In October, the jungle behind Playa Guiones is loud with howler monkeys at dawn, and the sand holds the morning’s first surfers walking out with boards under their arms. Clouds pile up over the Nicoya hills, the trees are thick and dripping green, and a warm rain taps on the roofs of the yoga studios. It is the deep green season in Nosara, a month for travelers who want quiet beaches, steady surf and a slow, unhurried rhythm.
What is the weather like in Nosara in October?
October in Nosara brings heat, heavy humidity and a lot of rain, since showers arrive on nearly every day of the month and the air stays warm from morning until night.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 83.8 | 75.9 | 28.6 | 86.0 |
| October | 83.3 | 75.6 | 28.6 | 85.4 |
| November | 84.4 | 75.5 | 18.2 | 83.2 |
Expect a day that often starts bright and sticky, with the best light for the beach before the clouds build. The rain tends to arrive later, sometimes as a heavy afternoon downpour with thunder over the hills, and on other days as a long gray drizzle that settles in for hours. Between the showers the air steams, and the sun can come back strong enough to burn, so the early hours are the ones to protect for the beach, a surf lesson or a walk.
Evenings stay warm enough for short sleeves and sandals, and nobody needs a sweater outside. Roads and trails turn muddy, rivers run brown and creek crossings can swell after a hard rain. Sunlight lasts nearly twelve hours in mid-October, so you still get a full day, but the sky is often soft and silvery rather than postcard blue.
Clothes dry slowly in this humidity, so quick-dry fabrics earn their place in your bag. The sea stays bathwater-warm, and a rainy hour on the beach barely changes the temperature of the water you swim in.
Can you swim in Nosara in October?
Yes, the ocean is warm enough for a long swim without leaving you shivering, yet it demands respect, not the ease of a pool.
Surfers and beginners adore Playa Guiones because this sprawling, broad stretch of sand offers reliable waves. Waves are the normal state of things, and in the green season swells can be strong. Many people come mainly to paddle out with an instructor rather than to float and swim.
Along this coastline, rip currents pose a serious hazard, and every year they lead to multiple drownings among tourists from the United States. On the majority of beaches, you will find neither lifeguards nor any alert to dangerous conditions, and water that appears calm reveals nothing about the current.
Pack a rash guard for both sunshine and waves, along with sunscreen, and leave the ocean when you hear thunder. Snorkeling is not what Nosara is known for, since the draw here is waves, so think surf, sand and sunsets over clear reefs.
What to do in Nosara in October
The big natural event of the month is on the sand itself. Near Ostional, olive ridley sea turtles arrive on shore in great numbers to lay their eggs, and this happens mainly during the green season, which October falls squarely within. You may see turtles hauling themselves up the beach, though nature keeps its own schedule and nothing here is guaranteed.
The rest of the month is about rhythm. Surf in the morning, a long lunch when the clouds gather, a yoga class or a book while the rain drums, and a walk on the beach when it clears. The town is spread out among jungle roads, with cafés, smoothie bars, bakeries and small restaurants tucked off the main track, and the mood is quiet and a little bohemian.
Ostional and the nesting turtles
Ostional is the village north of Nosara where the olive ridleys come ashore, and it is the most memorable outing of the month. The beach is wide and dark, backed by simple houses, and what you see is the slow, determined crawl of turtles up the sand, digging nests, covering them and heading back to the surf. It can be an evening or night scene, and sometimes a morning one, depending on the tides and the turtles.
Keep your distance, keep lights low and follow the instructions of local guides, because the turtles are the reason the place exists. It suits older children, wildlife lovers and anyone who wants something other than a beach day.
Playa Guiones and the surf
Guiones is the beach everyone talks about, a long curve of sand with consistent waves and a loose mix of beginners, longtime locals and visiting pros. In October the surf is a constant presence, and lessons are the easiest way into it. Instructors read the sets, pick the right section of beach and set you up on a wide board.
Even if you never stand on a board, the beach is the town’s living room. Walk it at the start of the day, when the light is soft and the tide is often a good distance out, and watch the first sets roll in.
After a downpour the sand is clean and nearly empty, and the sky often glows in the evening. It suits surfers, runners and anyone who likes to walk a long beach without a crowd.
Yoga, food and slow days
Nosara’s wellness culture is its second identity, and the rainy days suit it. Studios offer classes across the day, and many are open-air under a roof, so the sound of rain becomes part of the practice. When the session wraps up, people from the area usually go for a casado, Costa Rica’s set meal of rice, beans, salad, plantain and your pick of fish, chicken or beef, plus a smoothie bowl or fresh juice.
Rice and beans combined with onion and pepper, known as gallo pinto, make up the national breakfast. Seafood is the dinner choice, with fresh fish, ceviche and grilled catches in small beachside spots. It suits couples, solo travelers and anyone who wants an easy, wholesome week.
