On the evening of September 14, children in Nosara walk the dirt roads with paper lanterns, the faroles, glowing orange and pink against a sky that has just finished raining. Howler monkeys grumble in the trees, the jungle smells of wet earth, and the beach is wide and nearly empty. September is the heart of the green season on the Nicoya Peninsula, and it suits travelers who want surf, yoga and quiet more than a guaranteed sunny afternoon.
What is the weather like in Nosara in September?
September in Nosara is hot, humid and very wet, with rain on almost every day of the month, though it rarely lasts from dawn to dusk.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | 84.8 | 76.3 | 27.4 | 85.8 |
| September | 83.8 | 75.9 | 28.6 | 86.0 |
| October | 83.3 | 75.6 | 28.6 | 85.4 |
Mornings are often the best part of the day. The light is soft and bright, the air is already warm, and surfers and joggers use these hours before clouds build over the hills.
By early or mid afternoon the sky frequently darkens, and the rain arrives as a heavy downpour that drums on tin roofs and turns the unpaved roads to mud. Some days bring a gray, drizzly stretch instead, and a few bring a steady all-day soak.
You can still wear a T-shirt in the evening warmth, while frogs and insects fill the nights with their sound. Lightweight, quick-drying clothes work best, along with a real rain jacket and sandals you do not mind getting muddy. Sunsets over the Pacific can be spectacular when the clouds break, with the sky going copper and violet, but treat them as a chance rather than a promise.
Humidity is the other thing you feel. Towels take a long time to dry, and everything smells a little of damp jungle. Plan outdoor time for the morning, keep the afternoon flexible, and the weather becomes part of the rhythm rather than a problem.
Can you swim in Nosara in September?
The sea is very warm in September, but waves and dangerous rip currents mean swimming is not always safe.
Playa Guiones, the long beach at the center of Nosara, has steady surf, and September swells can make it lively. The wide, flat sand is lovely for walking at low tide, and the shallow, foamy water near shore suits a splash. Beginners and children are better off in the whitewater with an instructor than venturing out where the waves break.
Each year in Costa Rica, rip currents prove highly hazardous and lead to multiple drownings among travelers from the United States. Since lifeguards are absent at nearly all of these beaches and no signs alert you to dangerous water, check the surf before entering, check with a nearby surf school or your hotel about conditions that day, and keep yourself near the beach. Nervous swimmers may prefer a hotel pool after a morning walk on the sand.
Bring a rash guard for sun and surfboard rub, plus sunscreen, since cloud cover still lets the tropical sun through. Surfers will find the water warm enough that a swimsuit or a thin top is plenty.
What to do in Nosara in September
The big date of the month is September 15, Independence Day. On the evening of September 14, children carry paper lanterns, the faroles, through town in the Desfile de Faroles, and the next day brings school bands and flags. It is a small-town celebration rather than a spectacle, which is exactly its charm: families on the roadside, drums echoing, kids proud of their handmade lights.
Beyond the holiday, September is a month for slowing down, with surfing, yoga and the chance to see olive ridley turtles at nearby Ostional Wildlife Refuge. A large number of travelers arrive seeking Nosara’s wellness offerings, and throughout the green season yoga studios keep teaching, frequently in open-air pavilions where rain drumming on the roof turns into part of the practice. Smoothie bars, juice cafés and wood-fired pizza spots anchor the daily routine.
Surfing and the beach at Playa Guiones
Visitors come to Playa Guiones for its broad beach and steady waves. The beach is long and broad, and its steady waves make it one of the friendlier places to learn to surf, with schools and board rentals clustered along the access paths. Mornings tend to be the most pleasant for a lesson, before the afternoon clouds and rain arrive.
Whether or not you ride waves, give this shore an hour at first light or toward dusk. You will see surfers paddling out, dogs running the waterline, and sometimes crabs and shorebirds working the tide line. September crowds are thin, so you may have long stretches of sand nearly to yourself. Follow the water conditions closely, since currents are a real concern.
Yoga, wellness and rainy-day pleasures
Nosara’s wellness culture is easy to join without any experience. Drop-in yoga classes, massage, and breathwork sessions fill the mornings and late afternoons, and the rain makes the pavilions feel cozy rather than hot. It is a good way to use the hours when the sky turns gray.
Pair a class with a late breakfast at one of the cafés near the main road, where bowls of fruit, gallo pinto (the national dish of rice and beans) and fresh juices are the staples. Afternoon downpours are the cue for a book, a nap in a hammock, or a long lunch.
Wildlife and the green season forest
The forest is at its lushest in September. Howler monkeys are often heard before they are seen, and you may spot birds, iguanas and the occasional coati along the quieter roads and trails. A guided walk can improve your chances of seeing monkeys, birds and other wildlife, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Mornings are the best time to look, when animals are active and the light filters through wet leaves. Wear shoes with grip, since trails turn slick, and carry a light rain jacket in case the sky opens.
