Costa Rica is home of some of the best and most popular surfing destinations in the world. A lot of people visit this small country just to experience a specific wave such as the Salsa Brava, the biggest break in Costa Rica.
Below there is a brief guide of those amazing spots that you need to visit in your next Costa Rica surfing holidays:
Witch’s Rock Beach (Roca Bruja) | Tamarindo Beach | Grande Beach | Nosara Beach | Santa Teresa Beach
Nearest international airport: Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste (Airport code: LIR)
There are different surf spots in Guanacaste. Here you have our selection.
Witch’s Rock or Roca Bruja is considered one of the best surf spots in the country and only for advanced surfers due to the long waves and the windy conditions, Witch’s Rock is a perfect destination for practicing surf all year around.
One of the most important things to take into account is that this beach is located within the Santa Rosa National Park so there are no hotels or restaurants in the area. Most of the people go there only to spend the day since the only lodging option nearby is a camping area located 20km from the National Park entrance.
Best time to visit Witch’s Rock: From December to March.
Distance from Liberia International Airport approximately: 67.45 km | 41.91 mi
Drive to Tamarindo by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Tamarindo is one of the hottest surfing towns in Costa Rica and name by Forbes Magazine Costa Rica’s Most Popular Beach. One of the main reasons why this beach is so popular is because it’s perfect whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer. Besides, it is also very popular because it’s located nearby other amazing good spots for practicing surf such as Avellanas beach, Negra beach and even Witch’s Rock.
Also, Tamarindo offers lodging options for all budgets and an amazing nightlife.
The best way to visit Tamarindo from San Jose is booking a local flight to Tamarindo’s airstrip that will take only 45 minutes.
Tamarindo is a good surf spot all year round.
Distance from Liberia Costa Rica International Airport approximately: 65.08 km | 40.44 mi
Drive to Grande by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Grande beach offer excellent surfing conditions and attracts surfers from across the world. The same as Tamarindo, this beach is also a good spot for surfers of all skill levels, but it’s not as developed as Tamarindo so there are fewer lodging options.
Best time to visit Grande Beach: From March to November.
Driving distance from Liberia International Airport approximately: 113.69 km | 70.64 mi
Drive to Nosara by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Nosara is a long and dark beach which is ideal for intermediate to experienced surfers. It’s not as crowded as other Guanacaste beaches such as Tamarindo or Grande but offers a variety of hotels and different lodging options and delicious local restaurants. Named by the National Geographic in the top 20 Best Surf Towns in the World, and was also considered the Best Destination to Visit in Costa Rica by the New York Times.
The best way to visit Nosara from San Jose, the capital city of the country, is by booking a local flight to Nosara’s airstrip that will take only 35 minutes.
Besides, there is also another popular white sand beach, perfect for beginners and advanced surfers, nearby Nosara: Guiones beach. Guiones is perfect for first-timers thanks to its uncrowded waters.
Driving distance from Liberia International Airport approximately: 209 km | 129.9 mi
Drive to Santa Teresa by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Santa Teresa beach is located in the Nicoya Peninsula, very close to the Tambor, Montezuma and Malpaís beaches. Here, visitors can be delighted by isolated beaches, virgin forests and off the beaten track paths.
Getting here doesn’t have to be complicated. There exists the option to take a private transportation from the airport, although this implies more transport time. Another option is to take a domestic flight to Tambor airstrip and then drive to Santa Teresa.
The beach is popular among travelers and surfers thanks to its wonderful landscapes, its great waves, and its relaxed vibes. Here you can find delicious cuisine, from international dishes to typical Costa Rican food, an added plus for the holidays.
Jaco Beach | Jacó & Hermosa Beach Surf Report
Nearest international airport: Juan Santamaría Airport – Alajuela (Airport code: SJO)
Distance from Juan Santamaria International Airport approximately: 87.58 km | 54.42 mi
Drive to Jaco Beach by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Drive to Hermosa Beach by clicking here
Jaco is the nearest surf spot from the capital city of San Jose, just 1 hour away driving. This is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of time or those who want to combine destinations. This popular beach located in the pacific of Costa Rica is also a town full of nightlife and a great place to learn how to surf.
It’s important to take into account that Jaco is one of the most popular beaches for Costa Ricans, thanks to its proximity to the city. This means that the beach is quiet during the week but very busy during weekends.
Jaco offers plenty of lodging options for all budgets. From small hostels, surf camps to varied all-inclusive resorts. Jaco is a good surf spot all year round.
