The Art of Slowing Down

We went in looking for a place where we could truly relax, be, and enjoy nature. To slow down from our fast lives in New York City, spend unstructured days with our five-year-old son, and nourish ourselves with food that feels good for the body. Nosara ended up meeting that intention in every way. It has that balance of being calm but still alive, where you don’t feel the need to chase anything, and things still happen.
We flew into Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR), rented a car, and drove in. The drive was about two and a half hours, pretty straightforward, and once you get closer, it starts to feel more remote in a good way.
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We stayed at Finca Austria Villa’s - Casa Colibri, and it became a central part of the experience, not just where we slept. The property is set on a large piece of land in the hills, very private, surrounded by jungle, with open views stretching out to the ocean, and as sunset lovers, that was a 10 out of 10.

Mornings there felt completely different. You wake up to the sound of birds, and then start noticing movement in the trees. Monkeys passing through the canopy, different birds, insects, everything very alive. Nature at Finca Austria’s Casa Colibri feels very immersive.

The house itself is beautiful and very well maintained. The rooms are bright, filled with natural light, and everything feels open to the outside. The views over the hills and the ocean are breathtaking. Sunset from there was so good that we didn’t even want to leave the house for anything. It became a daily ritual, just sitting and watching the show.
​Every morning they served breakfast, and it was consistently good. Healthy, simple, with a lot of variety. Fresh fruits, juices, whole foods, everything aligned with the environment you’re in.

Guiones Beach, their main beach, is very natural and beautiful. There’s a strong surf culture there, and that seems to be the main activity. At the same time, Nosara is known for rip currents, so it didn’t feel comfortable just getting in the water casually.
We did take a surf lesson for our son with Selva Surf School, and that ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. He’s five, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they made it feel easy and fun, and he actually got up on the board. Watching him connect with the ocean like that, learning the timing of the waves and building that confidence, felt very special.

For a more relaxed beach experience, we kept going back to Playa Pelada. Quieter, more contained, and with tide pools that create these little pockets where kids can explore more safely.
La Luna restaurant in Playa Pelada was one of our favorite spots for lunch, great for taking a break from the beach, sitting outside, looking at the ocean, and having a nice meal. The fish tacos there were especially good.
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Food in Nosara overall feels aligned with the environment. Clean and fresh. We particularly loved the Organico Grocer, it became part of our routine for cold-pressed juices, food to go and healthy snacks. 

One evening we went up to Coyol for sunset and dinner. It’s set higher up with a very open layout, a mix of wood and natural materials, and different areas to sit. There’s a big swing overlooking the hills. The sunset from there is incredible, and the cocktails and food were great too.

​Nosara carries a very specific and rare energy. Something about the combination of ocean, jungle, and the pace of life there allows you to come back into your own rhythm.

Lastly, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to create beautiful photographs using a piece from Harmonia. Places like Nosara naturally reflect the vision behind both Harmonia and Wanderglider, where fashion and nature exist in harmony. It felt like the right way to close both the trip and this story.

                                          Photographed by John Seitz at Finca Austria Villa's - Casa Colibri, Nosara.