In January, Nosara wakes to the thud of surfboards being loaded onto bikes and the smell of coffee drifting from open-air cafés along the dusty roads. The jungle behind the beach has turned dry and golden, howler monkeys grumble in the treetops at dawn, and the light goes amber over Playa Guiones by late afternoon. This is the heart of the dry season on the Nicoya Peninsula, a month for yoga at sunrise, long beach days and slow dinners outdoors.
What is the weather like in Nosara in January?
January in Nosara is hot, sunny and almost entirely dry, with the green season well behind you and only a rare shower to interrupt the blue skies.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 86.6 | 75.5 | 5.5 | 84.4 |
| January | 89.6 | 75.7 | 1.5 | 85.0 |
| February | 91.7 | 76.2 | 1.1 | 85.6 |
Mornings start warm and bright, and they are the best hours for walking the beach, surfing or taking a class, before the sun gets strong. By midday the heat is real, and most people retreat to shade, a hammock or a smoothie bar. Afternoons are sunny and dry, and rain, when it comes at all, is a brief shower that rarely changes the plan.
Evenings stay warm enough for shorts and a light shirt, so dinner is eaten outside and nobody needs a jacket. The nights are mild, and a fan or air conditioning matters more than a blanket. The dry landscape and the steady breeze give the days a crisp feel, and the light is especially pretty an hour before sunset.
Dress in breathable cotton and linen, and treat sunscreen and a hat as daily gear. Dust kicks up on the unpaved roads, which is part of the season’s character. The sea stays pleasantly warm, so a swimsuit is the only layer you will want for most of the day.
Can you swim in Nosara in January?
Yes, the sea is warm enough for a long swim, and a dip feels refreshing rather than cold.
Warm water does not make the beach gentle, though. Playa Guiones is known for steady surf, and waves are usually present, which is why surfers love it and why swimmers should be thoughtful.
Rip currents are a real danger in Costa Rica and kill multiple American visitors annually, yet most beaches have no lifeguards on duty and no signs up. Before you get in, check with a surf school or your hotel about that day’s conditions, and always swim with someone else.
Because rip currents are a real danger and most beaches have no lifeguards, ask locally about conditions before letting children enter the water, and keep an adult close. Strong swimmers should check with the hotel or a surf school about conditions that day, and where flags are posted, they should obey them.
Beginner surfers can sign up for lessons, where instructors read the water for you, and rash guards help against sun and board rub. Bring a hat, plenty of water and a beach umbrella, since shade is limited on the open sand.
What to do in Nosara in January
January is the month for surf, yoga and beach days, and the dry weather makes nearly everything easy to plan. The big regional event is in Santa Cruz, where the Fiestas Civicas fill the town in mid-January with bull-riding, parades and street food. It is a good day trip for anyone who wants to see Guanacaste’s cowboy culture up close, with crowds, music and plenty of fried snacks.
Back in Nosara, the rhythm is simple. Mornings belong to the beach and the studios, afternoons to shade and juice bars, and evenings to sunset on the sand. New Year’s Day is a national holiday, and the school break from December into early February keeps the beaches lively, with Costa Rican families and visitors sharing the coast.
Surfing and the beach at Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones is a long, wide beach with steady surf, and it is the reason many people come. Early morning is when the waves are often tidiest, with lighter wind and fewer people in the water.
Surfers of every level share the break, so the water can feel full at peak hours. Beginners do best on the gentler sections and with an instructor. Between sessions, the beach is a pleasure to walk, with tide pools at the ends and shorebirds working the edge of the surf. Bring water, shade and patience for the midday sun.
Yoga and wellness
Nosara’s yoga studios and wellness culture shape the town’s mood, and January is the busiest time for classes. Open-air studios sit among the trees, and sunrise and late-afternoon sessions fit the cool edges of the day. Many visitors pair a class with a surf morning, then spend the afternoon with a smoothie bowl and a book.
For anyone new to yoga, joining a single class is a simple introduction, and the surroundings make it much easier. Expect healthy cafés, fresh juices, ceviche, grilled fish and plates of rice and beans. Casado, the classic plate of rice, beans, salad and a main, shows up at small local restaurants, and gallo pinto, the rice-and-beans mix, is the usual breakfast.
Ostional and the sea turtles
At nearby Ostional, which serves as one of their nesting spots, Olive ridley sea turtles usually arrive on shore in big numbers during the green season. January falls in the dry season, so you should not count on the big arrivals. You may still enjoy the quiet beach, the fishing village feel and the wild coastline, and local guides can explain what the season usually brings.
Seeing turtles is not a guarantee but a possibility, and whatever you do on the beach ought to respect local advice. Bring water, a hat and a flexible mind, and treat the visit as a look at a working village by the sea.
