Costa Rica Travel Center: Surfing in Costa Rica: Caribbean Coast

Surfing Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast
 

This is a place you don’t skip while touring around Costa Rica. It is very different from the Pacific Coast. More exotic and closer to the tropics. The Caribbean coast is known for having a rasta-mentality, but it also has a strong native culture. Besides amazing waves, the Caribbean offers great soul food, caribbean rhythm and warm people ready to party. The air is hot all year round, the water is warm, and the best time for waves is Nov to April. Nearby storms and coral reefs produce strong perfect waves. But important to point out: always surf along with people that know the area.

Playa Bonita  

A point reef break. Very strong waves and dangerous left. Waves break over a coral reef and have a challenging drop. Located 50km north of Limon.

Portete  
Fast wave that breaks over a coral reef on shallow waters. Mostly right breaking waves. Located close to Playa Bonita, to the North.
 

Isla Uvita  
The most powerful left breaking wave of Costa Rica. You can get a boat ride from Limón, but only at dawn because of wind conditions. This spot has three sections and it faces a coral reef, one meter over sea level. Good days will offer you strong and perfect waves that range between 8 and 10 feet high. Be on guard! You need a good board and be in great health to attempt these sets. Don't surf alone.  Find locals that know the waves and the coral reef!
 

Cahuita
This is a beautiful place 45 min. south of Limón. It is famous for it’s national park, great waves, tropical beaches, excellent snorkeling & diving, and fun night life. The Playa Negra Black Beach offers an excellent beach break. Because it’s not well known, it’s not crowded. You can find waves all year round.
 

Puerto Vargas

The beach of this national park offers regular sized beach breaks.
 

Puerto Viejo

A very thick and voluminous wave that comes from deep water to a shallow reef. Its called "Salsa" for its juice power. We strongly recommend extreme caution at this beach! There is a strong and dangerous wave that breaks over a coral reef with an amazing drop. This is the most powerful wave in Costa Rica. This wave is called “salsa” for it’s juice power. It's broken many boards. We recommend you bring more than one, so you can enjoy the truly large waves. Besides challenging waves, Puerto Viejo is a fun town; it offers a great variety of options from food to lodging. There’s no lack of bars & restaurants, and the people are warm and friendly.
 

Playa Cocles 
This place is a 10 minutes drive away from Puerto Viejo, and offers beach breaks. Cocles has fun waves, but don't forget sea currents!

Manzanillo
Manzanillo is only twenty minutes south of Puerto Viejo. Easy to get to and
offers a very fast beach break.

Getting there by bus:
To: Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo: Terminal del Caribe,
ph: 257-8129 Located 1 km North of the Cathedral (Central Park) in San José.
 

Limón:

Coopelimón, ph: 223-7811 - Stops in front of the Train Station to the Atlantic.