Costa Rica Surfing Location Guide

South Pacific Coast

Drake's Bay and area – Accessible by boat, this out of the way break provides waves that are powerful and long when the swell is running. Nearby, (1 ½ hours by boat) don’t miss a visit to Corcovado National Park, situated 1 ½ hours by boat known for its lush wilderness.
Cabo Matapalo - Excellent right points located across the bay from Pavones. Takes a good south and there are always locals in the line-up. Nearby Carate, is a much less visited beach break. Go explore! Nearby Punta Burica has very remote reef breaks, but is accessible only by boat and has no accommodations. This remote spot is excellent to get away from others and the hustle and bustle of other places.
Pavones – Considered one of the longest lefts in the world located 400kms/8 hrs by car from San Jose. Pavones has good shape and is very fast, but needs a big south to connect the sections. There are a few typical restaurants, two bars and cabañas for rent. Highly recommended to camping gear if you want to stay there awhile. It's a gorgeous area and worth the trip. There are also breaks as you head south including. A ½ hr boat ride to the adjacent peninsula there are also a series of right points to equal Pavones lefts.
Punta Banco - A beach break and a reef that takes up the same south swell as Pavones but has better size.
Punta Burica - Remote reef accessible only by boat with no accommodations. In fact a boat is a good way to explore this area, as there is surf to be found between Pavones and Burica.

Other surfing areas in Costa Rica:

"There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it."
Charles Dudley Warner