Best Surf Spots in Costa Rica: 16 Breaks and a Coast-by-Coast Surf Map (2027)

The best surf spots in Costa Rica are Tamarindo and Playa Guiones (Nosara) for learning, Santa Teresa and Avellanas for progressing, Playa Hermosa and Dominical for stronger waves, Pavones for one of the longest left-hand points in the world, and Salsa Brava at Puerto Viejo for experienced reef surfers.

There are waves all year. According to Surfline, the Pacific is most consistent from late May to August, while December to February brings offshore winds and smaller surf. The sea at Tamarindo stays between about 25 and 30 °C, so you surf in boardshorts.

From Amsterdam, Brussels or Paris you fly to San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR). For the wider region, see our guide to the best surfing destinations in Central America.

• 1. Costa Rica surf map: where are the surf spots?
• 2. What are the best surf spots in Costa Rica?
• 3. Tamarindo (Guanacaste)
• 4. Nosara (Playa Guiones)
• 5. Santa Teresa and Mal País (Nicoya Peninsula)
• 6. Jacó and Playa Hermosa (Central Pacific)
• 7. Dominical (South Pacific)
• 8. Pavones (Southern Zone)
• 9. Puerto Viejo and Salsa Brava (Caribbean)
• 10. Recommended Costa Rica surf spots by surfer level
• 11. When is the best time to surf in Costa Rica?
• 12. Getting to Costa Rica from Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris
• 13. Where to stay
• 14. Showers, wetsuits and washing up
• 15. Locals and the environment
• 16. Summary
• 17. Frequently asked questions
• 18. Sources

Costa Rica surf map: where are the surf spots?

Ten of the eleven places on our Costa Rica surf map are on the Pacific coast; only Puerto Viejo is on the Caribbean.

In Guanacaste, in the north-west, Witch's Rock sits on its own at Playa Naranjo, a boat trip from Tamarindo, and just south of it Playa Grande, Tamarindo and Avellanas sit close together. Further down the Nicoya Peninsula come Nosara and, towards its southern end, Santa Teresa. Across the Gulf of Nicoya are Jacó and Playa Hermosa, both easy to reach from San José. Then comes Dominical and, deep in the south on the Golfo Dulce, Pavones. Puerto Viejo is the lone dot on the other coast, in Limón province.

What are the best surf spots in Costa Rica?

These 16 breaks cover every place on the map, from learner beaches to heavy reefs.

Spot	Region	Type	Level	Works best on	Best months
Witch's Rock	Guanacaste	River mouth	Intermediate to advanced	WNW swell, E wind, tide varies	Dec to Feb, May to Aug
Playa Grande	Guanacaste	Beach	Intermediate	WNW swell, E wind, tide varies	Mar to Nov
Playa Tamarindo	Guanacaste	River mouth	Beginner to intermediate	WNW swell, E wind, tide varies	Dec to Mar
Playa Langosta	Guanacaste	Beach	Intermediate	WNW swell, E wind, rising mid tide	Mar to Nov
Playa Avellanas	Guanacaste	Reef	Intermediate	WNW swell, E wind, mid tide	Mar to Nov
Playa Negra	Guanacaste	Beach and point	Intermediate to advanced	WNW swell, E wind, mid tide	Mar to Nov
Playa Guiones	Nosara	Beach	Beginner to intermediate	WNW swell, ENE wind, all tides	Dec to Mar
Santa Teresa	Nicoya	Beach	Intermediate	WNW swell, NE wind, low tide	All year
Playa Carmen	Nicoya	Beach and reef	Beginner to intermediate	WNW swell, NE wind, tide varies	Dec to Mar
Mal País	Nicoya	Reef	Advanced	SW swell, NE wind, tide varies	Mar to Nov
Playa Jacó	Central Pacific	Beach	Beginner to intermediate	SSW swell, NE wind, high tide	Dec to Mar
Playa Hermosa	Central Pacific	Beach	Intermediate to advanced	W swell, NE wind, tide varies	Mar to Nov
Dominical	South Pacific	Beach	Intermediate to advanced	S swell, NE wind, tide varies	Mar to Nov
Pavones	Golfo Dulce	Left point	Intermediate to advanced	SW swell, E wind, rising low tide	May to Aug
Salsa Brava	Caribbean	Right reef	Advanced	NE swell, S wind, all tides	Feb to Apr
Playa Cocles	Caribbean	Beach and reef	Intermediate	NE swell, SSW wind, all tides	Nov to Apr

