At a glance
- From Santa Teresa
- 4½–5 hours on the paved road via Paquera and Nicoya. The coast road is a dry-season 4x4 route only
- From the airports
- Liberia airport (LIR): 2–2½ hours. San José airport (SJO): about 5 hours by road, or a 45-minute flight to Nosara (NOB)
- Swimming
- Waves and rip currents. Lifeguards near the main entrance: swim in front of them, and ask where the currents are that day
- Best for
- Couples (walks, sunsets, yoga nearby); families with kids of all ages paddling by the lifeguards; teens learning to surf
- Facilities
- Nothing on the sand. Cafés, shops, surf schools and yoga studios on the roads just behind the beach
- Getting there
- Beach paths from the Guiones neighborhood; a car or ATV from the rest of Nosara
- Surf
- A consistent beach break with lessons for every level
What is Playa Guiones like?
Straight, wide and long: about 6 km of pale sand from Punta Pelada in the north to Punta Guiones in the south. The beach lies inside the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, so there are no hotels or bars on the sand, only forest and the odd path leading down from the Guiones neighborhood behind it. Mornings bring walkers, runners and surf lessons; evenings, the sunset.
Can you swim at Playa Guiones?
Yes, but pick your spot. Guiones faces the open Pacific, and like all of Nosara's beaches it has waves and rip currents. Lifeguards work near the main beach entrance, and that's where to swim, especially with kids. The beach is long, and the lifeguards can't watch all of it.
- Swim near the lifeguards and other people, never alone.
- Ask the lifeguards where the currents are running that day.
- If a current pulls you out, don't fight it: swim parallel to the shore, then back in.
For genuinely calm water, drive 6 km south to Playa Garza, which sits behind a reef, or head for Sámara.
Insider tip: Go at sunset even if you don't swim. With no buildings on the sand, you can walk for an hour with only forest on one side and surf on the other.
When is the best time to go?
December to April is dry and sunny, and the waves are smaller, which suits beginners and paddling kids. From May to October the waves are bigger and afternoons rainy; September and October are the wettest months, when the dirt roads around Nosara get rough. See the best time to visit.
What's nearby?
- Playa Pelada, just north: a smaller, rocky cove with tide pools and a blowhole.
- Playa Garza, 6 km south: a calmer, reef-protected fishing bay.
- Ostional, 20 to 30 minutes north by road: the turtle arribada beach.
- Nosara village, 6 km inland: supermarkets, private clinics and the airstrip.
Where should you stay near Playa Guiones?
- Families with young kids: The Gilded Iguana has a kids club for ages 4 to 10 and a surf school; Harmony has bungalows for two adults and two small children. A villa within walking distance of a beach path saves a lot of driving.
- Couples: the boutique hotels around Guiones, such as Sendero, Silvestre and Tierra Magnifica, or Esh, which takes guests 13 and over.
- Yoga-focused trips: Harmony, with its healing center and daily yoga, or a retreat such as Bodhi Tree.
How it compares with the other end of the peninsula: Santa Teresa vs Nosara.
Is Guiones good for a first surf lesson?
Yes. The waves are consistent and there are schools for every level, including family-friendly ones for kids and teens. Pick the smaller dry-season waves (November to April) if it's your first time. More on first lessons.
Nearby beaches
Frequently asked questions
Is Playa Guiones safe for swimming?
It can be, if you swim near the lifeguards at the main entrance and keep to the areas they recommend. Like all of Nosara's beaches it has waves and rip currents, and the lifeguards can't watch the whole 6 km. For calm water, try Playa Garza or Sámara.
Are there lifeguards at Playa Guiones?
Yes, near the main beach entrance. If you're swimming, especially with children, stay in front of them.
How far is Playa Guiones from Santa Teresa?
4½ to 5 hours on the paved road via Paquera and Nicoya. The coast road is shorter but crosses rivers without bridges and is only for a 4x4 in the dry season. See Santa Teresa to Nosara.
Are there hotels on Playa Guiones?
Not on the sand: the beach is inside a wildlife refuge. Hotels, cafés and surf schools sit on the roads just behind it, a few minutes' walk from the beach paths.
Is Playa Guiones good for beginner surfers?
Yes. It's a consistent beach break with plenty of schools, and the waves are smaller from November to April. It suits kids, teens and adults trying for the first time.