Norte Nosara

Copal was the bright spot for us. The juice bar is out of this world, and the couple running it works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Norte Nosara’s location is also hard to beat, with the beach, surfing, and sunsets close by. Still, based on our stay, I’d choose another hotel if you’re weighing options. We paid $500 a night from 12/28-1/2 for a suite and expected more. The room was tiny and mostly taken up by the bed. There was no dresser, just an odd shelf that wasn’t useful for clothes, and only about three hangers. The fridge had only a small carton of milk and a reusable water bottle that Norte Staff refilled with filtered water from the communal area. The bathroom was small, with counter space for maybe one or two lotion bottles. There was a quarter to half inch gap between the top of the front door and its frame, enough room for bugs to get in. The bathroom door also had open gaps and offered little privacy. The room felt underwhelming for the price. The shared space felt to me like a forced, slightly off-putting version of Burning Man in Costa Rica. It wasn’t private, though that isn’t advertised as such, since the public can visit the juice bar Copal. One day Norte hosted a Five Rythms class, and people came for the class and stayed to socialize. Afterward, some swam in the pool, even though a sign says it’s exclusively for guests. I believe the owner took part in the class and may have invited them to cool off, but it’s something to keep in mind. The pool was also consistently dirty. The crew had some unusually strong winds to deal with, which I understand, but it was still disappointing to see debris all over the water. Reception was rarely at its post and wasn’t very helpful. They almost never answered my WhatsApp messages unless I texted twice, and sometimes still didn’t respond. They seemed nice enough, but the service didn’t meet what I’d expect at $500 a night. We were so underwhelmed that we left early. We were told we’d get a refund for the final night, but they haven’t responded since last Friday. I usually avoid leaving bad reviews because people and businesses can have off days, but I wanted to share this for anyone choosing between Norte and another place. Weighing the experience against the price, I’d pick the other option. I’m including pictures of bugs, dirty areas in our room, the debris-filled pool, and unanswered WhatsApp messages. I wish I’d known the price didn’t match the experience.

We loved our stay at Norte Nosara. The rooms were clean, and the staff were the friendliest. It’s the cutest boutique hotel, with thoughtful little touches like your own tiki hut oasis, a pool waterfall, outdoor lounge chairs, and beanbag-like pool loungers. After a day in the sun, we loved the aromatic diffusers. You can walk to howlers, elio’s, the gilded iguana, rolling waves coffee, and the beach, plus more. Highly recommend!

The jungle setting gave our retreat a magical feel, and everyone enjoyed having the cozy pool and bar to unwind in. Norte Nosara made the practical side easy too: the team was organized and took care of everything from airport shuttles to meal times. Everything went smoothly.

The airy yoga shala was lovely for sunrise practice, and we spent relaxed afternoons by the pool while the bar staff kept the cocktails coming. Norte Nosara felt like a tropical paradise, with lush greenery and vibrant local art all around. It was the highlight of our Costa Rica trip. Can’t wait to come back next season!