The Sanctuary Index

Central America

Nosara

Guanacaste · Costa Rica

Sanctuary Score

80 / 100

#12 in the Americas

Costa Rica's wellness-and-surf sanctuary where protected zoning, intentional living, and a jungle that still meets the beach justify the premium that comes with it.

Fishermen carrying a boat up the sand at Playa Nosara — Nosara, Costa Rica
Photo: Carlos Adampol Galindo · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Nosara coastline seen from a small plane — Nosara, Costa Rica
Photo: Alegutierrezc · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aerial of palm trees on the white-sand beach — Nosara, Costa Rica
Photo by Frames For Your Heart on Unsplash

The ten pillars

Each scored 1–10 by hand. Their sum is the Sanctuary Score.

Nature9 / 10
Walkability7 / 10
Food8 / 10
Healthcare7 / 10
Climate stability8 / 10
Air & water8 / 10
Safety8 / 10
Connectivity8 / 10
Community8 / 10
Beauty9 / 10

At a glance

Tracked separately from the score — these describe the place, they don't rank it.

Climate
Tropical
Sensory load
3/10 · calm
Cost
$$$
~$900/mo · 1BR
Expat community
High

Sources

Scores are set by hand against cited public sources — the curation stays auditable.

Is Nosara your sanctuary?

The Index says life is good here. The assessment tells you whether it fits the way your nervous system actually works.

Find your sanctuary