Food in the green season leans on fresh fruit, seafood and local staples. Ask for a casado, a dish that brings together beans, rice, plantain, salad and your pick of chicken, beef or fish, plus ceviche prepared with the catch of the day. Cold coconut water from a roadside stand is a good answer to the humidity.
A two-day itinerary for Nosara in September
Day 1 starts early. Sunrise comes around the start of the day, so be on Playa Guiones by first light for a walk on the wide sand while the air is cool and the surf is quiet. Follow with a surf lesson or a swim near shore, then a late breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs and fruit at a café near the beach access.
Midday is for shade. Take a yoga class or a massage, or simply rest in a hammock while the first clouds gather. When the afternoon rain comes, stay put with a book or a long lunch of ceviche and a casado at a small local soda. If the sky clears, walk back to the beach for the sunset, which arrives around twelve hours after sunrise this time of year.
Day 2 begins with a guided wildlife walk in the forest, when howler monkeys and birds are most active. Come back for a smoothie and a slow brunch, then spend the late morning browsing the small shops and boutiques around town, picking up local coffee, handmade jewelry and surf gear.
The afternoon is your rain card. If it pours, keep the afternoon flexible and stay under cover. Once the rain eases, drive or walk to a quieter stretch of coast for a different view of the Pacific. Finish with dinner at a wood-fired pizzeria or a seafood restaurant, then an early night to the sound of frogs.
Is Nosara busy in September?
No, September is one of the quietest months in Nosara, with the green season keeping crowds thin.
September is quiet, so confirm that individual surf schools, yoga studios and restaurants are open before relying on them. You will find that rooms are easier to book and tables are rarely hard to get, though a few smaller businesses may take a break during the wettest weeks. The people you meet are mostly surfers, yogis, long-stay remote workers and travelers who prefer the lush landscape to the dry-season rush.
The one busy moment is Independence Day around September 15, when locals celebrate and some families travel, so book early for that stretch if you want to be in town for the lantern parade.
Give yourself extra time for any drive, and do not plan a tight schedule on the day you arrive or leave.
What to pack for Nosara in September
Bring clothes that suit hot, humid days and surprise showers, and choose gear that stays light and dries fast.
- A real rain jacket, because afternoon downpours are heavy and frequent.
- Quick-drying shirts and shorts, since humidity keeps cotton damp for hours.
- Sandals and a pair of grippy shoes, for muddy roads and slick forest trails.
- A rash guard and sunscreen, for surf and for sun that burns through clouds.
- Insect repellent, as evenings in the green season bring mosquitoes.
- A dry bag, to keep phone and passport safe during sudden rain.
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.
September falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, though Nosara sits on the Pacific side, and the main effect you will notice is the rain itself, which can turn roads muddy and slow travel. Give yourself a buffer on travel days, and book your first nights and a rental vehicle or shuttle early. For entry, a passport valid for the length of your stay is required, along with a ticket home or another form of proof that you are heading onward, and although up to 180 days may be given without a visa, you can never count on it.
Nosara in September vs August and October
Moving a month earlier to August changes little: the air is a touch warmer, the sea about the same, and rain is only slightly less frequent. August brings more families on school vacation, so the beach and restaurants are a bit livelier, and rooms can be harder to find.
Moving a month later to October means even more rain, with the wettest stretch of the year often arriving. The sea stays warm, but some smaller businesses close for a break, and the town grows very quiet. Independence Day lanterns are behind you, and the mood is deeply sleepy.
September sits in the middle: green, warm and still lively enough to have places open. Travelers who want a few more people and a livelier beach could choose August, while those who want near solitude and do not mind constant rain can try October. If the lantern parade appeals, September is the one.
Is September a good time to visit Nosara?
Travelers who enjoy lush scenery, balmy seas and uncrowded shores, and who take the rain as simply part of the deal, will find September a fine time to visit.
Surfers, yoga students, remote workers and anyone who enjoys a slow rhythm will love it. Families can have a good time too, with calm mornings and plenty of indoor options. Travelers who need reliable sunshine for every day, or who plan long drives on rough roads, may prefer the drier months.
On arrival, head to the beach in the morning and set your routine around the weather: outdoors early, indoors when the clouds close in. What makes September special here is the lantern parade on the eve of Independence Day, children walking glowing paper lights down a wet, green road toward the sea.
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
To plan your stay
- Things to Do in Nosara: Surf at Playa Guiones, Yoga, Ostional Turtles and Where to Eat
- Where to Stay in Nosara: Playa Guiones, Pelada, Garza and the Village
- Best Time to Visit Nosara: Dry Season, Green Season, Surf and Turtles
- Nosara in August: Green Season Weather, Surf at Playa Guiones and What to Do