Offshore StaysNosara surf: best time, waves and where to stay
Surf Nosara, Costa Rica: beach breaks for beginner and intermediate surfers, best surf May–November, sea 28°C–30°C.
Best time to surf Nosara: May–November. Off season: December–April. Waves are biggest in September (about 1.5 m offshore) and smallest in January (about 1.1 m). The sea runs 28–30°C, and the breaks suit beginner and intermediate surfers.
Waves
beach breaks
Suits
beginner and intermediate surfers
Best surf months
May–November
Sea temperature
28–30°C
Surf season in Nosara, month by month
Highlighted months are the main surf season. Wave figures are open-ocean averages, not a beach forecast. Pick a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | Surf season | Waves m | Swell | Air °C | Sea °C | Rain mm/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | – | 1.1 | 13 s SSW | 28 | 28 | 0.2 |
| February | – | 1.1 | 13 s SSW | 28 | 28 | 0.1 |
| March | – | 1.1 | 14 s SSW | 29 | 29 | 0.2 |
| April | – | 1.3 | 14 s SSW | 29 | 29 | 1.3 |
| May | In season | 1.5 | 14 s SSW | 28 | 30 | 7.1 |
| June | In season | 1.5 | 14 s SSW | 27 | 29 | 7.6 |
| July | In season | 1.4 | 14 s SSW | 27 | 29 | 5.9 |
| August | In season | 1.5 | 13 s SSW | 27 | 29 | 7.3 |
| September | In season | 1.5 | 13 s SSW | 27 | 29 | 10.1 |
| October | In season | 1.5 | 13 s SSW | 26 | 28 | 10.9 |
| November | In season | 1.3 | 13 s SSW | 26 | 28 | 5.0 |
| December | – | 1.1 | 13 s SSW | 27 | 28 | 0.8 |
Surf spots near Nosara
Working remotely from Nosara
Nosara is on America/Costa_Rica (UTC-6 in winter). Shared 9–17 workday hours, counted for both winter and summer clock changes:
- New York6 h
- San Francisco6 h
- London1 h
- Berlinnone
- Sydneynone
We only publish a town's wifi speed from measured tests, and there aren't enough here yet.
Where to stay in Nosara
We don't list stays in Nosara yet. Join the waitlist and we'll tell you when it opens, or list your property.
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Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to surf Nosara?
- Surf in Nosara is most reliable from May–November, so that's the best time to visit Nosara for surfing. See the month-by-month table for weather and sea temperature.
- How warm is the water in Nosara?
- Sea temperature in Nosara averages 28°C in November and 30°C in May. That calls for boardshorts or a rash vest at the coldest and boardshorts or a rash vest at the warmest.
- When is the off season in Nosara?
- The off season in Nosara is December–April, outside the main surf season (May–November). In those months open-ocean waves average 1.1–1.3 m (1.3–1.5 m in season), the sea is 28–29°C and the wettest month is April at 1.3 mm of rain a day.
- Is Nosara good for beginners?
- Yes — Nosara has beach breaks that suit beginners. Conditions still vary by day and season, so a lesson on your first sessions is sensible.
- Can I work remotely from Nosara with a team in another time zone?
- Nosara runs on America/Costa_Rica. Working 9–17 there, you keep at least 6 hours of shared workday with New York, 6 hours of shared workday with San Francisco and 1 hours of shared workday with London all year round.
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