Playa Guiones Surf Cam – Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Camera hosted by Vacation Nosara
Cameras
5-day forecast
Open-ocean swell height · 3-hour bars, Costa Rica time
Primary swell · Secondary swell · Wind (arrows show direction of travel)
Relative to forecast lowest low. Heights are shifted so the lowest low in the available forecast reads 0 ft. This is not MLLW. Source: regional model reference papagayo marina, 78 km away, not an on-site gauge; original values are relative to MSL and stored data is unchanged.
5-day forecast
Open-ocean swell height · 3-hour bars, Costa Rica time
How Best window works
We pick the daylight 3-hour slot (6a–6p) with the biggest waves and the friendliest wind. Offshore or light wind counts fully, cross wind counts less, onshore counts least.
Raw open-ocean wave data from the model point. Not a breaking or beach height. Wind in mph, direction judged relative to the beach (faces WSW). Model forecast, refreshed hourly. Weather: Xweather · Marine: Stormglass
About the Playa Guiones Surf Cam
Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Wave typeSandy beach break
- Beach facesWest-southwest
- Best swellSouth to southwest
- Best windLight offshore, mornings
- Skill levelBeginner to advanced
About Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones is the main surf beach of Nosara, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. It's a long, sandy beach break with peaks shifting along its length, so even on busy mornings there's usually room to spread out. The beach faces west-southwest and picks up swell almost every day of the year, making it one of the most consistent surf spots in Central America.
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On smaller days, the gentle, forgiving waves make Guiones a favorite of beginners, longboarders and surf schools. Bigger swells bring punchier peaks for experienced surfers. A protected wildlife refuge keeps development set back from the sand, so the view from the water is mostly palms and jungle.
When It's Best
Guiones handles a wide range of swells, but it's at its best on south and southwest swells. Mornings are usually the prime time: winds are often light or offshore early, before the afternoon sea breeze roughs up the surface. The wave works through most of the tide, and many locals favor mid tide. A very high tide can make the waves soft and break close to shore.
Dry season · December–April
Sunny days, steady offshore winds and smaller, cleaner surf. Ideal for learning and longboarding.
Green season · May–November
Afternoon rain and the biggest, most consistent swells of the year. September and October are usually the wettest months.
About the Camera
The Playa Guiones Surf Cam looks out over the beach from Villa Zenith, with a wide view of the lineup and the sand. It streams live around the clock. At night the picture goes dark until sunrise, which is around 5:30 AM local time.
Camera hosted by Vacation Nosara
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa Guiones good for beginners?
Yes. The sandy bottom, long beach and mellow waves on smaller days make Guiones one of the best places in Costa Rica to learn. Several surf schools operate on the beach. As at any open beach, watch for rip currents, and consider a lesson for your first sessions.
What time zone is the cam in?
The cam runs on Costa Rica time (UTC−6) all year. Costa Rica doesn't observe daylight saving time, so it's 2 hours behind U.S. Eastern time from March to November and 1 hour behind the rest of the year.
When is the best surf season in Nosara?
It depends on what you're after. May through November brings the largest and most consistent swells, which experienced surfers prefer. December through April offers smaller, cleaner waves, offshore winds and dry weather, which is great for beginners and a relaxed surf trip.