Finding the best time and ideal place for an ultimate surf adventure in Costa Rica is easy to do. All you need is a brief outline of the different surf sports, a good idea of how to get there and when conditions are peak. Costa Rica´s climatic and geographical variations can be divided into four different surf regions: the Atlantic or Caribbean, the North pacific, the Central Pacific, and the South Pacific.

The Caribbean coastline has a defined surf season from January to March and July to October. Strong storms in the Caribbean often send short but extremely powerful swells crashing onto world class breaks. The North Pacific generally has good quality surf year round. The consistent northesterly "Papagayo" winds during December through March and the Northern Hemisphere storms create ideal waves. The Central Pacific is an exposed stretch of coast line regarded by many surfers as one of the most consistent areas. Quick and easy access from the Juan Santamaría International Airport, and a wide variety or restaurants, accommodations and entertainment for surfers make it an ideal place to start off a "Tico Surf Adventure"

The South Pacific has a wide range of waves to choose from. Some of the best known spots like the point break at Pavones require a south swell, characteristic of the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere (July-November) Costa Rica´s diversity and tremendous variety of surf spots make it possible to surf excellent waves all year long.

The short travel distances and different regions provide traveling surfers with the possibility not only to experience magic and adventure while visiting interesting and unique parts of the coutry, but to score a variety of world class point breaks, reefs and beach breaks. Best of all, you can surf in warm water all year round.

Costa Rica experiences semi-diurnal tidal differences. Extreme tidal variations on the Pacific coastline often affect certain breaks. But, the long irregular coastline always guarantees quality waves for hard core surfers willing to explore. Stop in at any local surf shop or befriend a local to learn about the best conditions for the different breaks.

Take a look at all the surf points in Costa Rica
(Descriptions below)

THE CARIBBEAN

1. Manzanillo:

Located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve, 20 km south of Puerto Viejo, the northern end of this beach sports a fast break. On contrary, the southern end has virtually no surf because it is heavily protected by a large coral reef. Although surf is not a heavily practiced sport at this beach, diving , sea kayaking trekking the reserve and observing the nesting of turtles in the nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo Lagoon are among other options. Although the road in is unpaved, a 4WD is not required. Lodging is rustic and the several restaurants around can dish up some excellent typical Caribbean cuisine for starving visitors.

2. Puerto Viejo:

An area with plenty of surf, but most well known for the biggest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, "Salsa Brava" or "Mean Salsa" This thick, voluminous, Hawaiian -style wave builds in deep water and breaks on a shalow reef. The right will usually be steep and tubular and its left will also provide a short, but sweet ride. Puerto Viejo is approximately a 3 ½ hour drive from San José. Plenty of restaurants and hotel accommodations are available in the area.

3. Black Beach, Cahuita:

An excellent beach break, not well known and therefore not heavily visited. Nevertheless, there are waves all year round. To reach Black Beach, take the road to Puerto Viejo. Take a left about 2 km before the Cahuita National Park entrance. After approximately a 10 minute drive from there, you will find the point - a well kept secret with a few U. S. surfers living in the area. The area hosts a variety of food and lodging accommodations.

4. Westfalia:

A stretch of beach breaks extending south from Limon to Cahuita, offering lefts and rights that tend to close out when the swell gets too big. Food and lodging accommodations are recommended in Limon or Cahuita.

5. Bonita Beach:

A point / reef break known for its very thick, powerful and dangerous left. Access is a short and easy drive up the coast from Limon.

6. Uvita Island:

An island off the coast of Limon where a perfect but dangerous left breaks on a reef. Isla Uvita is about a 20 minutes boat ride from Limón with passage available only at certain times of the year.

7. Portete:

A small bay located north of playa Bonita. With a right working off the southerly point. Since it is close to limon, you will find easy access.

8. The North Caribbean Coast:

This endless stretch of beach breaks is located along the coast of the Tortuguero National Park where some of Costa Rica´s largest rivers meet the Caribbean Sea. Extreme conditions and the presence of sharks at these river mouths can deter any hardcore surfer. Most tourists visit the area to sportfish at these river mouths or boat through the Tortuguero canals and assess its rich biodiversity. July of November visitors come to witness the nesting of the Green Turtlles. Overnight lodging is available. The most practical ways to get there are to fly or rent a boat from about 2 km north of Playa Bonita or from a small port 7 km north of Limon.

NORTH PACIFIC COAST

9. Potrero Grande:

A very remote right point break with very fast and hollow waves. Located about 270 kms north of San Jose with no road access. You can rent a boat out of Playas del Coco or Playa Ocotal . There are no facilities there, but camping is a possibility.

10. Naranjo Beach (Witch´s Rock): One of the best beach breaks in the country, with very strong offshore winds from December to March. This remote spot is located in the Santa Rosa National Park, about 38 km. North of Liberia. A good 4WD is a must. For long stays, camp grounds are set up but no facilities are available. It is also possible to boat over from El Coco or Ocotal. Don´t forget your mosquito net!

11. Grande Beach:

Beach break located about 20 minutes north of Tamarindo. It is a recent addition to the National Park System as an effort to protect the area as a nesting ground for Leatherback Turtles. It is accessible by road, or an easy 45 minute walk across the Tamarindo Estuary and down the beach. A couple of accommodations and restaurants are available.

12. Tamarindo Beach:

A good, central location for North Pacific surfing. Plenty of hotel and restaurant accommodations are available and easily accessible, along with local surf shops and ding repair facilities. Surf spots consist of: Pico Pequeño, a rocky point; El Estero, an excellent river mouth break and Henry´s point, antother rocky point break.

