Costa Rica Surf: Paradise Awaits at These Top Surfing Destinations

Costa Rica has become a top international surfing destination thanks to its easy access to the ocean and diverse wave conditions. The country offers four main surfing zones: the Caribbean Coast, and the Northern, Central, and Southern Pacific coasts.

The Pacific Coast boasts the largest number of surf spots, with the majority located in Guanacaste, in the country's northwest. However, excellent surf can also be found along the central and southern Pacific coasts, as well as on the Caribbean side. 

The best season to surf Costa Rica is depends on your experience level and what kind of waves you're looking for. For beginners, the dry season (December to April) offers smaller, consistent waves, while the green season (May to November) brings bigger swells for experienced surfers. The Pacific Coast generally sees consistent waves year-round.

Let’s dive into the best surf spots in Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast for beginners and experts alike.

If you're planning a Costa Rica surf trip to learn how to become a wave rider, Tamarindo beach should be at the top of your list. Located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo beach’s main beach break features a consistent swell, gentle, rolling waves, and soft sand. This is what makes it one of the best beginner surf beaches in Costa Rica. 

Whether you're learning to surf for the first time, brushing up on your skills, or heading to a women’s surf camp in Costa Rica, there are plenty of surf schools and experienced instructors ready to help.

And if you need somewhere to rest and relax after a long day on the water, check into the Occidental Tamarindo All-Inclusive resort. Located in Tamarindo, it features colonial-style rooms and all-inclusive packages that will help you wrap up your surf day in the most relaxing way.

The forest paths lead to stunning, untouched beaches such as Balsitas beach. From here, only two kilometers from the coast, visitors can travel to Cabo Blanco Island, which the park is named after. This island, which has a tremendous biodiversity in very few square meters, is home to frigatebirds, pelicans and Costa Rica’s largest community of boobies.

Ballena Bay, located 69 kilometers from Santa Teresa, features Playa Tambor. This lovely beach is large and perfect for swimming or water sports and also offers a wide variety of tourist services. Barceló Tambor, an all-inclusive resort with colonial-style rooms, comprehensive facilities and extraordinary views of the Pacific, is located on this beach. Would you like to learn more about it?

Tamarindo Bay stretches four miles and has four different surf breaks to check out. We’ve already learned about Tamarindo beach’s break, which offers the best surfing in Costa Rica for beginners. Now let’s dive into the Tamarindo’s more wild side: Pico Grande (Big Peak in English) and Pico Pequeño (Little Peak), which are the best surf spots in Costa Rica for experts.

These sibling swells are two of the most advanced waves you can surf in the country. Pico Grande breaks over a shallow rock and reef bottom and is defined by its power. Pico Pequeño breaks inside Pico Grande. On a good day, you can ride one into the other. But make sure you avoid surfing here at low tide. The rocky bottom makes low-tide surfing quite risky. The best months to surf these Costa Rica spots are July and August.

The fourth and final surf spot in Tamarindo Bay that you can’t miss is the Tamarindo Rivermouth. This Costa Rica surf gem is perfect if you catch it at the right time and with the right skill level.

The quality of the waves depend on the sand bar under the water, which moves throughout the year. When conditions are right, this peak thrives at low tide and is perfect for advanced surfers looking for a unique surfing experience. 

The best months to surf this Costa Rican spot is between December and April. But if you pull up and the waves aren’t looking grand, lie out your towel, set down your phone for a short digital detox, and listen to the sound of the waves crash as you relax in surfer’s paradise in Costa Rica.

Tambor beach is also located on the Pacific Coast, specifically on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. It offers a laid-back, nature-focused atmosphere that’s perfect for travelers seeking uncrowded waves and a slower pace. The long, sandy shoreline and soft, rolling waves make it one of the best beginner surf beaches in Costa Rica after Tamarindo beach.

Ideal for surf newbies, Tambor’s mellow breaks and sandy bottom create a safe and welcoming environment to learn. It’s a fantastic choice for a Costa Rica surf camp for beginners or even a casual boogie boarding session thanks to the consistent, gentle swells. If you’re dreaming of a low-key Costa Rica surf trip, Playa Tambor delivers that hidden paradise vibe.

A major bonus? After your surf session, you can unwind in luxury at the 5-star Barceló Tambor All-Inclusive hotel, perched right along the beautiful coastline. Here, you won’t have to worry about a thing besides enjoying yourself. And if you're craving more action than what Tambor beach has to offer, the surf hotspot of Santa Teresa is just a short one-hour drive away from this spectacular hotel.

While Tambor beach might not be as well-known as other top surfing beaches in Costa Rica, it's a hidden spot off the beaten path that’s perfect for your next Costa Rica family surf vacation or a laid-back solo getaway.

Santa Teresa, a traditional fishing village and surf town on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, is a standout destination for a Costa Rica surf trip. It’s located on the Pacific Coast and is known for its consistent waves, warm waters, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s easily one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica. Whether you're planning a family surf trip or a women's surf retreat to Costa Rica, Santa Teresa offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

This surf town caters to all skill levels. For those just starting out, it’s considered one of the best places to surf in Costa Rica for beginners because of the waves and wide array of surf schools and camps. Plus, Santa Teresa is an excellent destination for a Costa Rica family surf vacation:  surf lessons are offered for beginners of all ages.

For seasoned surfers, Santa Teresa has some of the best surf breaks in Costa Rica. Long, clean waves and soft sandy beaches make it ideal for both shortboard and longboard enthusiasts, with some of the best longboard surfing Costa Rica has to offer. 

You’re in search of the best surfing in Costa Rica, and how “best surfing” is defined depends on your skill level. But whether you're chasing the first wave of your life at Tamarindo beach or are ripping it up as an advanced surfer on Pico Grande, these Pacific Coast spots are the country’s top surf destinations that deliver unforgettable experiences, no matter your level of experience.