Costa Rica is a popular surfing destination, with its warm waters, consistent waves, and beautiful beaches attracting surfers from all over the world. The country has a vibrant surf culture and is home to numerous world-class surf breaks. In this blog post, we'll explore surfing in Costa Rica and some of the best spots to catch a wave.
Five Best Surf Spots in Costa Rica
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is a beautiful beach located in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. It's a popular spot for beginners, with consistent waves and a sandy bottom. The beach is also home to a national park, which helps preserve the natural beauty of the area.
2. Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a bustling beach town just a little south of Playa Grande. It's known for its lively surf scene - get ready to have some fun here! The town has a variety of surf breaks, from beginner-friendly beach breaks to more advanced reef breaks. Tamarindo has a pretty developed infrastructure with great hotels, surf schools and rental shops. As Tamarindo is quite popular with tourists there are great shuttle services that can take you there from San Jose.
3. Witch's Rock
Witch's Rock is an incredible sight to see and a world-famous surf break ALSO located in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, but actually further north than Playa Grande. It's a fast and powerful reef break that's best suited for experienced surfers. The break is located in a national park, which makes it a beautiful and pristine spot to surf.
4. Pavones
Pavones is a small village located in the most southern part of Costa Rica, you are just a few miles from the Panama border at this stage! It's home to one of the longest left-hand waves in the world, which can provide rides of up to 2 minutes long. Pavones is a remote spot that's best suited for experienced surfers, as the wave can be challenging to navigate.
5. Dominical
Dominical is not as far south and therefore easier to get to. Quepos airport is also close by, making it great to get to quickly from San Jose. Dominical is a laid-back small beach town where you will find a couple of good restaurants, surf schools and awesome yoga spots. The town, or better said, area, has a variety of surf breaks, from beginner-friendly beach breaks (Dominicalito beach, is our favourite - check out Kunjani if you are there, it's just across the road!) to more advanced reef breaks (Dominical & Hermosa). Ballena National park is just 15 minutes away, and the famous Nauyaca waterfalls are also just a short drive - making Dominical a fantastic spot to visit if you want world class waves and maybe also a few other things.
In conclusion, Costa Rica is a beautiful and vibrant destination for surfers of all skill levels. The country has a diverse range of surf breaks, from beginner-friendly beach breaks to world-class reef breaks. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced surfer, Costa Rica has something to offer for everyone. So pack your surfboard and head to Costa Rica for an unforgettable surf trip.