Costa Rica Surfing Location Guide

Central Pacific Coast

Boca Barranca – Said to have some of the best waves in Costa Rica with a long left break off the river mouth. Located 100km from San Jose with easy access by paved roads and there are many places to lodge, with access from Puntarenas. Takes a good south and is an excellent place for long boarders. The waters are known to be dark during the rainy seasons. Barranca and its nearby beaches have uncontaminated waters.
Dona Ana - Great left point, but you have to paddle across the river.
Puerto Caldera – Has nice left that breaks off the sandbars from the jetty. Takes the same big south swell that gets moving located 3 km south of Boca Barranca.
Tivives/Valor – Variety of good quality of waves. Contains both lefts and rights from the many sandbars that can be found along this stretch. The beach seems to break around Tivives and follows up through a rocky point at valor.
Playa Escondida - There's a reef that produces good rights and surf able lefts about 10 km north of Jaco. Accessible by boat which can be hired or rented from Jaco or Herradura. Also possible by land if you are a member or guest of the beach club which also provides fresh water beach showers.
Jaco - Jaco has a good beach break when the swell isn't huge or coming from the west or north. When over 5ft it tends to close out soothe waves are not dependable. It's close to San Jose (2 hrs/140km) and developed with all kinds of facilities. A great jump off point to other locations such as playa Hermosa, Escondita, Boca Barranca and Puntarenas. Jaco has a large tourism base so there are lots of activities, hotels, cabins and camp grounds. Jaco’s a good start off point for your trip or for the weekend excitement.
Roca Loca - South of Jaco 1.5 km is the "crazy rock" that makes for an excellent right that breaks over submerged rocks. You will have to climb down a small hill/cliff. It is best approached at low/medium tide. Not a good place for beginners. Take a taxi from Jaco for a few colones.
Playa Hermosa (Del Jaco) - A powerful beach break that works on any day and breaks up and down the vast beach stretch. The hot spot is in front of the tree “Almendro” The waves are better with an incoming high tide but there are always niches to surf here unless it gets to big, Situated more remotely than Jaco, but still close enough to re-supply or hit the town in the evening.
Esterillos Oeste and area - A secluded town that's really mellow and offers more relaxed and uncrowded surfing opportunities.
Damas Rivermouth – Caution, surf only the incoming tide to avoid a trip out to sea. It’s within walking distance from the city of Quepos. The right on the south side is fun. To surf the left that breaks on the north, hire a boat unless you’d like to fight through the current and the crocodiles.
Quepos – Situated at the river mouth next to the city. It breaks left off the jetty. The water is les clean than in other areas and has inconsistent breaks due to a smaller swell. It has easy access and many restaurants and accommodations located in the area. Quepos is a good place to stop in and take your bearings for travel up or down the coast.
Manuel Antonio - Beach breaks both left and right with good form but it needs a larger swell for the surf come out, although it is worth the visit. The breaks can be followed south to Dominical. There are frequent busses from Quepos and the hotels in this famous National park. There is a small entrance fee.
Dominical - Good, strong, beach breaks, a river mouth and a left point south of the main breaks. Surrounded by beautiful tropical landscapes. A great small Pueblo where you can lose yourself for days or years. Surf can get heavy!
Rio Sierpe - A river mouth accessible by boat with similar long powerful waves in Drakes Bay.

Other surfing areas in Costa Rica:

Travel quotes:

"Life is short and the world is wide."
Simon Raven

More travel quotes

Costa Rica Surfing Location Guide

Central Pacific Coast

Travel quotes:

Top