Welcome to the Costa Rica Visitor Center - Surfing
Surf culture is alive in Costa Rica. Miles of sandy beaches are stroked with perfect waves all along the Pacific Coast. The water is warm and the surfing is immaculate! Costa Rica has 3 of the top 25 surfing beaches in the world. Surfing tours and vacation packages can take you to some of Costa Rica's lesser knows surfing hot spots. There are breaks, accessible only by boat, that offer the ever-evasive " perfect wave!"
Best Surfing Beaches in Costa Rica
North Pacific Coast
1.) Playa Tamarindo brings us two unique surfing experiences : Pico Pequeño, a rocky point in front of the hotel Tamarindo, and el estero, a river mouth with smooth breaks.
2.) Avellanas a beautiful beach, nice breaks with long rides.
3.) Playa Naranjo (Witch's rock) offers the best breaks in the region. Unparalelled in beauty, as it lies right on the point of national park of Santa Rosa.
Central Pacific Coast
1.) Boca Barranca gives us prime waves that break into the river mouth. Easily accessible, paved roads and hotels.
2.) Puerto Caldera offers the best left breaks in the region.
3.) Playa Hermosa Very strong beach break, but the best waves are against the sandbar. Best surfing is when tide is rolling in.
South Pacific Coast
1.) Playa Dominical features phenomenal surf conditions. Breaks are strong at the beach with excellent rides both ways. Beach offers immaculate tropical landscapes.
2.) Matapalo has excellent right point located in front of Pavones, Some say these are perfect waves.
3.) Playita - Manuel Antonio Beach has beautiful left and right breaks.
Where are the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's great surfing reputation is not drawn from humongous wave size, but on steady and consistent breaks all year long. However, certain times of year are ideal in different locations. Again we break Costa Rica's Pacific coast into three sections. The Northern Pacific Coast is best during the dry season. (Late November until early May) Strong maritime winds blow offshore and the diagonal/directional swells come together to build excellent 5-7 foot waves. The Central Coast and especially the Southern Pacific Coasts are at top form during the rainy season (May-November) This is the best time to visit Pavones, the southern most surfing destination in Costa Rica. This beach overs the longest left breaks in the world! It was featured on Endless Summer 2 and it will never disappoint!
