About the Protected Beaches of Guiones, Pelada, Nosara and Ostional in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

About the Beaches of Nosara

"Playas (Beaches) de Nosara" is a rare dry tropical rain forest, surrounded by mountains and rivers;

and is located on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste.

It is one of the oldest ex-patriot, now multi-national, beach communities in Costa Rica.

Its residents are proud to have achieved a natural and inviting place to live in harmony with the surroundings.

Whether it is due to the consistent surfing waves or the tranqulidad, it is not unusual for visitors to choose to not leave and instead spend their entire vacations enjoying the beaches, restaurants & bars of Playa Guiones & Playa Pelada.

For generations, the land around Nosara was used primarily for cattle pasture after large tracts were deforested.

Some 40 years ago a developer with vision purchased the land and permitted nature to return.

Most of the forest here is “secondary” growth and today Nosara is one of the greenest zones of all of Costa Rica.

Thick rich forests grow in areas that were once razed for the benefit of cattle.

Today Nosara's "Proyecto Americano" is a perfect example of responsible planning and development.

It serves as a model for planned growth and development to other areas of Costa Rica.

The Nosara Civic Association was established to guard the interests of residents and the environment.

As a result Nosara enjoys the cleanest water table in Costa Rica,

clean ocean water with no dumping of gray or black water into streams or beaches (not true in all areas of Costa Rica), regularly scheduled garbage collection, and excellent health & educational services for the townspeople.

The Playas Guiones and Pelada are part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge

which protects the Oliver Ridley turtles, who come in hordes to lay their eggs.

This means that the first 200 meters of the beach is protected from development, as can be seen on Guiones.

The Refuge consists of 8 miles of beach, 3 miles of ocean,

and includes Playas Guiones, Pelada, Nosara and Ostional (south to north).

The pueblo of Nosara sits just north of the Rio Nosara, 4 kilometers from the beaches

and is characterized by the centrally located soccer field, school, churches, groceries, restaurants and bars.

The short drive to town is worth the trip.

Playa Guiones has over 3 miles of white sand beach, with lush natural forest along its shores. It is part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge and is protected from construction in the 200 meter zone.

It is known for its good, consistent surfing all year.

About half way down the beach there are tidal pools for snorkeling during low tide or just hanging out.

Playa Pelada is a shorter, more intimate beach and has shaded areas ideal for watching the blowhole.

There are bat caves around the point on the north end, accessible at low tide.

Surfing is for the experienced due to the rocks.

Purchase fresh fish from the local fishing fleet here.

There is an easy path that connect Guiones & Pelada by just a minute's walk.

Playa Nosara is not an easy place to get to, but well worth the effort.

The beach starts at the river mouth, and is the most remote of the beaches, with access only by foot or horse. One has to walk across the river mouth, best at low tide, to get to this black sand beach. You will see the local fishermen using old fishing techniques at the river mouth.

One can then walk up Playa Nosara to Playa Ostional, the “turtle” beach.

Playa Ostional is the heart of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, which protects this part of the coast.

These 162 hectares of land and 587 hectares of ocean have been set aside to specifically protect one of the largest nesting sites for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.

Hundreds (and sometimes hundred of thousands) of olive ridleys arrive in large groups (arrabadas) every three to four weeks. These last for about a week on the darkest nights following a new moon. Peak months are from May to November.

The females return to their birth beach when they reach about 25 years of age. They crawl up the beach, dig a deep hole, deposit about 100, pliable ping-pong sized eggs, refill the hole, pack it down and return to the sea. The hatchlings appear in about 45 days. One out of a thousand hatchlings will reach maturity and will then return to this beach.

Through a well managed and controlled conservation plan, the residents of Ostional are allowed to harvest the eggs from the early stages of the nesting. The arrabadas can be 3 days and the first “layings” are often dug up, which is why the eggs can be harvested. Then the residents of Ostional help to protect the last eggs laid.

The near extinct leatherback turtles have been seen on all of these beaches laying their eggs or the babies struggling to make it to the sea. You will know one of these nests when you see it.

Surfing at Ostional is a bit risky because of the rip tides and hidden rocks.

Please, we need to protect the turtles, observe the law.

DRIVING ON ANY OF THESE BEACHES IS ILLEGAL AND STRICTLY PROHIBITED

This includes quads and motorcycles