Costa Rica has many beautiful beaches for surfers to explore! Some of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica are famous among surf travelers, who plan there surfing vacations around visiting these beaches, and surfing the amazing waves.
We have made a list of some of the more popular beaches and surf towns in Costa Rica.
Surfing Beaches (Nicoya Peninsula):
Tamarindo – Tamarindo is one of the most popular beaches for surfing in Costa Rica. Not really known for the best waves, Tamarindo can be incredible when it breaks. Mostly, it’s a surfer party town, with lots of bars and nightlife. It also has many popular surf schools in Tamarindo.
Witch’s Rock – Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) is actually on the northern end of Playa Naranjo on the Parque Santa Rosa National Park it can be accessible by vehicle during the dry season, but becomes only accessible by foot or boat when the rainy season washes out the dirt roads.
Ollie’s Point – Ollie’s is a right hand point break on the northern end of Portrero Grande on the Parque Santa Rosa. The waves breaks off of a group of rocks then peels along the sandbar formed at the estuary. Ollie’s point is accessible by boat only. Boat trips usually depart out of Playa Coco or Playa Flamingo.
Playa Grande – Playa Grande, on the northern end of Tamarindo Bay, is a long stretch of sand that has several different spots to surf. The main peak just south of the parking lot at Hotel Las Tortugas gets really good. Waves peak up over an outer reef that form A-frame wedges that barrel on the inner sandbar at high tide.
Playa Avellanas – Playa Avellanas directly in front of Lola’s Restaurant is a very popular beach break with several reef breaks just north towards Hacienda Pinilla, including Little Hawaii and Avellanas Rivermouth.
Playa Negra – Playa Negra is a popular reef break that gets really hollow and is one of the best barrels in Costa Rica. The surf break is located directly in front of the Hotel Playa Negra. The town is known as Los Pargos.
Nosara/Playa Guiones – Nosara is a small town along the Nosara River, about 5km from the beaches of Nosara. Playa Guiones is the main surf break along the Playas de Nosara development. It is a beautiful white sand beach with several surfable peaks along the shores. There are lots of upscale accommodations and restaurants in this “gringo friendly” surf town. The waves are good for beginner surfers, and there are lots of surf schools in town to meet the demand.
Playa Samara – Playa Samara is not much of a surfing beach, though it does have waves on the high tide. Playa Samara is a popular tourist destination and has sever surf schools in town.
Santa Teresa/Mal Pais – Santa Teresa is a popular beach area with lots of options to stay and surf. The town is mainly stretched along the beach road from Santa Teresa to Mal Pais and encompasses Playa Carmen as well. The area is well known for being a getaway for celebrities and hippy travelers alike. The waves are not that great, but can get really good. The waves are generally good for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Central and Southern Pacific Coast:
Boca Barranca – Boca Barranca is a long left point that breaks off a rivermouth near Puntarenas. The wave gets really good, but the water is dirty and the occasional crocodile has been spotted cruising the lineup. Not much around Boca Barranca, but it’s a short drive from Jaco when it’s pumping.
Playa Jaco – Playa Jaco is not much of a surfing beach, though it does have its moments. Jaco is mostly known as an anything goes party town, where you can find any vice your heart desires. The town has a bunch of high-rise hotels and condominums right on the beach. The south end of the beach is perfect for beginners and many surf schools use this area to teach surfing lessons.
Playa Hermosa – Playa Hermosa is one of the most consistent waves in Costa Rica. It is a heavy beach break when it gets big, but when it’s small it’s a super fun wave with some deep barrel sections. Playa Hermosa is only 3km from Jaco, but it seems to be a world apart. It has a much mellower vibe, and is still close enough to taxi into town for some nightlife debauchery in Jaco.
Esterillos – Esterillos, is actually Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos, and Esterillos Este. Esterillos Oeste has a bunch of reef breaks and is mellow for longboarding. Esterillos and Esterillos Este are part of a long unbroken stretch of beach and have plenty of peaks up and down the beach that are good for surfing.
Quepos/Manuel Antonio – Manuel Antonio is not known for surf so much, but can be fun for a paddle session at high tide. There are several surf schools in the area, and the beach is pretty calm most of the time for beginner surfing lessons. Quepos has a good left sand point just off the marina jetty, but it’s sketchy and the water is dirty.
Playa Dominical – Playa Dominical is a heavy beach break just south of the Rio Baru. The beach is often closed out, but on its day, it produces some incredible barrel rides. The town is small hippy tourist surf enclave that is popular with backpackers and ecotravelers. There are plenty of places to stay in town, and it can get quite lively at times.
Cabo Matapalo – Cabo Matapalo on the Osa Peninsula is a lush and rugged stretch of coast that juts out into the Pacific Ocean and has several good right point breaks to choose from. The two most popular breaks are Backwash and Pan Dulce. There are several luxury all-inclusive ecolodges in the area, but keep in mind that you are completely off-grid, and all electricity is generated by solar, wind, or micro-hydro. Cabo Matapalo is one of the jump off points to explore the Parque Corcovado.
Playa Pavones – Pavones is one of the best waves in Central America. Surfing rides of 1.2km are not uncommon on a good day at Pavones. The wave starts at the mouth of the Rio Claro, then bends around the corner and peels along the bay, all the way past the boat house. Pavones is a sleepy little fishing village, not much nightlife to be found here, which makes it easy for early morning surf sessions when the waves are firing!