Happy Holidays from Safari Surf School!

Safari Surf Senior Instructor Extraordinaire Helberth Ruiz

Beautiful empty tube photo by Graham Swindell

The Holiday Season is upon us in Nosara with perfect sunny days and all-day offshore winds. It is amazing how dependable these conditions are in our dry season. Safari Surf School looks forward to welcoming our new guests and immersing them in Aloha and Pura Vida! We meet lovely folks from around the world here all seeking the same spirit and joy we find through surfing. Here are a few of their Christmas stories….

Christmas in Nosara Costa Rica

Maritza and Alycia of Safari Surf
“Our ‘Tradiciones de Navidad’ are centered around a large family gathering on Christmas Eve. Parents and grandparents, brothers & sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins all gather at papa’s house. At 8pm we all go to La Iglesia (church) for Mass, and then return to papa’s for bocas (appetizers) and drinks. At midnight on Christmas Eve we have a big dinner of chicken and pork tamales, and a bebida dulce (sweet drink) called chicheme – made from pulpo de maiz morado (purple corn pulp – yummie!). Afterwards we gather around the Christmas tree and open gifts. On Christmas Day we look forward to working at Safari Surf!!!”

Christmas in Holland and the United Kingdom

Safari Alumni Ellen
“I am originally from Holland but have been living in England for many years!
In Holland the big holiday is celebrated on December 5th when Sinterklass (St. Nicholas) visits. The children leave their clogs by the fireplace hoping that Sinterklaas will fill them with presents.
In the UK they go all out with heaps of decorations, parties, and lots of presents delivered by Father Christmas. It has become quite commercial, very similar to the United States actually. On Christmas Day the entire population eats turkey and Christmas (or plum) Pudding.”

Christmas in Finland

Tina
“Well everyone knows that Finland is the home of Santa Claus right?!! This means that he will stop there first to deliver his presents! On Christmas Eve families celebrate with a big early supper of pork, potatoes, and rice pudding. Then Santa comes around 7pm to deliver presents and sing with the children. Gifts are opened around the tree and everyone plays with them late into the night. Of course I will celebrate in Nosara with my novio Luis and his lovely family!”

Christmas in the United States

Jaida (my granddaughter!)
“On Christmas Eve we go to church and everyone holds candles and sings Silent Night. Then we go home and go to bed early so Santa can come and leave presents. On Christmas morning we open our stockings and lots of presents and play play play! Then in February I get to come to Nosara to celebrate my 4th birthday with my pa-pa, ma-ma, and my mommie!”

A Rustico Christmas in Nosara Village!

FELIZ NAVIDAD & PROSPERO ANO NUEVO
FROM ALL OF US AT SAFARI SURF!

“COME ON DOWN AND CATCH A WAVE WITH US!”

SAFARI SURF SCHOOLS’ RESTAURANT GUIDE

With all of the great restaurant choices in Nosara, Safari Surf School management has decided to make Sundays an “Open Meal Day”, providing guests with an opportunity to eat at establishments of their choosing. To assist we have created a restaurant guide comprised of eateries we recommend. Nosara has an impressive assortment of restaurant offerings. With each new season we see at least 3-4 new places open; some survive, some don’t. Most restaurants here these days accept Visa and MasterCard as well as U.S. currency. Be prepared for a mandatory 13% sales tax and 10% service charge to be added to your check. I usually leave another 10% for the server if service is good. There are a few “mainstays” you can always count on: For Romantic go to Dolce Vita, for ocean front dining La Luna. IL Basilico makes awesome pizza, and for burgers the newly opened Burgers and Beers is the ticket. Rancho Tico is the place to go for excellent local ‘tipico’ cuisine and Harmony is popular for excellent sushi. It is rare to get a bad meal in Nosara as everything is generally prepared from scratch. Table service has improved vastly from the old days, but remember that ‘cooked to order’ still takes longer, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the Pura Vida. Make sure to call in advance to verify hours, etc. And don’t hesitate to talk to fellow travelers and ask for their restaurant recommendations. Provecho!

