Top 10 Costa Rica

With 755 miles of coastline on two oceans, Costa Rica has more breaks than you can shake a stick at. The country’s selection of surf spots range from idyllic beach breaks to coral platforms where the water leaps up and tubes like a miniature Pipeline.

Having coastline on two oceans is quite an advantage, since when one ocean is flat, there is usually something breaking on the other side of the country. Often enough, there is good surf pumping on both coasts.

And the country’s surf is complemented by its comfortable water temperatures – you can leave that wet suit at home – beautiful scenery, and the convenience of a variety of accommodations and restaurants near most breaks.

Since it is five times longer than the Caribbean coast, the Pacific has considerably more surfing spots. Many of the country’s best breaks are found in the northwest province of Guanacaste, but there are also some excellent spots in the Central Pacific and Southern Zones. And the few breaks that are available in the Caribbean province of Limon are certainly nothing to complain about. The following is a listing of the country’s best surf spots:

Carribean

Playa Bonita: Left over reef off popular beach just north of Limon City. Cahuita: Beach break on Playa Negra, near hotels and restaurants. Puerto Viejo: Fast right over coral reef, plenty of hotels and restaurants. Cocles: Beach break just south of Puerto Viejo. Manzanillo: Beach break, only when big, some accommodations nearby.

Central

Boca Barranca: Long river mouth left just south of Puntarenas. Tivives: Beach breaks and river-mouth left, south of Puntarenas. Jaco: Popular beach break with abundance of hotels and restaurants. Hermosa: Several very consistent beach breaks south of Jaco. Manuel Antonio: Beach breaks near plentiful accommodations. Dominical: Great beach breaks near hotels and restaurants. Matapalo: Right point break at tip of Osa Peninsula. Pavones: Very long left at mouth of Golfo Dulce.

PLAYA HERMOSA/JACO is one of the easiest spots to get to from San Jose. It is only 2 hours from airport and caters to the intermediate to expert surfer. There is plenty of accommodation for all budgets and loads of nightlife.

MANUEL ANTONIO caters beautifully to beginners and those traveling with non-surfing partners. It is 3 hours from San Jose by car and the area offers plenty non-surfing activities.

DOMEICAL is and excellent choice for serious surfers who wish to avoid the crowds in favour of a more relaxed atmosphere than Jaco without compromising the quality of the surf.

Pacific

The Pacific coast has the upper hand over the Caribbean when it comes to surfing in Costa Rica. Most of the hotspots are located on the Northern and Central Pacific coasts with a few on the southern coast near Panama and some others on the Caribbean coast

Guanacaste Potrero Grande: Right point break in Santa Rosa National Park, only accessible by boat; no camping. Playa Naranjo: Great beach break by Roca Bruja, in Santa Rosa National Park, accessible with four-wheel-drive vehicle or boat; camping permitted. Playa Grande: Very consistent beach break north of Tamarindo. Tamarindo: Good beach break, excellent base for surfing nearby beaches. Playa Langosta: River mouth break south of Tamarindo. Avellanas: Very good beach break further to the south. Playa Negra: Right point break further to the south. Nosara: Several beach breaks near selection of accommodations.

The Northern Pacific Coast

TAMARINDO is a gigantic surfing mecca. The area is quite built up and provides a way to find lots of different surf in short period of time. There is plenty of accommodation and positively hopping night scene. Tamarindo is 4½ hours from San Jose via paved road.

NOSARA is somewhat unique amongst Costa Rican surf spots in that it offers world class surf all year long. It is the perfect middle ground between Tamarindo and Avanelles/Negra in terms of accommodation, amenities and nightlife.

AVANELLES/NEGRA is perfect for those that want a slower pace than Tarmarindo or Nosara. The hotels are adequate and nightlife is virtually non-existent. This area is accessed via dirt road from Tamarindo.

MEL PAIS is a haven for intermediate surfers and occasionally offers swells large enough to challenge more advanced surfers. The area has an incredibly green backdrop, adequate accommodation and no real nightlife. It is, therefore, the perfect destination for a relaxed surfing in Costa Rica experience.

MATAPALO features uncrowded, pristine beach in an extremely remote location. Everything in the local area operates on solar power so there is very little chance of staying in self-catering accommodation. It can be quite expensive as all meals are included in the price.

PAVONNES is also extremely remote and quite difficult to get to. The surf is very inconsistent surf but if you happen to be there at the right time, it is well worth the hassle of traveling there. On a good day, you can catch rides of up to three minutes.

PUERTO VIEJO is the home of the famous Salsa Brava and is for experts only. There is some accommodation in the town proper but most of the nightlife is a little further south in Cocles. The town is three hours from San Jose by car almost all on paved roads.

Safety

There is very little to worry about when surfing in Costa Rica. The country is relatively free of crime so your possession will be safe unless you are quite careless. In regards to the water, most of the breaks, Salsa Brave being a notable exception, are beach-bottom. One small concern, particularly when surfing on the Caribbean side is crocodiles. If there have been heavy rains, there may be more than usual around river mouths.