Costa Rica is one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world thanks to its consistent waves, tropical climate, affordable surf camps, and political stability compared to other Central American countries.

On top of the incredible surf, Costa Rica’s famous Pura Vida lifestyle, a relaxed, joyful, and deep connection to nature, charms every surfer who visits.

To find the best surfing destination for YOU, try our FREE WaveFinder search engine!

Surfing Costa Rica’s Pacific Ocean vs Caribbean coastline

Costa Rica has two very distinct coastlines which offer totally different surfing conditions. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is better through the winter months but offers fairly inconsistent waves, usually with smaller periods and overall messier surfing conditions.

On the Pacific side, swells are generally much cleaner, often with 12+ seconds periods and more enjoyable for the typical everyday surfer. Most popular surf towns in Costa Rica are located on the Pacific Ocean coastline.

Find a Surf Camp in Costa Rica, starting at US$300

Best time to surf Costa Rica

• April to October (Rainy Season): Bigger, more powerful, and more consistent waves. This is the best time for intermediate and advanced surfers.

• November to March (Dry Season): Smaller, clean, and beginner-friendly waves. Although swell consistency drops a little, you’ll still find surfable waves almost every day with plenty of sunshine.

Tip: Costa Rica is one of the most reliable year-round surf destinations in the world.

Best places to surf in Costa Rica

Santa Teresa

Located at the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Santa Teresa is a lovely and relaxed surf town with great beach breaks and surfing potential for surfers of all skill levels.

Read our complete surfing guide to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Many hostels and surf camps are also located in Santa Teresa which make it a great place to go on a surf trip without having to worry about renting equipment of hiring a surfing instructor.

Nosara

Halfway between Santa Teresa and Tamarindo is the great surf town of Nosara, another surfers’ favorite when it comes to places to surf is Costa Rica.

Read our complete surfing guide to Nosara, Costa Rica

Tamarindo

Playa Tamarindo is a popular and well developed surfing destination located at the most westerly end of Costa Rica. Tamarindo is perfect for families, couples or solo travelers looking for a worry-free surf trip as most surf spots are close by and many restaurants bars and accommodation are easily accessible right by the beach.

Read our complete surfing guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Playa Grande and Playa Tamarindo are both separated by the Tamarindo River, creating a different range of surf spots that will suit surfers of all skill levels.

Pavones

The remote surf town of Pavones is arguably the best place to surf in Costa Rica due to the quality of its legendary point break and the raw Costa Rican feeling that was preserved within the town. 

Read our complete surfing guide to Pavones, Costa Rica

Pavones main point break is a perfect left-hand wave that is hands down considered the longest wave in Central America. 

Jaco

Playa Jaco is a central and popular surf town just a short drive away from Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose. Despite the heavier crowd, Jaco is a great place to surf in Costa Rica while keeping a good mix of night life and social life.

Read our complete surfing guide to Jaco, Costa Rica

Dominical

Further down the coast from Jaco is Playa Dominical, a smaller yet great surf town in Costa Rica. Dominical has great surfing potential and awesome swell exposure which provides consistent waves for all surrounding surf spots.

Read our complete surfing guide to Dominical, Costa Rica

Surf Camps in Costa Rica

Find a Surf Camp in Costa Rica, Starting at US$195

7-Day Surf and Yoga Holiday in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
US$510, including:

• 3 surf lessons
• 1 extra activity
• Daily yoga classes
• Experienced surf coaches and instructors
• 6 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast

7-Day All Inclusive Surf and Adventure Holiday in Jaco, Costa Rica
US$3,450, including:

• Daily yoga
• 2 massage treatments and 2 breathing technique sessions
• 5 days of surfing
• 2 off-site Costa Rican excursions
• Videography services, and daily video analysis
• 6 breakfast, 5 lunch, and 5 dinner
• Transfers to/from the airport
• 7 nights accommodation

Budgeting a Surf Trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is no longer super cheap, but it’s still affordable compared to many Western surf destinations. Here’s what to expect in 2025:

Money-saving tip: Eat at local sodas instead of tourist restaurants and consider surf camps that include board rental and accommodation in one package.

Getting Around Costa Rica

• Shuttle Services: Fast and convenient for longer routes like San José to Jaco, Santa Teresa, or Tamarindo. Prices range from $50 – $100 depending on distance.

• Public Buses: Extremely cheap but much slower. Perfect for budget surfers with flexible schedules.

