Welcome to Playa Guiones
A top investment opportunity with world-class surfing spots.
Nestled in the lush Jungle of Guanacaste sits a sublimely beautiful stretch of golden sand on the Nicoya Peninsula that, apart from a select few surfers and yogis, once remained secret for decades. But as word about Playa Guiones and Nosara spread, visitor numbers increased and the town evolved into the holistic yoga, surfing, and lifestyle Shangri-La it is today. People are drawn to the area’s natural beauty, amazing surf, and property investment opportunities, but despite increasing development, town residents have worked diligently to preserve the natural beauty and charm of this small surf town.
Under Playa Guiones’ rustic exterior lies a dynamic and modern infrastructure that offers visitors everything they could need, from delicious dining experiences to swanky hotels. Many people here wake up at dawn to get in the water early after rising to the sounds of breaking waves and monkeys howling.
The community here is divided into several areas, and inside these areas, the community is broken down into lettered and numbered sections. The "North End" of our beach community, consists of the G and H sections where as the "South End" consists of J, K, and I sections. Playa Guiones remains the go-to for the best surf and is a prime investment area with top-performing vacation rentals.
What to Love
- Walk to world-class surf
- Huge opportunity for high-earning vacation rental properties
- Up-and-coming vacation destination
People and Lifestyle
The people and residents of the community are laid-back and relaxed, though they sit on some of the most opportune real estate investment properties in the world. They are active, love the ocean, and appreciate the upscale nature of the area. Many residents and homeowners first came to this area for the surf and have stayed for the promise of this small, up-and-coming town. Many homeowners hail from the States, Canada, and various areas of Europe and spend their vacations soaking up the active lifestyle of our community.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
A local favorite on the "North End" of Playa Guiones is Olivia’s or Guiones Brewing, which serves up great pizza and tapas with a relaxed, beachy setting. It’s perfect for grabbing take-out for sunset dining on the beach or eating in and enjoying some Cerveza. La Brasa, an upscale Argentinian spot, serves up perfectly cooked steak, hearty empanadas, and fresh mahi-mahi. For French food served in a jungle setting, Le Bistrot Guiones is your spot — check them out for amazing quiches, avocado toast, sandwiches, and pastries. LuvBurger is a popular spot where you can grab a fantastic plant-based vegetarian mail or try their famous CocoBurger and GoJuice. Surf Juice will be a go-to for an early morning smoothie. For a fantastic craft cocktail, Howler’s Beach Lounge is the place to be. The Gilded Iguana is a gorgeous local surf hotel and the perfect place to have drinks, indulge in a spa treatment.
If you are on the"South End" of Playa Guiones and would like fresh mahi-mahi, ahi tuna, and strawberry daiquiris with a phenomenal view, the locals will all tell you to head to Marlin Bills. The service here is phenomenal, and you can expect incredibly fresh seafood. The unique and community-beloved Olo Alaia Surf & Brew is a coffee shop, craft beer house, surf school, and lifestyle company all in one. This is a must-visit while you are in Guiones and a great location to pick up any surf equipment needed while on your trip or if your just looking for a quality coffee and a great spot.
Costa Nosara offers a casual take on coastal Latin food and seafood dishes with Guanacaste and Caribbean flavors in mind. However, the most popular spot in Guiones — and the spot with the most authentic Costa Rican food — is
Rosi’s Soda Tica, which serves up delicious arroz con pollo, banana pancakes, smoothies, and juices. It’s an absolute must when you’re in town.
Things To Do
Every to-do list in Nosara and Playa Guiones starts and ends with the ocean. Surfing is the prime activity here, and for good reason. Guiones offers hundreds of waves on its 7 kilometers of white-sand beach. The waves here are fantastic for beginners and intermediates to learn and get back into the flow because the wave is a mellow beach break it gives you plenty of time to read the wave and once your lined up and having fun! From May through September the swell direction comes generally comes from the south and can be a bit stronger but overall Playa Guiones is a playground for all levels of surfers from beginners to the most experienced.
For less experienced surfers, there’s no shortage of surf schools happy to take you under their wing, including Corky Carroll’s and Nosara CR Surf School. After a morning spent battling the waves, it’s up to you whether you want to walk on the beach, take a bike ride, explore on an ATV or horseback tour, explore with a stand-up paddleboard or kayaking session, go on a sport fishing trip or just spend the day idling away the hours from the comfort of a hammock.
Every Tuesday morning, there’s a farmers market in the center of Playa Guiones near Nosara Surf Shop where you can find local produce, delicious homemade goods like vegan snacks, and even artisan crafts by local designers.
Sunset at Guiones has become almost a ceremonial event for the many locals and tourists who gather in the early evening to witness the spectacular natural show, catch up with friends over a cerveza, and, if they’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the “green flash’” as the sun dips below the horizon. As night falls, Playa Guiones chefs and live musicians begin preparing a huge variety of culinary and entertainment options.
There’s a vibrant Lantern Parade in town where families make homemade lanterns to celebrate. September 15 marks Costa Rica’s Independence Day and is cause for another lively, spirited holiday in town.
Children in Nosara and Playa Guiones most often attend Del Mar Academy, a Montessori School with International Accreditation that takes kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. Another private school option in the Nosara Highlands is Academy del Sol for children Pre-K through 6th grade.