| and gals alike have been flocking to Costa Rica | | | | 8-foot-high waves and warm Pacific waters, you |
| for years now for the surf spots alone. Currently, | | | | can catch quality rides all day long. |
| surf tourism makes up approximately 20 percent | | | | Beginner and intermediate surfers don’t |
| of the country’s annual | | | | fear. The nearby town of Jacó offers |
| tourists—this means about 200,000 surfers | | | | surfing lessons for all levels taught by local and |
| visit the country each year just to ride some of | | | | international experienced surfers speaking a |
| the world’s most incredible waves. | | | | variety of languages. Spend a day or a week in |
| Surf spots are easily found up and down Costa | | | | the water, many different surf packages are |
| Rica’s Pacific (west side) and Caribbean | | | | available and can be organized in advance or on a |
| (east side) coastlines. Waves on the North Pacific | | | | day-by-day basis. Surfing is so appealing in this |
| Coast are generally a bit smaller than ones | | | | area that Jaco is now known as the “Land |
| you’ll see in high season (December | | | | of Adventures and City of Surf.” Surf by |
| through April) and during tropical storms on the | | | | day and take advantage of all the nightlife, |
| Caribbean. But the waves are consistently good | | | | restaurants, and convenience of a bustling, small |
| year-round. During rainy season (April to | | | | town during your time out of the water. |
| mid-December), you’ll find the best swells | | | | For an even more chilled-out vibe, try Mal Pais and |
| on the Pacific side, but during the dry season on | | | | Santa Teresa located on the tip of Costa |
| the west coast (December through April), | | | | Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula and just an hour |
| you’ll continuous well-formed waves. | | | | boat ride from Jacó. This very small |
| The Caribbean Coast on the east has a | | | | community is tucked away along golden beaches |
| notoriously shorter, less reliable surfing season, but | | | | with a breathtaking backdrop of green vegetation. |
| the frequent tropical storms and hurricanes often | | | | An ideal location for surfers looking for a remote, |
| equal killer swells. In general, the surf is best during | | | | individual surfing experience with no frills and just |
| the hot and dry season (October until April). | | | | good waves in a beautiful atmosphere. Here you |
| Water temperatures don’t vary that | | | | can find your surfing zone and get away from it |
| much on either side or throughout the | | | | all. |
| seasons—the water is more than | | | | If you want a true surfing adventure, travel to |
| comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees | | | | Puerto Viejo (Salsa Brava) on the Caribbean side. |
| Celsius) all year long. | | | | This Hawaiian-style reefbreak is known around the |
| The more than 800 miles of Pacific and Caribbean | | | | world for its size and power. When there is a |
| Ocean coastline are home to many of the top | | | | swell, the biggest waves in Costa Rica break right |
| international surfing competitions every year. This | | | | here. You need to paddle in and out through a |
| past August, Billabong hosted the ISA World | | | | small channel in the reef. Experienced and |
| Surfing Games 2009 in Playa Hermosa. A | | | | adrenaline-seeking surfers only! If you want more |
| seemingly endless volcanic, black sand beach just | | | | variety, a mile or so south you’ll find Playa |
| 5 minutes south of the popular tourist destination | | | | Cocles, a consistent beachbreak, and a few more |
| of Jacó (10 minutes south of Los | | | | miles south of that is Punta Uva. |
| Sueños), Play Hermosa is the ideal location | | | | Wherever you and your board go, don’t |
| for more experienced surfers. Playa Hermosa is | | | | forget your rash guard and lots of sunscreen to |
| an especially ideal location because its waves | | | | protect yourself against the Costa Rican sun. |
| break only 13 feet from shore. With steady, 4 to | | | | |