The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel – Nosara, Costa Rica
The Gilded Iguana is the original surfer spot in Nosara, Costa Rica and a long-time destination for an international community of surfers seeking an off-the-grid escape.
At The Gilded Iguana hotel, surfers of all ages and experience levels calibrate their equilibrium on the waves off one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Guiones.
We proudly claim many firsts at our Costa Rica hotel: first structure built in Nosara, first telephone in town, and first live music venue. Few things have changed since The Gilded Iguana took on its current form as a hotel, restaurant, and town meeting place in 1988.
A new design by acclaimed architect Benjamin Saxe captures our essence and history, while appealing to style-conscious travelers with equal measures of rugged luxury and authenticity.
Outside the hotel, Nosara’s natural surroundings and relaxed vibe remain the same – especially its most famous beach, Playa Guiones. Beyond the unpaved roads leading to the expansive seven-kilometer-long stretch of undeveloped white sand and consistent waves, adventure seekers enjoy mountain biking and the world’s longest zip line.
And the region’s eco-friendly, all-natural lifestyle rounds out appeal for yoga retreats and a culinary scene that offers freshly-grown produce and just-caught seafood.
From breakfast to lunch, dinner, and cocktails, The Gilded Iguana has you covered. Try the fresh catch of the day or our selection of pizzas, pastas, and burgers – and don’t sleep on the casados, a Costa Rican meal of rice, beans, sweet plantains, and salad. We offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options and a kids menu.
All of your bases are covered when you stay at The Gilded Iguana. Free Wi-Fi, an on-site restaurant (the longest-operating in town), and daily breakfast are a given. Beyond the basics, our unique Nosara hotel amenities are a distinct offering unmatched by even the best Costa Rica hotels.
Hit the waves with our International Surfing Association-certified instructors. The Gilded Iguana surf school and club are available to surfers of all ages and experience levels, conveniently located just 200 meters from Playa Guiones, the main surfing beach in Nosara. Come and check out The Gilded Iguana Surf Club.
Take advantage of our mountain biking program to get your adrenaline pumping with bike rentals and weekly rides. Our onsite instructors are excited to show you the surroundings. Experience a different view of the beach and jungle by bike. And, above all, don’t forget to relax and unwind, whether you’re enjoying our outdoor pools or yoga offering.
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Rooms:
Standard Surf Rooms
Standard Surf Rooms at The Gilded Iguana are located to the north of the pool, and are the best value options for accommodations at the hotel.
Premium King Rooms
The Premium King Room features a plush king size bed, table and chairs, a work desk, a mini bar and fridge, and a coffee and tea maker.
Premium Plus King Rooms
Find comfort on our upper level in our Premium Plus King Rooms. These rooms feature a king size bed, vaulted ceilings, a table and chairs, an outdoor balcony, and an extra large bathroom. Planning to hit the waves during your stay? Store your gear using your included surfboard locker or storage rack.
The Surfer Suite
The Surfer Suite is a two room unit designed for surfing families or traveling groups. The main room has a single queen bed, two sets of bunk beds with two single beds each (total of four single beds), closets, and a storage area.
The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel Activities
The Surf ClubThe Surf Club is the surfers paradise! The Club is located in between The Gilded Iguana Hotel and the beach, only steps away from the surf! Surf Club Membership includes Full Access to all Surf Equipment (Netflix Style). We have over 150 surfboards, all designed for playa guiones and the surrounding beaches of Nosara! We are constantly updating our board rooms to have the highest quality equipment for our members. We have boards for every level of surfing, from day one beginners, to seasoned veterans that are ready to rip! We also have SUP’s, boogie boards, skim boards, and beaters (hybrid between a boogie board & surf board). Surf Club Membership also includes personal board storage in our air conditioned board rooms, located only steps from the beach. We offer daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly memberships. Membership also gives you full access to surf club amenities like the locker room, changing stalls, showers, surf lounge, and Juice Bar. Becoming a member gets you discounts on surf lessons, juice bar, restaurant, iguana shop, spa, and MTB rentals / tours. |
Mountain Biking in NosaraThe coastline in Nosara has lots of ups and downs, making the terrain perfect for cross-country mountain biking. Plenty of trails lead down to the beach, which is highly unique for a mountain biking tour. Along the way, take in the beauty of our remote jungle enclave, from the palm trees to the animals (monkeys, lizards, and, of course, iguanas) and the ocean breeze. |
Our star ratings are provided as quick way to compare options. They are not absolute indicators of quality, and individual experiences may vary.
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