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 My Wave Finder.

With some of the best surf spots on Earth, Costa Rica is a longtime favorite when it comes to surfing destinations. This country is gifted with consistent waves, amazing tropical weather and a genuine “Pura Vida” surfing vibe. 

While surfing conditions might be very good and consistent, Costa Rica is still a pretty big country and deciding where to settle yourself on a surf trip can be confusing and overwhelming.

Here are 5 surf towns in Costa Rica that are considered as some of the best places to stay on a surf trip down in paradise!

To find the best surfing destination for you, try our free WaveFinder search engine!

1. Santa Teresa

Located on the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa is great place to venture off the beaten path and get a raw Costa Rican surfing experience. 

Read our complete surfing guide to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

The small surf town of Santa Teresa has great beach breaks that will suit both beginners and advanced surfers. There are many hostels, restaurants and surf schools that help implement this great surfing atmosphere in Santa Teresa.

Find a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa Starting at US$199

2. Nosara

Just slightly up the coast is Nosara, another charming Costa Rican surf town. The main beach break is Playa Guiones, a perfect place to learn how to surf in Costa Rica.

Read our complete surfing guide to Nosara, Costa Rica

Nosara is also a pretty laidback and quiet town but still offers many places to eat, sleep and go out. You can also find several surf camps and surf schools in the area.

Book a Surf Camp in Nosara Starting at US$159

3. Tamarindo

Tamarindo is probably the most popular, but also the most Americanized surf town in Costa Rica. The heavy infrastructure along its wide beach brings a lot of options when it comes to places to stay but it makes the beach and surfing line up pretty packed as well.

For an easily accessible and convenient place to surf, Tamarindo is a great option. However, if you are looking for some tranquility and an uncrowded surf town, it might not be the best place for you…

Read our complete surfing guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

4. Jaco

Jaco is about an hour away from San Jose, the Costa Rican capital city making it one of the most accessible surf town in the country. Obviously, this feature comes at the cost of being pretty busy and crowded. 

Read our complete surfing guide to Jaco, Costa Rica

However, Jaco is a great surf town that has a mix of party and surf for people looking to enjoy their days and nights in Costa Rica!

Book a Surf Camp in Jaco Starting at US$149

5. Pavones

Pavones is the longest wave in Costa Rica and probably the best surf spot as well! Being fairly more remote than most other Costa Rican breaks, Pavones enjoys more reasonable crowds than any other popular surf spots. The ones who do make it down here are certain to enjoy some of the best surf in Costa Rica!

This tiny jungle village is right next to a world-class point break that every surfer dreams about!

Read our complete surfing guide to Pavones, Costa Rica

The post 5 Best Surf Spots in Costa Rica appeared first on My Wave Finder.

• Summary

• When to go

• Surf Camps

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

   

Summary

When to go

Surf Camps in Santa Teresa

• 2 surf lessons
• Daily yoga classes
• Time for self-practice in the yoga studio
• Lodge with swimming pool
• 4 nights accommodation
• Daily planned activities
• Time to relax

• Daily yoga classes
• 4 fun and playful surf lessons
• Transportation to and from the beach
• Video analysis from every surf lesson
• Daily breakfast, fruits, and water
• 6 nights accommodation

Getting there

Safety/things to know

Surf spots in Santa Teresa

Playa Santa Teresa

Playa Hermosa

The post Santa Teresa, Costa Rica appeared first on My Wave Finder.