"Works best on" comes from each spot's Surf-Forecast page, the months from Surfline's regional guides. Levels are our own reading, so ask a local school on the day.

Tamarindo (Guanacaste)

Tamarindo is the easiest surf base in Costa Rica: a consistent beach break in front of Guanacaste's main surf town, with harder waves close by.

Surf-Forecast describes an exposed river-mouth beach break with lefts and rights that is often crowded. Surfline is blunter: the beaches are packed with beginners and longboarders all year, but ten minutes' walk towards Playa Grande or Langosta you can find an empty peak. It also warns of one or two crocodiles at the river mouth, so stay out of the estuary. Our guide to the best surf spots in Tamarindo goes break by break.

Tamarindo surf spots

Playa Grande, on the same bay, is a very consistent beach break; the bay also holds Las Baulas National Marine Park, a leatherback turtle nesting ground according to Visit Costa Rica. Langosta likes a rising mid tide and has rips and rocks. Avellanas is a reef with rocks in the line-up, and Playa Negra adds urchins.

The dream day out is a boat to Witch's Rock (Roca Bruja), a river-mouth beach break at Playa Naranjo, and Ollie's Point, a right point that Surfline says can run more than 300 yards. Surfline counts up to 10 boats and 50 surfers at Ollie's in high season, and Surf-Forecast lists sharks at Witch's Rock.

Nosara (Playa Guiones)

Playa Guiones is the beach where you improve: a consistent beach break with good surf at all stages of the tide.

That matters more than it sounds: instead of planning around one tide window, you can surf before breakfast and again before sunset. Visit Costa Rica describes strong waves, so on bigger days beginners should stay in the white water with an instructor. Surf-Forecast expects crowds and lists sharks as a hazard.

Nosara surf spots

Guiones is the main event, and getting there is part of the story: Surfline warns of muddy roads and washed-out river crossings between Avellanas and Nosara from September to November.

Santa Teresa and Mal País (Nicoya Peninsula)

Santa Teresa is a beach break that works all year, with Playa Carmen and the reef at Mal País in the same zone.

Surf-Forecast describes Playa Santa Teresa as an exposed beach break, best around low tide and crowded when it's good, and Playa Carmen as a beach and reef break. Both have strong rips. Mal País is an exposed reef that means "negotiating dangerous rips".

Santa Teresa surf spots

So learners take a lesson at Playa Carmen, confident surfers take the main beach at low tide, and Mal País waits until you'd happily swim in without a board. See our guide to the best surf spots in Santa Teresa.

One way in is the Naviera Tambor vehicle ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya. Bags get thrown about on the way, so pack things that can't leak: one solid 3-in-1 bar covers hair, body and face.

Back across the gulf, the map continues on the Central Pacific.

Jacó and Playa Hermosa (Central Pacific)

Jacó is one of the easiest surf beaches to reach from San José, and nearby Playa Hermosa is a World Surfing Reserve with a very consistent beach break for experienced surfers.

Visit Costa Rica puts Jacó 1 hour 30 minutes from the capital: a bay about 4 kilometres long with dark sand and strong currents. Surf-Forecast says the beach break is best around high tide.

Jacó area surf spots

Playa Hermosa is the step up. Save The Waves dedicated it as a World Surfing Reserve on 12 June 2022, the first in Central America, for its "renowned A frame waves". Surf-Forecast adds that surfing here means negotiating dangerous rips. If you wouldn't swim out there without a board, don't paddle out.