*Recommended for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On-site at Harbor Reef Surf Resort is a pool-side restaurant known for local fare from farm and sea, a fully stocked bar with swim-up access , live music and a roof-top smoothie bar. The Reef Restaurant menu is updated daily to reflect the freshest, finest ingredients available; also featuring desserts by Ems Yums.
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$20
Phone: 2682-1000
Web: http://www.harborreef.com

*Recommended for Breakfast and Lunch
Rosie’s Soda Tica serves authentic traditional fare at very reasonable prices. New location next to tennis courts on Main Street Guiones.
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$10
Phone: 2682-0728

*Recommended for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The Harmony’s restaurant showcases the bounty of the Nosara area. We use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible and work with producers who share our sustainable values. We also source produce from our very own nearby farm. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner (including an amazing sushi menu). Full bar and wine list.
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$30
Phone: 2682-4114
Web: http://www.harmonynosara.com

*Recommended for Breakfast and Lunch
Bagelmens features breakfast specialties, wraps, salads, soups, desserts and a variety of bagels baked fresh daily. Indoor and outdoor patio dining. Bagelmens opens daily at 7am for that early coffee wake-up.
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$15
Phone: 2682-5448
web: http://www.bagelmenscr.com

*Recommended for Breakfast and Lunch
Known for amazing home-made ice cream and sorbets, Robins also features breakfast selections, sandwiches, salads, wraps, crepes, coffee drinks, smoothies, and milkshakes
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$15
Phone: 2682-1607
Web: http://www.robinsicecream.com

*Recommended for Breakfast and Lunch
Excellent freshly baked goodies; homemade sandwiches, croissants, deserts, baguettes, celebration cakes, pies and more. Good take-out option for tour excursions, fishing trips, etc.
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$10
Phone: 2682-0087
Web: http://www.cafedeparis.net

*Recommended for Dinner
American styles steakhouse menu featuring steak, chicken, fresh fish, burgers, pastas, and salads. Full bar menu.
Location: Main Street Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $7-$25
Phone: 2682-0458
Web: https://www.facebook.com/Marlin Bills

*Recommended for Dinner
Il Basilico is a locally owned talian restaurant. The ambiance is rustic, with incredible food at affordable prices. Il Basilico offers everything from pizzas, to specialty salads, pasta, seafood, and much more. Several nights a week live music can be enjoyed. Come join us for a wonderful evening!
Location: South Guiones/taxi from town
Price Range: $6-$15
Phone: 2682-1472
Web: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Restaurante-IL-Basilico

*Recommended for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Extensive menu, all meals. Fresh seafood, free-range steaks, pasta, burgers, salads by popular Chef Jorge. Full bar and wine list.
Location: North Guiones /taxi from town
Price Range: $5-$20
Phone: 2682-1459
Web: http://www.kayasolsurfhotel.com

*Recommended for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A Nosara landmark since 1986. In November (2014) former owners of popular seafood restaurant Pacifico Azul assumed management of the Gilded Iguana hotel and restaurant.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of fresh selections with an emphasis on seafood. Full bar. Live music Tuesday and Friday nights.
Location: North Guiones/taxi from town
Price Range: $5-$20
Phone: 2682-0259
Web: http://thegildediguana.com

*Recommended Lunch and Dinner
Monster burgers and hand cut fries. Excellent handcrafted beers.
One visit will you keep coming back for more!
Location: North Guiones/taxi from town
Price Range: $10-$15
Phone: 2682-5558
Web: http://www.facebook.com/burgersandbeerscr/info

*Recommended for Lunch and Dinner
Ocean front restaurant, great for sunsets and special occasions.
The eclectic menu has Asian and Mediterranean flourishes; excellent wood-fired pizza. Deserts by Ems Yums.
Full bar and wine list. Call ahead for reservations.
Location: Playa Pelada/taxi from town
Price Range: $7-$25
Phone: 2682-0122
Web: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LA-LUNA

*Recommended for Dinner
Upscale Italian cuisine in romantic setting. Proprietor/Host Roberto DeSilvio proudly oversees every detail and table nightly. Good wine list.
Location: South Guiones/walk from town
Price Range: $5-$40
Phone: 2682-0107

*Recommended for Dinner
Located in Nosara Centro, Rancho Tico is great for tipico food:
Casados, Lomito jalapeno, and fresh seafood. Full bar.
Location: Nosara Centro/taxi from town
Price Range: $6-$20
Phone: 2682-0006
Web: https://www.facebook.com/RanchoTicoNosara