What is there to do in Nosara?
Nosara is a beautiful area and offers many options for visitors of all ages and all physical capabilities. While we can’t mention them all in one article, we can highlight a few every edition to help give you an idea of what the area and the community offers. Below, Hiedi from Nosara Travel & Rental’s provides us with some options and feedback from previous visitors regarding specific popular activities in the area.
Two tourists on their first visit to Costa Rica and to Nosara in July were astounded by the wildlife they viewed on their Nosara River Boat Tour ($30 per person, ½ price for children under 14) at the mouth of the Nosara River (“La Boca”.) “We met Leroy (our guide) early at the Boca. We had a great time. We saw so many different kinds of birds, toured the river, mangroves, learned a lot about the plants and animals and we saw Crocodiles! We asked Leroy ‘Do you feed them?’ and he said that it is a BAD idea! It was very relaxing, interesting, and enjoyable.”
After a hard days work under the sun, you just can’t beat a massage. With a staff to accommodate 4 at a time, waiting is not the game at Tica Massage. But in case you have to, a luxurious hammock awaits you to help you relax before or after. A small group of visitors to Nosara who decided to book themselves and their Costa Rican host a massage referred to it as a “must do”. “I’ve had many massages in my life, by some great massage therapists, but Tica Massage gave THE MOST RELAXING massage I have ever had in my life. Driving home afterward I felt like I was on drugs. My reflexes were slowed, my head was fuzzy and real life was not present to me. Relax on their hammocks with a book or do nothing for at least 30 minutes after….for your own safety and that of others on the road. I also loved all of the special little treatments like aromatherapy, foot washing, etc. It was like a mini-spa experience.”
Whether in Playa Carrillo, Playa Garza or Playa Guiones, expect a deep sea adventure like no other with a Sport Fishing Charter. This area boasts some of the best fishing on this coastline with some of the most experienced captains in Costa Rica. And in-between catches, absorb the natural beauty and marine life that curiously come to check you out. Dolphins, whales and turtles are just to name a few, but no doubt you won’t be alone. One local resident, entertaining his guests from the USA in August said that it was something he will never forget. “It was my first experience going out further offshore than I had gone before as a surfer. We stopped trolling for a moment and we all dove into the water. I could open my eyes and the conditions were amazing. I was able to see perhaps 400-500 feet laterally. We saw turtles and dolphins. I don’t have much experience fishing and I was on the boat mostly to enjoy the friendship, camaraderie and experience. But I got to tell you, when a fish is on the line and everybody gets excited, fishing can be a lot of fun. The beauty & majesty of the fish, and that they are so full of life, it’s an exciting experience. We caught dorado and enjoyed fresh fish tacos that night. Captain Eduardo Carrillo was great, making sure everyone had an opportunity to catch fish.
One of the local favorites and most talked about in the area is the Lagarta Lodge, private Biological Reserve Nature Walk/Tour & breakfast. Residents and hotel guests enter for free, and visitors pay $6 for adults and $3 for children. This is a “must do” in the area and the proceeds help to take care of the reserve. Resident of Playa Pelada, on a guided tour ($6 per person) with guests were blown over by the abundance of wildlife they saw. “This was an amazing experience. We had taken the self guided tour during the dry season. It was nice, and we used the guide they give you to identify trees. But, the 80 acre reserve with a professional guide is a whole other experience! The guide, Gabriela, is very knowledgeable and the hike was not too strenuous, nice & early in the am, so it was still cool. We learned a good amount of very, very interesting information about local plants & animals. We saw some wildlife too: birds, mammals, & a golden spider (the web has yellow/gold threads). Thoroughly enjoyable and the time went by (2 hours) so quickly. We walked back to the lodge and enjoyed a fresh, tasty breakfast. We would highly recommend this hike/tour to residents and guests of the area alike. It was one of those surprising experiences where we enjoyed ourselves much more than we’d have imagined. The hidden lives of trees and animals are fascinating!” (Ask about the $7.50 breakfast after your tour.)
Common questions from visitors to Nosara. “Do we need to book our tour in advance or when we get there?” We let people know that most tours can booked during their trip, and it may be easier to do that. However, sport fishing charters should be booked in advance. As well as anything else you really, really want to do or see while here. That way it is not left to chance. Especially during the high season.
Nosara Travel & Rental’s
682-0300
www.nosaratravel.com
info@nosaratravel.com
