In February, the road descending to Playa Guiones is already carrying its first surfers, boards tucked beneath their arms as they head for the water before the sun has fully risen, while mats are being rolled out at yoga studios beneath open-sided roofs. The forest behind the beach is dry and the light is long and gold. Nosara in this month is a sunny, easygoing stretch of the Nicoya Peninsula coast, made for beach days, early waves and slow evenings after sunset.
What is the weather like in Nosara in February?
February is hot, sunny and almost entirely dry in Nosara, with the kind of days that start clear and stay that way.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 89.6 | 75.7 | 1.5 | 85.0 |
| February | 91.7 | 76.2 | 1.1 | 85.6 |
| March | 92.5 | 76.9 | 2.7 | 86.6 |
Mornings are the soft part of the day, warm but not heavy, and the best hours for a walk on the sand, a surf session or a yoga class. By midday the sun is strong and the shade of a palapa or a tree becomes the place to be. Afternoons stay hot, so many people take a long lunch and head back to the beach as the light turns gentler.
Rain is rare this month. When a shower does pass, it is brief and easy to wait out with a cold drink. The dry season also means dust on the back roads and a forest that looks more brown than green, which is part of the February look on this coast.
Evenings stay warm enough for a T-shirt and sandals at dinner. Daylight lasts a little under twelve hours, so the sun sets in the early evening and the beach bars fill up with people watching it go. Bring sun protection above all, since the strong light catches visitors out even on cloudy-looking mornings.
Can you swim in Nosara in February?
The water is warm, but whether it is safe to swim depends on the surf and currents that day.
Warm water does not mean gentle water, though. Playa Guiones is known for steady surf, which is why it draws surf schools and beginners and experienced riders alike, and the same waves can make swimming tiring or tricky. The tide and the swell shift what you will find out there, so check the water before entering and ask your hotel or a local surf shop how the beach is acting that day.
For American travelers, rip currents in Costa Rica are a grave danger that kill several of them every year. Because lifeguards and notices about hazardous water are absent at most beaches, check with a hotel or surf school on that day’s situation, obey whatever flags are posted, and stay close enough to grab your kids.
Families with small children and nervous swimmers will usually be happier wading at the edge and playing in the shallows than swimming out past the break. Bring a rash guard for sun and board contact, and plenty of water for the walk back.
What to do in Nosara in February
Nosara is a place for doing a few things well rather than ticking off a long list, and February suits that pace. The dry, sunny days make the beach the center of the day, with yoga, surf and long meals arranged around it.
The Envision Festival, a music, art and yoga gathering, usually takes place in late February in Uvita, but it is a separate trip rather than a Nosara outing. Dates change every year, and Uvita is down the Pacific coast, so it is a trip of its own rather than an evening out from Nosara. Within Nosara itself, February has no big local festival to plan around, and that quiet is part of the appeal.
Surfing and the beach at Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones draws many visitors, and the appeal is easy to see: a broad, sprawling stretch of sand with dependable waves. Playa Guiones has steady surf, and conditions can change with the tide and swell. Early morning is the favored time, when the air is cooler and the light is soft on the water.
If you are not surfing, the beach is just as good for a long barefoot walk, especially toward sunset when the sand turns a pale gold. You may see people practicing yoga on the sand, kids chasing the foam, and dogs running at the water line. Beach conditions shift, so keep an eye on the flags and the current rather than assuming the same water as the day before.
A tip for the middle of the day: the sun is at its harshest, so bring an umbrella or find a patch of shade under the trees at the back of the beach. Water and a hat matter more than any gear. This is the hour to eat lunch and rest, then come back out when the heat eases.
Yoga and wellness
Nosara is known for its yoga studios and wellness culture, and February is a natural month to take part. Its yoga studios and wellness culture are central to Nosara’s appeal. Styles range from gentle stretching to more athletic flows, so you can choose by mood.
Many visitors build a rhythm here: a morning class, a surf or swim, a smoothie or bowl for lunch, and a second class before sunset. It suits solo travelers well, since classes are an easy way to meet people.
Pair it with a massage or a quiet afternoon in a hammock, and you have a complete day without ever leaving the neighborhood. Bring your own towel and water bottle, and wear light clothing that moves with you in the heat.
