Costa Rica Surf Spots and Information
Costa Rica, the “rich coast,” has an abundance of great breaks and stunning natural beauty, making it a top destination for surfers worldwide. Compared to some of her neighboring countries, Costa Rica is relatively safe and provides all the necessities for a great surf trip.
The popularity of the country brings crowds to the popular spots during peak seasons. But surf spots can be found up and down both sides of Costa Rica. And poor roads keep some breaks free of the masses.
Costa Rica has shoreline both on the Caribbean (east side) and on the Pacific (west side).
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Caribbean Coast. The east coast has a shorter, less reliable surfing season, but tropical storms can create killer swells. On the Caribbean, the surf is best during the hot and dry season from October until April.
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North Pacific Coast. The waves on the west coast don’t hit the same heights seen during the storms on the Caribbean, but the waves are consistently good year-round. The rainy season provides the best swells on the Pacific side from March to mid- December. The dry season on the west coast, from late November until early March, isn’t too bad either. But again, the waves are good year round on the Pacific.
Water temperatures don’t change a whole lot on either side, hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. A rash guard and liberal amounts of sunscreen are a good call against the tropical sun.
Ollie’s Point and Playa Naranjo (Witches Rock) are a must-surf for anyone looking to catch great waves in a gorgeous and remote setting. Thankfully, Costa Rica is full of lightly traveled surf destinations awaiting your arrival. Get out there and explore!
Find a surf school in Costa Rica.
Read Our Nosara, Costa Rica Surf Travel Guide.
North Pacific Coast Costa Rica Surf Spots
Ollie’s Point |
| Surf Location |
North Pacific Coast near Nicarguan boarder. Only accessible by boat. Trips run from Playas del Coco. |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to Medium |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Late March - October |
| Wave Quality |
Right point break with fast, long and powerful waves. For the experienced surfer. Needs a strong swell from the southwest or northwest to break. |
| The Surfers |
Can get busy on weekends |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Advanced |
| Bottom |
Some rocks, mostly sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Ollie's Point, Costa Rica - Surf Video
Witches Rock (Playa Naranjo) |
| Surf Location |
Boat trips run from Playas del Coco. Very hard to access by car. |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Medium high |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Biggest and best swell in summer. Winter has steady offshore winds for clean conditions. |
| Wave Quality |
Fast, hollow rights and lefts. Best waves are in front of the rock. |
| The Surfers |
Its feature in the Endless Summer II keeps this place busy |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate, but can be a horrific paddle if the swell is maxing |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Poor road conditions, big crocs called Caymen from the estuary, the bugs and mosquitoes are thicker than the waves |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Tamarindo |
| Surf Location |
North Pacific Coast |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest,West |
| Best Tide |
Medium High |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Consistent and good year round. Largest waves in summer. Smaller, cleaner waves in winter. |
| Wave Quality |
There are a variety of good surf spots in Tamarindo Bay. The Tamarindo Rivermouth is a solid right-hand wave. Other quality local waves: Pico Pequeno – mellow reef break; Old Man’s – good longooard wave; and Playa Langosta – fun outside reef and inside beachbreak. |
| The Surfers |
Huge surf destination, everyone surfs here from total beginners to talented locals and traveling surfers |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate to easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand and rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and thieves, don’t leave valuables in car |
| Water Condition |
Clean, can get dirty during the rainy season |
Playa Grande |
| Surf Location |
Moderate walk from Tamarindo, or drive and park at Hotel Las Tortugas |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest, West |
| Best Tide |
Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast, East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer |
| Wave Quality |
Powerful beachbreak waves with steep hollow faces that tube in some sections. Very playful waves, good for high-performance surfing. |
| The Surfers |
A lot of foreigners keep competition stiff for the waves, especially on super crowded weekends with Americans on vacation |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Medium |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Freak set waves |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Negra – Avellanes |
| Surf Location |
Just south of Tamarindo |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, West |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer |
| Wave Quality |
Fun beachbreak waves good for all ability levels. Find larger waves on the northern section of the bay. |
| The Surfers |
All ability levels surf here. It can get fairly crowded. The experienced surfers keep north usually. |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand, rock towards the south |
| Watch Out For… |
Freak set waves that roll through during larger swells |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Negra, Costa Rica - Surf Video
Nosara – Playa Guinoes and Playa Pelada |
| Surf Location |
South of Tamarindo |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Low tide at Playa Guinoes, High tide at Playa Pelada |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer for Playa Guinoes, Winter for Playa Pelada
|
| Wave Quality |
The main spots in this region are: Playa Guinoes, a really fun beach break that is good for all ability levels; and Playa Pelada, which features 3 reef breaks that are good for more experienced surfers |
| The Surfers |
Playa Guinoes does get crowded, but it’s a very big bay, so there is plenty of room to spread out. Playa Pelada is very localized, so beware if surfing here. |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate, can be tough during large swells |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Experienced |
| Bottom |
Sand at Playa Guinoes. Rocks and reef at Playa Pelada. |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and thieves at Playa Pelada. Petty theft at Playa Guinoes. |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Mal Pais |
| Surf Location |
On the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest, West, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low and mid rising |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Clean, offshore winds blow during the winter months. Bigger swells hit consistently during the summer months. |
| Wave Quality |
Mal Pais can get big. Playa Carmen and Play Santa Teresa are the main beach breaks in this area. Punta Barrigona is a short and weak left-hand point break at Mar Azul Hotel & Bar. Los Suecos is a powerful reefbreak near the Sunset Reef Hotel. |
| The Surfers |
A decent number of surfers spread out over a fairly large area, not too crowded |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Medium |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand, some rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Stingrays on the ocean floor, and rocks at the ocean's edge |
