Costa Rica Surf Camp, Yoga Retreat and Adventure Holidays

Why Nosara, Costa Rica is Special

June 21st, 2011

by Angie Miranda

From San Jose, Costa Rica to Nosara, Guanacaste

I grew up and lived in San Jose all my life. Even though we were constantly traveling to Guanacaste and other parts of Costa Rica for holidays and trips, it wasn’t until I was 22 that I left home for the first time to live at the beach. I got a job at a big resort near Jaco and spent two years there. After that my next job had me travel all over Costa Rica and Nicaragua working with sustainable boutique hotels. I got the chance to see all the most beautiful beaches, jungles, mountains etc. But I have to say, the first time I came to Nosara I truly fell in love.

Playa Guiones, Nosara

I had been here years ago under different circumstances and only passing by. But five years ago I saw Playa Guiones like a place where I would actually like to spend my life. The energy here is something else, I felt it many times walking through the hallways of the former Villas Taype, that would soon transform into the Harmony Hotel. I felt it on the tide pools in South Guiones and heard it on the whispers of the wind at night, rustling the palm leaves. I heard stories about it from the locals, how they say if you swim in the Nosara River you will never leave, and how the energy here is strong because of the Huacas, or native burial grounds that are all over the mountains.

Blue Zone – Live Longer, Better, Happier

Maybe it’s because Nosara is in one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live the longest, healthiest, happiest lives. I met so many travelers that decided to stop their journeys here, and settle, as well as people who are drawn here year after year.

Following are the reasons why Nosara is special to me, and why I think so many people feel the same way:

Nosara, Costa Rica is a Special Place Because: ….

1. In Nosara we surf every day. Guiones is a versatile beach break, fit for beginners and experienced surfers alike. We get to surf in high and low tide, year round in really good conditions. Of course we may be forced out of the water when big swells come and bring 12 to 15 foot waves with them, but aside from that we get warm water and good waves pretty much every day of the year.
2. In Nosara people are really healthy. The vibe in this town is very surf, yoga, active lifestyle oriented. It’s common to see people exercising outdoors and practicing all kinds of sports. It’s a really small town so pretty much everything is walking distance or a short bike ride away.
3. In Nosara it’s not difficult to eat right. Being vegan it’s sometimes hard to eat anything but the food you prepare yourself, but not here in Nosara. Restaurants are welcoming and very accommodating and nobody gives you a weird look when you ask for a vegetarian pizza with no cheese or rice milk for your coffee. Plus beautiful fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, etc. are available in every supermarket around.
4. Nosara is really romantic. Beautiful waves, warm weather, perfect sunsets and secluded beaches… no wonder everyone falls in love here! Nosara is the perfect place to visit with your other half or even meet your soulmate (I know plenty of love stories that began here!). In a place where sunset walks, moonlight sand and bonfires are everyday things it’s hard to want to get back to the normal life.
5. In Nosara everyone has dogs. And not only do we have dogs, they are a really important part of our community. Everyone knows each others dogs by name, it’s common that they go to work with their owner and people are quick to care for the needs of these special members of our community.
6. In Nosara, Sustainability is a way of life. Most people here are very environmentally conscious, recycling, beach clean ups and tree planting sessions are common, and the community is aware of the key role that we play in preserving our beautiful home the way it is.
7. In Nosara, there are no traffic jams. It’s true, our road is bad, unpaved, dusty, muddy, full of potholes that destroy our car’s suspension, but we have no traffic jams except maybe some cows in the middle of the road! Coming from a city I know the amount of stress that being stuck in traffic generates and that is something I definitely do not miss.

The result of this is a community that is healthy, sustainable, romantic, animal-friendly, pretty much stress free with waves year round. Of course we have our issues like any other community, it’s not always dreamland but it is by far the best place I’ve ever known. Surfing, yoga, nice mellow people and lots of dogs, what’s not to love!

[ Del Mar Surf Camp's bi monthly SURF + DETOX retreat is taking place in Nosara on August 20th - August 27th. Our Eco-Luxury Edition. Check it out.]

Pura vida,

Angie Miranda
Camp Director
Del Mar Surf Camp, Nosara
angie@delmarsurfcamp.com

Tags: nosara costa rica, surf and detox retreat
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