A note on the Carnival of Limon
Around October 12, the Day of the Cultures, the city of Limon on the Caribbean coast holds its Carnival, with parades, music and Afro-Caribbean food. It is a national celebration, though it takes place on the other side of the country from Nosara, and the dates can shift from year to year. October 12 is not a fixed day off for everyone, so businesses near you will mostly work as usual.
If you want a taste of Caribbean cooking while you are in Nosara, look for rice and beans cooked in coconut milk or a patty-style snack at a local kitchen. The festival itself is a reason to plan a separate trip rather than a side visit from the Pacific.
A two-day itinerary for Nosara in October
Day 1 is about the beach and the town. Start early at Playa Guiones, when the light is soft, and walk the sand before taking a surf lesson. By late morning the clouds usually thicken, so move to a café for gallo pinto, eggs and fresh fruit, then lunch on fish or a casado at a small place off the beach road.
When the afternoon rain comes, and it very likely will, swap the sand for a yoga class or a long read in a covered café. Should the clouds part, head back to the sand for golden hour and a seafood meal in town. Daylight runs just under twelve hours, so dinner is a leisurely, after-dark affair.
Day 2 turns to the turtles and the quieter edges. Spend the morning on a walk or a short drive around the jungle roads, watching for howler monkeys, birds and the odd sloth, which are chances rather than promises, and which a local guide helps you spot. Have lunch in a simple village kitchen, then head toward Ostional in the afternoon for the nesting beach, going with a driver or guide who knows the muddy roads.
Rain card for either day: book a yoga class, a cooking class or a massage, spend a long lunch over ceviche, or browse the small shops and bakeries in town. Heavy rain can make roads slow, so keep the Ostional plan flexible and shift it to the other day if needed.
Is Nosara busy in October?
Actually, October ranks among Nosara’s calmest months, when the crowds thin out and you will find ample room both on the sand and at the eateries.
Surfers, yoga students, remote workers and long-term residents make up most of the crowd you meet, and the beach comes across as a neighborhood rather than a resort. Some small businesses slow down in the wettest weeks, and a few places may close for a break or for maintenance, so it is wise to confirm your favorite restaurant or studio is open before you plan around it.
For rooms and rental cars, the habit that works is simple. Book early for any week that includes a holiday or a long weekend, and later for ordinary weeks, when choice is easy to find. Restaurant tables rarely need planning ahead, apart from a small place you have set your heart on.
The quiet is the main gift of the month, and it comes with the rain.
What to pack for Nosara in October
Pack for heat, humidity and rain, and plan on things staying damp for a while.
- A light rain jacket or poncho, because showers arrive almost daily.
- Quick-dry clothes, since nothing dries quickly in this humidity.
- Sandals with a good grip for wet paths, plus closed shoes for muddy trails.
- For the waves and the fierce sun that breaks through the clouds, pack a rash guard and sunscreen.
- A dry bag for phone and passport, which saves you in a sudden downpour.
- Insect repellent for the jungle and the 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.
October is the heart of the green season, and the rain shapes travel more than anything else. In October, routes leading to certain beaches and villages may be slow, steep, or unpaved, and heavy rain can leave them rough, so allow extra time and stay flexible with your plans.
Many travelers choose a driver or a local transfer for the road to Ostional or to quieter beaches. Most beaches have no lifeguards, so ask locally about the sea each day.
Parks and nature areas set their own rules, which change, so check the official page of any park before a visit. Carry some cash for small kitchens and village stops, and keep your documents in a waterproof pouch.
Nosara in October vs September and November
Going four weeks earlier, to September, brings a very similar picture, with the same near-daily rain, slightly warmer sea and the same quiet beaches. It is a good choice if you want the lowest-key trip and do not mind gray days, and the turtle season is also underway.
Going four weeks later, to November, usually means noticeably fewer rain days, a cooler sea and more sunny stretches between showers. The landscape is still lush, roads start to firm up and a few more visitors arrive as the season turns, so restaurants and rooms see more activity. The turtle nesting season may be easing, and surf is still steady.
Choose October if you love quiet, green scenery and are happy to plan around the rain. Move to November if you want more beach time and easier travel on the roads, and stay with September if you want to see the turtles in a similarly calm atmosphere.
Is October a good time to visit Nosara?
Absolutely, for those who love surfing, yoga, wildlife and calm days, and who understand that rain comes with the experience.
It will suit surfers, wellness travelers, nature lovers hoping to see turtles and anyone who prefers an empty beach to a crowded one. It is less suited to those who want a sunny, dry beach vacation, or to anyone who needs smooth roads and reliable outdoor plans every day.
On arrival, ask your host about the sea and the roads, then book a surf lesson and your turtle outing for days when the weather looks workable. Keep the rest loose, and let the rain decide the afternoon. What stays with you from October in Nosara is the sound of rain on a tin roof, the smell of wet jungle and a long, empty beach shining after a storm.
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
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 September: Green Season Weather, Surf, Independence Day Lanterns and Things to Do