Also here: Esterillos, about 7 kilometres of beach with strong surf, and the long river-mouth left at Boca Barranca. Visit Costa Rica says some beaches have crocodiles, so ask around before surfing.

Dominical (South Pacific)

Dominical is a very consistent beach break with strong waves; nearby Dominicalito is the calmer choice.

Visit Costa Rica calls Dominical one of its most interesting surf beaches because of those strong waves, and Surf-Forecast warns of dangerous rips. The South Pacific is also one of the wettest parts of the country, so expect real rain from May to October.

Pavones (Southern Zone)

Pavones is the long mission for a long wave: Surfline calls it one of the longest left-hand points in the world.

It's also fickle. Surf-Forecast describes a sheltered point with unreliable waves that needs south-west groundswell, works best on a rising low tide, gets crowded when it's on and has rocks in the line-up. So come between late May and August and give it a week, not a weekend.

Puerto Viejo and Salsa Brava (Caribbean)

Puerto Viejo is the Caribbean surf town on the map, and its right-hand reef, Salsa Brava, is for experienced surfers only.

Surfline's Limón guide says north-east swells start in late November and February to April is best, with waves barrelling over the reefs; summer is close to flat. Surf-Forecast lists Salsa Brava as an exposed reef, often crowded, with rips and rocks.

A few kilometres away, Playa Cocles has moderate waves (Visit Costa Rica) plus urchins and jellyfish (Surf-Forecast). Surfline's advice here: don't surf alone, and don't travel alone at night.

Recommended Costa Rica surf spots by surfer level

Costa Rica is a good place to learn if you pick a sandy beach, the smaller months and an instructor.

If you are a beginner surfer

Start at Playa Tamarindo or Playa Guiones between December and March. Jacó and Playa Carmen work with a school, but both have strong currents. Read what to expect at your first surf camp and, with children, our guide to family surf destinations.

If you are an intermediate surfer

Base yourself in Santa Teresa or Nosara and add Playa Grande, Avellanas or Cocles for variety.

If you are an advanced or expert surfer

Chase the rainy-season swells at Playa Hermosa, Dominical, Mal País and Pavones, and Salsa Brava from February to April.

When is the best time to surf in Costa Rica?

For consistent waves, come between late May and August; for smaller, cleaner surf and dry weather, come between December and March.

Visit Costa Rica's climate page gives the Pacific a dry season from December to March and rain from May to October; the Caribbean has no clear dry season.

Period	Swell	Water temp (°C)	Wetsuit	Verdict
Dec to Feb	Smaller; offshore winds	28.0 to 28.6	None; springsuit on rare cold days up north	Best for beginners
Mar to early May	First big south swells	29.2 to 29.4	None	Good all-round
Late May to Aug	Most consistent south-west swell	28.8 to 29.2	None	Best for experienced surfers
Sep to Nov	Fewer, stronger south swells; rain	27.7 to 28.8	None	Quiet line-ups, muddy roads
Caribbean, late Nov to Apr	North-east swells, best Feb to Apr	27.8 to 28.9	None	Salsa Brava season

Swell notes: Surfline. Temperatures: seatemperature.org monthly averages for Jacó and, for the Caribbean, Puerto Limón. Compare with our warm-water winter escapes and the best places to surf without a wetsuit.

Getting to Costa Rica from Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris

You fly to Juan Santamaría (SJO) in Alajuela, the main airport, or Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia, the gateway to Guanacaste.

SJO's own airline list includes KLM, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa, so start with KLM from Amsterdam and Air France from Paris. From Brussels, Eurostar lists both Schiphol Airport and Paris CDG Airport as destinations. Check with the airline whether your flight is direct.

Hand luggage only? A solid bar isn't a liquid at airport security; see taking soap on a plane and long-haul flight toiletries.

