The Harmony Hotel in Costa Rica offers graceful simplicity of earth
tones and crisp whites that creates rooms that are rooted in nature
and beach life. All 24 accommodations reside on a path that meanders
through a tropical garden overflowing with native vegetation. And
the ears do not lie—that is the sound of waves. The path ends nearby
at the warm, inviting Pacific Ocean. The open air restaurant at the
Harmony Hotel seats 40 guests in a stylish but casual atmosphere
that draws upon 70's surf culture, Brazilian Modernism, and old
school tropical resorts.
Taking its cue from a harmonious way of
living, the kitchen cooks up local organic seafood, fruits, and
vegetables. This means a menu of options flavored by the exotic
likes of wild ginger, taro, banana, plantains, mango, coconut and of
course, black beans and riceIn addition to the main restaurant at the
Harmony, La Cafeteria provides vegetarian tapas, fresh squeezed
juices and herbal teas. Like the restaurant, they use organic
ingredients whenever possible. Tucked amongst the trees and wildlife
between the hotel and the future spa, La Cafeteria's rancho-style
pitched thatch roof and open-air structure is an ancient form of
native architecture that is still popular today.
The Harmony Hotel is a stone's throw from the best break on Playa
Guiones, home to the best surf in Nosara and for that matter, some
of the most consistent year-round waves in the world. Straight off
the Harmony path is a beach break with lefts and rights. Warm air
and offshore breezes make for great conditions. Swells vary
throughout the day from waist high to double-overhead. |
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This surf break works on all tides but shapes up best at high tide. Even
though it's becoming a popular longboard spot, it is good for short boards and
great for fun boards. Heed the howler monkey wakeup call for a quiet, early
morning session. The most popular time is sunset. No wonder. The waves get
glassy late afternoon and the colors are mind expanding as the sun dips.
Adventurers will have fun exploring other local surf spots: Playa Pelada for
a reef break that's best with a north swell at incoming high tide and Playa
Nosara for a beach break with peaks and shallow lefts that get barreling
with a large south or southwest swell.
The air and water are 80ish degrees all year in
Nosara, so board shorts and warm water wax are the sum requirements
other than a board. The small planes that fly to the local cow field
which serves as an air strip do not allow long boards, and getting a
short board to Nosara doesn't guarantee space for it on your return
flight. Surf rentals near the hotel abound and generally range from
$15 - $25 per day for short and long. No need to reserve ahead.
There are several Costa Rica surf schools in Nosara. Look for Costa
Rica Surf Schools at our
Costa Rica Surf Section. |
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