Nosara, Costa Rica with Kids: Where to Stay, Eat & Things to Do
Sunset happy hour at La Luna restaurant
Nosara, Costa Rica, is one of those rare places that feels made for families - wild, beautiful, and just structured enough to be easy with kids.
Think: sandy feet all day, surf lessons that actually work for beginners, jungle roads, smoothie stops, and sunsets that turn into your nightly ritual.
If youโre planning a family trip to Nosara, this guide covers exactly how to get there, where to stay, the best kid-friendly restaurants, and the top things to do in Nosara with small kidsโฆ..without overcomplicating it.
โWeโre already wondering how we can make Nosara an annual vacation!โ
Dinner views at Chirriboca Restaurant at Lagarta Lodge
How to Get to Nosara, Costa Rica (The Easy Way with Kids)
Getting to Nosara can be part of the adventure - but if youโre travelling with small kids, thereโs a much easier way to do it.
Best route:
Fly Miami โ Liberia International Airport (LIR)
Then take a short 30-minute Sansa Airlines flight to Nosara
It does mean that itโs hard to do this journey in one day but we enjoyed an overnight stay in Miami. This small plane ride is quick, scenic, and surprisingly fun for kids - and most importantly, it helps you avoid the long, dusty, and very bumpy 2.5+ hour drive from Liberia.
Once you land in Nosara:
Rent a car if you want flexibility to explore beaches and restaurants
Or rent a golf cart if youโre staying in Playa Guiones (easy, fun, and perfect for short distances)
We were staying in Playa Pelada and rented a golf cart, (from here for a week at a cost of about $50 per day) which was fun but a bit impractical given the dust and distance; a car would have been better.
Where to stay in Nosara with kids
Nosara is known for its laid-back luxury - nothing too polished, everything intentionally simple. These are some of the best family-friendly places to stay in Nosara:
Airbnb (Best for Families)
Renting an Airbnb in Playa Guiones is ideal with kids.
Youโll have more space to spread out, a kitchen for easy breakfasts and snacks, and walkable access to the beach (game changer for surfers and non-surfers alike).
Look for homes close to Guiones Beach so you can avoid too much driving. If you donโt mind a short drive (fine for us) and want more space, we absolutely loved our rental which you can find here. It was beautifully designed, had a fabulous pool we used all day and felt homey and peaceful.
Sendero Hotel
Sendero Hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in Nosara.
Itโs modern and beautifully designed, easy with kids (great pool + on-site restaurant) and close to everything in Guiones. They also have 1-3 bedroom villas which sound amazing. If we return, this would be my top choice. We went for breakfast multiple days as it was just so delicious.
Silvestre Hotel & Residences
If you want something quieter and more tucked into nature, The Silvestre Hotel has a laid back luxe, jungle-meets-design feel.
Perfect if your family prefers a slower, more relaxed home base with beautiful interiors.
The Gilded Iguana
If youโre looking for a central, friendly and comprehensive hotel option, The Gilded Iguana hotel looked fantastic and we enjoyed several meals and the incredible kids camp each morning for our 3.5 year old!
The Weather
A small note about the weather - we presumed earlier in the year would be better to avoid the summer heat but you should take note that March and April is the busiest and hottest time of year; and it was crazy hot!
Nosara experiences a dry season from December through April and a rainy season from May through November. The dry season brings hot temperatures, offshore winds, and minimal rain. The green season brings more humidity, afternoon rain showers, and greener landscapes, with fewer crowds in September and October.
Breakfast at Sunrise Cafe
Where To Eat & Drink in Nosara (Kid-Friendly Restaurants)
Nosara has one of the best food scenes in Costa Rica - fresh, super high quality, casual, and very family-friendly.
La Luna (Best Sunset Dinner in Nosara)
A must-visit.
Right on the beach
Wood-fired pizza + seafood
Space for kids to run while you actually enjoy dinner
Howler's Beach Lounge
So good we went twice. Simple but incredible food right off the beach. Think:
fresh guacamole,
local catch carpaccio,
delicious chicken, fish and pork belly tacos;
and on-point margaritas.
Chirriboca at Lagarta Lodge
One of the most beautiful views in Nosara, we enjoyed an absolutely incredible sunset meal here - probably our favourite!
Go early with kids and enjoy:
Incredible sunset views of the ocean and estuary;
A slightly more elevated dining experience outdoors
The steak was absolutely unreal!
Sendero Hotel Restaurant
Even if youโre not staying there, itโs worth visiting.
Great breakfast options
Stylish but approachable
Very family-friendly
Open to non-guests
Sunrise Cafรฉ (Best Breakfast in Nosara)
A staple for families and incredible food.
