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): a 45-minute flight to Nosara (NOB), then a short drive
- Swimming
- Mixed. An offshore reef shelters parts of the bay, but it's rocky, the surf breaks off a rocky point, and like every Nosara beach it has rip currents. Swim only in sandy, sheltered spots on calm days
- Best for
- Couples (sunsets, quiet); families with kids old enough to explore tide pools carefully
- Facilities
- Shade trees on the sand; cafés, shops and hotels nearby in Pelada and Guiones
- Getting there
- A short drive or walk north from Playa Guiones; see our Nosara guide
- Surf
- A reef break for experienced surfers; learners go to Playa Guiones
What is Playa Pelada like?
Pelada is a small, curved beach between rocky points, quieter than long, straight Playa Guiones next door. Trees give real shade on the sand, and at the ends the rocks form tide pools and boulders with little caves. On the rocks there's a natural blowhole: as the tide rises, waves push up through it in a burst of spray. North of Pelada, the wild black sand of Playa Nosara stretches toward Ostional; you can walk there at low tide.
Can you swim at Playa Pelada?
Sometimes. Guides disagree: one calls Pelada the better Nosara beach for swimming because an offshore reef shelters it; another says it's too rocky to enjoy. Both are true, depending on where you stand and what the sea is doing. Swim only in sandy, sheltered spots, on calm days, away from the rocks and any river mouth, and remember that every Nosara beach has currents. With small children, the lifeguards at Playa Guiones or the reef-calmed water at Playa Garza are safer bets.
Insider tip: Time your visit with the tide. Low tide opens up the pools and the walk toward Playa Nosara; the blowhole puts on its best show as the tide rises. Wear water shoes on the rocks.
When is the best time to go?
Late afternoon for the sunset, and the dry season (December to April) for the calmest days. From May to October the surf is bigger, and in September and October, the wettest months, the roads get muddy.
What's nearby?
- Playa Guiones, just south: 6 km of beach with lifeguards and surf schools.
- Ostional, a few kilometers north: the turtle arribada beach.
- Playa Garza, to the south: a calm, reef-protected fishing bay.
Where should you stay near Playa Pelada?
- Couples: Lagarta Lodge, on the ridge above the river reserve, for the views; or a small hotel or rental in the residential streets of Pelada and Boca Nosara.
- Families: Guiones, next door, has more for kids, including a kids club and surf schools; see where to stay in Nosara.
Nearby beaches
Frequently asked questions
Is Playa Pelada good for swimming?
On calm days, in the sandy, sheltered spots the reef protects. It's rocky in places and has currents like every Nosara beach, so check the water first and stay away from the rocks. For small children, Playa Guiones by the lifeguards or calm Playa Garza is safer.
Where is the blowhole at Playa Pelada?
In the rocks along the beach. Waves force water up through a gap in the rock, and the spray is strongest as the tide rises toward high. Watch from a safe distance; the rocks are slippery.
Playa Pelada or Playa Guiones?
Pelada for a quiet sunset, shade and tide pools; Guiones for long walks, lifeguards and surf lessons. They're next to each other, so it's easy to enjoy both.
Can you walk from Playa Pelada to Playa Nosara?
Yes, at low tide. Head north along the shore to reach Playa Nosara's black sand, which runs on toward Ostional. Check the tide times before you go so you're not cut off on the way back.