by Lisa Khajavi
When vacationing in Costa Rica, if you want to unwind at the beach, there’s no better place than Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. This Pacific seaside town is relaxed, upscale but not pretentious.
A little off the beaten path
Thankfully not too many people know about Nosara yet, and I hope this unspoiled gem will stay low key for a long while. The town is 40 miles from the nearest paved road, and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica. What I really love is the strong sense of community here, and the commitment to keeping Nosara’s water and environment healthy and clean. Pura Vida (the pure life) is alive and well in Nosara!
The Harmony Hotel
My family and I especially enjoy staying at the Harmony Hotel in Nosara. The ambiance, the caring staff, and the sustainable practices pull it all together in an elegant, relaxed environment that leaves all of us refreshed and recharged after every visit. The cuisine is a natural extension of the focus on health and wellness here in Nosara. They offer many vegetarian options, no red meat, and plenty of organic fruits and vegetables. Oh, and don’t forget some of the best “just-caught” seafood in Costa Rica. The juice bar has many inventive concoctions, like my favorite Ginger Lassi (an Indian yogurt drink). It goes great with my favorite appetizer: coconut-lime ceviche . Delicious! It’s also good to know that the kitchen uses organic ingredients whenever possible.
The rooms at Harmony are natural, roomy and very private with a great indoor/outdoor feel. One of the best kept secrets is the Harmony House — a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom beauty. The open kitchen, dining and sitting area open onto an expansive patio boasting the best views in Nosara. You can check the surf on Guiones below, while floating in the infinity pool. The Harmony staff even offered to shop for our family dinner we insisted on cooking together in the fully equipped kitchen.
Harmony House is the best of both worlds: a private beach house with all the amenities of a hotel. Perfect for families up to 6. The natural wood and crisp white linens work well and the amenities include organic products locally made for you to enjoy during your stay.
The pools are easy on the skin, leaving no harsh chemical burn because they’re treated with salt water instead of chlorine. The spa is wonderfully appointed with tantalizing services including a chocolate wrap, using organic cacao and coconut oil. The coffee rub is amazing and invigorating with great anti-oxidant effect. The spa also uses organic ingredients as much as possible, for example insisting on organic coffee beans only for the coffee rub from a local family producer. There are yoga classes overlooking a pond with lotus blossoms, a natural juice bar, ping pong table, and great little store with art supplies, books and many other gems.
Things to do in Nosara
Surfing, boogie boarding, yoga and spas are all the rage in Nosara, but there is so much more to do here. There are many local tours available: bird watching, waterfall hiking, Ostional Turtle Nesting, canopy tours, horseback riding, estuary boat tours. You can kayak in the Pacific or on three different rivers in the area (Rio Garza, Rio Montana, or Rio Nosara).
One of the best natural highlights is the Lagarta Lodge Biological Reserve Tour, which is very near the Harmony Hotel. The private reserve is 125 acres along the Nosara river mangroves with an abundance of plants and animals. (The best time to see animals is early morning.) After the tour you can enjoy the breakfast buffet at the Lagarta Lodge with a lovely ocean view.
Don’t Miss
Some other highlights include the local eatery/bar/bakery called Cafe de Paris. This is a great spot, right in the heart of town, with a diverse menu, yummy bakery and extensive beverage selection. You will find unique German and Belgian beer, along with many tropical drinks, and eclectic international wines. The Black Sheep Pub up in the Nosara hills is a fun place with a great view and cool vibe. Strolling through the surf shops and boutiques in town, we discovered an old fashioned ice cream shop with giant waffle cones and a super wide variety of flavors.
If you want to unplug and unwind, with a focus on well-being, you will love Nosara, too.
