Surfers have been making strike missions to Costa Rica since the early 1960s. Their original targets: the A-frames of a peak known as Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) and a seemingly endless right-hand point break called Ollie’s, just a few miles north. Both are located off the Pacific Coast of northern Guanacaste province within the boundaries of Santa Rosa National Park. A boat trip is required to reach the breaks, but that hasn’t deterred diehard surfers. These days, the lineups are nearly always crowded, but the country’s pura vida mentality keeps the vibes in the water chill.
These two waves may have put Costa Rica’s beaches on the map, but the country has plenty of other surf spots to explore. With year-round, consistent waves, warm water, affordable beach towns, friendly locals, and excellent surf schools it’s easy to return year after year to chase your own endless summer. The country has four main surf regions. The northern Guanacaste province, home to the surf-blessed Nicoya Peninsula, is by far the most popular. It’s lined with easygoing beach towns, like Santa Teresa and Nosara, and miles of good beach breaks with both lefts and rights.
In Central Costa Rica, the town of Jaco is often touted as Costa Rica’s de facto capital of surf, known for its rowdy nightlife, reliable waves, and great surf schools, such as Surf Synergy. Just 10 minutes south, you’ll find gentle, beginner-friendly waves along Playa Hermosa’s four-mile stretch of black sand beach. Further south, Playa Esterillos delivers crowd-free line-ups, unbeatable sunsets, and community-focused restaurants like Los Almendros.
Diehards pilgrimage to the rugged, rural Southern Pacific Coast in search of long, barreling waves. One in particular, Pavones, has earned mythic status as the world’s second longest left-hand point break, delivering an epic ride of two-plus minutes. Come fall, when it’s the rainy (aka green) season across most of the country, the less-trodden Caribbean coast is remarkably dry. Expert surfers flock to the lively beach town of Puerto Viejo to test their mettle riding Salsa Brava, Costa Rica’s biggest, barreling wave and get a taste of the region’s distinctive Afro-Caribbean music and flavors.
With such variety, Costa Rica is the perfect surf destination for progression. And if the waves aren’t breaking, there’s plenty else to explore, from the vibrant coral reefs of Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast to the turtle nesting grounds of Ostional Wildlife Refuge on the Nicoya Peninsula.