Food and the mood in town
Eating in Nosara leans toward fresh and healthy. Expect fish and ceviche, smoothie bowls, tropical fruit, and juice stands alongside the casado, the Costa Rican plate of rice, beans, a protein and salad that is the honest local lunch. Gallo pinto, rice and beans fried together, shows up at breakfast with eggs and fruit.
In the evening, the mood is relaxed. People gather at beach bars and small restaurants tucked into the trees, and there is live music some nights. It feels more like a village at the end of the road than a resort, and dinner often stretches long after the sun goes down.
Wildlife is a chance, not a promise. Howler monkeys are often heard in the trees around town, and birds and iguanas turn up on walks, but guided outings are the way most visitors see animals. In the dry forest of February, with fewer leaves, spotting them can be easier.
A two-day itinerary for Nosara in February
Day 1 begins early at Playa Guiones, before the heat builds. Walk the sand at first light, then take a surf lesson or a swim in the warm water. Breakfast is a smoothie bowl or eggs with gallo pinto at a café near the beach access.
Midday is for shade. Have a long lunch at a casual spot, then rest or book a massage while the sun is at its strongest. In the late afternoon, take a yoga class, then walk back to the beach for sunset, which comes with a little under twelve hours of daylight, so the light starts to fade in the early evening. Dinner is fresh fish at a restaurant in the trees.
Day 2 can start with a morning yoga class, followed by a slow brunch. Spend the morning on a guided nature outing, such as a wildlife walk or a visit to a quieter beach along the coast. Guides are the usual way to see monkeys and birds.
In the afternoon, return to town for a swim, a market stop or a hammock. Rain is unlikely this month, but if a shower or a gray hour does appear, a café, a studio class or a spa session fills the time easily. End with dinner and music at a beach bar, then a quiet walk home under the stars.
Is Nosara busy in February?
Nosara is moderately busy in February, since the dry, sunny weather draws many visitors, but it never feels like a crowded resort town.
Surfers, yoga travelers and families on winter breaks make up much of the crowd. Beaches are large enough that Playa Guiones rarely feels packed, though the surf line-up and the popular studios fill up at peak hours. Restaurants can have waits at dinner, especially on weekends.
Rooms and rental homes are the things to book first, since the dry season is a favored time to come and the town is small. As a habit, book early for any week that lines up with school breaks or holidays at home, and a little later for quieter stretches.
If you plan to go to the Envision Festival in Uvita in late February, expect that area to be busy and book well ahead for anything near it. Rules for national parks and reservations change, so check the park’s official page if you plan a visit to one.
What to pack for Nosara in February
Pack light, breathable clothes and plan around sun and surf.
- Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, because the sun is strong from mid-morning on.
- A rash guard, for sun protection and board contact in the surf.
- Light cotton or linen clothes, for hot afternoons and warm evenings.
- A reusable water bottle, since hydration matters in the dry heat.
- Sandals and a pair of sneakers, for the beach and for dusty back roads.
- Insect repellent, for evenings near the trees.
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.
Before traveling, check Costa Rica’s official entry requirements and confirm that your passport and proof of onward travel meet them. Book lodging first, then lessons and tours. Cash and a card are both useful, and a small daypack helps for beach days.
Nosara in February vs January and March
Moving the trip to January keeps the weather very similar, a touch cooler and with a slightly higher chance of a passing shower. The sea is almost the same, and the holiday crowds of the new year can still be around early in the month, which makes rooms a little tighter.
March is hotter and the sea warmer, with a bit more rain on the calendar, though it is still a dry month overall. The forest is at its driest and the afternoons are the hottest of the three, which suits people who love heat and do not mind a slower midday.
Choose February for the balance: hot but not at its peak, dry, and with the late-month Envision Festival at Uvita for those who want music and yoga on a larger scale. Pick January if you prefer slightly cooler days, and March if you want the warmest water and do not mind the heat.
Is February a good time to visit Nosara?
Yes, February is a very good time for travelers who want sun, surf and a slow, healthy rhythm by the sea.
Surfers, yoga fans, beach lovers and couples will find it ideal, with dry days, warm water and long evenings outside. Families with older children who enjoy the beach will also do well. Travelers who dislike heat, who want green rainforest scenery, or who prefer lively nightlife may be happier in another month or another town.
On arrival, head to Playa Guiones for a first look at the water, check the flags and the surf, and book your first class or lesson. Then settle into the pattern that defines the town: early light, a long lunch in the shade and a sunset on the sand. February here lines up dry forest, warm sea and golden evening light together on a coast that stays relaxed.
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