Whenever you think about a Costa Rica browsing trip, what do you image? Lovely jungles, wonderful wildlife, scrumptious meals, loopy journey actions, excellent climate, pristine seashores… and unimaginable waves!
When you’re searching for the proper place to loosen up, unwind, and journey the waves, look no additional than Costa Rica. For different actions, there could also be a ‘finest time’ to go to Costa Rica, however for browsing, Costa Rica is taken into account top-of-the-line year-round surf locations.
There isn’t a definitive Costa Rica surf season, however there are positively peak seasons that present extra constant swells (waves which might be generated from climate techniques versus native wind) and nice browsing situations for all talent ranges.
In fact, simply saying ‘Costa Rica’ doesn’t actually slender issues down, so that you’re in all probability nonetheless searching for a Costa Rica surf information. We now have some strategies that can assist you slender the sector.
Surf lesson on the seashore in Santa Teresa. Costa Rica
The Greatest Locations to Surf in Costa Rica Depend upon the Season
The South Pacific swell season is from June to September and gives the west coast with nice surf. In the meantime, the North Pacific swell season is from November to April and gives even higher waves than the South Pacific season!
Hurricane season will even convey bigger waves, however that is depending on tropical storms forming round Mexico and pushing climate techniques down towards Costa Rica.
Whether or not you’re a seasoned skilled or a curious beginner, you’ll haven’t any downside discovering a spot to dive into the nice and cozy ocean water and catch the waves! All of it is determined by the seashore you select to go out from – some are finest for a extra superior surfer, whereas others are learner-friendly.
We’ve damaged down the seashores that present the finest browsing in Costa Rica by area:
Guanacaste
Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo is likely one of the hottest Costa Rica surf spots – and with good motive. The waves are constant and there are swells for each talent degree, relying on which a part of the seashore you set out from.
Tamarindo can be the getaway to Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Level, two well-known surf spots – famend for having a number of the finest waves in your complete nation.
Whereas it does have top-of-the-line surf seashores, Tamarindo can be one of the crucial well-known browsing cities in Costa Rica. It’s tourist-friendly and customarily has its truthful quantity of holiday makers, so hold that in thoughts should you’re searching for a quieter, extra remoted vacation spot.
However don’t be too cautious about crowds. In relation to Costa Rica surf spots, Tamarindo Seaside has one thing to please everybody, so even should you’re a wallflower, you’ll end up having a great time.
Playa Negra
Simply accessible and simply south of Tamarindo, Playa Negra is one other favorite amongst surfers – each native and visiting.
The waves are constant and clear, and there are a lot of rental outlets alongside the seashore for anybody in want aboard. This seashore is finest for intermediate and skilled surfers, although learners received’t really feel excluded on a smaller day.
The waters are pristine, and the realm is comparatively distant, so that you received’t want to fret about crashing into another person’s surfboard whilst you’re on the water. And if you’re not on the waves, you possibly can sit up for a pleasant, laidback perspective and loads of alternatives to search out meals proper on the seashore or only a kilometre inland.
Sundown at Playa Negra, Guanacaste
Playa Avellanas
This seashore is understood for having each unimaginable offshore waves and large swells. It’s hardly crowded, and although it’s finest for surfers with some expertise, learners will even benefit from the waves right here.
With as many as eight completely different surf breaks, Playa Avellanas actually is likely one of the finest locations in Costa Rica to surf, although that additionally implies that swimming tends to not be the most effective thought should you don’t wish to get swept out to sea. Although the locals generally name it ‘Little Hawaii,’ browsing isn’t all it has going for it. In comparison with Tamarindo, Avellanas is downright tranquil sufficient to take a nap on the seashore.
Playa Avellanas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Playa Grande
This seashore on the Guanacaste coast, once more, has fairly constant swells, however it’s finest throughout the South Pacific swell season. It may be loved by surfers of all talent ranges.
Together with having a number of the finest browsing in Costa Rica, it’s additionally been an necessary a part of Marino Las Baulas Nationwide Park since 1990. Much more necessary than being top-of-the-line spots to surf in Costa Rica, Playa Grande is additionally instrumental within the conservation and nesting of leatherback turtles. You’ll need to be cautious – the realm could be very nicely protected! – however should you get an opportunity to see the turtles, it’s a possibility price benefiting from.
Playa Grande
Playa Guiones
This 7-km (4 miles) lengthy sandy seashore is nice for all talent ranges and has seashore breaks all up and down the seashore.
