Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [245]
Marlin Bill’s (2682-0548; meals ₡3400-8000; 11am-2pm & 6pm-late Mon-Sat) Across the main road is this popular bar-restaurant with fantastic ocean views. It’s worth grabbing lunch here when the menu is cheaper, though it’s worth the price anytime for a hearty filet of blackened tuna and a slab of key lime pie.
Stock up on groceries at the Mini Super Delicias del Mundo (2682-0291; 8:45am-1pm & 2:30-6:15pm Mon-Sat) near Kaya Sol; the bulletin board advertises local events and job openings.
PLAYA PELADA
Refugio del Sol (2682-0287; www.refugiodelsol.com; d/ste US$45/65; ) Five cozy rooms surround a garden courtyard at this small hotel across from Pancho’s. It’s a very mellow place to stay, and just a short stroll down to Playa Pelada from here.
Nosara B&B (2682-0209; www.nosarabandb.net; s/d incl breakfast US$48/64) Further north, on a signed access road, this cute, clean and very quiet option is set back in the trees near a quiet strand of beach. All of the homey rooms have hot-water bathroom and simple decorative motifs.
Lagarta Lodge (2682-0035; www.lagarta.com; s/d/tr US$75/81/87; ) North of Pancho’s Resort, a road dead-ends at this six-room hotel, a recommended choice high on a steep hill above the private 50-hectare Reserva Biológica Nosara. Bird-watching and wildlife-spotting are good here – and you can watch from the comfort of the hotel balcony or see many more species if you go on a hike. Large rooms have high ceilings, hot shower and small private patio or balcony. The balcony restaurant (breakfast and lunch ₡2100 to ₡3800, dinner ₡4700 to ₡7800; closed Tuesday) is worth a visit just for the spectacular view and sunsets, though the rotating menu of international and Tico specialties is equally appealing.
Pancho’s Resort (2682-0591; www.panchosresort.com; bungalows US$76-145; ) On the main road between Playa Pelada and Nosara village, this large property has it all: supermarket, bar, restaurant and cabinas. Comfortable bungalows sleeping four to six people have attractive tiled floors, high ceilings, hot-water bathroom, loft and kitchenette. To top it off, Pancho and his bilingual family are all incredibly nice.
Villa Mango B&B (2682-0130; www.villamangocr.com; s/d incl breakfast US$78/89; ) You can’t help but relax at this tiny B&B in the trees, with ocean views and hosts who enjoy chatting with their guests. While there’s a pool on the property, you can also take a short stroll down to an isolated stretch of beach.
Olga’s Bar & Restaurant (mains ₡1700-3500; breakfast, lunch & dinner) A few hundred meters to the north of La Luna, on a separate side road, lies this perennially popular beachside institution. The Tico-owned joint whips up cheap, yummy casados (set meals) and very reasonable fish dinners.
La Luna (2682-0122; dishes ₡3000-10,000; lunch & dinner) On the beach, to the right of Hotel Playas de Nosara, you’ll find this impressive stone building that houses a trendy restaurant-bar and art gallery. The eclectic menu has Asian and Mediterranean flourishes, and the views (and cocktails) are intoxicating. Call ahead for reservations.
Return to beginning of chapter
Drinking & Entertainment
Aside from the bars and restaurants previously listed, there are a few places in the village of Nosara.
Near the soccer field are two Tico-riffic spots – Tropicana, which is a great place for showing off your salsa moves, and Bar Bambú, another hot spot for Saturday nights. Tropicana runs a nightly shuttle bus (₡1000), which makes the hotel rounds at 10:30pm, returning to Guiones at 2am. The bar at Kaya Sol has a popular ladies’ night on Monday, regular live music and comedy shows and always a good vibe. La Banana rocks on Saturday (ladies’ night) and Thursday (reggae night). The popular bar at Casa Tucan attracts a slightly older crowd for live music on Wednesday and Sunday and beer-pong tournaments (!) on Friday.
Return to beginning of chapter
Getting There & Away
AIR
Both Sansa and NatureAir have one daily flight to and from San José for about US$95 each