Thinking about moving to Nosara? This picturesque beach town is firmly ensconced within Costa Rica’s Blue Zone and is home to an unshakably chill vibe, spectacular outdoor pursuits, and an incredible wellness lifestyle.
Nosara is the kind of place where you can dine on five-star fare… while you’re barefoot, toes buried in soft sand. Indeed, the town embodies its motto of “no shirt, no shoes, Nosara” – an unabashed and casual essence that invites both locals and visitors alike to bask in the sun, downward-dog with a view, and become one with their surfboards.
With seemingly endless sandy coastlines, abundant wildlife, and a lifestyle that revolves around the outdoors and holistic wellness, this laid-back beach town has fostered a close-knit community of Costa Ricans and expats, drawn by the trilogy of sea, surf, and health.
Welcome to Nosara
Situated in the Guanacaste province, about two hours south of Tamarindo, Nosara is a destination well celebrated for its wellness lifestyle – in part, a more long-term commitment to the town’s popularity for yoga retreats and exceptional surf, which for decades have attracted tourists in droves. And now, many Costa Ricans and expats are moving to Nosara for the same reasons.
While the town of Nosara itself is distant from the ocean and removed from the hustle and bustle, the term “Nosara” has evolved into a comprehensive label for the beaches and towns of Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, and the village of Nosara— a quaint hamlet situated four miles inland along the Nosara River.
Nosara’s often quiet, country roads wind through the landscape, contributing to the community’s rural ambiance. Most bars, restaurants, and establishments are tucked away on side streets off the main thoroughfare, creating an impression of a smaller and more serene town than its actual size.
For life and living purposes, moving to Nosara usually centers around three distinct beaches: the lengthy and surfable Playa Guiones to the south; the tranquil and swimmer-friendly Playa Pelada centered at the mid-point; and the secluded, dark-sand Playa Nosara to the north. Just five miles north lies a fourth beach, Playa Ostional, known for attracting thousands of nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles in spectacular arribadas, or mass turtle nesting events. (Note: The Ostional Wildlife Refuge, dedicated to protecting these majestic creatures, officially extends into Playa Guiones.)
The Playa Nosara Lifestyle
Hands down, lifestyle is the overarching, applies-to-everyone-reason for moving to Nosara. Because Nosara is very much a place that adapts to you and how you want to live. But, of all the lifestyle factors that unite us as neighbors, none is so predominant as the desire for an active lifestyle.
So, the question is, would you like to spend more time outside? Would you like to surf, or dance, or hike, or do yoga? If you feel your heart saying yes, yes, any and all of the above!, then you’re just going to love Nosara!
The region’s allure extends to residents of all ages and interests: If you dream of the beach lifestyle and love the outdoors – everything from surfing, kayaking, and horseback riding to ATV off-roading and hiking through Nosara’s Biological Reserve – the area offers glimpses into the area’s diverse wildlife, including 270+ species of birds. Snorkeling and sport fishing are also popular.
You can spend the afternoon at the Nosara Biological Reserve and its 35 hectares of exploration, or head into the vast Pacific Ocean and all its awesome offerings – surfing and swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkeling, scuba-diving and beach walks – this is a place that bid you come outdoors and enjoy the warm, tropical sun.
Welcome to the Blue Zone
Moving to Nosara often revolves around sheer natural beauty. For good reason, this is what people think of, when they envision paradise: A sparkling, warm ocean where dolphins flip and whales breach. Thick, lush rain forest that spills into the sea. Roaring waterfalls that pour into natural swimming holes. And in the thick of it all – modern homes, perched on ocean-side bluffs. It’s truly paradise.
But Nosara’s wellness credentials rely on a lot more than an active lifestyle: It’s located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica’s Blue Zone – a global longevity hotspot where residents live measurably longer, healthy lives. It sounds a little bit like magic – special places where you can live longer, almost effortlessly? – but the science is very real.
That said, Blue Zones are extremely rare. There are only five in the world: Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; and our very own Nicoya Peninsula, home to Nosara. Here, science has shown that people are more likely to live to 100.
According to Dan Buettner, the main researcher behind Blue Zones, geographic longevity boils down to three major factors: environment, customs and lifestyle. Here are a few lessons that Buettner has derived from Costa Rica’s Blue Zone:
- Focus on Your Family & Friends: Nicoyans, Nosarans included, spend lots of time with their families and friends, who provide support and a feeling of belonging. The lesson here: Find your tribe.
- Drink the Water: The peninsula’s water is rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, which strengthens bones and the heart. So drink up!
- Get Physical: Nicoyans aren’t strangers to hard, physical labor – and that’s a good thing, because getting physical can keep you strong and limber.
- Enjoy the Sun: Vitamin D, straight from the sun, helps fuel strong bones and healthy body functions. (On the flip side, vitamin D deficiency can contribute to heart disease, osteoporosis and other problems.) So step outside! Just don’t overdo it. Sunscreen is your friend.