Browsing apart, the seashore is gorgeous, wanting extra prefer it’s made from sugar than sand. A number of hundred metres of the seashore additionally obtained awarded a Blue Flag for being eco-friendly, pristine, and well-maintained. Guiones Seaside is a seashore you possibly can go to guiltlessly. Even when you’re all surfed out for the day, its fairly low degree of visitors means it’s nice for simply stress-free and winding down.
Watching the surf at Playa Guiones, Nosara
Playa Santa Teresa
Relying on the place you head out from the seashore, all talent ranges can get pleasure from this space for a Costa Rica browsing trip. Suck Rock is essentially the most well-known browsing scorching spot in Santa Teresa.
Playa Santa Teresa has come into its personal, blossoming into its personal group courtesy of surfers and seashore bums that flock to it, regardless of it being pretty small. Even if you’re not browsing, you possibly can loosen up, discover the cover, or see what the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve has to supply; you’ll discover one thing to maintain you cheerful.
Puntarenas
Playa Dominical
One of many much less developed of the seashores talked about, you possibly can go to right here for a extra genuine, quiet expertise. This seashore is finest for intermediate to superior surfers, because the waves on common, are near 10 ft tall!
When you occur to search out anybody tenting out on the seashore whilst you’re there, don’t fear about them. Playa Dominical is famend sufficient for its waves that surfers fairly incessantly resolve to camp out on the seashore reasonably than miss out on a minute of browsing. As thrilling as that sounds, it will nonetheless be finest to provide Playa Dominical a move should you’re only a newbie, as the surf could be harmful should you don’t know what you’re doing.
Playa Dominical, Puntarenas
Playa Hermosa
One other nice alternative for intermediate and superior surfers. The waves at Hermosa Seaside are quick, hole, and final for as much as 150 meters.
Playa Hermosa is relaxed and exquisite, surrounded by forests and volcanic rock. It’s even received the Blue Flag for environmental requirements and security. It’s usually fairly quiet and laid-back, and the climate stays perfect all 12 months lengthy. When you’re searching for a number of the finest browsing in Costa Rica however aren’t a fan of crowds, Playa Hermosa will in all probability scratch that itch for you.
Playa Jaco
Playa Jaco has the most important variety of surf outlets and surf camps in Costa Rica. It’s the proper place for learners – you’ll have plenty of assist accessible to you at a variety of costs – in addition to extra seasoned surfers.
And if you’ve completed browsing for the day, you possibly can make the most of Playa Jaco’s nightlife. It’s a group that likes a great celebration, and it has an environment to match. Whether or not you’re alone or in a gaggle, searching for journey or within the temper for one thing extra down-to-earth, Jaco Seaside will hold you busy lengthy after you’ve put your board away for the evening.
Playa Jaco, Puntarenas
Caribbean Coast
Punta Uva
This can be a excellent spot for surfers prepared for a problem. The waves are quick and demanding and generally final for as much as 300 meters. It’s suggested that you simply be careful for uncovered rock, coral reefs, and jellyfish!
It’s one of many few seashores you’re going to search out with a coral reef inside swimming distance. Mixed with the group’s laid-back perspective, Punta Uva has way more to supply than simply being an awesome vacation spot for a Costa Rica browsing trip. It’s well-known for its surroundings and wildlife, each within the forest and underneath the ocean.
Punta Uva, Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica. Picture by
Christoffer through Flickr CC
Salsa Brava
Recognized to be one of the crucial difficult (and generally harmful) surf spots in your complete world, you positively ought to NOT try to surf right here as a novice!
However should you’ve obtained a bunch of expertise underneath your belt, this spot’s a must-visit. The identify of the seashore roughly interprets to “indignant sauce” – as a result of it’s one of the crucial highly effective seashore breaks on this planet.
It attracts professional surfers within the 1000’s yearly, desperate to expertise the Hawaiian-style barrels, with March and December usually providing the largest waves.
Given the variety of reefs within the space, it’s usually really helpful that even professional surfers put on helmets. When you’re new to the game, possibly simply admire the waves and the surfers from the shore and benefit from the close by city of Puerto Viejo reasonably than by accident assembly the ocean flooring at excessive tide.
