Costa Rica is a dream destination for many travelers. Sea, sun and sandy beaches characterize the country, and even the rainy season is not enough to deter from visiting this tropical paradise. Everyone looking to relax on the beach, soak up the sun and relaxed atmosphere that reigns pretty much throughout the country, and enjoy beautiful nature in the country’s superb national parks will find what they are looking for in Costa Rica. But most of all, Costa Rica, with its beautiful beaches and majestic waves, is a true heaven for surfers, who travel from all over the world to try and tame the breaks.
Costa Rica is teeming with excellent spots to surf, but here is a selection of the best ones in Costa Rica’s central peninsula, where you are assured to find excellent waves and the laid-back surfer atmosphere of coastal towns to relax and enjoy a hassle-free vacation. One of the most famous spots, favorite among “hippies” of the 1960s and 1970s, Playa Tamarindo is without a doubt the best place for surfing in Costa Rica. This small beach town used to be a laid-back spot where surfers would gather and while the days away doing nothing. It began famous after the release of the surfer movie, Endless Summer II, most of which is set in Playa Tamarindo.
In more recent years however, it has become more of a resort town with many North Americans and Europeans traveling there to experience the famous “nostalgic” atmosphere of Playa Tamarindo. If what you’re looking for is a beach resort where you can enjoy the beach and scenery while having a bustling nightlife, shops, and restaurants at your fingertips, then this is the place for you.
Not far from Playa Tamarindo, you’ll find great beaches that have remained untouched by the massive flocks of tourists. Playa Avellana and Playa Negra are popular among surfers as they provide consistent waves and were also featured in the classic Endless Summer II movie. Located only 15 kilometers away from Tamarindo but can only be accessed by a small dirt road which explains why they have managed to remain isolated and unknown from the crowds.
Continue south down the coast of the Pacific Ocean and you will arrive to Playa Guiones, another great surfing spot in Costa Rica. This beach is believed to have the best beach break in the entire central peninsula and is therefore crowded with avid surfers year long. However, it’s long and boasts enough take-off points for everybody to enjoy the waves.
For a more trendy experience, continue on to Mal Pais (Bad Country) where waves are legendary and have consistently attracted surfers from all over the world since the 1970’s. Great scene and amazing beach characterize Mal Pais, but just like Tamarindo, it is progressively become a “destination” and losing its authentic touch.