12/30/2010: New Year's in Nosara, Costa Rica

Hotel Nosara

Beach biking

Nickle Tour: Nosara is a special place in Costa Rica: a small surfing village with plenty of gringo resources and expats without the big hotels and crowds.  I hesitate to tell you how wonderful it is because those who love it don't want the word getting out! 

Travel Tip: Nosara town and Nosara beach are about 15km apart.  You want to stay on Nosara beach.  Getting to Nosara by bus is no small feat - and that's probably part of why it's so safe and quiet. For those who can, I'd recommend getting a $80-100 plane ticket from San Jose if that's where you originate.  And, for those who may consider stopping in Samara - don't.  If you're more into a laid-back surfer vibe than the party scene, Nosara is your pick over Samara.

See: You can easily walk around Nosara but after a few days, you may want to get some wheels (rent a bike or a quad to explore the area).  We drove up to Ostional and lucked out to see turtles laying on the beach.  

Sea turtles on the beach at Ostional

In the same day, we explored some outside of Nosara town and found a hidden waterfall which relieved us from the midday heat. 

We also were treated by our friends to a morning of sport fishing and if you get the chance, we can't recommend it enough!

D getting lunch

Kitty likes sashimi, too!

And, of course there is plenty of surfing to be had by beginners and advanced surfers, alike.

 

At the end of the beach is Hotel Nosara - a can't miss spectacle.  Rumor has it this sprawling estate has been home to wild parties, has a "batman-esque" lair under the pool and the owners recently turned down $17 million from the Four Seasons to finish it.  The reason they turned it down: because if it's finished the owner will have to pay its investors back -something they're not interested in.  So, it sits, in its Studio 54 glory slowly being overtaken by the jungle.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to be in Nosara when The Black Sheep (same owners as the Hotel Nosara) is open (once a month), run, don't walk!  It's a Playboy Mansion type place where they brew beer, a bridge traversing a pool and stunning views of the Pacific.

Sleep: While many folks splurge for the Iguana, we camped in the Carnie Tent at Solo Bueno, a surfers hostel for $26 per night, which includes a kitchen for cooking.

Camping Treehouse Gardens

After a few days, we moved over to a private tree-house room at the Camping Treehouse Gardens which was $20 per night and also included a kitchen.

Eat: Iguana has yummy meals that are infused with local seafood and a beach flair.  There is an Italian place in town with UNBELIEVABLE lasagna, quite possibly the best we've ever had! The Thai place was good, too.  You can also get most staples at any of the mini-supers in town.

Drink!  You must make the trek up Almost Paradise for sunset and try the Granny's Juice aka a white sangria with vodka - now that's the way to start your evening.