“Iguana” Surf in Costa Rica

It is inevitable to contemplate Costa Rica without thinking about the beautiful beaches that might be found here. This easy-going country with extraordinary nature have two coasts: The Pacific Ocean and The Caribbean sea and what’s best, you can surf in both of them. 

Now, if surfing is something you want to experiment with during your trip to Costa Rica, we can recommend some places according to the area you might be visiting. While being on the beach, more often than usual, you will see someone teaching how to surf for affordable rates.

Places to surf in the Caribbean Coast

Our beloved Caribbean side has so much to offer. You simply cannot come to Costa Rica and don’t go to Limón and eat some of the local traditional food such as Rondón, Rice and Beans and Patty. If surf is your highest interest, here’s a list of places where you can go:

• Playa Negra, Cahuita. This beach is for amateurs or intermediate surfers. Waves aren’t that high. Even in high season, it is peaceful and there are not so many people around.

• Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo. This one is also for amateurs or intermediate surfers. We recommend surfing during early morning hours because this beach is highly visited.

• Salsa Brava, Puerto Viejo.  From November to January and from April to August, you might find great waves to surf in this shallow but very sharp reef. Puerto Viejo offers an amazing night life 

• Playa Manzanillo, Limón. If you go to this beach with white sand and high palms, you might find all wave ranges from beginner to advanced. Also, you can hike through the Natural Reserve Gandoca-Manzanillo.

Places to surf in the Central and Southern Pacific

Closer to the Great Metropolitan Area, we have some other beaches to surf in here, the following places are great to make connections and networking, forget the hotel room and adventure yourself to meet ticos. 

• Playa Dominical. Ok, now as a surfer that’s coming to Costa Rica you must know that Dominical is a town made for the surfing culture. It is for advanced surfers only so you won’t find a lot of people there when you go. 

• Playa Jaco and Playa Hermosa, Jaco. Both are close to each other. While in Jacó you can find wild nightlife, in Playa Hermosa you can have family-friendly spaces. Both beaches have big waves. Due to the short distance from San José to Jacó,  they are very populated most of the time. 

Places to surf in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

There’s no denying, Guanacaste is one of the most famous places in the world to surf. You will find towns with 3-5 beaches to go in walking distances. Guanacaste’s food is delicious and you will find humble and chill people all around. Let’s take a look at the recommendations for beaches to surf in this area:

• Tamarindo: This is one of those towns we mentioned before. To surf, we can recommend Playa Tamarindo, Playa Avellana, Playa Naranjo and Playa Grande. Recommended for advanced surfers, these places have awesome tidal waves that you just don’t want to miss. 
• Nosara: Is a hipster-surfer town and there’s no other way to describe this lovely place. It received the Bandera Azul title (Blue Flag), which means that it is an ecological and clean community. Waves are perfect for advanced surfers but also is a good place to pay for some surf classes. 

• Malpais and Santa Teresa: Get on a ferry, travel in a bad-shape highway and you will eventually reach two of the best places to surf in the country. Santa Teresa has the highest and fastest waves. They are somehow great for begginers.

In Costa Rica, we love tourists and will greet you with a big smile. We just have one condition and that is that you leave behind your stress at the airport to enjoy your visit at its fullest.