- Costa Rica Surfing
Why Costa Rica is called ‘The Hawaii of the Central America”
Lovers of sports have many activities that they can choose to do. Among these activities is that of surfing. You will find many ideals spots in the world to have fun surfing but Costa Rica offers a better climate for you. The Costa Rica surfing experience is one that you will remember for the rest of your life.
As you look at the travel information which is available for Costa Rica you will find there are many beaches where you can stay to have your fun. One such place that you will find is that of the white beaches of Limon. This great place has many facilities which will allow you to enjoy your surfing.
The joys of Costa Rica surfing should not however take your sense of caution away. Before you start planning any time for surfing in Costa Rica make sure that you have a good place to stay. You should make sure that your friends and family can get hold of you easily if trouble arises.
You should also have a pretty good idea of the weather conditions are going to be like in the area where you are planning to surf. While Costa Rica surfing is enjoyable due to the climate you should understand that some weather conditions will prevent you from being able to indulge in this past time of yours.
For instance the hurricane and rainy season are two seasons when you may wish to avoid coming to Costa Rica. As there is a high amount of rain and very dangerous winds you should think about scheduling your Costa Rica surfing holiday someplace else.
Other than this concern there is no reason for you not to enjoy having some fun. One of the best ways that you can improve your surfing abilities while you are in Costa Rica is to look for classes. This way you can get some tips about dealing with Costa Rica surfing conditions.
This information should include the way to judge the wave formations in the oceans. What sort of dangers you should be on the lookout for and also the best time to catch some Costa Rica surfing waves.
Once you have all of this information you can then see about making sure that your Costa Rica surfing is one holiday event that you will be remembering for a long time. You will also feel the need to come back to Costa Rica for some more quality time having the perfect holiday Costa Rica surfing style.
Finding some the nest surfing spots in Costa Rica should not be that hard. Before visiting you should take the time to look on the Internet and find out what is the best time and where is the best surf in Costa Rica.Few places in the world can offer travelers volcanoes towering up to 12,530 feet and a seemingly endless 700 miles of coastline on the Pacific and Caribbean like Costa Rica can. Though Costa Rica is known for many of its great tourism specialties there is one that should never be overlooked: surfing.
Costa Rica’s appeal is easy to understand:
* Consistent surf year-round
* Warm water
* Easy access to thousands of breaks
* Surf conditions from mild to mind-blowing
* Surf camps and international tournaments
* Affordable prices
Where to surf
There are three main areas to surf: The Pacific North (Guanacaste-Nicoya), the Pacific South (Punta Arenas) and the Caribbean. There are also cool surf towns popping up in Jaco, Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo. The best waves occur in the rainy season (Northern Hemisphere ’summer’) on the pacific side, and in the hot dry season (’winter’) on the Caribbean – so you’ll always be able to find a good break.
Some of the beaches that are considered the safest:
* Playas Rajada and Jobo near La Cruz
* Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge
* Play Hermosa in northern Guanacaste
* Plays del Coco
* Sámara
* Carillo
* Bahía Ballena/Tambor
* Beacheson the Golfo Dulce between Puerto Jimenez and Golfito
* The third beach at Manuel Antonio
* Little Dominicalito in Dominical
* Uvita
These beaches that are known for riptides, so be careful or just avoid them altogether:
* Espadilla at Manuel Antonio
* Jacó
* Dominical Beach
Surfing Costa Rica Safely:
Watch for riptides
They are responsible for 80% of the drowning in Costa Rica! Take a minute and visit this site to learn how to spot a riptide and what to do if you get caught in one.
Yes, there are crocodiles
Some break points feed into river mouths where crocs tend to hang out so ask locals to find the safest, croc-free areas.
Rocky Ride
Most of the break points in Costa Rica have sand bottoms for your riding pleasure, though some areas still have pesky sea-floor rocks so wearing a wet suit isn’t a bad idea.
Watch the weather
It is bound to change in an instant and you don’t want to be stuck way out when a big lightning storm comes through.
Mind the surf conditions!
Though consistent, the surf is not known to get abnormally big, and with a little research you can find an area that’s right for you. Surf Reports and Forecasts.
Wear a leash
Not only is it a law at many beaches, but wearing a leash is an important way to keep your board close to you and to keep it from becoming a hazard to other surfers.
But before you get that wet suit on always remember Surfing Etiquette:
* The person closest to the breaking wave always has the right of way
* Pay respect to locals, it is after all ‘their’ break
* Don’t steal other riders’ wave, be patient, your turn will come
* Don’t surf drunk, just don’t do it – you endanger yourself and others
* Most beaches don’t allows surfers in swimming zones so respect local laws
Never leave any thing other than a beach towel unattended on the beach, and never leave anything in the car that you cant afford to lose. Be careful of Rip tides.
FOR MORE ON RIP TIDES CLICK HERE
Year Round Surfing
You may already know that surfing in Costa Rica is pretty much great year round. That makes for a great vacation any time! You may want to do some research before getting your surf on. You should know that Costa Rica’s summer months run from mid December to April. That is a big difference compared to the U.S. Costa Rica’s summer temperature can get very hot and usually do not have the occasional rain shower as the U.S. Does. You should also know that crowds for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter can get pretty big and fierce!
When visiting Costa Rica you will notice that they are not the home to huge waves but the consistency is what makes them such a great place to surf. During the months of December through April you will feel a strong off shore wind that combines with an ideal swell that makes for some of the best surfing possible. The best way to make sure you are getting the best surf in Costa Rica is to try to visit two different places to keep up with best breaks in surfing. You may prefer to get a rental car so you can travel back and forth between the two places to make sure you can watch and get the best surfing possible.
