Costa Rica Surf Spots: 10 Best Costa Rica Surfing Beaches
Looking for the best Costa Rica surf spots? Whether you’re an advanced surfer looking for some world-class waves or want to try surfing for the first time, Costa Rica has just the beach for you. Here are the 10 best beaches for surfing in Costa Rica, for all skill levels!
One of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica is surf and people travel from around the world to do so. From small, consistent waves perfect for beginners to world-class surf breaks like no others, Costa Rica has a little bit of something for surfers of all skill levels.
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Surfing in Costa Rica FAQs
What is the best surf spot in Costa Rica?
The best surf spot in Costa Rica will depend on your skill level. For advanced and intermediate surfers, Witch’s Rock and Playa Avellanas are considered some of the best, while Tamarindo and Playa Grande are popular with beginners.
What side of Costa Rica is best for surfing?
Most of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica are on the Pacific Coast with surf spots like Witch’s Rock, Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Dominical, and more. However, the Caribbean coast does have one notable surf spot – Salsa Brava.
What time of the year is best for surfing in Costa Rica?
No matter what time of the year you visit Costa Rica, you can find good waves. However, different surf spots are best at different times of the year. For example, Playa Hermosa is consistent throughout the year but best during May and November.
What are the most famous surf spots in Costa Rica?
There are a few famous and well-known surf spots in Costa Rica, including Witch’s Rock and Playa Negra, which were both featured in Endless Summer II. Salsa Brava is the tallest wave in Costa Rica and attracts surfers from around the world.
The Best Costa Rica Surf Spots (For All Levels)
Tamarindo Beach
Region: Guanacaste
Recommended for: Beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers.
Best Time to Surf: Between April and October, known as the green season, is when you’ll find the biggest waves. However, you can surf here all year long and it’s usually best in the mornings.
Where to Stay: Tamarindo
Noted as one of the best Costa Rica surfing beaches, Tamarindo Beach is located on the Pacific Coast. It’s located about a 4.5-hour drive west of San Jose and just an hour and a half from Liberia.
Along with being known as a top surf destination, it’s also popular for partying and other fun outdoor activities like swimming and fishing. Several national competitions are also hosted here every year. Plus, its central location helps make it a popular base for many visitors. It’s a small town with so much to do, making it a great base for many.
Playa Tamarindo is great for all surfers, whether you’re a beginner or pro. The surf is mostly between 3 to 5 feet. Thanks to a beach break, sandy ocean floor, and consistent waves, this is the best beach for beginners!
Witch’s Rock
Region: Guanacaste
Recommended for: Advanced surfers.
Best Time to Surf: Between December and March. High tide is the best!
Where to Stay: Because of its remote location in the Santa Rosa National Park, you’ll want to be based in a town like Playas del Coco and take a boat to Witch’s Rock
Along the Pacific Coast sits another of the top beaches for surfing in Costa Rica, Playa Naranjo. The beach is located along the edge of Santa Rosa National Park.
This golden sandy beach is best known for the rocky formation that sits just off the shore, Witch’s Rock. While some say it’s cursed, one thing is for sure, this volcanic rock is a must for experienced surfers! People travel from around the world to surf the waves here.
Witch’s Rock offers a sandbar break and often has a breeze coming from the northeast. With a sandy ocean floor, the surf is strong here and groundswells are common!
You’ll need to take a boat to get to Witch’s Rock. We recommend contacting Gonzalez Sport Fishing Charters for transportation.
Playa Guiones
Region: Guanacaste
Recommended for: Beginners and intermediates.
Best Time to Surf: Between June and November. However, surfers will find waves all year long.
Where to Stay: Nosara
Located halfway down the Nicoya Peninsula, Nosara is a rising surf spot in Costa Rica! Thankfully, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem.
The best surf beach in Nosara is Guiones. This sweeping horseshoe bay runs three miles long and is easily accessible from the village.
With a beach break as well as both a reef and sand floor, Guiones Beach is ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. Thanks to south-western swells that can grow up to 10 feet, it’s a fun spot to catch a wave.
Plus, for beginners looking to learn more, there are a variety of surf schools based here.
Playa Grande
Region: Guanacaste
Recommended for: Everyone from beginner to advanced.
Best Time to Surf: Waves are consistent throughout the year but the best times are between December and April.
Where to Stay: Playa Grande as well as in Tamarindo.
A great alternative to Tamarindo Beach can be found just north, in Playa Grande. Playa Grande is part of the Marino Las Baulas National Park. Not only is it a stunning stretch of beach but it’s also a significant spot for nesting sea turtles and other wildlife.
This brilliant beige, soft sandy beach along the Pacific coast offers gnarly waves for all levels of surfers, from novices to experts.
Surfers will find constant waves every day here. Plus, locals love it because of the various surf points and breaks. With a sandy ocean floor and a beach break, you’ll find waves here fast and strong. Depending on the tide as well as wave size, surfers can find various shapes, from square barrels to almond barrels.
