Surfing in Costa Rica

With it’s warm, inviting waters and year-round waves and breaks, Costa Rica has become a world famous surfing destination. Almost every beach in the country has something to offer an adventurous surfer or an eager-to-learn beginner in the surfing world.

There are many beaches in Costa Rica known to have consistent surfing conditions all year long, but visiting Costa Rica at certain times can make your surf trip easier. For instance, the tourism high season in Costa Rica spans from December to April. While this is a wonderful time to visit the country, the sheer number of visitors at most well-known beach destinations will make surfing difficult. Trying to navigate waters full of beginning surfers, swimmers, and snorkelers can be a nightmare. From May to November is the tourist low season in Costa Rica. This is an ideal time to visit if you want to make sure the beaches are clear. This is also the rainy season in Costa Rica, so the weather will be clear and sunny in the mornings with rains coming in the afternoon.

In the province of Guanacaste, along Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific coast, the surf is best during December to April, when the winds and swells create incredible breaks. Some of the best beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica include Playa Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Playa Negra, Playa Avellanas, and Playa Grande. This area also features the famous Witches Rock, a world famous surfing beach for the advanced surfer. Due to its location, Witches Rock isn’t always reachable by car. Grab a water taxi and your board and enjoy the incredible waves at this beach near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

The best surfing in Costa Rica on the Central Pacific and South Pacific coasts is from May to November. Playa Hermosa, near the beach town of Jaco, is one of the most famous surfing beaches in Costa Rica. Playa Hermosa has truly monstrous waves and only very advanced surfers should attempt to ride the waves here, as the rip tides and currents are extremely strong. The milder Playa Jaco nearby has great waves year round for beginner to intermediate surfers. Further South from Jaco, Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Dominical are both great beaches for beginners.

Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast has its best surfing season from November to March. If you’re in that area, make sure to hit up Playa Cahuita, Playa Cocles, and Punta Uva.

The Caribbean Coast is best surfed from November to March on Playa Cahuita, Playa Cocles and Punta Uva. And don’t forget to stop at Puerto Viejo to surf the famous Salsa Brava wave, which is often called the best wave in Costa Rica. Salsa Brava is definitely not for beginners, and the shallow waters and nearby coral reef can do some very serious damage to both you and your board if you should happen to fall.

For more information on the best breaks and waves in Costa Rica, contact us here.