In July, the afternoon sky over Playa Guiones turns the color of slate, a warm shower drums on the tin roofs, and ten minutes later the surfers are back in the water as steam lifts off the sand. The forest behind the beach is loud with howler monkeys and glowing green after weeks of rain. Nosara in July is a green-season trip for surfers, yogis and families who like a lush, unhurried coast.
What is the weather like in Nosara in July?
Nosara in July brings heat, damp air and lush color, and while it rains most days, that rain seldom lasts all day. Mornings are often bright, and the showers tend to arrive later.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 84.8 | 76.7 | 27.2 | 85.9 |
| July | 85.1 | 76.4 | 25.9 | 85.8 |
| August | 84.8 | 76.3 | 27.4 | 85.8 |
The practical rhythm is simple: do the active things early. Surf sessions, beach walks and a run along the dirt roads feel best in the first hours after sunrise, when the light is soft and the air is not yet heavy. By early afternoon clouds often stack up over the hills, and a downpour or a long steady drizzle may follow. Sometimes it passes in under an hour, sometimes it settles in for the evening.
Nights stay warm, so you will not need more than a light layer, and dinner outside under a roof or an awning is the norm. The humidity means clothes dry slowly, and the dirt roads between the beach and the town can turn muddy and rutted after a heavy storm. Expect a sticky, sweaty feel by midday even when it is not raining.
The light is a bonus of the season. Between showers the air is washed clean, the sky shows deep blues and towering clouds, and sunsets over the Pacific can be dramatic when the clouds break at the horizon. Rain on the water, a rainbow over the palms and a sudden clear hour are all common.
Can you swim in Nosara in July?
Yes, the sea is warm in July. The water is about as warm as a bath on a cool day, which makes dawn and dusk swims pleasant.
Warm does not mean gentle. Playa Guiones has a reputation for dependable surf, and during the green season those waves may turn powerful, with currents dragging sideways and out.
Each year rip currents prove deadly and lead to multiple drownings among U.S. tourists, while lifeguards and warnings about unsafe conditions are absent at the majority of beaches here. Before entering, spend a few minutes observing the water, check with your hotel or a surf school about that day’s conditions, and remain near the shore if you are not a strong swimmer.
Guiones is known for its long beach and steady surf. For families with small children, wading in the shallows and watching the waves usually beats swimming out. Snorkeling is not the draw here, since the beach is built for surf rather than clear, sheltered coves. Bring a rash guard for the sun and a board leash if you rent a board.
What to do in Nosara in July
July’s big date is July 25, the Annexation of the Partido de Nicoya, a national holiday that celebrates Guanacaste joining Costa Rica. Around it you may find local celebrations in the region, with music, food stalls and families out together, though what happens in Nosara itself varies from year to year. Costa Rican schools also take a two-week mid-year break in July, so the beaches and cafés have a lively family feel.
The season belongs to the green. Trees are in full leaf, the hills are lush, and the dry-season dust is gone.
It is a good month for slow mornings at a café with a fruit bowl, a batido (a blended fruit drink) and a plate of gallo pinto, the rice and beans that start most Costa Rican days. When midday comes around, seek out a casado, the fixed plate that includes rice, beans, salad, plantains, plus your pick of fish, chicken or beef.
Surfing and the beach at Playa Guiones
Guiones is the reason many people come, a long beach with steady surf that works for a wide range of levels. You can easily track down board rentals and lessons on the road that runs behind the beach, and schools exist for beginners along with those hoping to sharpen their skills. In July the swell is often lively, and mornings are generally the friendliest time to paddle out.
If you never set foot on a board, low tide still makes the beach a fine spot for a stroll, with sand that is wide and packed firm. Watch the sky to the south and west, because storm cells roll in fast. Carry water, wear a hat, and leave valuables at your lodging rather than on the sand.
Olive ridley turtles at Ostional
Olive ridley sea turtles nest in big numbers on a few beaches, and Ostional, close by, is one of them, mainly during the green season, July included. Seeing it is a chance, not a promise: the turtles arrive on their own schedule, and what you see depends on the night and the tide. Many visitors go with a local guide, which is the usual way to watch without disturbing the animals.
Bring a light rain jacket, insect repellent and a flashlight with a red filter if your guide recommends it. The park’s official page is the place to check the current rules before you plan the outing.