| Water Condition |
Clean, can get dirty during the rainy season |
Mal Pais, Costa Rica - Surf Video
Central Pacific Coast Costa Rica Surf Spots
Boca Barranca |
| Surf Location |
Central Pacific coast: north of Puerto Caldera and south of Punteranes |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low and mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast, East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer, from May to October |
| Wave Quality |
Boca Barranca is a fun left point break that peels for a half mile. Boca Baranca is the second longest peeling wave in Costa Rica. Pavones is the longest, and should not be missed. If surfing here, be sure to check the tides, as wave quality can change drastically with tide. |
| The Surfers |
Lots of surfers can keep this place crowded, but the long rides are worth it. Get up early. |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Flat rocks and sand |
| Watch Out For… |
This is one of the worst crime areas in Costa Rica. I wouldn’t stay in this area overnight. |
| Water Condition |
Dirty |
Playa Escondido |
| Surf Location |
Central Pacific Coast – near the Marriott Los Suenos Marina. Accessible only by boat. |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer, May - October |
| Wave Quality |
This place goes OFF!! Right and left peeling reef break that produces thick, speedy walls that can get hollow. Best for more experienced surfers. |
| The Surfers |
This place does get crowded with locals and traveling surfers. The takeoff zone is very narrow at Playa Escondido, so it does get competitive in the lineup. |
| Boards |
Shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Coral and sharp rocks in the reef, undertow and riptides |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Jaco |
| Surf Location |
Closest surf town from San Jose International Airport |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May–October) for larger swells. Winter (November–March) for cleaner surfing conditions. |
| Wave Quality |
Fun beach break where many beginners ride their first wave in Costa Rica |
| The Surfers |
This is one of the busiest areas in Costa Rica, but it’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere in the water. Good for all ability levels. |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sandy |
| Watch Out For… |
Thieves |
| Water Condition |
Clean to dirty, depending on the rain |
Hermosa |
| Surf Location |
Just 5 minutes south from Jaco |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
High, Low |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May–October) for larger swells. Winter (November–March) for cleaner surfing conditions. |
| Wave Quality |
The most consistent surf spot in Costa Rica. Very powerful beachbreak waves that tend to close out on larger swells. Lots of surfboard break here, so come prepared. |
| The Surfers |
Generally, it’s not too crowded. There is plenty of room to spread out. Under great conditions the experts come out, but it’s only crowded when school’s out (June –August). |
| Boards |
Big wave gun, shortboard, tow equipment |
| Paddle Out |
Moderately difficult |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Crocs, closeouts on double overhead waves, riptides and car break-ins. Watch out for the “Tree.” |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Esterillos |
| Surf Location |
South of Hermosa. This area has two different breaks: Oeste (West) and Este (East). |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Medium high |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May–October) for larger swells. Winter (November–March) for cleaner surfing conditions. |
| Wave Quality |
Normal-size but somewhat weak waves are fun and break both left and right. Similar to Hermosa but less surfers. |
| The Surfers |
Not that busy |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderately difficult |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand and rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Crocs, rip currents |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Bejuco, Costa Rica - Surf Video
South Pacific Coast Costa Rica Surf Spots
Dominical |
| Surf Location |
Dominical is the first major beach destination heading south along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May–October) for larger swells. Winter (November–March) for cleaner surfing conditions. |
| Wave Quality |
Head high to double overhead waves are surefire year round for fast surfing on hollow and powerful waves. When too big, head to the point. Good chance of breaking a board here. |
| The Surfers |
Not too many people out at any one time (moderate to crowded on good swells) |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate to difficult depending on the swell |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced. Beginners need to learn closer to shore. |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Stingrays, serious riptides, jellyfish |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Matapalo |
| Surf Location |
South of Puerto Jimenez, on the tip of the Osa Peninsula. Drop dead gorgeous location! |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
South, East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May – October) consistently brings larger swells from the southwest |
| Wave Quality |
Awesome right-hand point-break that peels for over 200 yards. There are plenty of fast, hollow sections on this wave. |
| The Surfers |
Not many out in remote and pristine Matapalo |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate to difficult |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef and sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks, riptides, sharks (or ex-pat locals trying to scare you with shark tales!) |
| Water Condition |
Varies, but mostly clean |
Pan Dulce |
| Surf Location |
South of Matapalo |
| Best Swell Direction |
Needs a large south swell |
| Best Tide |
Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May – October) |
| Wave Quality |
Right-hand point break that peels and tubes for 500 yards on a great day. It is a very fickle wave, and needs a large swell to start breaking. |
| The Surfers |
Not many people in this remote area |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate, you can walk out to the point |
| Skill Level |
Experienced |
| Bottom |
Reef, rocks, and sharks |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks |
| Water Condition |
Clean and clear |
Pavones |
| Surf Location |
Across the Gulfo Dulce from the Osa Peninsula. Very difficult to access. |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest, West |
| Best Tide |
Low |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer (May – October) brings large southwest swells that make the waves at Pavones fire |
| Wave Quality |
This is one of the longest left-hand point break waves in the world. Very fast waves, with long walls that require high-performance surfing. |
| The Surfers |
Large crowds when a swell arrives. This area is very remote, and the locals do not like obnoxious traveling surfers. Be on your best behavior. |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate to difficult depending on the swell size, but you can walk to the point |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced. Beginners should find another wave because this place does get crowded. |
| Bottom |
Sand and rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Crowds, mosquitoes and potholes |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Pavones, Costa Rica - Surf Video
