Top 10 Things for Families to do in Nosara, Costa Rica

Pura Vida Family Fun: The Top 10 Things to Do in Nosara

Nosara is famous for its world class waves and wellness vibe, and for families, it’s a living, breathing adventure park! This corner of the Nicoya Peninsula is safe, welcoming, and packed with incredible activities that will keep every age group engaged. We've lived it with our kids!

Here are the Top 10 family-friendly adventures you must add to your Nosara itinerary:

1. Family Surf Lessons at Playa Guiones

This is a non-negotiable! Playa Guiones is an ideal spot for all ages to learn. The sandy bottom and consistent, gentle-rolling waves make it safe and fun for beginners.

• Why it's great: Our local partners at Living Stoked Surf School are experts at teaching kids and adults, ensuring everyone catches a wave and experiences that pure, unforgettable rush of riding the Pacific.

2. Meet the Residents at a Wildlife Sanctuary

Give your family an up-close and educational look at Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity.

• Why it's great: Places like Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary or International Animal Rescue (formerly Nosara Refuge for Wildlife) rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured or orphaned animals, especially the beloved howler monkeys. It's a fantastic way to teach kids about conservation.

3. Witness a Turtle Arribada at Ostional Wildlife Refuge

(Check the seasonal calendar for the best viewing.)

Just a short drive north of Nosara, Playa Ostional is one of the world's most important nesting sites for Olive Ridley sea turtles. During an arribada (mass nesting event), hundreds to thousands of turtles come ashore to lay eggs.

• Why it's great: This is one of nature's greatest spectacles and an absolutely awe-inspiring experience for children and adults alike. Book a guided tour to ensure you follow all the conservation rules.

4. Glide Through the Mangroves on a Kayak Tour

Explore a different side of Nosara's natural beauty by taking a guided kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour through the Nosara and Río Montaña estuaries.

• Why it's great: The calm, shaded waters of the mangrove forests are perfect for younger kids. You’ll spot a huge variety of wildlife, from cormorants and herons to crocodiles and, if you're lucky, monkeys and sloths hiding in the canopy.

5. Fly High on a Zipline/Canopy Tour

For the adventurous family members, a zipline (or canopy) tour is the classic Costa Rican adrenaline rush.

• Why it's great: Nosara has excellent tours that feature cables running over mountain ridges and lush valleys. It’s a thrilling, safe way to see the rainforest from the perspective of a monkey!

6. Sunset Horseback Riding on the Beach

Several local ranches offer guided tours that take you through the jungle and culminate in a breathtaking ride along Playa Guiones or Playa Pelada.

• Why it's great: It’s a gentle, relaxing, and unforgettable way to enjoy the world-famous Nosara sunsets, and guides always cater to riders of all experience levels.

7. Skate Park

Designed by NewLine Skateparks, this facility is a modern, concrete haven that caters to all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner learning to drop in or an advanced skater looking for proper transitions and coping, this park delivers.

• Why it's great: Beyond skateboarding, the facility is a community space often featuring a climbing wall, basketball hoops, and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

8. Explore the Dirt Roads on an ATV or Golf Cart

The unpaved roads of Nosara are part of its charm. Renting an ATV, UTV, or a street-legal golf cart is the best way to explore the local beaches (Playa Pelada, Playa Garza, San Juanillo) and restaurant options.

• Why it's great: It turns every simple trip to the store into a fun, dusty adventure that kids absolutely love.

9. Beachfront Dinner at Playa Pelada

While Guiones is for surfing, nearby Playa Pelada is perfect for a relaxing family meal. This smaller, crescent-shaped bay is known for its calmer waters and amazing sunsets.

• Why it's great: Dine at an iconic beachfront restaurant like La Luna or Olga's and enjoy fresh food with your toes in the sand while the kids explore the tide pools at low tide.

10. Hike the Nosara Biological Reserve

Take a guided or self-guided walk through the Nosara Biological Reserve (accessible via Lagarta Lodge).

• Why it's great: This 90-acre protected area is home to a dry tropical forest, which is teeming with wildlife. It’s an easy hike where your family can spot howler monkeys, coatis, exotic birds, and massive iguanas in their natural habitat.

Top 10 has a nice ring to it, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention a Sunset Catamaran Ride, a Pink Island Tour or Deep Sea Fishing. So many choices and opportunities in the area.

Nosara truly is a paradise and playground for family members of all ages, blending active adventure with unrivaled nature immersion!