• Car Rentals: A great option if you want to explore multiple surf towns. Expect to pay $40 – $60 per day for a small SUV. Be mindful that many beach roads are unpaved.

• Local Taxis: Available in bigger towns like Jaco and Tamarindo but can get expensive for longer distances.

• 4×4 Required? In rainy season, some beach roads to places like Santa Teresa and Pavones can be tricky. A 4×4 rental is highly recommended if you plan to explore remote surf breaks.

The post Ultimate Surfing Guide to Costa Rica appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

Summary

Pavones is still one of Costa Rica’s most amazing surf town. Being more remote than the typical surfing destinations in the country, Pavones is also arguably Costa Rica’s overall best surf spot. When conditions align, this incredibly long and beautiful left-hand wave is known for being one of the longest waves on Earth. 

Pavones is a small and charming laidback town in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. While some people come here to relax and rejuvenate, most visitors are here to surf its amazing point break.

On a good south-southwest swell, Pavones becomes this unique wave providing rides well over a few hundred meters long. Even when conditions are not perfect and the different peaks don’t connect, Pavones is still a really fun place to surf. There are also a few other spots nearby, accessible by land or by boat, to stay wet even on a less than perfect day.

Pavones will charm you with its simplicity, away from all resorts and big touristic developments. It remains raw and authentic with a few restaurants, homestays and cafes.

When to go

The best time to surf Pavones, Costa Rica is from April to October which is when swells are bigger and more consistent. However, it is totally possible to surf Pavones all year long as Costa Rica receives decent waves throughout the year.

Where to stay in Pavones

Pavones Point is an absolutely gorgeous hotel right next to the wave!

La Ponderosa Beach and Jungle Reserve 

Tiskita Jungle Lodge

Getting there

The best way to get to Pavones is by taking a domestic flight to Golfito, most likely from San Jose, the main international airport in Costa Rica. From there, you can use public transportation or a taxi to Pavones.

Surf spots in Pavones

Pavones

This is the main point break in Pavones. On a good day, you can ride this hefty long wave for more than one mile…

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Rocks
• Best tide : Low
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SSW
• Optimal wind direction : NE

The post Pavones, Costa Rica appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

From river bores to endless point breaks, we’ve rounded up the world’s longest surfable waves that are totally worth the journey.

Pro tip! To find your perfect wave, try our WaveFinder search engine!

Scorpion Bay, Baja California, Mexico

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Right-hand point break

• Ride Length: Up to 1.2 km

• Best Season: June to October

• Best Swell: Southern Hemispheric swells

• Crowd Factor: Low to moderate due to remote location

In the dry heat of Baja California’s desert is hidden one of the world’s longest waves…Scorpion Bay is an amazingly long surfing wave that has 4 to 5 distinct points and takeoff spots. When a decent-size swell lines up properly and hits Baja California’s coastline, this wave becomes one of North America’s longest point break.

Its remote location and lack of infrastructure also prevents it from being overcrowded. Definitely worth the trip…

Read our surfing guide to Baja California Sur, Mexico

Pavones, Costa Rica

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Left-hand point break

• Ride Length: Up to 1 km

• Best Season: April to October

• Best Swell: SW

• Crowd Factor: Moderate

On the southern end of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is located this small town which is home to one of Central America’s best and longest wave…

Being so remotely located, Pavones is somehow sheltered from most of the heavy crowds that can be found further up north. On a good southwesterly, this is point break peels nicely providing waves as long as a few hundred meters.

Read our complete guide to Pavones, Costa Rica

Pororoca

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Tidal bore (river wave)

• Ride Length: Up to 12.5 km

• Best Season: March and September (full moon & equinox)

• Crowd Factor: Very low

• Risk Factor: High (debris, water hazards)

This tidal wave located in the Amazon River is only surfable twice a year when conditions align. When it does, it is a fast, dangerous river wave that can sometimes reach 12ft+ in size. Due to the extreme conditions that come with it, this wave is not suitable for everyone.

With a proper technique, equipment and support team, one can catch a wave and ride it for as long as 10km! The record for the longest ride at the Pororoca is just under 40 minutes for an astonishing 12,5 kilometers total length.

Also read: The World’s 10 Best Right-Hand Waves

The Bono Tidal Bore

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Tidal bore (river wave)

• Ride Length: Up to 10 km

• Best Season: Late September to early November

• Crowd Factor: Extremely low

• Tip: Hire a local boat guide

Similar to the Pororoca, The Bono tidal wave is also a river surfing spot located in the Indonesian Kampar River.

