Nosara & the south · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Guiones
A beach break in Nosara & the south, Costa Rica, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
- TypeBeach Break
- LevelBeginner / Intermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsDec-Apr
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Playa Guiones is the punchier end of the Nosara set-up, where the beachbreak finds a bit more shape and shove and draws surfers looking to move beyond the whitewater. The main stretch offers well-organised peaks that hold their form across the tides, and there's a reef-and-sand right at the north end that sharpens things up when the swell has some size.
Rapid growth has turned Guiones into a genuine surf destination in its own right, with cafés, schools and rental racks feeding the steady stream of visitors to the punchier banks. It's still a barefoot, dirt-road kind of place, backed by dry forest rather than high-rises.
Consistent and welcoming, it's a step up from beginner Nosara without ever getting heavy, making it a favourite for improving surfers. Lock your valuables away on the beach, favour a south-west swell, and hunt the north-end right when the ocean turns on.
9.91, -85.672 · Swell SW · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones is at its best from December to April. Conditions it likes: Swell SW. This is how the year looks across Guanacaste:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Prime | Dry season, offshore mornings, sunshine, clean NW-fed 3-4ft waves almost daily |
| May to July | Good | Green season begins; bigger SW groundswell, afternoon showers, fewer crowds |
| August to October | Good | Peak SW swell and empty line-ups, but the wettest, muddiest roads |
| Nov | Quiet | Transition, rains easing, swell easing, a quiet shoulder month |
Waves near Playa Guiones
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosara (Playa Guiones N) | Nosara & the south | Beach Break | Beginner | 5 km |
| Ostional | Nosara & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 10 km |
| Playa Negra | Nosara & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 34 km |
| Playa Avellana | Nosara & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 37 km |
| Langosta | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Intermediate | 46 km |
| Tamarindo | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 47 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Nosara & the south
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Nosara & the south surf guide →
A week here costs from about $822 with flights from Europe, or around $1,596 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Playa Guiones: common questions
When is the best time to surf Playa Guiones?
Playa Guiones works best from December to April. Ideal conditions: Swell SW.
Is Playa Guiones good for beginners?
Yes. Playa Guiones suits beginner and intermediate surfers.
How crowded is Playa Guiones?
Playa Guiones is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Playa Guiones?
Playa Guiones is in Nosara & the south, in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica (9.91, -85.672). The nearest wave we cover is Nosara (Playa Guiones N), about 5 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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