Surfing

As the morning sun warms paradise, surfers go out and catch the first swells.

It is not by accident that Costa Rica has become one of the best surfing destination in he world, not only for its heaven-like oceans, but also for its variety of surf sports, so close to each other  possibilities of getting total satisfaction from your surf adventure are almost a hundred percent.

Surfers have learned that to make a surfing vacation unforgettable, you know where to find consistent and regular waves. One of the advantages of surfing in Costa Rica is that during any season there will be good swells, surfers from around the world come to Costa Rica to take advantage of prime surfing conditions created by the perfect blend of wind and geography.

Because of the relatively small size of the territory and the large variety of surf locations, it is very easy to surf "good waves" all years along. The short distances between locations allow to arrive quickly at any destinations, and the facts that Costa Rica have two oceans is a gift from mother nature... You may begging surfing at dawn on the pacific coast and just a few hours later enjoy the Atlantic swell over white-sand beaches.

PACIFIC COAST

In the Costa Rica Pacific coast the winds through 1,200 km of beaches where numerous spots and consistent waves have attracted experts from over the world.

During low, medium and high tide, the best season to surf " El Pacífico" is from May to December, known in Costa Rica as the green, or rainy season, but there are still good waves throughout the rest of the year.

If you have any doubts, it is best to start your tour around the Central Pacific coast, specially in the area of Jacó and Playa Hermosa, since there you will always find magnificent waves. Playa Grande, Avellanas y Playa Negra are famous for their consistent beach break. They are located in the same section of the coast.

CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST

Known as the surfing capital of Costa Rica, and only two hours from San José, playa Jacó offers a large variety of surf shops where you can obtain the forecast on the weather and waves.

While Playa Jacó provides the core of surfing activity in the country, form there it is relatively easy to go quickly to the many other beaches in the area, including Playa Dominical, 2 hours South of Jacó. A few minutes North, you will find Playa Escondida, Playa Valor and Tivives. In addition, Boca Barranca is a must. Considered one of the surfing paradises of America, it has the longest waves in Costa Rica.

Escondida Beach

A horseshoe reef break with a left and right. On good swells that spots can get rather crowded with locals dominating the peak.

Jacó Beach

One of Costa Rica's most visited surf towns located approximately two hours from San José (140 km). It host a wide range of tourist attractions, surf shops, ding repair facilities, hotel, cabins, campgrounds, and restaurants. Jacó Beach itself is a fun beach break, and home to some of Costa Rica's best surfers. It tends to close out on larger swells but its central location and wide range of amenities make it a good base for surf adventures.

Hermosa Beach

The most consistent beach break in the area (10 minutes south of Jacó) where deep waters off the coast and exposure to different swells have built up a variety of sand bars. The preferred sand bar to surf is located in front of large tree known as the " almendro". Explore up and down the beach for a perfect frame peak of your own.

Accommodations are available nearby.

Tivives beach and Valor

Featuring a variety of waves from beach breaks (Tivives) to rocky point (Valor) Good quality rights and lefts located 10 km south of Boca Barranca just off the paved coastal route before the exit to Jacó down the coast.

Esterillos, Bejuco , Boca Damas

An area with good potential for those willing to go a little out of their way for surf. Plenty of beach breaks with conditions similar to those of Playa Hermosa. Access is easy ad some accommodations exist.

NORTH PACIFIC COAST

Situated in the province of Guanacaste, the North Pacific area has good spots as well, Mal País, Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa, Manzanillo, Playa Camaronal, Nosara and many others are just two hours away from the port of Puntarenas, and all of them have great breaks. In addition, the ferry that takes you across the Gulf of Nicoya provides a nice ride and a perfect way to relax a bit.

In the northern zone Guanacaste there are good surfing spots in the  area, including Roca Bruja (Witch's Rock"), Playa Negra, Avellanas, Tamarindo, Langosta, and the very popular Playa Grande.

Tamarindo Beach

A good, central location for North Pacific surfing. Plenty of hotel and restaurant accommodations area available and easily accessible, along with local surf shops and ding repair facilities. Surf spots consists of Pico Pequeño, a rocky point: El Estereo, an excellent river mouth break and Henry's point, another rocky point break.