Nearby Jaco it’s located another popular surf spot named Hermosa Beach. This beach is located just 10 minutes away driving from Jaco but its currents are stronger. This means that Hermosa Beach is not recommended for swimming or first-timers surfers.
Some international surf championships take place in Jaco and Hermosa. In fact, the Quicksilver Surf Championship is held in Hermosa Beach every year in August.
Best time to visit Hermosa Beach: From April to November.
Dominical Beach| Dominical Beach Surf Report | Pavones Beach | Pavones Beach Surf Report
Nearest international airport: Juan Santamaria Airport – Alajuela (Airport code: SJO)
Distance from Juan Santamaria International Airport approximately: 193.52 km | 120.24 mi
Drive to Dominical Beach by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Dominical is undoubtedly a must for surfers visiting Costa Rica as it has one of the most strong and fast waves in the country. Besides, as it’s located not that far away, and has grown in the past years as a touristic destination, the town has a lot to offer for those looking to experience the surf culture of the country.
Dominical beach is a good spot for surfers of all skill levels and nearby this Costa Rica beach is located the Marino Ballena National Park, which is the best spot for whale watching expeditions.
Distance from Juan Santamaria International Airport approximately: 367.72 km | 228.49 mi
Drive to Pavones Beach by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Pavones is a secluded beach located more than seven hours away from Juan Santamaria International airport in the South Pacific of Puntarenas province. This location ensures privacy clear waters and beautiful sceneries, but also it makes unpredictable the surfing conditions. Some say that in a good day, Pavones is the best beach for surf in Costa Rica.
Pavones is one of the longest lefts in the world. Watch this video:
Best time to visit Pavones Beach: From April to November.
Puerto Viejo Beach | Puerto Viejo Beach / Salsa Brava Surf Report
Nearest international airport: Juan Santamaría Airport – Alajuela (Airport code: SJO)
Distance from Juan Santamaria International Airport approximately: 232.4 km | 144.41 mi
Drive to Puerto Viejo Beach by clicking here (Download Waze App: Apple iOS | Android)
Puerto Viejo is located in the Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This means that everything is different here because in this part of the country, Costa Ricans live at their own tempo. Everything goes around beach and surf. You can take a 30 minutes internal flight from Juan Santamaria International airport to Limón and choosing this option you will enjoy great views from above of the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
Puerto Viejo is a prime spot for surfers and if you are looking to catch the perfect wave in your next holidays, surely you have to visit this place. Here, the legendary surf break knows as Salsa Brava – or Angry Sauce – is waiting for the experts. Salsa Brava is a multi-peak wave with a punchy left and a typically longer right, and it’s considered the heaviest wave of the country.
Also, many competitions are held in Puerto Viejo thanks to the good conditions the place offers.
Surfing Forecast | Surf Camps | Surf Lessons | Finding Surf Shops in Costa Rica | How Can I Combine Surf and Yoga in Costa Rica? | Renting a Car | Traveling with Surfboards in a Car | Flying with a Surfboard | Traveling with a Surfboard in Costa Rica’s Internal Flights | Surf Packages | Best Surfing Spots Map
Below you can check the weather, the swell size and the tides of the most popular surfing spots in Costa Rica:
There are plenty of lodging options in Costa Rica for people looking a surfing adventure. From cheap hostels to all-inclusive resorts, it all depends on the budget. But there is an option perfect for those who want to experience the whole surfing culture of the country: the surf camps. Surf camps are located in the most popular Costa Rica surfing spots like Tamarindo and Jaco offer specific services such as equipment rental or surf lessons.
To find the best option for you, your family vacations or your friends, it’s important to take into account some matters such as your skill level, the waves quality and which are your expectations. It is better to know what you want, in order to consider, for example, the distance from the beach, the facilities of the surf camp and the privacy you want.
Most of the surf camps in the country combine services and also offer Spanish lessons or yoga classes. This is also helpful if you are traveling with non-surfers that need something to do while you are on the beach.
Costa Rica is world-known for its top beaches, and even if you have never touched a surfboard before, there is a possibility for you to practice surf in one of the beautiful and pristine beaches of the country.
You can book a surf lesson for you or any member of your family in almost all beaches. The cost of this lesson will depend on if it’s a regular or private lesson and the duration of the class. Also, the price will vary if you want a beginner lesson or a specific class to improve your surfing skills.
