Are you a surfing enthusiast? So you are planning your next surfing trip and you want to find awesome destinations to be able to jump into the sea and enjoy the waves? In this article we bring to you the top 7 best surf spots in Costa Rica, their pros and cons.
Read on because we are going to give you the push you need in the right direction.
Whether you are a professional or even if you are taking your first steps in surfing, we give you this tourist and practical information, so that you can enjoy your surfing moments to the fullest.
Surfing in Costa Rica is an experience you will never regreat.
This is the top 7 list of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica and everything you need to know if you are a surfer.
1 – Naranjo beach- top 7 surf spots in Costa Rica
Naranjo Beach is located in the Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste. The beach is a protected area, so no type of construction is allowed on it.
This means that there you can enjoy the maximum tranquility, like nowhere else.
It is important not to confuse Naranjo Beach with a small town in Costa Rica that bears the same name.
On Naranjo beach you will find «Roca Bruja», one of the most famous surf spots in Costa Rica.
The waves that you can find in Playa Naranjo are only compared with the waves of the most famous surf spots in the world.
The Witch’s Rock or Roca Bruja
The Witch’s Rock is one of the most emblematic surf destinations in Costa Rica, and it is located on Naranjo beach.
To get to the Witch’s Rock , it takes about 45 minutes by boat from Cocoa beach.
A recommended time to go is in February, in the middle of the dry season in Costa Rica.
At this time you can particularly appreciate blue sky days, very often with no clouds.
On the way from Cocoa beach, there are many possibilities to see wildlife. Many times it is possible to see humpback whales with their young near the Witch’s Rock.
In the surroundings of the Witch’s Rock it is also possible to see a large number of stingrays, dolphins, huge schools of fish, and turtles.
One of the reasons why Witch’s Rock is such a legendary area in Costa Rica is because it is located in the prestigious Santa Rosa National Park that protects more than 800 km² of land and water.
Why is it called Witch’s Rock?
It is called Witch’s Rock because long ago this rock formation had a piece of stone which, with the whip of the winds, generated a dark his that could be heard miles away from the place.
For that reason, the locals began to call it, Witch’s Rock.
Who can surf in Naranjo beach?
Playa Naranjo is recommended, according to the type of waves it shows, for advanced and intermediate surfers.
When is the best time to visit Witch Rock?
The best recommended time to go is in February, the middle of the dry season in Costa Rica.
At this time you can particularly see days with blue skies, very often without clouds.
On the way from Cocoa beach, there are many opportunities to appreciate marine life at its finest. Many times it is possible to see humpback whales with their calves near the Bruja rock.
In the surroundings of the Bruja rock it is also possible to see a large number of manta rays, dolphins, enormous schools of fish,
A well-known area close to the beach that is also located in the prestigious Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica is Witches Rock, it has more than 800 square kilometers of protected land and water to visit.
For all this and much more, Playa Naranjo is part of our list of the 7 best surf beaches in Costa Rica.
For information on the forecast of waves in Playa Naranjo you can click on this link
Technical Information for Surfers
| Location | Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste- Costa Rica |
| Coordinates | 10.793383, -85.676521 |
| Level | Intermediate / Advanced |
| Spot type | Beach Break |
| Bottom | sand |
| Waves direction | W |
| Wins direction | NE |
| Tide | High-average |
2- Playa Grande beach- top 7 surf spots in Costa Rica
Playa Grande has the best waves in the world. It is famous for the quality of its waves, and especially recommended for surfers who are just learning to surf.
Basically it is one of the best destinations in the world for surfers, because of the weather, the wind conditions, and everything that makes for good surfing.
The waves are good for all levels of surfers.
Who can surf in Playa Grande?
Playa Grande is recommended for beginner and intermediate surfers.
To read more about surfing lessons please click here: Surf Classes in Costa Rica
Technical Information for Surfers
| Location | Tamarindo, Guanacaste. |
| Coordinates | 10.323635, -85.841880 |
| Level | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Spot type | Beach Break |
| Bottom | Sand |
| Waves direction | SW / NW |
| Wins direction | NE |
| Tide | High – Average |
| Months | March-November |
3. Avellana and Tamarindo Beach – top 7 surf spots in Costa Rica
Tamarindo Beach
It is not by chance one of the busiest beaches in the North of Costa Rica.
Tamarindo beach is the perfect place to start surfing, because it offers magnificent waves throughout the year.
It is the perfect place for surfers of all levels. Excellent waves but without being too demanding for new surfers.
The Tamarindo beach is quite long and with numerous spots for surfing. Both local and foreign surfers go there.
It is a place full of life, and with a lot of activity both day and night. Tamarindo is easily accessible, since it is located one hour from the airport.
It is probably the most famous surf spot on the Pacific coast.
