8 Best Waves to Surf in Costa Rica
Cover image: ©carlos manich on Unsplash
Costa Rica is a must-visit Central America surf destination. With 1,016 kilometers of coastline on the Pacific Ocean side and less than 350,000 inhabitants, you can be sure there are waves, delicious ceviche, and rich culture for any surfer looking to travel. As a popular surf tourist trip, don’t expect super cheap eats and solo surf sessions. During its best surf season, May to September, depending on location, there will be crowds, and accommodations, if you want luxury, are a bit pricey. Here are the eight must-visit waves to surf in Costa Rica.
Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo Bay is a four-mile-long stretch with four distinct surf breaks. Playa Grande has the best surf and is the most consistent during the off-season. El Estero, located just outside of the Tamarindo river mouth, has a nice variety of rights and lefts. The Tamarindo beach break is consistent and a great spot for beginners. Pico Pequeno is a right reef break and can get really good on a southwest swell. This spot generally works best on a South to West swell, East wind, and mid to high tide.
Playa Hermosa
Considered by many as the most consistent beach break in Costa Rica, Playa Hermosa is a four-mile stretch of shifting A-frames that disperses the crowds from nearby San Jose. Its black sand and open exposure make it a picturesque surf spot and hang-out zone for beach-loving locals and vacationers alike. It works best on south to South-southwest swell, Northeast wind, and mid to high tide.
Pavones
In the running for the longest left point break in the world, Pavones can produce solid three-minute-long rides. When it's working, the crowd can be intense, and the main take-off spot at the river mouth is super competitive. If you manage to catch a wave here, you’ll have a dynamic ride filled with bowls, and quick and cruisey sections. It works on solid South to South-southwest swell, North to Northeast wind, and the tide is dependent on swell size.
Salsa Brava
This gnarly reef break is known as the heaviest wave in Costa Rica. When it's working, it is a challenging wave that is best reserved for intermediate to advanced surfers. It is best with an East, East-northeast, or Northeast Swell, South or Southwest wind, a mid to high tide.
Playa Jaco
If you’re looking for a happening surf vacay destination, Playa Jaco is the spot. There are plenty of accommodations, a bustling nightlife, and waves for every surfer. It is a super consistent wave, but it gets really good on a Southwest to South swell, East wind, and mid to high tide.
Boca Barranca
Another incredibly long left point break, Boca Barranca has the potential for 800-yard long rides. Its proximity to San Jose makes it easy to access, however, it also means when it's working the crowd is heavy. It works best on a South to South-southwest swell, North, Northeast, and East-northeast wind, and low to mid-tide.
Playa Guiones
The main beach of Guiones has gentle and safe waves that are a beginner's paradise. Even when the waves are big and pumping way out, they are still relatively gentle compared to other spots with this kind of size. The picturesque black sand beach and easy-going nature of the wave bring in lots of crowds, and there are waves for all surf levels. Guiones works best on a South to Southwest swell, East wind, and mid-tide.
Playa Negra
Featured in Endless Summer II, this consistent right-hand point break puts up fast barreling nuggets. Most of the year, however, it has consistent, average waves perfect for beginner and intermediate surfers. It's best with a Northeast to East swell, Southwest and west wind, and high tide.
Planning to Surf in Costa Rica? Remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for anytime, anywhere surf coaching.
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