Best Time to Surf Costa Rica
The best time to surf Costa Rica is March to October: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 21 of the 23 Costa Rica breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in Costa Rica month by month
How many of the 23 breaks we map in Costa Rica are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
3 at their best · 3 in season
February
3 at their best · 3 in season
March
17 at their best · 17 in season
Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, Playa Guiones, Salsa Brava, Witch's Rock, Ollie's Point - Potrero Grande +9 more
April
20 at their best · 20 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +12 more
May
20 at their best · 20 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +12 more
June
21 at their best · 21 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +13 more
July
21 at their best · 21 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +13 more
August
20 at their best · 20 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +12 more
September
20 at their best · 20 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +12 more
October
20 at their best · 20 in season
Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa +12 more
November
0 at their best · 0 in season
December
3 at their best · 3 in season
Lefts, rights and peaks in Costa Rica
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point | Drakes Bay, Pavones, Boca Barranca | Ollie's Point - Potrero Grande, Matapalo | — |
| Reef | — | Terrazas, Punta Uva, Playa Negra | Salsa Brava |
| Beach | — | — | Backyards Playa Hermosa, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, Playa Guiones, Witch's Rock, Playa Dominical, Playa Jacó, Playa Avellanas, Playa Grande, Playa Esterillos, Playa Cocles |
Season at every Costa Rica break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Drakes Bay
Drakes Bay
- Wave
- Point break / Reef break · Left
- Level
- Low to moderate
- Season
- April–October
- Swell
- S–SW
- Tide
- Mid-tide
- Watch out
- Inconsistent surf, rocky reefs, changing tides, and seasonal rainfall can affect wave quality and safety. Some breaks require boat access or local guidance. Watch for strong currents, floating debris, and wildlife near river mouths.
- Punta Río Claro
Drakes Bay
- Wave
- Left-hand point / river-mouth-influenced break
- Level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Season
- April–October
- Swell
- S - SW
- Tide
- Mid-tide, depending on sand and rock exposure
- Watch out
- Remote access, rocky bottoms, strong currents, and shifting river-mouth conditions present hazards. Limited emergency services, seasonal flooding, and potential crocodile activity make local guides and careful planning essential.
- Pavones
Pavones
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Backyards Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa
- Wave
- Beach break · Right / Left / Aframes
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- April–October
- Tide
- Mid + High / Incoming
- Watch out
- Powerful shorebreak • strong currents and side-current • heavy closeouts on larger swells • very shallow low tide • competitive lineup • crocodiles possible • stingrays • rapidly changing wind and tide conditions.
- Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Terrazas
Playa Hermosa
- Wave
- Reef break / Beach Break · Right
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- April to October
- Tide
- Low–Mid / Rising
- Watch out
- Submerged rocks • exposed rocks at lower tide • very fast takeoff • hollow barrels • strong currents • powerful surf • heavy closeouts nearby • concentrated lineup. The rocks are the defining hazard: at lower tide some become visible, while others boil beneath the surface and effectively mark the takeoff zone.
- The Tree Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa
- Wave
- Beach Break · Left / Right
- Level
- Itermediate to Advanced
- Season
- April to October
- Tide
- Mid + High, preferably incoming
- Watch out
- Strong currents • heavy beach break • closeouts at low tide • closeouts when oversized • powerful shoreward impact zone • competitive lineup • vehicle theft risk. Multiple local guides specifically warn against leaving valuables in vehicles at The Tree.
- Witch's Rock
Playa Naranjo, Santa Rosa National Park
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Remote location inside Santa Rosa National Park; difficult overland access; boat access commonly used; strong rip currents between sandbars; rapidly changing sandbars; powerful surf when large; crocodiles/caimans associated with the river/estuary environment; sharks; limited services; and little immediate emergency infrastructure. Check current national-park access rules before attempting to drive in.
- Ollie's Point - Potrero Grande
Puerto Castilla
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Boat access only; remote national-park setting; rocks; strong currents; long paddle-backs after long rides; sharks; crocodile risk associated with the rivermouth environment; sea lice; and extremely limited access to emergency medical care. Because Ollie’s is within a protected area, visitors should also confirm current park and access regulations before traveling.
- Salsa Brava
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Wave
- Reef break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- December to March (Caribbean swells), with a second window around June and July
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Very shallow, sharp coral reef with powerful lips and heavy barrels. Critical take-offs and serious reef impact on a wipeout. Strong currents. The take-off zone is crowded and the local lineup is established; respect it. Not a wave for surfers learning to ride reef.
- Boca Barranca
Puntarenas
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- April to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- A river mouth: water quality drops after heavy rain, and crocodiles are occasionally seen near the estuary. Surf with others and avoid dawn and dusk sessions.
- Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Matapalo
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Playa Avellanas
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa Cocles
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- December to March (Caribbean swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents are strong on bigger days; lifeguards patrol the main stretch.
- Playa Dominical
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa Esterillos
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa Grande
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa Guiones
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa Jacó
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa Negra
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Punta Uva
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- December to March (Caribbean swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Tamarindo
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
Also mapped here, with a season we can't place on the calendar: Río Sierpe Rivermouth.
Surf spots in Costa Rica by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf Costa Rica?
The best time to surf Costa Rica is March to October: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 21 of the 23 Costa Rica breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf Costa Rica all year round?
Not every month. None of the 23 breaks we map in Costa Rica lists November in its season.
When is the best time for beginners to surf Costa Rica?
The 3 beginner-rated breaks we map in Costa Rica (Tamarindo, Playa Guiones and Playa Jacó) are mostly at their best in March to October. Smaller days in the shoulder months are easier to learn on.
Which surf breaks in Costa Rica are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Pavones and Boca Barranca. Rights: Terrazas, Ollie's Point - Potrero Grande, Punta Uva, Playa Negra and Matapalo. The table below splits every break we map in Costa Rica by type and direction.