COSTA RICA The Harmony Hotel Nosara, Playa Guiones Nicoya Peninsula

 

ABOUT THE HARMONY HOTEL - in their own words:

Inspired by the old school tropical destinations of eras that appreciated low key glamour and total escape, The Harmony Hotel Nosara is the perfect setting for people to get in tune with their natural rhythm.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
The graceful simplicity of earth tones and crisp whites creates rooms that are rooted in nature and beach life at the Harmony.

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 on Playa Guiones, Nosara

Amenities

• Daily Maid Service
• King Size Bed
• Refrigerator
• Air Conditioning
• Ceiling Fans
• Laptop-Sized Safe Deposit Box
• Coffee Maker
• WiFi Access

COCOS ROOMS: Closest to the pool, each Cocos room also opens onto its own private, enclosed back patio that is equipped with a heated shower and seating area. An overhang allows for enjoying the outdoors in the shade.

BUNGALOWS: Just off the beaten path, each bungalow welcomes with an open layout and comfortably furnished seating area. From here, the room extends to a raised floor with an inviting bed. Each bungalow also includes a front deck and rinse shower. At the rate of two bungalows, a double bungalow with adjoining rooms is also available.

HARMONY HOUSE: The Harmony House is located on the hill behind the main road to Playa Guiones, approximately 500 meters from the Harmony Hotel. With a gorgeous view of the beach and an amazing infinity pool to relax in, this house is a perfect spot for you to enjoy beautiful Guanacaste sunsets. The House has three rooms with King sized beds and separate bathrooms. One of the rooms can accommodate an extra bed. It also has a full kitchen, dining and living area, a terrace surrounded by lush gardens, laundry room, phone, air conditioning and ceiling fans. It is perfect for families or small groups of up to six people. Rates include housekeeping service, laundry service at the house upon request, and breakfast at the Harmony Hotel.

RESTAURANT:
The open air restaurant at the Harmony 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 rice.

In 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. It's said that people from Bali landed here hundreds of years ago and brought this style of architecture with them.

POOL:
At the heart of the Harmony’s lush tropical garden and hotel is the pool. It is completely surrounded by several endemic species of plants and trees, which serve as a habitat for various species of birds and butterflies, creating a unique scenic display for you.

The water is clear and silky because of a system that gradually converts salt into a natural form of chlorine. The salt presence is subtle, not strong like ocean water, but there's just enough to make the water buoyant and soft. Due to this chlorine-free system you will notice that the water will not irritate your eyes and skin. And not only that, it is also an environmentally friendly practice, since we are refraining from using harmful chemicals and working with an energy-efficient system instead.

How does it work?

The water-softening system removes minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the water. Resin beds in the filter attract these minerals and then liberate sodium, resulting in softer, mineral-free water. Salt is used to reload the resin beds once they get saturated with calcium and magnesium. You too can contribute with the environment by implementing this system in your swimming pool.

BEACH:
Just beyond the Harmony Hotel's banana trees, a can't miss coconut palm marks the arrival at Playa Guiones, one of the best surf spots in Nosara and Guanacaste. The water like the air is an inviting 80ish degrees all year round. Pizotes, monkeys, ospreys and armadillos thrive in the rich protected green zone that buffers Playa Guiones from anything manmade.

SURF:
The Harmony 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. This 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 surf schools in Nosara. The Harmony can set up lessons upon arrival. Or, check them out online. Our friend Rick runs an outfit nearby-- Corky Carroll's Surf School.

For the differences between the dry and wet season, take Rick's word:

Dry Season Conditions (mid November to mid April)

• Generally 3ft to 8ft
• North, northwest, south, southwest swells.
• Consistent weather and temperatures of 80 to 90 degrees during day and 75ish degrees at night.
• Sunrise - 10:30am / 11:00am offshore wind, and then it will lay down for about an hour.
• 12:00pm - 3:00pm onshore wind that generally does not blow hard enough to cause white caps
• 4:00pm it glasses off
• It's the tropics so weather can change fast

Wet Season Conditions (late April to early November)

• Less predictable weather, larger swells, significantly less surfers
• May and June it may rain in the afternoons and at night.
• July can produce the Indian Summer and it may not rain at all
• August can go pretty much like July.

ACTIVITIES:
There's a rich, beautiful world to discover right outside the Harmony's doorstep. Explore Guanacaste, Nosara and Guiones beach.

• sea kayaking
• beach trips (nosara, samara, carillo, san juanillo, garza)
• jungle river tours
• paddling
• kayak camping
• refugio nacional de fauna silvestre ostional
• four-wheeler tours
• backpacking
• canopy tours
• trekking
• volcano expeditions
• sport fishing
• bird watching
• horseback riding and camping
• caving
• kayak snorkel trips
• san lucas island
• kayak photo expeditions
• lake arenal
• monteverde
• nosara river kayaking
• tempisque croc and birding tours
• ometepe island
• lake nicaragua
• barra honda caverns
• rincon de la vieja volcano
• whale and dolphin watching
• surf lessons
• yoga

The front desk can provide information and arrange upon arrival.

FAQ's:

How big is Nosara?
Tico population is approximately 2500 people. The influx of Americans and Europeans is approximately 500 people.

Does the hotel have beach view or beach access?
Playa Guiones remains a natural beauty because there are no buildings located on it or rising above the tree level that borders it. All Harmony accommodations are located within our tropical garden, a stone's throw from the beach.

Is it safe to swim at the beach?
It is a surfer beach with strong waves and occasionally rip tides. There is no lifeguard. People swim at their own discretion. Safer swimming beaches are within short driving distance from the hotel.

Are there things to do for children?
There are lots of tours and activities for children, although they are more ideal for children 7 and above.

How can I pay for my room and additional charges?
The Harmony will happily receive your payments by credit card, cash (US dollars or Colones), or US Traveler cheques. The Harmony accepts all major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Amex and Diners).

Not all of the restaurants and businesses in the area accept credit cards, but many accept US dollars. Plan to bring small US bills because few places accept $50 or $100 bills. All of our rooms have safe deposit boxes for your convenience.

Can I exchange my money at the Harmony?
Yes, you can. Also, please keep in mind that there are NO readily available ATM machines in Nosara.

Do the rooms have A/C?
Yes, each has an A/C unit and a ceiling fan.

Do the rooms have T.V. / cable?
No. We aim to provide a break free from television and the everyday routine.

Is there telephone access in the rooms?
Yes, there is a direct dial phone for local and international calls in each room.

Are there safety boxes?
Yes, they even fit a laptop.

Is there laundry service?
Yes, leave your clothes with us in the early morning and you will have them back in the late afternoon.

Is there hot water?
Yes, showers in the bathrooms have hot water.

Is there Internet access?
Yes, we have WiFi access at the hotel, but no computer terminal. Either bring your own laptop, or visit the nearby Internet café.

Is there a gift shop?
There's a shop that provides books and things you can't find easily in Nosara. F

Do I need an electrical outlet adapter?
Electricity outlets are standard United States outlets.

What to bring?
Small US Bills, Swim Suit/ Board Shorts (2 pair), Camera, Flashlight, Hat, Beach Towel, 30-45 SPF Sunscreen, Sandals, Tennis Shoes, and Bug Spray. And for surfers: Rash Guards.