Essentials
- Tap Water
- Generally safe in the main Guiones area, but most nomads prefer filtered or bottled water due to high mineral content
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Libertad (formerly Movistar) or Claro; available at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports
- Banking for Expats
- Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) in Nosara; Revolut and Wise work at most local ATMs
- Accommodation
- Selina Nosara, Sendero Hotel, and luxury villas via Surfing Nosara
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted at high-end restaurants/hotels; cash (Colones) needed for 'Sodas' and local surfboard rentals
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO are the primary platforms; prices range from $1,500 - $5,000+ USD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- 4You Hostels Nosara (approx. $35/night for a dorm bed)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Playa Guiones (near the surf break, shops, and restaurants)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Pelada (quieter, slightly more affordable) or the hills of Las Huacas (best views and cooling breezes)
- City
- Nosara, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approximately 6,000 (fluctuates significantly with seasonal tourism)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic is now common; 50-200 Mbps via providers like Cabletica or Itellum
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC (Costa Rican Colón); USD widely accepted in most establishments
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Nosara Cowork ($20/day, $175/month) located in Playa Guiones
- Best Cafe for Work
- Destiny Cafe (excellent Wi-Fi and healthy bowls) or Organico Bakery
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Nomad Meetups' at Selina; Nosara Real Estate networking events at The Guilded Iguana
- Social Events for Expats
- Nosara Community Facebook group and Tuesday night 'Pizza & Tunes' at Il Volo
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local 'Tuk-Tuks' ($5-$15 per ride) or the Nosara Taxi WhatsApp service
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Froggy's Nosara (ATVs/Quads $70/day) or Nosara MTB & Surf for bicycles
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Guiones (world-class surfing) and Playa Pelada (swimming and tide pools)
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (daily flights from SJO to Nosara airstrip)
- Top International Airline
- United, Delta, and American Airlines flying into Liberia (LIR) airport, 2.5 hours away
- Highway Access
- Route 160 (mostly unpaved/dusty; 4x4 vehicle strongly recommended year-round)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; the main transit point is the Nosara Airstrip (NOB)
- Public Transport Passes
- Limited public bus service (Alfaro Company) to San José; no local passes available
- Regional Travel
- Shared shuttles like Tropical Tours Shuttles to Tamarindo or Samara ($50-$60)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Paradise Medical Services (Local clinic); Hospital Metropolitano in Liberia for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort (classes approx. $20) and Nosara Yoga Village
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Nosara Fitness (Playa Guiones) and the gym at The Guilded Iguana
- Laundry Services
- Nosara Laundry (wash/dry/fold service priced per kilo)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; most restaurants use WhatsApp for direct orders and local delivery drivers
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto for breakfast; Casado (rice, beans, protein, plantain) for lunch
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- LuvBurger (plant-based burgers) and Naked Foods (raw vegan options)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Howlers Ice Cream (handcrafted local flavors) and Robin's Ice Cream
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Nosara (in the village) is significantly cheaper than the boutiques in Guiones
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com (Costa Rican Amazon equivalent) or local 'Encomiendas' from San José
- Grocery Delivery
- Del Mar Academy market orders or direct from Super Nosara via WhatsApp
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Guilded Iguana (live music) and La Luna for sunset cocktails at Pelada
- Local Brewery
- Guiones Brew Co. (craft beers brewed in the jungle)
- Wine Bars
- Kaya Nosara (small-batch wines and tapas)
- Street Food Stalls
- Local 'Chiringuitos' during the Sunday market and the BBQ stand at Playa Pelada
- Popular International Cuisine
- Huacas (Italian/Mediterranean) and Coyol (Upscale mountain-top dining)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Sibu Sanctuary (monkey rescue) and the Ostional Turtle Arrival (Arribada)
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Gilded Iguana Art Gallery (rotating local exhibits)
- Historical Sites
- The old 'Finca' ruins in the mountains; Nosara is more known for nature than history
- Local Markets
- Nosara Farmers Market (organic market) every Tuesday morning
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sessions at Beach Dog Cafe and sunset DJ sets at Selina
- Street Art
- Local murals depicting surf culture located along the main dirt road in Guiones
- Cooking Classes
- Tico Cooking Classes at Soda Rosi’s
- Art Galleries
- Artesanos Art Gallery (local pottery and wood carvings)
- Historic Buildings
- The original thatched-roof structures in the Pueblo
- Local Heritage
- The 'Pura Vida' lifestyle and the Guanacasteco Cowboy ( Sabanero) culture
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia Católica de Nosara (located in the town center/pueblo)
- Annual Events
- Nosara Civic Fiesta (Rodeo/Bullfighting in January) and Envision Festival (nearby in Uvita)
- Cultural Districts
- Nosara Pueblo (the traditional village, distinct from the Guiones tourist zone)
- Theater Venues
- None; community performances are held at the Nosara Civic Center
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Nosara Biological Reserve (mangrove boat tours and hiking trails)
- National Parks Nearby
- Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (famous for Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The jungle trails connecting Guiones to Pelada (walking only during sunset)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Coyol Restaurant (best overlook of the coastline) and the Pelada Cliffs
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lagarta Lodge biological reserve (270+ bird species documented)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Pelada (permit usually not required for small sunset fires, but follow local guidelines)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Post Office in the Pueblo) or DHL drop-off at the mini-mart
- Tech Repair Services
- Cyber Nosara (basic repairs and tech accessories)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ping pong tables at Selina Nosara and various local hostels
- Language Classes
- Nosara Spanish Institute (intensive courses available)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- David S. Kitson Public Library (one of the only public libraries in the region)
- Community Centers
- Nosara Civic Association (NCA) - provides community resources and advocacy
- Gaming Lounges
- None; Nosara is an outdoor-focused town
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; casinos are mainly located in larger cities like Liberia or San José
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000 in Guiones)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000 in the Pueblo)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $400,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard); simplified regimes available for SMEs
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (Personal income tax)
- VAT
- 13% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently in place
- Property Tax
- 0.25% of the registered property value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 1.5% transfer tax plus legal/notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income under the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista/Estancia)