Popular Locations For Experiencing the Best Surfing in Costa Rica
Believe it or not - Costa Rica is fast becoming one of the top destinations in the world to surf! And it's not because it has huge 'Hawaii like' surf.
Rather, what makes surfing in Costa Rica so appealing is that no matter what side you choose to explore - there are consistent surfing conditions all over, with literally hundreds of locations to ride the waves!
Surfing in Costa Rica - Where to GoWith two oceans to choose from, you may be wondering which side to surf! That basically depends on what you're looking for in an adventure vacation. The pacific coast is far more populated than the Caribbean side, and it shows with plenty of resorts, nightlife, and restaurants.A lot also depends on exactly where you want to base yourself. Look below as we explore some of the best areas in Costa Rica to surf on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
Surfing in Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast
Playa Negra and Playa Grande are two of the top spots in the country to surf. They tend to draw large numbers of surfers, largely due in part to their easy access from Tamarindo. Tamarindo with its central location is excellent for searching out surf both north and south of town.
A number of different style accommodations are available here and surfers of all abilities, from beginners to experts choose Tamarindo because of the wide variety of waves and breaks! There are also a number of other smaller communities along the northern coast which offer more challenging surf such as Camaronal and Potrero Grande (also known as Oli's Point)
If you're looking to get away from the crowds, we recommend Dominical which offers extremely good breaks and is a little quieter than Jaco and Hermosa.
Some of the swells around Pavones can provide the surfer or boogie boarder with at least a 3 minute ride - one of the longest in Costa Rica. Keep in mind that if you are planning on surfing here - that there is little else to do. The best option for exploring the southern coast would be to stay in Playa Zancudo which has everything from cheap accommodation to a number of other adventure choices such as kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking! Surfing in Costa Rica on the Atlantic Coast
You'll find that the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is not as built up as the Pacific side, but that doesn’t mean that you won't find great surf! Puerto Viejo is home to the most powerful wave in Costa Rica, dubbed "Mean Salsa". As the name indicates, this is for experts only!
Playa Bonita is another point recommended for the more experienced surfer, with a consistent swell, but beware of the coral bottom. The absolutely crystal clear waters around here make this area great for diving and snorkeling as well!
Best Time to Go Surfing in Costa Rica
The best time to surf in Costa Rica is from December to April. This is the summer season, with lots of sunshine and absolutely outstanding surf conditions, especially on the Caribbean side.
Unfortunately, this is also the high season for tourists and travelers, so you can expect prices for everything from hotels to cars to be more. June and July are also great months to explore different areas of surf along the central and southern pacific coasts. By this time, the crowds have thinned out, and you will also find better rates for accommodation and more choices. And the weather can still be extremely hot, perfect for hitting the surf.
Weather aside the best time to get in the water is as follows:
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