Smoothies, pancakes, great coffee, uber yummy healthy options โ and the kind of place youโll end up going back to multiple times. But go early, it is always busy!
Coyol
Easy, relaxed, and consistently good, so weโre told.
A great go-to for families when you want something simple that everyone will eat - note itโs a car journey out of Nosara so we didnโt manage it.
Best Things to Do in Nosara with Kids
Nosara is all about balance โ a little adventure, a lot of beach, and plenty of downtime.
Here are the best family-friendly things to do in Nosara:
1. Take a Surf Lesson (Perfect for Beginners)
Nosara is one of the best surf towns in Costa Rica for beginners.
The waves at Playa Guiones are consistent and forgiving โ ideal for kids. Itโs also a beach break, so itโs safe for all to enjoy.
Nosara CR Surf School is highly recommended for families.
Theyโre patient, encouraging, and great with first-timers.
2. Sign up for kids camp at The Gilded Iguana Hotel
This kids' camp really was exceptional, and our eldest (3.5 years old) loved her mornings here - so much so, we kept adding more days on!
3. Go on an ATV Tour
If your family is older and youโre seeking a little adventure, book an ATV tour in Nosara.
Youโll ride through:
Jungle trails
Back roads
Hidden spots you wouldnโt otherwise find
Itโs dusty, fun, and always a highlight for kids.
4. Take a Yoga Class at Norte Yoga
Nosara is known for its wellness scene, and Norte Yoga is one of the best studios. I went almost daily and loved their outdoor studio space. Itโs relaxed and welcoming, great for beginners, and older kids can join
Even one class feels like a reset.
5. Grocery Shop at Organico or Tonyโs (Playa Pelada)
Stocking up makes family travel easier.
Stop by:
Organico Nosara
Tonyโs Market in Playa Pelada
Perfect for fresh fruit, snacks, smoothies and easy meals at your Airbnb. The fresh produce is incredible and we ate like kings - although we paid well for it!
6. Watch the Sunset at Playa Pelada
This is one of the best things to do in Nosara โ and itโs free.
Playa Pelada is:
Less crowded than Guiones
Great for kids to explore
Perfect for a nightly sunset ritual
La Luna restaurant is here too so one evening we got take out pizzas and enjoyed a sunset with the locals which we loved. Horses rode past, kids played in tide pools and all the doggies came to say hello!
7. Relax at Bodhi Tree Spa
For a little downtime, why not enjoy a massage at Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort & Spa.
Itโs peaceful, surrounded by nature, and one of the best wellness experiences in Nosara. Stefan and I enjoyed a massage in their Tree Top Spa but I think the main spa would be better. Donโt forget to get a wrist band to enjoy the pool for the day.
8. Explore Tide Pools + Wildlife
Keep it simple โ this is what kids love most.
Tide pooling at Playa Pelada
Spotting monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds
Collecting shells and exploring the beach
Trekking along one of the many nature trails
9. Bike or Walk Playa Guiones
One of the easiest (and most underrated) activities.
Rent bikes or just walk
Best in the early morning or late afternoon
Stop for smoothies or fresh coconuts along the way
Sendero villas
Whatโs Actually Hard About Nosa
Like everywhere, Nosara has some drawbacks so these were them for us:
Dusty roads - in the dry season, itโs really dusty which can be a bit troublesome on a golf cart with little ones.
Heat & lack of shade - itโs really hot (we found it hotter than Cayman in March) and the beaches often lack shade and facilities as they are intentionally undeveloped.
Logistics & Cost - it takes a bit more effort to get to Nosara and the town itself is surprisingly expensive given its simplicity. Nosara has been the โitโ place for many decades, but itโs managed to keep its laidback charm, which means prices are high despite the lack of name-brand luxury.
Why Nosara is Perfect for a Family Vacation
Nosara isnโt about checking off a list โ itโs about slowing down.
There are:
No big resorts
No packed itineraries
No pressure to โdo everythingโ
And with kids, thatโs exactly what works.
You settle into a rhythm of surfing or yoga in the mornings and beach time in the afternoons, with a swim in the pool or a snooze in the hammock, followed by early dinners and sunset walks.
Itโs simple, itโs beautiful, and itโs the kind of trip that actually feels like a break.
Final Thoughts: Is Nosara Worth It with Kids?
Yes โ especially if youโre looking for:
A family-friendly outdoorsy destination
A mix of adventure + relaxation
A safe and friendly place
A place where kids can just be kids
It is an expensive place, one that might catch you a little off guard, but for all these reasons above, we thought it was truly worth it.
Nosara is one of those trips that feels easy while youโre there โ and unforgettable once you leave.
Inside Botanica Cayman, a boutique cottage stay blending thoughtful design, natural textures, and a slower pace of life just moments from Seven Mile Beach.