Intermediate Surf Spots in Costa Rica
17 surf breaks we map are rated for intermediate surfers in Costa Rica: Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa and Witch's Rock and 9 more.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
- Beach breaks
- 10
- Point breaks
- 4
- Reef breaks
- 2
The intermediate breaks
Best months are filled in where the break states a season. Open a break for its map, photos and the property nearest the lineup.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 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.
- 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 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.
Other levels in Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions
Where can intermediate surfers surf in Costa Rica?
17 surf breaks we map are rated for intermediate surfers in Costa Rica: Backyards Playa Hermosa, Drakes Bay, Punta Río Claro, Terrazas, The Tree Playa Hermosa, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa and Witch's Rock and 9 more.
When is the best time for intermediate surfers to surf Costa Rica?
The intermediate-rated breaks we map in Costa Rica are mostly at their best in April to October.
What kind of waves are the intermediate surf spots in Costa Rica?
Of the 17 intermediate breaks we map in Costa Rica, 10 are beach breaks, 4 are point breaks and 2 are reef breaks.