Nosara

Nosara
District and village
Sending mail at Nosara, 1984
Nosara Location in Costa Rica
Coordinates: 9°58′35″N 85°39′10″W / 9.97639°N 85.65278°W / 9.97639; -85.65278
Country	Costa Rica
Province	Guanacaste
Canton	Nicoya
Area
• Total	134.92 km2 (52.09 sq mi)
Elevation	6 m (20 ft)
Population (June 2013)
• Total	5,791
• Density	43/km2 (110/sq mi)
Postal code	50206

District and village

Nosara is a village and district in the Nicoya canton, Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast.

The district has a population of around 5,800 people.

The Guanacaste province has never belonged to Nicaragua during the Colonial period. It was a colony itself. It wasn't until after the nations of Central America gained independence from Spain that it was annexed and incorporated to Costa Rica on July 25, 1825. The government recognizes this date as a National holiday even though the boundary lines weren't changed until 1858.

Despite the Nicoya peninsula being one of the last locations with large areas of unpaved roads in Costa Rica, Nosara is one of the oldest expatriate communities in the country, as well as a fishing and agricultural area.

Unlike most coastal tourist towns, Nosara lacks nearly any development directly on the beach as much of it consists of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge (necessitated by the presence of breeding Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtle populations). Nosara is also a surfing destination as Playa Guiones is one of the most consistent waves in the world with over 330 days per year of rideable conditions. Playa Guiones is also the location of a world-renowned Yoga school.

The official town center is located 6 km inland from the beach. Within "Nosara town" is the market, pharmacy, post office, churches, school, police station, David S. Kitson public library and Red Cross clinic (Nosara lacks a hospital facility). There is a Banco Popular branch located in the small commercial area near Playa Guiones.