Surfing Vacations
One of the best things about surfing in Costa Rica is the fact that they are home to some of the lowest violence rates. They really do not have theft that goes on in normal hotels around the world. You may want to just like anywhere you go to make sure you put all your personal belongings away in a safe place so nothing happens to them. Car theft can take place anywhere so you really do not want to chance having everything including your passport stolen. They basically have safe conditions in the water except for the occasional Croc. So you may want to be quite observant while in between breaks.
When to Go
You may want to make sure you do some good research on Costa Rica to decide if it is the place that you want to spend your vacation surfing or not. They have some of the best surfing but only at certain times. You may want to do some research to find out what is the best season and take your vacation at times that they recommend. The Internet offers tons of great information on Costa Rican surfing so make sure you take advantage of it.
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.
PLAYA CAHUITA break on Playa Negra, near hotels and restaurants.
PLAYA COCLES break just south of Puerto Viejo. Manzanillo: Beach break, only when big, some accommodations nearby.
PUERTO VIEJO also known as Salsa Brava, is home to some of Costa Rica’s biggest waves. A coral reef off the coast produces Hawaiian-style breaks that often carry over 20 surfers at a time. Located in the Limon province, Puerto Viejo is a vibrant seaside town with gorgeous waters and waves that tempt surfing pros. Fast right over coral reef, plenty of hotels and restaurants
WESTFALIA extends south from Limon to Cahuita, offering breaks from the left and right. The best part of Westfalia is its reliability — it offers consistently good surf, but be forewarned of the riptides and jellyfish.
PLAYA PORTETE is located very close to Limon, so you’ll have easy access to the small bay. It’s also a great spot for swimming and snorkeling if you’re the only surfer in the family. Portete is also close to Playa Bonita, where you can test out some bigger waves.
Central
This region is the most easily accessible, just a short distance from San Jose. The resort towns offer a bit more nightlife than the other coasts, and the surf here is fantastic, making Central Pacific the place for a more lively vacation.
A beach that offers one of Costa Rica’s longest rides, Boca Barranca is a left break in front of a river mouth. You can ride these waves over half a mile when the conditions are right, so if you long-board, this is the beach for you. There’s great access to this beach, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid crowds.
PLAYA ESCONDIDA is an excellent point break for rights and lefts. For members of the beach club, the surf is accessible by land. If you’re just visiting, rent a boat from Playa Jaco or
PLAYA HERRADURA These waves are best surfed at high tide, so check tide times before hitting the surf.
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.
PLAYA HERMOSA juts out into the Pacific Ocean, giving the waters there constant swell. The beach stretches for several miles, so you should be able to stake out your own territory. Some of the best breaks occur off a sandbar located in front of a large tree known as the Almendro. Ask a local to point out this primo spot.
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.
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 favor of a more relaxed atmosphere than Jaco without compromising the quality of the surf.
The Northern Pacific Coast
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
The North Pacific Coast is encompassed by the Guanacaste Province and is the country’s most visited region. However, this area, home to some of the best and most easily accessible diving and surfing spots, is also one of Costa Rica’s least populated regions.
PLAYA NARANJO more commonly known as Witch’s Rock, is one of the best breaks in the country, with some very strong offshore winds between December and March. There aren’t any resorts or hotels located here, but nearby Witch’s Rock. Great beach break by Roca Bruja, in Santa Rosa National Park, accessible with four-wheel-drive vehicle or boat; camping permitted.
Surf Camp is the perfect place to stay and learn. Instructors will teach you the basics and shuttle you and other newbies to the famous swells of Playa Naranjo. You can also camp out, but 4-wheel drive is a must and don’t forget a mosquito net.
PLAYA GRANDE provides consistent swells and breaks, making it one of the best overall surf spots in the country. It also offers a quieter spot than beaches like Playa Tamarindo and the beach’s north side is a great location for swimming, safe from the dozens of surfers tearing through the Costa Rican waters. Very consistent beach break north of Tamarindo.
PLAYA NEGRA is a right-handed point break that the locals describe as epic. The waves are as powerful as they are reliable. For experienced surfers, the ride is best when the waves are breaking overhead, so head to Playa Negra on days when storms are kicking up some aggressive surf.
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. 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.
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.
Southern Pacific Coast
Unlike the Central Pacific Coast, the South Pacific is home to some of the largest last remaining stretches of Pacific Coastal rain-forests. This is the coast surf if you’re only packing a wetsuit, a board and a sleeping bag — you’re surfing with Madre Nature.
PLAYA DOMINICAL offers beautiful lush landscapes and waves for all skill levels. On the north end of the beach in front of the Baru River mouth, the surf is a little bigger and provides a challenge for skilled surfers.
PAVONES is a left point that offers one of the longest rides in the world. This beach is located 8 hours from San Jose by car, but you’re welcome to pack your camping gear and stay a few nights. Rides here can last over three-quarters of a mile, considered one of the longest in the world. The surf here can be fickle, with the best surf occurring between April and November.
CABO MATAPALO is located directly across the bay from Pavones and catches the same ocean swells. Matapalo is much less surfed than Pavones, so if you’re looking to avoid crowds or just learning, this is an excellent beach for you. It’s drivable from Pavones, so make sure to hit both of these spots on your surfing tour of Costa Rica.
MATAPALO features uncrowned, 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.
