Nosara Wellness Guide
I have been coming to Nosara, Costa Rica, for years.
My relationship with this place began long before I had children, long before Verified Wellness, and long before I could have imagined spending an entire month here with my family. Over the years, I have continued coming back because of the things that make Nosara feel so special to me: the nature, the people, the food, the slower pace, and the feeling that life does not need to be quite so complicated.
Nosara is often associated with yoga retreats, green juice, and expensive wellness experiences. There is certainly plenty of that here if you are looking for it. But what I love most about Nosara is that the foundation of wellness here is actually much simpler.
Real wellness does not have to be flashy.
It is drinking enough water because it is hot outside. It is eating a variety of plants because they are abundant and delicious. It is getting enough sleep, spending time outside, moving your body, and finding ways to manage stress. It is connecting with other people and allowing yourself to slow down.
And every once in a while, I do think there is something special about splurging on an experience that helps you pause, reset, and reconnect with your true north.
This is my personal Nosara wellness guide, including some of my favorite places to stay, eat, shop, move, relax, and enjoy this special corner of Costa Rica.
Why Nosara Feels Like Wellness
The thing I love most about Nosara is that wellness here feels less like a product and more like an environment.
You are surrounded by nature. The days are shaped by the heat and the light. People spend time outside. Meals are often built around fresh ingredients. Movement is everywhere, whether you are walking on the beach, surfing, practicing yoga, or simply moving through your day.
Nosara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s recognized Blue Zones, a region known for longevity and healthy aging. While I do not think there is one magical ingredient that explains the health of an entire population, the environment does offer many of the components we know support well-being: movement, social connection, time outdoors, access to fresh foods, and a slower pace of life.
Of course, a vacation is not the same thing as a sustainable lifestyle. It is much easier to feel relaxed when you are away from your inbox and daily responsibilities.
But I think travel can still teach us something.
Sometimes experiencing a different pace of life helps us recognize what we want to bring home with us.
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The Nosara Farmers Market
If you are in Nosara on a Tuesday, I highly recommend visiting the farmers market.
The market is one of my favorite ways to experience the community. Local farmers, food vendors, artists, and makers come together, and there is always something new to discover. It is the kind of place where you can go for fresh produce and end up staying much longer than you planned because you run into someone you know or find something you did not know you were looking for.
The food is one of the highlights for me. I love the Argentinian food stand, especially the empanadas de calabaza. The market is also a great place to find local products and support small businesses.
One of my favorite discoveries is Artemide, a local jewelry brand with beautiful, delicate pieces. I recently bought shell earrings and small gold heart studs, and I love how simple and wearable they are.
I have become increasingly intentional about where I shop when I travel. Instead of buying something mass-produced that I could find anywhere, I would much rather find something made locally by someone who lives in the place I am visiting.
To me, that is part of wellness too.
Shopping less, choosing more intentionally, and supporting local makers feels much more meaningful than constantly buying more things.
Where to Stay in Nosara
There are so many different ways to experience Nosara, and where you stay can dramatically shape your trip.
For longer stays or family trips, I personally love having more space and a kitchen. I have stayed at Casa Lillibelle, which was beautiful and spacious. It is located a little off the beaten path and close to Bodhi Tree, which makes it convenient if you want to take yoga or fitness classes there. There is currently a lot of construction in that area, so I would check the current situation before booking, but I enjoyed my stay there.
I have also stayed at Nalu Nosara, which is another great option for families or longer stays. The villas offer full kitchens, plenty of space, and private pools. I also appreciate the 24-hour security and the feeling of having your own home while still being close to everything. Nalu is especially well suited for families or travelers planning an extended stay.
If you are looking for a hotel experience, Nomadic is a great option. It has a more intimate boutique hotel feel and offers wellness programming, including yoga and breathwork experiences.
Sendero is another beautiful option. The property is incredibly picturesque and sits where the jungle meets the ocean. I have spent many hours working from Sendero, usually with one of their matcha lattes nearby. They also have a restaurant and surf shop, which makes it an easy place to spend part of the day.
The Gilded Iguana is a more lively option with a large restaurant, events, and plenty happening on the property. It is also family-friendly and has a surf-focused atmosphere, making it a good choice if you want a hotel that feels social and active.
If you want to experience the yoga side of Nosara, Bodhi Tree is another well-known option. The resort offers a wide range of classes and wellness experiences in beautiful open-air studios surrounded by the jungle.
Where to Eat in Nosara
One of the hardest parts of creating a Nosara restaurant guide is narrowing down the list.