Grande Beach

Beach break located about 20 minutes north of Tamarindo. It is a recent addition to the National Park System as an effort to protect the area as a nesting ground for Leatherneck Turtles. It is accessible by road, or an easy 45 minute walk across the Tamarindo Estuary and down the beach. A couple of accommodations and restaurants are available.

Avellanas

Surfers have the choice of a good beach break, an estuary break and the well known reef break, "Little Hawaii". located 10 km, south of Tamarindo and now easily accessible by a  graded  road. Some accommodations and restaurants are available.

Langosta

A right and left point beak that curls off the mount of a small river, located 1 km south of Tamarindo. Easily accessible.

Negra Beaches

One of the North Pacific's best right reef point breaks. Located 350 kms from San José and accessible all year round although a 4WD during the wet season is recommended. It is only 5 km south of Playa Avellanas but normally accessible by 4WD only. Several food and lodging accommodations are available in the area.

Coyote Beach, Mal País and Cabuya

Good beach breaks and reefs in a remote area on the Nicoya Peninsula where a 4 WD is a must due to the rivers and heavy mud. Roads are more reliable and accommodations improve as one travels from Coyote south to Mal País.

SOUTH PACIFIC COAST

Quepos

A small left located at the mouth of the estuary just outside of town, and several good beach breaks in the area. Quepos is about 45 minutes south of Jacó. With Manuel Antonio National Park and while beaches just aver the hill, tourist accommodations and restaurants abound.

Dominical Beach

Another powerful and consistent beach break much like playa Hermosa with a more exuberant, tropical landscape. Other semisecret reef breaks and river mounths lie in the area .

Accessible by dirt road traveling south of Quepos or a 4-5 hour drive on the Pan American Highway over mountains from San José.

Several pleasant accommodations and restaurants are available.

Matapalo

This excellent right point is located across the Golfo Dulce from Pavones and can often be seen breaking from there during large swells.

Surfers can drive there via Pan-American Highway. 4WD is recommended. It is also possible to rent a boat out of Pavones or Golfito. Local airlines can fly you down to Puerto Jiménes where you can catch a taxi to the point. several remotely located accommodations exist, but camping is a must if you want to wake and see the break from your bed.

Pavones

Considered one of the longest left in the world, this point is located 400 kms south of San José (8 hours by car). For those unwilling to drive, local airlines can fly you to Golfito, where you catch a bus or taxi to Pavones. Good accommodations exist on the point and surrounding area but camping is a possibility if you are not afraid of heavy rains during peak swell months.

CARIBBEAN

With all the heat that welcomed the first Europeans to the New World, the Caribbean has excellent surf spots, such as Playa Bonita, Vita Island, Cockles and Salsa Brava.

The Caribbean waves have different characteristics than those on the Pacific.

Despite the fact that they break on reefs the fury of the sea doesn't imply that are dangerous, although you have to be in good shape when the waves are bigger than eight feet. Situated two hours from San José, the Caribbean coast, it has, however, excellent locations from December to March.

Besides offering good surfing, Limón also possesses the type of vegetation that will amaze the visitor due to its exuberance. Completely different that the Pacific coast, the sea and vegetation of the Atlantic coast is a mixture of live-lines and exquisite beauty, something that enhances the unique lifestyle of he Caribbean culture.

Puerto Viejo (Salsa Brava)

An area with plenty of surf, but most well known for the biggest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, "Salsa Brava" or "Mean Salsa". This thick, voluminous, Hawaiian-style wave builds in deep water and break on a shallow reef. The right will usually be steep and tubular and its left will also provide a short, but sweet ride. Puerto Viejo is approximately a 3-1/2 hour drive from San José. Plenty of restaurants and hotel accommodations are available in the area.

Bonita Beach

A point/reef break known for its very thick, powerful and dangerous left. Access is a short and easy drive up the coast from Limón.

Uvita Islands

An islands off the coast of Limon where a perfect but dangerous left breaks on a reef. Isla Uvita is about a 20 minute boat ride from Limón with passage available only at certain times of the year.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Bring proper surf equipment, such as boards for four to six foot waves. If you are surfing on the Caribbean, or at spots such as Playa Escondida, Playa Hermosa, Pavones or Roca Bruja on the Pacific, you will need something a little bigger for waver from six to eight feet.