Surf's Up in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a surfer's dream. Miles and miles of coastline with hundreds of breaks offering waves of every size and shape. I grew up surfing and when I moved to Costa Rica I envisioned weekends filled with riding endless waves. However, age and work tend to get in the way these days. Nevertheless, I know in the back of my mind that the perfect wave is waiting for me out there, only a short drive from my home in San Jose.

This lens is for those of you who are also in search of the perfect wave. Costa Rica might just be the place to find it. Here is a list of my favorite surf spots. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive. There are hundreds of additional secret and not-so-secret spots on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The ones below are the ones I am familiar with and are some of the most surfed. Please check out other resources on this lens if you are one of those adventurous types looking for the perfect "virgin" wave tucked away in some hidden jungle enclave.

Hermosa

Powerfull and consistent beachbreak that sticks out into the Pacific, assuring constant swell. You will rarely be surfing under head high here.

It can be perfect sometimes, delivering a nice barrel, but at other times you might see the barelling waves all over the place, but have trouble finding that perfect wave for yourself!

Hermosa is actually a several mile long stretch of beach, and you can go surfing anywhere along beach.

It closes out more at low tide, but can still produce a barrel. Better to go surfing Mid-high tide. Bigger during the rainy season (May-December).

Dominical

Scattered beachbreak peaks along a 1.5 km beach. Very fun waves up to a little overhead, it closes out when it gets bigger than that. Very fun, rippable beachbreak lefts and rights for all abilities of surfer.

Dominical is a great, easy going little surf town. There are several places to stay right on the beach where you can see the surfing from your room, and everyone is surfer friendly.

Best on Mid tide going low, for the hollowness, but fun on all tides.

Tamarindo

The town of Tamarindo has two fun breaks: El Estero, a excellent rivermouth break where the Tamarindo Estuary hits the ocean. Pico Pequeno, a lava finger reef which can get perfect with a swell.

Midtide is best for both breaks. Go surfing any tide except dead low, its usually unsurfable on low tide.

Tamarindo is fulled with places to stay and eat, as well as bars and discotechs. Tamarindo and Jaco are the probably the two biggest beach/surf towns in Costa, with the most nightlife.

Witches Rock

One of the most famous breaks in the country. Most well known for it's fast hollow rights, but when it's smaller the lefts are good also. Beautifull and remote, every surfer wants to visit "Witch's."

Better on high tide, try to avoid it during dead low tide if possible. Offshore winds are predominant from December to March.

Playa Grande

Beachbreak with perfect left and right peaks, holds waves up to almost double-overhead. A very consistent break, Playa Grande almost always has fun, ridable waves, and catches more swell usually than Tamarindo.

Any tide except dead low. It can go from knee-high to overhead in an hour when the water starts filling in from low tide.

Pavones

Legendary left point break that can deliver rides almost 3/4 mile long on a good swell. One of the best, longest waves in Costa Rica.

Surfing Pavones can be incredible when it's good, but it's fickle. Not exactly known for it's consistency, Pavones breaks best on South swells, April-November.

Rideable on all tides, but it tends to close out less on mid-high tides. On low tides the cobblestones become more visible, and the paddle in and out becomes a lesson in the classic rock-walk dance, but at least the rocks are smooth. You can go surfing any tide really.

Salsa Brava

You will be surfing a right reefbreak known for it's size and power. The biggest waves in Costa Rica break here when there is a swell.

This is where you go in Costa Rica if you want to be surfing big waves (You just need to make sure there's a swell....)

The only way to paddle in and out is through a small channel in the reef, be sure and watch a local paddle out before you do.

Experienced surfers at Salsa Brava only! Surfing adrenaline....

Descriptions courtesy of......

Costa Rica Surf Guide

My travel company Package Costa Rica sets up surfing packages that include accommodations, tours, and trasfers. We can also set up surf lessons.