Surf CR – December 2019
Costa Rica offers so much for surfers coming to visit. Miles of jungle fringed coastline, tropical water temperatures, and waves for all levels of surfers—from first timers to world championship competitors. It also has all types of lodging close to the coastline, from campsites to all-inclusive palaces. The government enforces a 50 meter public zone so everyone can access and enjoy the coastline. That may be one reason why the locals are some of the friendliest on the planet and why the term ‘pura vida’ is so popular.
It is estimated that over 300,000 tourists come to Costa Rica to surf. In a country the size of the state of West Virginia, one would imagine that the waves get crowded but in reality there are long stretches of empty coastline. Two of the most popular waves in the country, Witch’s Rock and Ollies Point, and in Santa Rosa National Park, so the only surfers there mostly arrive on boats. There is one 4×4 track for the adventurous that leads to camping at Witch’s Rock, but otherwise that whole corner of the country is still empty.
The beaches are amazing. There are dozens of wide, soft sandy beaches with gently rolling waves that are ideal for beginners. You can find one with family friendly boutique hotels lining the beach, or one lined with just coconut palms and almond trees. For the experienced surfers, Costa Rica offers one of the longest left breaking waves on the planet at Pavones. It has another super long left at Boca Barranca, which is only an hour from the airport in San Jose, plus many other point breaks within a day’s drive on the Pacific. The country also has some of the heaviest reef breaks as well, like Salsa Brava on the Caribbean coast.
The warm Pacific Ocean close to the equator is also a calling for all kinds of sea life. While surfing you may see a pod a dolphins swim by, a giant tarpon, manta rays, sea turtles, and even humpback whales. Back on land the rainforests shelter scarlet macaws and howler monkeys which you can hear while sitting in the water. It can be a paradise as long as the country continues moving forward with their initiatives to protect the environment.
Currently over 26% of the country is protected as national parks. Costa Rica produces nearly all of its energy using renewable sources—wind, solar, thermal and hydroelectric production. Multiple community groups like the Five Minute Beach Cleanup, Operation Rich Coast, Surfrider Tamarindo, Por un Osa Limpia, Green Heart, and The Clean Wave have beach cleanups to rid the coast line of plastic litter.
These groups are made up of locals who love the ocean and want to protect it. Many of them surf and don’t mind sharing waves when the visitors are respectful. There is a thriving surf economy with every beach town hosting surf camps, surfing and yoga retreats, lessons for beginners, private surf guides, and photographers. It is important to find out that is licensed and certified so you know you will have the safest and highest quality experience.
If you are ready to come surf in Costa Rica just contact us to set up your trip. There are waves every month of the year and we can find you the perfect beach for the experience you are searching for. We have been doing it for over 20 years. To give you a taste of surfing in Costa Rica visit our Instagram @crsurf.
If you want more travel advice or help planning a trip, visit CRsurf.com.