To experience a surf lesson, you don’t need to stay in a surf camp; some beach hotels or tour operators offer surf lessons for beginners and advanced surfers and they have all the equipment needed. You can book Tamarindo surf lessons or Jaco surf lessons even for children, so this can be a good option to include in a family vacation package.
If you are already a surf pro, you don’t need to book a surf lesson. You will bring your own surfboard and spend all day long at the beach. However, sometimes it can be a little bit difficult to travel with a surfboard depending where are you coming from; or sometimes you will need to buy extra equipment here to complement yours.
As Costa Rica is a surfing paradise, there are plenty of surf shops across the country. Even in the city you can find big surf shops in case you want to buy clothing or equipment before going to the beach.
Also, you can find surf shops in the popular surf towns of the country. In Tamarindo, Jaco, Puerto Viejo and Santa Teresa for example, you will find surf shops where you can also rent surfboards. This is very useful if you don’t want to bring your own board from home and you want to rent good equipment for several days.
To rent equipment in most of these places you just have to leave a credit card guarantee deposit that will vary depending on the board and the shop and present an ID to just enjoy your Costa Rica tours of surfing.
Arenas Skate & Surf in Tamarindo, Neptuno Surf Shop also in Tamarindo Swells Surf Shop in Puerto Viejo and Mango Surf & Skate Shop in San José are some of the most popular ones. Of course, Travel Excellence can organize a visit to these or any other surf shop in the country in case you need a shopping tour during your surf vacations.
We know that yoga and surf are a perfect combination, and Costa Rica tourism is a perfect option to practice both. Most of the boutique hotels located in surf towns also have yoga decks and offer daily complementary yoga classes for their guests. If you are interested in both disciplines, there are a lot of lodging options for you.
There are also surf and yoga retreats that combine the relaxing benefits of the yoga with the thrilling fun of surfing. In fact, Travel Excellence has created varied Costa Rica vacation packages combining yoga, surf, the best hotels and of course, the most attractive prices.
Some specific lodging options that combine yoga and surf experiences in the country are small boutique hotels such as L’Aqua Viva Resort and Spa in Nosara, Harmony Hotel also in Nosara, Flor Blanca in Santa Teresa and Pranamar Villas & Yoga retreat also in Santa Teresa.
There are plenty of options to travel through this paradise: private transportation, shuttle buses, local buses, taxis, internal flights…there is something for everyone! But if you are visiting this country looking for a surf adventure, we think the best way to do it is renting a car because this way you will control your time and won’t have to be worried about a schedule.
If it sounds good to you, here are some important regulations and recommendations to take into account before renting a car in Costa Rica.
First off, it’s important to choose wisely the car you want to rent. The type and category will depend on your budget, of course, but most important on the places you are going to visit and the number of people traveling with you.
Most of the best places to visit for vacation and for surfing, especially in Guanacaste, are located in towns where roads are not the best ones. Therefore, it’s important to know well your itinerary and the beaches located near your hotel, this way you can know if you need a specific type of car.
Besides, if you are traveling alone, with your loved one or with a group of friends, this will affect the type of car you are going to need. It’s important to take into account the number of bags too, because the idea is to travel safe and comfortable.
To rent a car in Costa Rica, the following conditions must be met:
If needed, surfboard racks can be requested to the car rental company. With racks placed on the roof of the car, you can secure the surfboards better using rack pads and straps (take into account that these are not offered by the rental car company, so don’t forget to bring yours or you will have to buy ones in a Costa Rica surf shop).
It’s always a good idea to keep your surfboard in a boardbag too, to protect it against rocks or branches from the road.
See below an animated picture that shows the best way to secure the surfboard to the racks with tie down straps:
If you want to take your own surfboard with you during your surf trip, it’s very important to take precautions when packing it to ensure your board meets baggage specifications and take into account that you will have to pay a special fee to the airline. Airlines have service fees for surfboards because they require special handling.
Since we cannot tell you how much you will pay because this depends on the airline, we are going to help you with some packing tips for taking your surfboard long distance:
If you are planning a Costa Rica surf trip and you are taking your surfboard with you, it’s important to know about the regulations of Costa Rica’s domestic airlines in case you take a local flight during your travel:
Travel Excellence has prepared some surf vacation packages including the best surf spots of the country. Of course, we can also help you with a personalized itinerary for your next surf adventure. Just contact us if you need more information or further assistance.
We are active members of the most important tourist associations, both national and international.
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