There are so many good places to eat, and my favorite restaurants depend on what kind of day I am having.
For a special dinner, La Luna is one of my favorites. Located on Playa Pelada, it has the kind of atmosphere that makes a meal feel like an experience. The beachfront setting, sunset, and overall ambiance are hard to beat.
Coyol is another special spot that is about 20 minutes outside of Nosara. It is tucked away and feels more secluded, with beautiful views from its mountain location. It is known for its famous swing overlooking the landscape, which makes the experience feel like more than just going out to dinner. There is plenty of room for kids to play outside with a view that is just incredible.
For something much more casual, Beach Dog is one of our family favorites. It is a true local spot and the kind of place my kids would happily eat at every day. Lucy, the hostess, has worked there for many years and is incredibly sweet. The menu has a lot of vegan options, and my favorite order is the vegetable stir-fry with soba noodles and tofu. The food is elevated, but the atmosphere is completely understated, which makes it the perfect place to go after a long day at the beach.
Al Chile is another local favorite. Their tacos are excellent, and I especially love the tacos with grilled hearts of palm. You may even spot howler monkeys in their mango trees nearby.
If you have freshly caught fish Pacifico Azul is a great option as they will prepare the fish to your liking. My husband and children were proud to bring their catch of the day. I order the vegetarian casado, a traditional Costa Rican meal that typically includes rice, beans, plantains, vegetables, and other sides.
Tacos y Tacos is another easy favorite. My usual order is the Bean Taco, although despite the name, it does not actually contain beans. It is made with wild mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions, and it is delicious.
For a quick sandwich or lunch, La Ventanita is a great option.
And of course, no Nosara food guide would be complete without Organico. Organico Grocer and Bakery has become a staple of the Nosara community, offering fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and everyday groceries.
I get the seeded sourdough bread, banana chocolate chip muffins, and beet hummus. The beet hummus actually inspired a similar recipe that I included in the Verified Wellness Cookbook.
Organico also has a restaurant and a putt-putt course, which makes it an especially fun stop for families.
Where to Shop Locally
Nosara has some beautiful boutiques, and I love that many of them showcase local Costa Rican designers and makers.
Curada is one of my favorites. It has a beautiful, elevated selection of clothing, accessories, and home goods. Palmera Negra is another boutique worth visiting if you are looking for thoughtfully designed pieces with a strong Costa Rican point of view.
Above Curada, you will find Salsa Konkoko, a thrift shop that also carries handmade pieces. It is a fun place to browse if you are looking for something a little more unique.
For children, Wildlings is a great stop. I recently found my boys some swim trunks there, and it is a fun option if you are looking for children’s clothing while you are in Nosara.
Wldflowers is another favorite, especially if you are looking for swimwear or beachwear. The boutique is housed in an airstream, which makes the shopping experience feel very Nosara.
And, of course, I would add Artemide at the Tuesday farmers market to my list of favorite places to shop. I love finding beautiful pieces from local designers, especially when they are delicate, wearable, and connected to the place I am visiting.
How to Slow Down and Reset
There is no shortage of opportunities to move and relax in Nosara.
One of my favorite places to practice yoga is Bodhi Tree. I especially love classes in the Oceana Shala. You are surrounded by trees, and depending on where you are practicing, you can see the ocean from your mat. It is one of the most beautiful yoga environments I have ever experienced.
Bodhi Tree offers a wide variety of classes, and the schedule changes, so I recommend checking the current offerings before you go.
I also really enjoyed the breathwork classes at Nomadic. Breathwork is an area that I find particularly interesting because our breathing patterns can influence our autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that regulates many automatic processes in the body. Slow, controlled breathing can help promote a more relaxed physiological state and may support parasympathetic activity.
For me, these classes were a helpful way to slow down and reconnect with my body.
I also enjoyed getting a massage at Bodywork. Sometimes a massage, a yoga class, or a breathwork session is exactly the kind of experience that helps me step out of the constant momentum of everyday life and reconnect with myself.
This is where I think it is important to remember that wellness does not have to mean doing more.
You do not need to attend every yoga class, book every treatment, or fill your schedule with wellness experiences.
Sometimes the most restorative thing you can do is watch the sunset, go to sleep early, go for a walk, eat a good meal, and spend the afternoon reading.
What to Do in Nosara With Kids
One of the reasons I love spending extended time in Nosara with my family is that there are so many activities that adults and children can enjoy together.
But honestly, the most magical part of Nosara for me is often the simplest.
It is spending hours at the beach with my kids.