Once you've landed, Visit Costa Rica gives 1 hour 30 minutes to Jacó and around two hours to Puntarenas for the Nicoya ferry; Sansa and Green Airways fly domestic routes. Before booking, read your own government's travel advice: the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France Diplomatie or, for Belgians, FPS Foreign Affairs.

Where to stay

Pick one base per week: Tamarindo or Nosara for a first trip, Santa Teresa for range, Jacó for convenience, Dominical or Pavones for quiet, Puerto Viejo for the Caribbean season.

Tamarindo and Jacó are the big, busy towns with nightlife. Nosara and Santa Teresa suit surf-twice-a-day routines and solo surf trips. Puerto Viejo is, in Visit Costa Rica's words, a very colourful beach town. Our surf trip packing list keeps the bag small.

Showers, wetsuits and washing up

You don't need a wetsuit in Costa Rica, and it's wise not to count on a shower at the beach.

Surfline's country guide says a rashguard is all you need, apart from a few springsuit days in the far north between December and February. Rinse your kit in fresh water and wash properly back at your room or camp. Don't rinse shampoo or soap directly into the ocean or into beach showers that drain to the sea. Lather only where the water goes into a drain. More in how to rinse off after a surf and surf camp showers.

For the drive back, a wet bag with a towel and one solid 3-in-1 bar is the whole kit: hair, body and face, and nothing to leak on the back seat.

That's the bag sorted; how you behave on the beach matters more.

Locals and the environment

Respect the locals

Surfline describes the Caribbean reefs plainly: resident surfers get the first waves of the set. Take that as the rule everywhere, and read our surf etiquette rules before you go. Visit Costa Rica suggests asking locals about conditions and rip currents, which is also a friendly way to say hello.

Respect the environment

Many of these waves break on turtle beaches: leatherbacks nest at Las Baulas, and Visit Costa Rica puts the Caribbean nesting peak between March and October. Stay off nesting beaches at night unless you're on an official tour, and take your rubbish with you. At Playa Hermosa, Save The Waves says the stewardship council is working on wastewater treatment and public access.

Summary

For an easy first trip, pick Tamarindo or Playa Guiones between December and March; for consistent swell, Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa or Pavones between late May and August; for Caribbean reefs, Puerto Viejo from February to April.

See how the country compares in our roundup of the best surfing destinations in Central America, and read why a solid bar is fine in hand luggage.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

The facts in this article are based on the sources below, checked in October 2026.

1. Costa Rica surfing and beaches. Surfline, 2026.
2. Provincia de Guanacaste. Surfline, 2026.
3. Provincia de Puntarenas. Surfline, 2026.
4. Provincia de Limón. Surfline, 2026.
5. Roca Bruja. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
6. Playa Grande. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
7. Tamarindo. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
8. Tamarindo sea temperature. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
9. Playa Langosta. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
10. Las Avellanas. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
11. Playa Negra. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
12. Guiones. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
13. Playa Santa Teresa. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
14. El Carmen. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
15. Mal Pais. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
16. Playa Jaco. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
17. Playa Hermosa. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
18. Dominical. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
19. Pavones. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
20. Salsa Brava. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
21. Cocles. Surf-Forecast.com, 2026.
22. Jacó sea temperature. SeaTemperature.org, 2026.
23. Puerto Limón sea temperature. SeaTemperature.org, 2026.
24. Climate. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
25. Guanacaste. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
26. Puntarenas. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
27. Central Pacific. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
28. South Pacific. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
29. Caribbean. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
30. Las Baulas National Marine Park. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
31. Travel and safety tips. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
32. Airlines. Visit Costa Rica, 2026.
33. Playa Hermosa World Surfing Reserve. Save The Waves Coalition, 2026.
34. Aerolíneas. Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, 2026.
35. Ferry Puntarenas to Paquera. Naviera Tambor, 2026.
36. Destinations. Eurostar, 2026.
37. Reisadvies Costa Rica. Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, 2026.
38. Conseils aux voyageurs: Costa Rica. Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères, 2026.