Playa Negra
Region: Guanacaste
Recommended for: Experienced surfers
Best Time to Surf: Depends on your ability. The rainy season will offer bigger waves and the dry season offers smaller swells that are ideal for intermediate surfers. However, just after high tide is best!
Where to Stay: Los Pargos
Featured in the movie Endless Summer II, Playa Negra is one of the best Costa Rica surfing beaches. The beach is located in the town of Los Pargos, just south of Tamarindo, and is one of the most famous surf spots in Costa Rica.
This black sand beach is known for its world-class waves and is a surfer’s paradise! Surfers will find waves hitting fast and hollow with right-hand barrels. With a shallow, rock reef bottom and a barreling reef break, waves are best at high tide!
While there are times when it’s safe for intermediates to surf, it’s best for experienced riders.
Hermosa Beach
Region: Puntarenas Province
Recommended for: Intermediate and advanced surfers
Best Time to Surf: Between May and November. Though you’ll find consistent waves almost all year round.
Where to Stay: Jaco for access to shops, cafes, and nightlife. Or opt for the more relaxed beach hotels along Playa Hermosa.
Playa Hermosa literally means beautiful beach and boy is it accurate. However, don’t confuse this one with the one of the same name near Santa Teresa, on the Nicoya Peninsula, or the one in Guanacaste near Playas del Coco. (Both of those Playa Hermosas are also beautiful – just not for surfing!)
Hermosa Beach is located on the Pacific coast as well, just south of Jaco. It stretches out over four miles long and has a rich dark sand. The beach is rated as one of the best surfing spots in Central America as well as one of its only surfing reserves!
With lots of sandbars, consistent waves, this Puntarenas break is a heavy barrel! Conditions are within the 5-to-9-foot range with different lippy wedges and points.
Playa Avellanas
Region: Guanacaste
Recommended for: Intermediate.
Best Time to Surf: Between April and November, during the rainy season, you’ll find heavier swells.
Where to Stay: Playa Avellanas
For the most consistent waves in Costa Rica head to Playa Avellanas. Located 30 minutes south of Tamarindo, this beach is the place to go to beat the crowds and surf!
This one-of-a-kind beach features tan sand with a backdrop of mangroves and quirky trees. However, there are rocky patches to be aware of if you’re walking or swimming on it at high tide.
Playa Avellanas is large and is home to seven different points. One gem is set at the north end of the beach at the mouth of the river. Here you’ll find the wave that’s affectionately called ‘Little Hawaii.’ Along with this point, there are a mix of reef and beach breaks. You can find epic swells here, catching either a right or left!
There’s something for everyone, from gentle to stepper and fast waves. Plus, you’ll find good waves all year long here.
Playa Santa Teresa
Region: Puntarenas Province
Recommended for: Everyone from beginner to expert.
Best Time to Surf: Between May and August, specifically at low tide.
Where to Stay: Santa Teresa
Near the tip of Nicoya Peninsula sits a pristine white sandy beach called Playa Santa Teresa. This is the main stretch of beachfront in town and is home to some of the best breaks in Costa Rica!
At Santa Teresa Beach you can avoid the crowds and enjoy Pacific swells that rip all year round! Thanks to the dominant west and southwest Pacific swells, surfers will relish in beach breaks that are high-quality!
In the main season, you’ll find fat beach breaks that wedge up and have a solid kick to them. Plus, surfing at low tide means fun and fast hollow tubes!
Dominical Beach
Region: Puntarenas Province
Recommended for: Intermediate to expert level surfers.
Best Time to Surf: Between June and September you’ll find the biggest waves.
Where to Stay: Dominical
Along the south Pacific Coast, 40 minutes from Quepos is Dominical. Here you’ll find Dominical Beach. With an over 2-mile stretch of dark sand beach with deep blue water, this is another great Costa Rica surf spot.
This off-the-beaten-path beach is backed by a relaxed hippy beach town and surrounded by lush rainforests. It’s also located next to the mouth of the Baru River. It’s here, thanks to some sandbars, that you’ll find the best and biggest waves.
Dominical Beach is definitely geared for intermediate to advanced surfers. There are various points but be prepared for strong barreling waves.
Salsa Brava
Region: Limon Province
Recommended for: Expert surfers
Best Time to Surf: Between November and April
Where to Stay: Puerto Viejo
One of the top places to surf in Costa Rica is Salsa Brava. It’s an hour south of Limon on the Caribbean coast, in the town of Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca hosts some of the most incredible surf competitions in the country!
Salsa Brava is the largest wave in Costa Rica and a legendary reef break. This powerful wave is one of the main attractions in the country, drawing surfers from around the world!
It’s known as a Hawaiian wave because it originates in deep water and is then broken against the barrier reef. This creates a heavy wave that moves a large volume of water! Be sure to check the Salsa Brava Surf Report before heading out. When it’s reporting head-high to overhead conditions, these are the best settings.
For a slightly less intense beach break head south to Playa Cocles.