We play soccer in the sand, swim in the ocean, build things, get completely covered in sand, and stay until the sun goes down which is often in the form of a spectacular sunset. There is something about watching my boys play freely in the ocean and knowing that, for those few hours, there is nowhere else we need to be. Being immersed in nature is a true feeling of wellness to me.
I also love how naturally the rhythm of life here aligns with my circadian rhythm. The sun rises around 5:30 in the morning and sets around 6:00 in the evening, which naturally encourages an earlier start and an earlier bedtime. I find myself waking up earlier, spending more time outside during the day, and feeling ready for sleep earlier at night.
Our circadian rhythm is our body’s internal 24-hour clock, which helps regulate sleep, wakefulness, hormones, body temperature, and other physiological processes. Light exposure is one of the most important signals that helps regulate this system.
Of course, I am not suggesting that everyone needs to move to Costa Rica to improve their sleep. But I do think there is something to learn from paying attention to the natural cues around us. Morning light, time outdoors, movement, and a consistent sleep schedule are all incredibly basic, and yet they are foundational to health.
This is what I love about wellness in Nosara. It is not necessarily about doing more. It is about creating an environment where some of the things that support your health happen naturally.
Skateboarding has been another highlight of our trip. We work with Roberto at the skate park for private lessons, and he has a real gift for teaching children. He explains the mechanics of skating in a way that makes sense, while also keeping kids safe, engaged, and interested. The lessons were one of the highlights of my boys’ trip. The skate park also offers skate camps.
Surfing is another activity our entire family enjoys. We have taken lessons together with Matias, who is opening a surf shop with his father next year.
For something a little more low-key, the putt-putt course at Organico is a fun family activity. You can combine it with lunch or a stop at the bakery, which makes it an easy outing.
Nalu also offers activities for children in the afternoon, and my boys especially enjoyed the Little Ninja and tumbling classes.
Norte offers a kids’ jewelry-making class, which is a fun option for children who enjoy creating things with their hands.
And one of our family’s favorite experiences has been Nosara Day Camp
The kids surf, boogie board, ride horses, cook, create, and explore. More importantly, they have built friendships and created memories that they genuinely treasure. I love watching them develop confidence and independence while experiencing a place that has been so meaningful to me for so many years.
What Nosara Has Taught Me About Wellness
I think the reason I keep coming back to Nosara is because it reminds me of something I talk about often through Verified Wellness.
Health is built on the basics.
Hydration matters.
Eating a variety of plants matters.
Movement matters.
Sleep matters.
Managing stress matters.
Relationships matter.
Spending an afternoon playing soccer with your kids and swimming in the ocean matters too.
You do not need a $500 wellness treatment to be healthy.
You do not need to attend a retreat to experience peace.
You do not need to buy another supplement or follow the newest wellness trend.
The foundation of health is often incredibly simple.
But I also think there is a place for doing something special.
A yoga class in an open-air shala surrounded by jungle. A massage after a long day. A beautiful meal overlooking the ocean. A piece of jewelry from a local designer. A few hours spent doing absolutely nothing.
These experiences do not replace the fundamentals of health.
But sometimes they help us remember them.
Sometimes stepping outside of our normal routine gives us the perspective we need to return home and make different choices.
For me, the magic of Nosara is that the most meaningful parts of my day are often the simplest ones. I wake up early, spend time outside, move my body, eat good food, connect with people I love, and go to bed early.
And maybe that is the real wellness lesson.
Not that we need to recreate Nosara at home, but that we can pay attention to the parts of this life that make us feel most like ourselves and ask how we can bring a little more of them into our everyday lives.
Bringing the Nosara Wellness Mindset Home
I do not think you need to move to Costa Rica to live a healthier life.
I also do not think you need to recreate a vacation at home.
What I do think is worth asking is this: What is it about a place like Nosara that makes you feel more like yourself?
Is it spending more time outside?
Eating more fresh food?
Moving your body every day?
Being less attached to your phone?
Having more meaningful conversations?
Going to bed earlier?
Taking a break from your usual routine?
You may not be able to bring the jungle, the ocean, or the Tuesday farmers market home with you.
But you may be able to bring home one small habit that makes your everyday life feel a little more like the version of yourself you reconnect with while traveling.
For me, that is the real value of wellness travel.
It is not about escaping your life entirely.
It is about remembering what matters and finding ways to bring more of it into the life you already have.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, nutritional, or fitness advice. Kelly Turner, PA-C, MPH, DipACLM, shares evidence-based lifestyle medicine information, but this content is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, medications, or health regimen.