Almost 100 km away from the sea, this wave is also very fickle and only works under some precise tidal conditions. Surfing tour companies even offer their services to help surfers catch the longest wave of their life!

Also read: The 10 Biggest Waves In The World

Superbank, Gold Coast, Australia

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Right-hand sand-bottom point

• Ride Length: Up to 1,5 km

• Best Season: February to April (Cyclone season)

• Best Swell: E to SE

• Crowd Factor: Very high

Coolangatta, at the southern end of Gold Coast, Queensland, is home to one of the world’s longest and most consistent wave. This one definitely is not a hidden gem but still deserves a great spot on our countdown for its remarkable length and quality. On a good cyclone swell, one can surf from Snapper Rocks all the way down to Kirra, an insane 1.5 km ride.

Raglan, New Zealand

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Left-hand point break

• Ride Length: 600m to 1 km

• Best Season: March to October

• Best Swell: SW

• Crowd Factor: Moderate to high

First put on the map by cult surf film “Endless Summer” in 1966, Raglan quickly became New Zealand’s best surf town. It is also home to the country’s longest wave.

Read our complete surfing guide to Raglan, New Zealand

The surf spot that made Raglan famous is Manu Bay, just a short drive out of town. On an epic day, this wave connects all the way from Indicators, the furthest peak, into Whale Bay and finishes in Manu Bay for a filthy leg-burning ride.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Left-hand sandbar

• Ride Length: Up to 2 km

• Best Season: May to October

• Best Swell: Strong SW swells

• Crowd Factor: Low (but competitive)

• Warning: Very fickle and difficult to access

Hands down, the world’s longest barreling wave is right here in Skeleton Bay, Namibia. This wave is very fickle and doesn’t work all that often. However, when it does…dear lord! Many South Africans make the trip up here when big swells show up on the radar. Even then, only a few of those swells are actually gonna line up properly for Skeleton Bay.

Read our complete surf guide to Namibia

Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

Key Info:

• Wave Type: Right-hand point break

• Ride Length: Up to 1 km

• Best Season: May to September

• Best Swell: SW to SSW

• Crowd Factor: High

• Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Not only is Jeffrey’s Bay one of the world’s longest wave, it also probably is one of the five best waves on the planet, period. This point offers everything from long, fast walls, barrel sections and even some ramps to aim for the sky. Definitely not for beginners…

Chicama, Peru

Key Wave Info:

• Wave Type: Left-hand point break

• Ride Length: Up to 4 km

• Best Season: May to September

• Best Swell: SSW

• Crowd Factor: Moderate

• Bonus Tip: Local boats will tow you back to the lineup!

With a filthy length of 4 km, Chicama is known as the world’s longest wave! Located near a small fishing village in the north of Peru, Chicama needs a decent SSW swell to peel nicely down the point. When it does, the wave is so long that boats are up for hire to get you back to the takeoff spot…

Read our complete surf guide to Chicama, Peru

The post The World’s 9 Longest Surfing Waves appeared first on MyWaveFinder.

Here is your ultimate guide to the world’s best left-hand waves.

Whether you are just getting into surfing and looking for a long mellow left wave or if you are an expert seeking that deep barrel ride, this countdown should help you decide what you next perfect surfing destination should be.

10. Mundaka, Spain

To kick off this countdown, here is a sweet left wave located on the north coast of Spain, just under 2 hours away from San Sebastian.

Mundaka is a dreamy point break with a few hollow sections allowing to either go straight down the line or stall in the pit for some cover, if desired. This wave is considered as one of the best surf spots in Europe and works best from low to mid tide. It is also, arguably, the best wave in Spain.

In our countdown, Mundaka is the best left-hand wave in all of Europe!

When to go: The best time to surf Mundaka, Spain is from October to April, during the Spanish winter which brings more swell, less crowds and colder conditions.

9. Pavones, Costa Rica

Pavones is the longest wave in Costa Rica and probably in all of Central America.

Located on the very southern tip of Costa Rica, next to the border with Panama, this wave works perfectly on a dominant southwesterly swell that wraps around the point peeling for ages.

Unlike Tamarindo or Santa Teresa, Pavones is a bit of a pain to get to as it is very remote and underdeveloped. However, the trip will definitely be worth it with the reward of potentially catching the longest wave of your life.

When to go: Costa Rica is good all year round for surfing but the best season is from April to November when swells are more consistent and sizable. It also happens to be the rainy season in Central America.