Yoga, wellness and slow days
Nosara has a deep yoga and wellness culture, and the rainy afternoons suit it well. Studios offer classes through the day, usually with an early session that pairs with the cool, bright morning. A shower on the roof is a soundtrack many people find part of the appeal.
Around the studios you will find juice bars, açaí bowls, smoothie stands and cafés with plant-forward menus. After a class, a long breakfast under a roof while the first clouds build is as much a July ritual here as the surf. If you want to try something new, a drop-in class is usually the easiest way in.
Beyond that, the town is spread out along dirt roads, so a bicycle or a quad rental is how many visitors move between the beach, the cafés and the studios. Take it slowly after storms, when puddles hide ruts. Evenings are quiet, with dinner, a drink and an early night the usual pattern.
A two-day itinerary for Nosara in July
Day 1 is for the beach and the surf. Start at first light and walk Playa Guiones while the sand is cool. Take a lesson or paddle out in the morning when the water is friendliest, then have a late breakfast of gallo pinto and eggs at a café behind the beach.
At midday, rest in the shade or take a swim near shore, keeping an eye on the flags and the currents. When the afternoon clouds build, move indoors for a yoga class or a long lunch of fresh fish. Return to the beach as the rain clears for the sunset, which is often dramatic after a storm, and finish with dinner at a casual spot in town.
Day 2 is for Ostional and the forest edges. Go in the morning with a local guide for the turtle beach if the season is active, taking the slow unpaved road and allowing extra time after rain. Eat a simple lunch of a casado at a small roadside soda, the family-run eateries found across the country.
Spend the afternoon back in Nosara with a slow walk, a smoothie and a swim at a quieter stretch of sand. If the weather turns, the rain card is a café with a long menu, a wellness class or a book on a covered porch. Wrap up the night with an easy dinner and turn in early.
Is Nosara busy in July?
Nosara is moderately busy in July, with a family feel more than a crowded one. The two-week mid-year school break in Costa Rica keeps local families traveling, and the week around July 25 can fill beaches and rooms with domestic visitors.
Because this is the green season, the rest of the month is calmer than the dry months, and many places have space.
If you want a turtle outing at Ostional, arrange it ahead rather than on the day, since guides and rides are limited. For surf lessons, a morning session is the most popular slot, so ask a day or two before. The park’s official page is the place to confirm any reservation rules that apply.
What to pack for Nosara in July
Pack for heat, humidity and sudden rain, with quick-drying fabrics and a plan for wet days.
- A light rain jacket, for the afternoon downpours that can arrive without much warning.
- Quick-drying clothes, since humid air dries laundry slowly.
- Sunscreen and a hat, for the strong sun on the open beach.
- Insect repellent, for the evenings and the turtle outing.
- A rash guard, for sun protection while surfing or wading.
- Bring a pair of closed shoes for muddy roads, plus sandals that are fine to get wet.
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.
July sits within the Atlantic hurricane season, so rely on local forecasts for heavy rain and plan a flexible day. Roads can be slow and muddy after storms, especially the unpaved ones to Ostional, so allow extra time. The holiday on July 25 and the school break are the two things that shape plans, so book rooms and outings early for those dates.
Nosara in July vs June and August
Going four weeks earlier, in June, the air and sea feel almost the same, but the rain days are a touch more frequent and the school break has not begun. That usually means a quieter beach and an easier time finding rooms. The surf, the green forest and the turtle season are all there.
Going four weeks later, in August, the pattern is again very similar, with warm water and frequent showers. The July 25 holiday and the mid-year school break are behind you, so the town tends to feel calmer. Turtle nesting continues through the green season, so nature is not a reason to shift.
If you want the family-holiday buzz and the Guanacaste Day atmosphere, choose July. If you prefer a quieter, more flexible trip with easier bookings, June or August is the better fit. The weather will not decide it, since all three months feel alike.
Is July a good time to visit Nosara?
Yes, July is a good time for travelers who enjoy a lush, warm, green-season coast and do not mind afternoon rain. Surfers, yoga students, families on a school break and anyone drawn to turtle nesting will find a lot to love.
It is less suited to people who want guaranteed sun, dry roads and clear skies all day. If a rainy afternoon would ruin your trip, choose a drier month. On arrival, the first thing to sort out is your morning plan: a surf lesson, a yoga class or a turtle outing, since those fill first.
What is special about July here is the contrast: a bright morning on a long beach, a storm drumming on the roof by afternoon, and a washed, golden sunset to close the day, with turtles coming ashore at Ostional in the same green season.
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