The Pacific Coast:
Potrero Grande: A fast right point break, with very fast, hollow waves. Located 270 km (167.4 mi.) from
San Jose with no road access. You must go to Playa del Coco or Playa Ocotal and proceed from there by rented boat.
Right point break in Santa Rosa National Park, only accessible by boat from Playas del Coco. No camping.
Playa Naranjo (Witch's rock): One of the best breaks in the country. This one will take some planning, but
it's worth it. The point is located in Santa Rosa National Park and features no features at all, so be prepared
to take care of yourself with a trustworthy 4wd, camping gear, food and mosquito netting.
Playa Grande: Good and reliable beach break; located about 20 minutes north of Tamarindo. Accessible by
road.
Playa Tamarindo: There are two spots here worth trying, Pico Pequeño, a rocky point in front of the
hotel Tamarindo; and Bel Estero, an excellent river mouth break. You'll find a decent beach break here, and it
makes a good base for exploring other surfing spots nearby. Nothing to write home about, but it beats getting a
job.
Langosta: A right and left point break that curls off the mouth of a small river.
Avellanas: Located 1 km (0.62 mi.)south of Tamarindo. There's a very good beach break here, more demanding
than Tamarindo.
Guanacasteco: Features very hollow rights and lefts. Located 10 km (6.2 mi.) south of Tamarindo.
Playa Negra: This is one of the best breaks in the country, a right point break - very fast. Location: 350
km (217 mi.) from San Jose, 5 km (3.1 mi.) south of Playa Avellanas. There's another right point break further
to the south.
Nosara: Several beach breaks; a good selection of accommodations nearby.
Nosara Beach: Breaks left and right. Figure a five hour drive from San Jose (350 clicks), though Nicoya
and from there to Nosara.
Playa Coyote, Manzanillo, and Mal Pais Beach: Breaks, with very consistent lefts and rights and several
points. A 4wd vehicle is recommended, but you will find a number of places to stay in the neighborhood.
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Central Pacific Coast
Boca Barranca: Here are some of the best waves in the country. They rise out of a river mouth located just
south of Puntarenas. You know how it works. River comes out where surf wants in. As happens with most conflicts,
the bystander is the beneficiary, catching endless rides on the long, left hand run. Location: 100 km (62 mi.)
from San Jose. Access is easy from a paved road. Many places to stay. Don't be frightened off by the dark water
you see during the rainy season at Boca Barranca and neighboring beaches. The water's not contaminated.
Tivives: Beach breaks and river-mouth left, south of Puntarenas.
Hermosa: Several very consistent beach breaks south of Jaco.
Puerto Caldera: This is about three clicks south of Boca Barranca. There's a very good left rolling in here.
Playa Tivives and Valor: A variety of waves from beach breaks (Tivives) to a rocky point (valor). Good quality
rights and lefts.
Playa Escondida: Excellent point break. The thing rises to a nice peak, giving you a good left and an okay
right. If you're a member of the Escondida Beach club, you and your guests can drive to the beach and shower in
the club showers. The rest of us arrive by water taxi, de-boating at a cove to the south of the point. You can
rent a boat from Playa Jaco or Playa Herradura.
Playa Jaco: Located about 140 km (86.8 mi.) from San Jose. The good news: you'll find a nice beach break
here; the bad news: the surf's not dependable, and the waves close out when the surf runs over 1.5 m.(5 feet.)
A lot of surfers end up here because it's so close to such places as Playa Hermosa, Playa Escondida, and Boca Barranca
and Puntarenas. Jaco's becoming quite the place to be seen. Lots of fun, food and frolic for tourists at the hotels,
cabins and campgrounds.
Roca Loca: Located 1.5 km (0.93 mi.) south of playa Jaco. A rocky point with rights that break over submerged
rocks. Accessible on foot. Just clamber over the small hill and there you are.
Playa Hermosa and others: Very strong beach break, at it's best on a rising tide. The hottest spot is a
sand bar identified by a famous tree, called the Almendro.
Esterillos Este, Esterillos Oeste, Bejuco, Boca Damas: These are the beaches north and south of Playa Hermosa.
Conditions are similar to Hermosa, meaning you'll find some very pretty waves along here. These places are an easy
liver's heaven; easy to access to the beaches, easy eating at a wide choice of restaurants; easy sleeping in a
hotel instead of the back of your woody with the dog.
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Quepos: This is a left break at the mouth of a river near the town of Quepos. Eat and sleep in town; walk
to the beach.
Playita - Manuel Antonio: Beach break, left or right. Lots of hotels and eateries.
Playa El Rey: 25 minutes from Quepos. Beach break, right or left. peaks. Drive toward Playa Dominical, take
a right a Roncador for another 11 km to the beach.
Playa Dominical: Beautiful tropical setting with good accommodations, plus good surfing on some right and
left beach breaks.
Drake's Bay: Hour to an hour and a half by boat to a beautiful tropical setting. If the swells are up, you'll
get long, long rides on powerful waves. Boca del Rio Sierpe: more of the same. Adjacent to Corcovado
National Park.
Pavones: One of the best and longest breaks in the world. Believe it. Excellent surfing on beautifully shaped,
very fast waves. It's an eight hour drive from San Jose, and offers nothing in the way of accommodations, but worth
it.
Matapalo: Excellent surfing, excellent waves. You can drive here from Pavones or Golfito. Perfect waves.
Punta Burica: For you Middle-of-Nowhere surfing fans. These are reef breaks in uncharted water, accessible
only by boat. No accommodations.
There's plenty more out there. Go look for it.
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