Surf Spots

Explore the top Surf Breaks of Puntarenas Costa Rica. Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen,Mal Pais, Bocca Barranca, Little Figi, Escondida, Jaco, Roca Loca, Suck Rock, Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, and more.

  • Surfing Map of Puntarenas Costa Rica

    JavaScript has to be enabled to see the map.
    • Mal Pais

      mal pais santa teresa playa carmen surfing costa rica

      • Santa Teresa – Located 1km north of Playa Carmen, black lava rocks create strong barreling rights and lefts.    Mid to high tides ideal. For size, look for single to double overhead waves.
      • Playa Carmen – Located at the center of Mal Pais.  Mostly sand floor, but a few oddly placed rocks can catch you at low tide.  Best size is overhead to 1.5X overhead.  Best at between mid and high tide coming in.  Crowds tend to gather at the front of the wave, but inside sections are worth trying if you need a little more space.
      • Mal Pais Sur – 2 lefts on the south end of the Mal Pais Beach that at midtide with overhead breaks can throw out nice 200m rides.  Drive slowly down the road and look for the break.  You will need to park and walk.
    • Bocca Barranca

      Boca Barranca crazy loco surf pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      One of the longest lefts in the world, and as such can be crowded with day-trippers from Jaco and locals.  That said, the drift can separate 25 people out so crowding is not an issue.  Waves break all the way to the pier, so expect to do some walking.  Needs a good double overhead off the gulf to work well.  There are showers and security guard on the premises until sundown.

    • Guacalillo

      Guacalillo Costa Rica Surfing Insand Air

      Nice left best surfed at lower tides with breaks over 150 meters.  Secluded spot, but water can be polluted.  Dirt road can be dangerous so don’t linger too long after sunset.

    • Escondida

      Escondida crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Playa Escondida – Two good breaks-a short right that barrels nicely and a longer left.  Only access is through Los Suenos Resort or by boat, but can still be crowded.  Best break is midtide, single to double overhead.
      • Little Figi – Aternative to Playa Escondida, Little Figi is just to the north, and provides a nice 100m left.  Best at low to mid-tide, but dead low can be sketchy due to rocks.  Sweet barrel at the take-off.
    • Jaco

      Jaco crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Playa Jaco - With numerous surf schools and long slow low tide breaks, this is a great place and time for beginners to learn.  Peak surfing occurs between mid to high tide.  After high tide everything starts to close out.  Weekends and holidays extremely crowded at peaks points along the beach.
      • Roca Loca - The Crazy Rock is a long right located at the south end of the Jaco bay to the north of Hermosa.  This right can hold up to triple overhead.  Theft is an issue here so leave nothing in your car of value or catch a cab to the drop off spot and arrange transport (or catch a ride) for the way back.  Best at midtide and provides a seclusion that Jaco can’t.
    • Playa Hermosa

      Playa Hermosa de Uvita crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Playa Hermosa North – Hermosa is the location of the Leyendos de Costa Rica Annual Surf Competition, and it is not hard to see why.  Can be crowded, but the right swell (usually just before high tide can make it all worth while.
      • Playa Hermosa Terrazas - The huge almond tree marks this break just to the south of the Backyard Hotel.  Best swells are between head high and 2X overhead.  Follow the dirt road to the south if there is too much activity at the first break you find.  Hermosa Beach is filled with great spots.
    • Playa Esterillos

      Esterillos crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Esterillos Oeste (West) - The most popular of the 3 Esterillos breaks due to the rock shelf about 200m offshore marked by a giant mermaid statue that sits above the surf.  At low tide, the waves can break way offshore and is great for longborders.  The inner wave is best at around high tide and can produce nice barrels.
      • Esterillos Central – A mile long beachbreak dividing two rivermouths.  Best at high tides with a southerly overhead swell.  Bigger swells will close out.
      • Esterillos Este – Located on the far east of Esterillos, this break is usually the most secluded of the three Esterillos points.  Works best at high tide.  Located in front of the Xandari Resort, which provides a nice place to relax the muscles after a few hours on the water.
    • Playa Palo Seco
      Playa Palo Seco crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      Extremely secluded beach break and the two nearby estuaries are a feeding area for crocodiles and sharks.  That said, high tide overhead breaks can make it all worth while.

