The Gilded Iguana
Surfing is the name of the game here.
Yoga
From $336 / night
Perfect for:
Nature lovers, surfers, and adventure seekers who want a lovely ambiance and beach access.
The Gilded Iguana has been a staple of the surfing scene in Nosara since 1988. With excellent service and modern accommodations, the hotel is only five minutes away from one of the most famous beaches in the area, Guiones Beach. The Gilded Iguana is suitable for the whole family with a kiddie pool and menu.
Enjoy a beautiful location, commune with nature, and experience an authentic surf hotel in Costa Rica.
What to Expect at The Gilded Iguana:
- World-Class Surfing at Playa Guiones: This hotel is optimal for surfers, whether you are a pro or beginner. Don’t worry; there are surf lessons. The hotel is within walking distance of the beach across an unpaved path.
- Time to Relax & Rejuvenate: A spa nestled in the Nosara Tropical Jungle, you will find yourself relaxing after a hard day of surfing or exploring.
- Mediterranean Flavors with Costa Rican Fusion: The Gilded Iguana Restaurant and Bar is the biggest in the area.
What Not To Expect:
- Complete Isolation: The hotel is a bustling small surf town, so others are common.
- Extreme Luxury: Rooms are modern and well-appointed but don’t display any excesses to help you unwind.
Amenities
- Bar/Lounge
- Breakfast Included
- Dietary Restrictions
- Fitness Facilities
- Kids Pool
- Restaurant
- Spa
- Swim Up Bar
- Swimming Pool
- Yoga Deck and Classes
The Gilded Iguana Is Featured in These Trips
If you want to stay at The Gilded Iguana we recommend you to check out
the following trips:
Surf Hotel Costa Rica: Laid-Back Comfort & Authenticity
The Gilded Iguana takes the traditional beach experience and steps up the game.
This Costa Rica hotel is dedicated to enjoying nature and preserving the relaxed, uncluttered surfer lifestyle with guaranteed comfort and beauty. In fact, upon checking in, you are given two keys: one for your room and one for your surfboard locker.
Both public areas and rooms bring up the colors of the blue ocean outside along the smooth textures of wood, sand, and water. The hotel was designed in a partnership with Benjamin Saxe, and everywhere artisan craftsmanship is showcased along with decorations that evoke the beach outside.
Rooms are modern but relaxed and well-equipped, with terraces that allow the light and breeze inside. They are an excellent place to come to for rest after a day at the beach. For the perfect escapade, rent a ‘beach pack’ and hit the sand with a trolley, beach chairs, and an umbrella ready for a day out.
If you prefer to stay at the hotel, there is plenty to enjoy. It has a main pool, a Jacuzzi, and a kids’ pool. The Gilded Iguana welcomes surf-loving families as well as couples and groups of friends.
World-Class Surfing at Guiones
Guiones beach is only a five-minute walk away from The Gilded Iguana. Guiones is 7 kilometers of white sand and waves ideal for surfing. Whether you are a seasoned surfer or have just started practicing, The Gilded Iguana is more than happy to have you.
Surf instructors at this hotel are certified by the International Surfing Association. They can guide and teach surfers of all ages and skill levels.
Join the Surf School and Surf Club to enjoy days full of sun and ocean at the beach. If you need to back up on essentials, there's also a retail shop, from sunscreen to surfboards.
Spa Nestled in the Lush Nosara Tropical Paradise
To slow down the rhythm for a while, The Gilded Iguana also has a spa for the wellness-oriented. But, first, meditate by the beach, practice some yoga to strengthen your muscles, and rebalance your mind and body.
Then head to the spa for a massage or exfoliating treatment to rejuvenate your skin and bring some release to your back and legs. The spa also prides itself in only using Costa Rican sourced organic products.
Stay Active beyond Surfing
If you want to explore more of the area around Nosara, there’s an adventurous option as well. The coastline has hills dotted, making it a good spot for mountain biking. You can get the bikes at the activity center.
Guiones beach is also close to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, so the backdrop is a verdant jungle of trees brimming with wildlife. Ride up and down the mountain while spotting lizards, monkeys, armadillos, and, of course, iguanas.
Mediterranean Flavors with Costa Rican Fusion
The Gilded Iguana Restaurant and Bar is the biggest in the area. It offers a fusion menu of Mediterranean with Costa Rican flavors, and it’s open for all three meals of the day.
Be sure to try their ‘Casados,’ a traditional Costa Rican dish, as well as their mojitos. There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options if you want to try them.
With great food and surfing scenes, it’s easy to see why The Gilded Iguana has been a fundamental element for the last decades in Nosara.
If your dream is to relax by a Costa Rican beach with lots of opportunities to practice surfing, this is the hotel for you.