To read more about surfing lessons for begginers/intermediate/or advanced,clik here
Technical Information for Surfers
| Location | Tamarindo, Guanacaste. |
| Coordinates | 10.304308, -85.839798 |
| Level | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Spot type | Beach Break |
| Bottom | sand |
| Waves direction | SW / NW |
| Wins direction | E |
| Tide | Average – High |
| Months | March – November |
Avellanas beach
In contrast to Tamarindo beach, at Avellanas beach the waves are more powerful.
Due to its bigger waves, it is a surf spot for more experienced surfers.
Playa Avellanas has waves that can only be compared to the best in the world.
It is one of the surf spots preferred by the locals.
There you can go horseback riding, or just relax and enjoy the sand. Because the waves are more powerful on this beach, it is more quite than the others in Guanacaste, although it also has an important nightlife.
Technical Information for Surfers
| Location | Tamarindo, Guanacaste. |
| Coordinates | 10.227528, -85.837565 |
| Level | Beginner/ Intermediate / Advanced |
| Spot type | Reef break |
| Bottom | Reef and sand |
| Waves direction | W |
| Wins direction | E |
| Moths | May-November |
| Tide | Average-High |
4. “Playa Dominical, one of the greatest surf spots in Costa Rica”
Another beach that cannot be missing from our list of the top 7 best surf spots in Costa Rica is Playa Dominical.
Where is Dominical located?
Dominical is a small surf town located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Dominical is three hours far from the international airport, which makes it highly accessible not only to locals, but also to foreigners.
It is surrounded by pure nature and the atmosphere there is very relaxed, which is to the liking of most surfers who visit it.
Dominical beach is around 2 kilometers long and is characterized by its strong waves.
In Dominical beach there are very good surf schools.
Some of the activities that you can do apart from surfing, in Dominical beach, are canopy, kayaking, rafting, rapelling, among others.
What other beaches are near Dominical beach?
There are several other very good surfing beaches that can be enjoyed in the Dominical area.
Among them are Playa Dominicalito, Playa Piñuelas and Playa Ventanas, which are located on a bay.
Dominicalito beach is a highly conducive place to learn to surf, due to the type of waves that can be found there.
Apart from being conducive to surfing, these beaches are also good for swimming.
In the Dominical beach area there are also Playa Hermosa, Playa Linda and Playa Matapalo.
One of the things that attracts the most about Dominical beach, apart from its spectacular waves for surfing, is that it is not as crowded as surf beaches in the United States usually are.
5. Manzanillo beach- top 7 surf spots in Costa Rica
Playa Manzanillo is among the best beaches in the world, definitely among the best 7 surf beaches in Costa Rica.
Located in the province of Puntarenas, it is located in the Caribbean part of Costa Rica.
There they listen to regage music and locals speak with a particular Caribbean accent to English. A large part of its population is Afro-Caribbean.
Stress is a word that does not appear in the Playa Manzanilla dictionary. Playa Manzanillo is adorned by a coy white sand and sumptuous palm trees.
See Manzanillo beach at google map
Technical Information for Surfers-Manzanillo beach
| Location | Manzanillo, Puntarenas. |
| Coordinates | 9.690249, -85.203041 |
| Level | Principiante / Intermedio / Avanzado |
| Spot type | Beach Break |
| Bottom | arena y arrecife |
| Waves direction | S / NW |
| Wins direction | NE |
| Tide | All tides |
| Months | May-September |
6. Guiones beach- top 7 surf spots in Costa Rica
Guiones Beach belongs to the Province of Guanacaste. It is located along the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Guiones, with seven kilometers of beach, waves more than suitable for surfing, is a highly recommended surf destination in Costa Rica.
For its perfectly manicured virgin beaches and its beautiful sand, Guiones beach has received the award of the Blue flag.
Because it is not a very well known place, Guiones beach is the perfect place to go to relax and practice surfing.
7.Playa Negra beach
Black Beach is a surfer’s paradise for its world-class waves and its breaks.
The beach is an excellent surf spot for professionals, and it also has areas for new surfers to launch into adventure.
During high tide, Black Beach is a very popular place for professional surfers.
During low tide, it is recommended not to surf in these waters, even for professional surfers.
Conclusion
Costa Rica is a true paradise for surf lovers, offering a variety of beaches that cater to different skill levels and surfing styles. From the powerful and challenging waves of Playa Naranjo to the calm and accessible breaks of Playa Grande, each destination on our list has its own unique charm and appeal.
Whether you’re looking for a place to hone your skills or simply enjoy the natural beauty while surfing, Costa Rica has something for everyone. Beaches like Tamarindo and Avellanas combine the thrill of big waves with vibrant local life, while quieter beaches like Playa Manzanillo and Playa Guiones offer a serene retreat amidst stunning scenery.
So, if you’re planning your next surf trip, consider these Costa Rican beaches as your ideal destination. Each one promises not only exceptional waves, but also a cultural and natural experience that will make your adventure an unforgettable memory. Get ready to ride the waves and immerse yourself in the pure Costa Rican life!