    • Isla Damas

      Playa Bejuco crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      The ‘Isle of Women’ offers a nice 300+ meter right into the Damas rivermouth.  Only access is by boat.  Strong rip tides and surfers have reported numerous shark sitings in the area.

    • Quepos
      Quepos crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      Just south of Quepos at the river mouth you will find a nice left break along the jetty. The break is extremely fast and can hold rides up to 100-200 meters but needs a good size swell to work. Best at around low tide with surf between chest to head high.

    • Manuel Antonio

      manuel antonio crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • M.A. Playitas - 1km walk North from the National Park to reach Playitas just beyond giant rock formation.  Best at high tide with overhead swells.  Can be crowded.
      • M.A. Park Entrance – Just north of the park entrance.  Best around high tide.  Great for beginners as swells don’t get too high and numerous surf schools are available in the area.
      • Playa El Rey – just to the south of M.A. but you’ll have to drive around Quepos on the Dominical road to reach it.  Never crowded.  Look for chest to overhead swells mid-high tide.
    • Playa Matapalo

      Playa Matapalo crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      Average beach break but has the perk of being totally remote.  Best surf is 2 hours prior to high tide to high.  For seekers of seclusion.  Do not confuse with the Matapalo de Osa.

    • Dominical

      Dominical Domincalito crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Dominical - Powerful break great at all tides except dead low.  Most consistent spot in all Costa Rica, but not for the faint of heart.  Current can be strong.
      • Dominicalito – 2km to the south of Dominical.  Rocks make it dangerous at dead low, and is generally best at high.  Good for beginners as alternative to Dominical since surf is usually waist high.
      • Dominicalito Point – 3 kms south of Dominical.  Needs a strong SW swell but in right conditions can hold triple overhead with 300+ meter breaks.  Best at low-mid tides.
    • Playa Hermosa de Uvita

      Playa Hermosa de Uvita crazy loco surfing pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Playa Hermosa de Uvita – Not to be confused with Playa Hermosa near Jaco.  Great for beginner to intermediate level.  Best at higher tides.  Remote tropical location.
      • Punta Achiote – Located at North end of the beach.  One right that breaks for 100+ meters and a left that brings you into a beautiful cove.
    • Playa Ventanas

      Playa Ventanas crazy loco surf pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      Great for beginners when swell is small at all tides.  Above chest high and swell closes out.  Named (windows) because of the two caves at north side of the playa.

    • Matapalo

      Matapalo crazy loco surf pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Cabo Matapalo – Furthest out on Osa Peninsula.  Waves can rise to triple overhead and break for 300 meters.  Best at low to mid tide.  Monkeys and Macaws can be seen all around.
      • Matapalo Backwash – marked by giant rock sticking up.  Best at low to mid tide.  Never crowded.  Best reached by 4WD from Puerto Jimenez or by boat from Pavones.
      • Pan Dulce – (Sweet Bread) Needs big southerly swell, but in good conditions can break right for 300+ meters.  Best 1-2 hours before or after low tide.

      Pavones

      Pavones crazy loco surf pics costa rica surfing insane best in world

      • Playa Pavones - Features one of the longest lefts on the world and can offer over 2 minute rides.  Best time is around high tide.  In good conditions there can be over 100 surfers so give respect and pick your waves.
      • Punto Banco - About 4km south of Pavones.   Point breaks around 200m from shore.  Worth checking out if Pavones gets too busy.  To locate, ask for directions to Tiskita Lodge
      • Punta Burica – Nature and surfing are at their finest at southernmost tip of Costa Rica.  Access by boat or 4WD vehicle

More than 20% of tourists come to Costa Rica to surf, and it is not hard to see why. Jaco boasts some of the most consistent surf breaks in the world, a laid back culture, and a vibrant bar scene and night life. Try Disco La Central, La Hacienda, Beatle Bar, or The Jungle to name a few. Just to the south of Jaco is Playa Hermosa which hosts the annual Quicksilver Surf Championships every August. With waves up to 13 feet and fierce currents, Playa Hermosa is for experienced surfers only. Further to the south, the quiet beachtown of Domincal provides an alternative to Jaco's fast pace for surfers who want to avoid the tourist crowd. Further south, beneath the Osa Peninsula, Playa Pavones features one of the longest surf breaks in the world for those willing to take the 20 minute boat ride.