Osa Peninsula
Cabo Matapalo
Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica, has three seashores over a five-mile stretch, with some difficult waves that may very well be nice for assured surfers. These seashores are pristine and exquisite due to sustainability and ecological initiatives given excessive precedence on the Osa Peninsula. The surf breaks are unimaginable, and for knowledgeable surfers, they are often the proper surf spots–particularly for anybody searching for a secluded seashore.
The seashores of Cabo Matapalo are Playa Matapalo, Backwater, and Pan Dulce. Pan Dulce has the smallest surf breaks and is essentially the most well-known of the three, with lengthy swells and sometimes lengthy tubes. Playa Matapalo’s waves don’t provide essentially the most constant surf, however they’re usually massive. Backwater typically has steep browsing waves that make it top-of-the-line surf seashores for longboarding, significantly at low tide or mid-tide. The swell course comes from the correct for all of them.
Instructors, guides, rental locations, and restore tools could be discovered, however these seashores are fairly distant when in comparison with extra well-known seashores. Contemplating that, it’s for the most effective to have your whole requirements with you. For a lot of skilled surfers, this distant nature is likely one of the attracts of Cabo Matapalo. Nevertheless, for newbie surfers or much less impartial surfers, a extra forgiving, extra populated seashore can be a greater match.
Playa Matapalo
Greatest Surf Colleges & Camps in Costa Rica
Now that you already know the entire finest spots in Costa Rica to catch waves –it’s time to get on the market! In relation to discovering the finest surf camp, Costa Rica is the most effective place to look, year-round.
When you’re inexperienced and in want of some steerage, just about each seashore that you simply come throughout has outlets that supply surf classes.
Costa Rica’s additionally identified for its abundance of surf camps – an immersive expertise that teaches you surf in a “retreat” type surroundings. Listed below are a number of that we advocate that didn’t make that listing:
Guanacaste
- Del Soul Surf College: Situated on Playa Santa Teresa off of the Pacific Ocean, Del Soul hosts every day classes for newbie and intermediate surfers. All of their courses are taught in teams, with one teacher for each two college students, so nobody will get uncared for. Additionally they have a surf store that’s open for leases daily, together with surfboards and all different equipment and tools.
- Iguana Surf: Whether or not you’re an skilled surfer simply trying to hone your expertise or a newbie trying to get on a board for the primary time, Iguana Surf gives browsing classes for everybody. Situated on Tamarindo Seaside on the Northern Pacific Coast, a lesson will final for 2 hours, with an professional teacher at your facet your complete time.
- Salty Sols Surf College: The proprietor of this surf camp PROMISES that you simply’ll get up in your board earlier than the top of your first lesson – how thrilling!
- Surf Merely: This camp focuses on extra than simply standing up – it isolates the entire expertise and mechanics wanted for browsing, and deep dives on excellent them. Of their phrases, “We don’t train you surf. We train you train your self surf.”
Puntarenas
- Tico Surf Classes: Although they provide a wide range of packages, Tico Surf Classes in Jaco makes a speciality of personal browsing classes. Many {couples} and households respect their providers particularly, and so they’re one of many top-rated colleges in Jaco.
- Dominical Surf College: Dominical Surf College (on Playa Dominical, in fact) is staffed by a group of enthusiastic, adaptable browsing instructors who could make a youngster really feel cool simply as simply as they will make a baby really feel assured. They provide group classes, personal classes, or browsing camps, and so they can tailor classes to all expertise ranges or age ranges.
- Browsing Amigas: This one is a ladies-only choice – sorry guys! It’s an superior, supportive Costa Rica surf camp for girls trying to learn to surf—situated in Golfito (with different places accessible internationally!).
Ticos Surf College on the seashore in Sámara
Caribbean Coast
- Surf the Jungle: Situated in Puerto Viejo, Surf the Jungle is a tour firm in addition to a surf faculty. Staffed by locals, they will make any Costa Rica surf journey into an informative, instructional, and thrilling expertise.
Osa Peninsula
- Pollo Surf College: This Costa Rica surf faculty is at Playa Pan Dulce at Cabo Matapalo, as the purpose break there means it’s nicely fitted to intermediate and newbie surfers. The proprietor was born and raised within the space, and he’s been instructing surf classes since 2002. The crew he works with are all locals, and so they know the seashore break of Pan Dulce nicely.
It’s just about not possible to keep away from stunning seashores in Costa Rica. Regardless of the place you might be on both coast, there are going to be wonderful choices at your disposal year-round. Throughout your subsequent go to to search out the most effective surf spots in Costa Rica, make the most of the pristine waters!