event that attracts thousands of females each month. Watch as between two and two hundred thousand turtles arrive at the beach, especially from July to October, on Luna Menguante, when between 20...

• Departure / meeting zone: Playa Guiones / Nosara pickup to Ostional National Wildlife Refuge · Area hub: Ostional National Wildlife Refuge · Category: Turtle-Watching Excursions
• Duration: 2 hours · Format: Private (Private tour (your group only, up to 15 travelers per booking))
• Included: Certified guide; Entrance to the wildlife refuge; In-vehicle air conditioning
• Run by: Nahual Tour · Reviews: 1 customer review(s) on Viator (5.00 score)
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Supporting Standalone Airport & Regional Transfers

The listings below are standalone point-to-point airport and inter-regional shuttle transfers between Liberia Airport (LIR), Monteverde, Nosara, and Ostional—kept separate from the guided excursions above:

Black Car Transportation Service Liberia Airport to/from Nosara (Viator 5507246P1)

Liberia Airport to or from Nosara with private transportation, onboard Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and bottled water.

• Type: Private airport/regional transfer (up to 4 passengers) (standalone point-to-point transfer) · Area hub: Nosara Town (Inland Village)
• Route / meeting zone: Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR) ↔ Nosara / Playa Guiones · Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; On-board WiFi; In-vehicle air conditioning · Run by: Black Car Cr
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before scheduled departure for a full refund.

See Current Price & Availability — Use the deal buttons on this page to check open dates and live pricing on Viator.

Explore all 7 Nosara planning guides, browse 10 experience categories, or check where to stay near your activities.