8. Chicama, Peru

Chicama is known to be nothing less than the longest wave in the world. On a good day, you can surf this left for almost a mile and the locals even started using boats to take the surfers back to the take off zone instead of having to paddle all the way back. Located on the dry coastline of Peru, Chicama is pretty mellow and should suit a wide range of surfing levels.

When to go: The best time to surf Chicama is from April to October, during the austral winter months, for better chances of seeing a nice SSW swell peel onto the point.

7. Raglan, New Zealand

First featured in Endless Summer, Raglan quickly became New Zealand’s surfing capital as well as one of the best lefts on the planet. Manu Bay is the main point break in Raglan, followed by Whale Bay and Indicators. On an epic day, all three points will connect creating one of the world’s longest waves.

When to go: The best time to surf Raglan is from March to June with big consistent SW swells and lighter winds than what winter and spring would offer.

6. Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

One of Bali’s most iconic surf spot, Uluwatu is blessed with a unique set up both in and out of the water. First, to get to the wave, you must come down those stunning cliffs where bars, shops and restaurants are packed with surfers and visitors enjoying an after-surf Bintang or simply having a Balinese coffee watching the sunset.

Then, the wave itself is a challenging left with a few barreling sections and about three different takeoff spots. On a good day, they will all connect into one long wall of water with the potential of catching the wave of your life.

When to go: The best time to surf Uluwatu, on Bali’s west coast is from April to September as the winds are favorable and swells are more consistent.

5. Desert Point, Lombok, Indonesia

Desert point is a very fast and challenging barreling wave. On a good swell, it is comparable to Fiji’s Cloudbreak in terms of speed and length. This one should strictly be kept for experts as the reef does not forgive. Being a direct neighbor to Bali, Lombok is easily accessible by air or ferry. You will experience a total different culture considering this island is mostly Islamic instead of Hindu.

The island of Lombok also remains much less crowded than Bali in terms of surfing population which is another great advantage of hopping over to this side for a surf trip.

When to go: The best time to surf in Lombok, Indonesia is from April to September when the swell becomes more consistent. It also happens to be the country’s dry season.

4. Skeleton Bay, Namibia

Hands down, the longest barrel in the world. Yes, when it works, Skeleton bay is indeed the longest barrel in the world and quite a tricky one to ride, too. Located off the Namibian coast, Skeleton bay is a very hollow wave (and heavy on large swells) breaking on a shallow sand bank. When conditions line up, you are almost guaranteed the ride of a lifetime.

However, the perfect conditions for this ride to happen are pretty fickle and tend to be quite rare. Also, its remote location make it very hard to just go to for a regular surf check. People go up from South Africa when the charts look awesome and this trip has to be a full commitment, nothing less.

When to go: The best time to surf Jeffrey’s Bay (JBay), South Africa is from June to September.

3. Cloudbreak, Fiji

Cloudbreak is a world class reef break located near the island of Tavarua, in Fiji. This very fast and hollow left is a perfect set up to get some of the longest tube rides in the world. However, such a wave definitely does not forgive and should only be kept for experts.

When to go: Although surfing is possible all year in Fiji, the best conditions are to be found from May to November.

2. Teahupo’o, French Polynesia

To many, this is the most picture-perfect and amazing spot in the world. Almost pulled from a fiction movie.

Teahupo’o is an incredibly hollow and powerful wave that breaks right on top of a shallow and very sharp reef giving place to the best barrel you will ever see. To surf it, you can paddle out for about 15 minutes. However, if you wanna see it or take a picture of a surfer getting spat out of the hole, you will need to hire a boat as the spot is quite far from shore.

The whole scenery is absolutely unreal with crystal clear water and an amazing coastline defined by mountains and palm trees.

When to go: The best time to surf Teahupo’o is from May to October for significantly more consistent and bigger waves than the rest of the year.

1. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii

Pipeline is arguably the world’s best wave and also the most popular surf spot.

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, this A-frame reef break is known to offer some of the best barrels and is also hosting the World Surf League on their final leg of the world championship. This wave should also be attacked by experts only as it remains the world’s deadliest spot.

Its proximity to the beach also makes Pipeline one of the best wave to simply watch from shore and on a big winter swell you will sometimes feel the beach shaking on a big set.

When to go: The best time to surf Pipeline and the whole north shore of Oahu is from November to April, during the Hawaiian winter season.

The post World’s 10 Best Left-Hand Waves appeared first on MyWaveFinder.