- Create a Plan de Vida: Centenarians on the Nicoya Peninsula have a plan de vida – a life plan, or sense of purpose. Give to your community, and you’ll soon see how contributing to the greater good reflects back onto your health.
Nosara Wellness Pursuits
Life in Nosara can often look like a string of superlatives: the best views, the best seafood, the best beaches, the best wildlife, the best nature trails – the best, the best, the best.
And it’s all true; Nosara is undeniably beautiful and unequivocally enjoyable. There is much to see and do, and you’ll slowly find time to see and do it all.
Beach-Hopping
Okay, okay, we know – this one’s no surprise! You live at the beach, so beach-hopping isn’t a wow-mind-blown-yes-this-definitely-ranks-as-spectacular! kind of activity, right?
Wrong.
The beaches of Nosara are absolutely, positively wow-inspiring. They are spectacular. Start at Playa Ostional, five miles north of downtown Nosara, and discover one of the world’s most important nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles. Then, head south to Playa Nosara – encompassed by the Ostional Wildlife Refuge and home to great surf – and then another few miles down to Playa Pelada. This crescent-shaped beach is an area favorite, with soft white sand and picture-perfect palms to provide shade. Travel onward to Playa Guiones (surf heaven), Playa Rosada (pink sand!), and Playa Garza (barrier reefs), and you’ll see why beach-hopping is definitely worthy of a spot on your list.
Dolphin & Whale Watching
If you think it’s exhilarating to look out your front window and spot jumping dolphins and breeching whales, you should try boating with them! Several whale and dolphin-watching tours run every day, so make reservations for this weekend. Seriously. This is one experience you’ll never forget!
Waterfall Hiking, Swimming and Picnicking
Stroll the sun-drenched beach, its arid sands warm beneath your feet, and you’d never know that Nosara’s cooler mountains house dozens of hidden treasures: burbling cascades and rushing waterfalls, many of them easily accessible via hike or horseback ride. You’ll find plenty of tours advertised, but residents know the best waterfalls are local secrets. (Get in touch we’re happy to tell you the most beautiful, most breathtaking places to settle in for a picnic by the water hole.
Fish for Your Dinner
One of the best things about living at the beach is the seafood. If you wanted to, you could dine every day on delicacies that were swimming that morning. But if you want to level-up on your local status, it’s time to fish for your dinner. Hit the river with a pole and some bait, or go big on a near-shore or offshore sport fishing excursion. Either way, dinner tonight will take on special meaning. And if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to stock the freezer for many dinners to come.
Do Yoga for Mind and Body
Nosara has firmly secured its reputation as Central America’s premier yoga destination. The Pacific jungle’s soul-soothing sights, sounds, and ambiance have provided the groundwork for the early yoga communities in Nosara, drawing individuals who sought to live a simpler life.
Today, visitors and residents have discovered that Nosara’s natural surroundings serve as the perfect catalyst for achieving a profound state of serene awareness. As a result, you’ll find here a diverse range of yoga disciplines, including Vinyasa, Acro, Kundalini, surfer-specific yoga, and more, making it an ideal destination to immerse yourself in this profoundly calming and beneficial activity.
Check in with Yourself
When you’re consumed by the hustle and bustle, the stress and pressure of life, it’s easy to put yourself on the back burner. But here in Nosara, you have time. Time to relax. Time for sun salutations. Time to take long walks. Time to bathe at the base of a waterfall. Time to wait for the perfect wave. Time to sit and watch the sunset.
In other words, you have time for you. And when you devote yourself to leisure, to the simple pleasures in life, you’ll find that you remember what it means to love yourself. And that’s a really wonderful feeling.
This is just the tip of the sandcastle. Nosara’s take on healthy living is so much more all-encompassing: every aspect of life here seems to encourage good eating, activity, emotional wellbeing and all-around health.
As often as you’d like, you’ll eat fish and seafood, fresh off the boat. You’ll take long walks on the beach. You’ll swim, you’ll surf, you’ll practice yoga. You’ll snack on fruits and veggies that were just today pulled out of the ground and off of the tree.
You’ll indulge in the good life – in the healthy life – as only Nosara can offer.
Thinking of Moving to Nosara, Costa Rica?
So, what do you think? Do you think you have what it takes to move to and adapt to the Costa Rica expat lifestyle? If not, could you?
True fact: Your new life in Costa Rica often begins with research. A lot of research, far beyond the basic Spanish before moving to Nosara or even to Costa Rica – research into geography and lifestyle and other elements. We’re here to help, every step of the way.
At Blue Water Properties of Costa Rica, we’re committed to you. Not to selling you a property or spamming you with all the options, but to helping – genuinely and with good intent – to match you to the perfect property for your needs and wants. We thrive on relationships and promise the fastest communication and best services in the industry.
At Blue Water Properties of Costa Rica, we’re proud to offer some of the best Costa Rica Real Estate. We have both condos and homes, land and businesses for sale.
Go ahead – try us. Give us a chance to show off our expertise – and wow you with the possibilities! We look forward to it.