13. Langosta:

A right and left point break that curls off the mouth of a small river, located 1 km south of Tamarindo. Easily accessible.

14. Avellanas:

Surfers have the choice of a good beach break, an estuary break and the well known reef break, "Little Hawaii". Located 10 km south of Tamarindo and now easily accessible by a graded dirt road. Some accommodations and restaurants are available.

15. Negra Beach:

One of the North Pacific´s best right reef point breaks. Located 350 kms from San Jose and accessible all year round although a 4WD during the wet season is recommended. It is only 5 km south of Playa Avellanas but normally accessible by 4WD only. Several food and lodging accommodations are available in the area.

16. Nosara:

A beach break with lefts and rights. The 350 Km drive from San Jose across the Nicoya Peninsula takes about 5 hours. Food and Lodging accommodations exist in the area.

17-18-19 Coyote Beach, Mal País and Cabuya:

Good beach breaks and reefs in a remote area on the Nicoya Peninsula where a 4WD is a must due to the rivers and heavy mud. Roads are more reliable and accommodations improve as one travels from Coyote south to Mal País.

CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST

20. Boca Barranca:

A river mouth with a very long left, located 100 kms from San Jose and easily accessible just off the main coastal route. Accommodations abound as Boca attracts hundreds of surfers from around the globe.

21. Caldera Port:

this excellent left is located 3 km south of Boca Barranca and breaks off of a jetty/rivermouth near the port. Best on a big swell.

22. Tivives Beach and Valor:

Featuring a variety of waves from beach breaks (Tivives) to a rocky point (Valor). Good quality rights and lefts located 10 km south of Boca Barranca just off the paved coastal route before the exit to Jaco down the coast.

23. Escondida Beach:

A horseshoe reef break with a left and right. On good swells the spot can get rather crowded with locals dominating the peak.

24. Jaco Beach: One of Costarica´s most visited surf towns located approximately two hours from San Jose (140 km). It hosts a wide range of tourist attractions, surf shops, ding repair facilities, hotels, cabins, campgrounds and restaurants. Jaco Beach itself is a fun beach break, and home to some of Costa Rica´s best surfers. It tends to close out on larger swells but its central location and wide range of amenities make it a good base for surf adventures. 25. Roca Loca: This "Crazy Rock" is located at the southern tip of Playa Jaco, just off the cliff from the coastal highway. This tricky wave breaks right over submerged, shallow rocks and is best during large swells. 26. Hermosa Beach: The most consistent beach break in the area (10 minutes south of Jaco) where deep waters off the coast and exposure to different swells have built up a variety of sand bars. The preferred sand bar to surf is located in front of a large tree known as the "almendro". Explore up and down the beach for a perfect Aframe peak of your own. Accommodations are available nearby.

27 28 29 30 West Esterillos, East Esterillos, Bejuco, Boca Damas:

An area with good potential for those willing to go a little out of their way for surf. Plenty of beach breaks with conditions similar to those of Playa Hermosa. Access is easy and some accommodations exist.

SOUTH PACIFIC COAST

31. Quepos:

A small left located at the mouth of the estuary just outside of town, and several good beach breaks in the area. Quepos is about 45 minutes south of Jaco. With Manuel Antonio National Park and white beaches just over the hill, tourist accommodations and restaurants abound.

32. Espadilla Beach:

Located at the end of the road into Manuel Antonio and just before the entrance to the National Park, this beach break can be loads of fun when large swells make it into the bay. Most surfers prefer the hefty right at the northern end of the beach. Abundant accommodations, restaurants, bars, entertainment, surf shops and ding repairs are easily accessible.

33. El Rey Beach:

Beach break sporting manu peaks. After driving 25 minutes south of Quepos on the unpaved road to Playa dominical, turn right at Roncador. Accommodations and restaurants are recommended in Quepos or Manuel Antonio.

34. Dominical Beach:

Another powerful and consistent beach break much like Playa Hermosa with a more exuberant, tropical landscape. Other semisecret reef breaks and river mouths lie in the area. Accessible by dirt road traveling south of Quepos or a 4-5 hour drive on the PanAmerican Highway over the mountains from San Jose. Several pleasant accommodations and restaurants are available.

35. Drake Bay:

Accessible only by boat and quickest from the town of Sierpe, this remote area offers several areas of long, powerful waves during a big swell. The right at Rio Claro is about a 30-45 minute walk along the coast and through the jungle from Drake Bay. True adventurers can explore the coastline of the pristine and distant. Corcovado National Park, approximately 1 ½ hours by boat. Several hotels, cabins, campgrounds and restaurants exist at Drake Bay, but camping is required in other areas.

36. Pavones:

Considered one of the longest lefts in the world, this point is located 400 km south of San Jose (8 hours by car). For those unwilling to drive, local airlines can fly you to Golfito, where you may catch a bus or taxi to Pavones. Good accommodations exist on the point and surrounding area but camping is a possibility if you are not afraid of heavy rains during peak swell months.

37. Matapalo:

This excellent right point is located across the Golfo Dulce from Pavones and can often be seen breaking from there during large swells. Surfers can drive there via the Pan- American Highway. 4WD is recommended. It is also possible to rent a boat out of Pavones or Golfito. Local airlines can fly you down to Puerto Jimenez where you can catch a taxi to the point. Several remotely located accommodations exist, but camping is a must if you want to wake and see the break from your bed.