At Safari Surf School, we’re in the business of turning regular people into surfers, which, as you may assume, require a lot of water time. For 99.9% of our guests, the more time in the ocean, the better. As guests become more acquainted with surfing and its many nuances, they can’t help but be consumed by it. When guests aren’t surfing, they’re talking about surfing, planning their next surf session, or at the very least, thinking about surfing. There are those rare moments when you surf so much and so often that you need to take a break. That break could last a few hours or even a whole day. Fortunately for our guests, there is plenty to do in Nosara and Playa Guiones, both in and out of the water, that doesn’t involve riding waves.
Explore on an ATV
Nosara, Costa Rica, is in the middle of one of Guanacaste’s most wild areas. Unlike many surf destinations around the world, the natural wonders surrounding Nosara and Playa Guiones are protected. The most thrilling way to experience the rugged nature that’s quite literally at our doorstep is to explore on ATV. Take an ATV tour high into the surrounding mountains to experience Costa Rica’s wild landscape.
Hit the trails
Part of Nosara’s nature preservation and protection is the system of trails that sprawl throughout the Nosara and Playa Guiones areas. The Senderos de Nosara (Nosara Civic Trail System) is an interconnected system of trails that winds through the wilderness areas adjacent to the neighborhood roads we use every day. The trail network stretches for 18 kilometers through the Playas de Nosara, NCA parklands, and the Guiones and Pelada sectors of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. These trails can be explored on foot or by bike. You can enjoy ocean views from beachside trails, explore the dense jungle, and weave through trees and over small creeks in the mangrove forest.
Experience the Wildlife
See Costa Rican Wildlife up close at Nosara Wildlife Refuge. Nosara Wildlife Refuge rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured wildlife. Educational visits to Nosara Wildlife Refuge will shed light on the many species that live around Nosara. Additionally, you may get the opportunity to interact with some of the rescued animals. To find out more about Nosara Wildlife Refuge, head to their website or check out our recent blog post.
Visit the Sea Turtle Refuge
Costa Rica’s beaches attract more than just surfers. Oliver Ridley, Leather Back, and Green Sea Turtles travel to Costa Rica’s beaches by the hundreds. For the best chance at encountering Oliver Ridley Sea Turtles, head to Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, the second largest nesting site in the world for Oliver Ridley Sea Turtles. While sea turtles come ashore all year, from June to December, the phenomenon of “arribadas” occurs. “Arribadas” is the arrival of tens of thousands of sea turtles simultaneously. This spectacular event lasts about one week and occurs during the last quarter moon phone or just before the new moon. Ostional National Wildlife Refuge is just under half an hour away from our Costa Rica Surf School.
Zipline through the clouds
No Costa Rica family vacation is complete without a zipline canopy tour. Exploring the treetops and cloud forests has never been more fun than when flying through the air at high speeds. Ziplines are safe and exciting ways to get close to nature with a high-adrenaline twist. If you’re interested in booking a zipline tour, let us know!
Reel in dinner on a deep-sea fishing charter
Costa Rica’s waters are home to more than just world-class waves. Just offshore, a willing angler can reel in a variety of highly sought-after game fish, such as Blue Marlin, Sail Fish, Snapper, Yellow Fin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Bonita, and many more. Like surfing, fishing is an early morning activity, so you’ll have to forego your morning surf.
At Safari Surf School, we’re passionate about all things Costa Rica, not just the surf. We love when our guests seek out adventures outside of the water. We are ready and eager to show you everything our beautiful home in Nosara has to offer. If you’re ready to book your stay or your surf lessons, head to our website.