From January through the end of May, Guanacaste and the northern region often see wildfires, which means dry grass and the odd bit of smoke come with the season. Keep an eye on local news, and never leave anything burning or toss a cigarette on dry ground.
A two-day itinerary for Nosara in January
Day 1 is for the beach. Start at first light with a walk on Playa Guiones, when the sand is cool and the surf is often at its tidiest, then take a lesson or paddle out if you surf. Breakfast is gallo pinto, eggs and fresh fruit at a small café in the village. By midday the sun is strong, so head for shade, a smoothie and a long lunch of fish or ceviche.
In the afternoon, rest or book a drop-in yoga class, then return to the beach for the last hour of light. The day is about 11 and a half hours long, so sunset comes in the early evening and sets the schedule.
Dinner is outdoors at a casual restaurant, with the warm night air doing the work of air conditioning. If a rare shower arrives, move to a café, a studio class or a massage.
Day 2 heads north to Ostional. Go in the morning, when it is cooler, and check local guidance before entering the beach. Turtles are a chance here, and January is not their peak, so enjoy the coast itself. Eat lunch at a simple local spot, a soda serving casado, and come back for a slow afternoon.
Spend the late afternoon at a different stretch of beach or on a sunset walk, and end with a relaxed dinner in town. If you prefer something livelier, the Fiestas Civicas in Santa Cruz in mid-January make a full alternative day, with parades, bull-riding and street food.
Is Nosara busy in January?
Yes, January is a busy month in Nosara, with the school break and holiday visitors keeping the beaches and restaurants lively.
Costa Rican schools are on their long summer break from December into early February, and New Year’s Day on January 1 is a national holiday. Families and travelers share the coast, and the dry, sunny weather draws surfers and yoga visitors from abroad. The first days of the month feel the fullest, and things ease a little as the month goes on.
Rooms, rental cars and tables at popular restaurants are easier to secure when you plan early, especially for the holiday weeks. Later in the month, you can be more flexible, though the best places still fill.
The beach itself is large enough to absorb the crowds, and walking a little away from the main access points gives you space. Walking away from the main access points may give you more space. Ostional is quieter than the village, and a weekday visit there is the most peaceful.
What to pack for Nosara in January
Think light, sun-ready and beach-friendly, with a few items for dusty roads and evenings outdoors.
- Breathable cotton or linen clothes, for hot, dry days
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, since the sun is strong all day
- A rash guard, for surf sessions and sun protection
- Sandals and closed shoes, for the beach and dusty roads
- A refillable water bottle, for hot mornings and long beach days
- A light layer, for breezy evenings
Good to know before you go
The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, ‘Exercise increased caution,’ due to crime; it says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime also affects tourists, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.
January is dry, so the main practical points are the sun, the dust and the crowds. From January through the end of May, fires are a regular sight in Guanacaste and the northern region, which means some spots can turn dry and smoky.
You will need a passport that stays valid for the entire length of your trip, and you must also present a return ticket or proof that you are traveling onward.
Nosara in January vs December and February
Moving earlier to December brings a greener landscape and more frequent showers, as the rainy season is only just ending. The sea is a touch cooler, and the holiday crush around Christmas and New Year makes rooms harder to find. Traveling later, in February, gives you the hottest and driest weather of the three, with the sea at its warmest and the school break ending early in the month.
January sits in the middle, with reliably sunny days and a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere. The Fiestas Civicas in Santa Cruz are specific to this month, and the beach culture is in full swing. The green, lush look of December fades to gold, which suits photographers who prefer open light.
Choose December if you like a greener landscape and festive energy, and February if you want the driest, hottest days and a calmer crowd. Stay with January if you want the best balance of sunshine, activity and local color.
Is January a good time to visit Nosara?
Yes, January is a very good time to visit Nosara, especially for beachgoers, surfers and anyone who wants dry, sunny days.
It suits travelers who like heat and sunshine, who plan to surf or take yoga, and who do not mind sharing the coast with other visitors. It is less ideal for anyone who wants a lush green landscape, who hopes to see big turtle arrivals at Ostional, or who prefers a very quiet, uncrowded stay. Families will enjoy the long beach days, while nervous swimmers should keep the surf in mind.
On arrival, settle into the rhythm. Walk the beach in the morning, book your lessons or classes, and plan a sunset on the sand. Then head to Ostional for a quiet look at the coast. January in Nosara is a month of golden light, warm water and mornings that start with surf and end with a long, unhurried dinner under the stars.
Sources
- Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.9792N 85.6531W, checked October 8, 2026
- Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 8, 2026
- sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 8, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Safety and security (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, issued April 1, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html), read via the State Department open data API on October 8, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Entry and exit requirements (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026