A Paradise for Surf Lovers

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Costa Rica, as the name implies, is a country rich in natural beauty, where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of attractions, microclimates and ecosystems. But, unquestionably among the attractions of this beautiful country located in the heart of Central America, its numerous beaches stand out, which are considered the best in the world, due to the beauty and majesty of its crystalline waters, white and fine sands sheltered by forests and also for being ideal places to practice different water activities such as surfing.

Yes, Costa Rica lives up to its name for being one of the best surfing destinations in the world. The characteristics that Costa Rica has that make it ideal for the practice of this sport are: beaches with very varied waves that allow you to practice various types of surfing all year, pleasant weather, warm waters with beautiful landscapes that attract the attention of any tourist, friendly people and definitely what makes Costa Rica a perfect paradise for surf lovers is the fact that it is one of the few countries in the world where two great oceans are only six hours away from each other, which makes it possible to surf in the Pacific at dawn and end the day tame the waves of the Atlantic at sunset.

It should also be mentioned that Costa Rica is positioned as the third most popular destination for surfing, after Hawaii and Indonesia. Dozens of international surfing championships are held in the country and many celebrities choose these beaches to enjoy this sport. In the region there are different surf schools for beginners who simply discover how to stand up and paddle, or for advanced surfers. In addition, many resorts and companies offer surfboard rentals.

Ideal places to surf in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica there are four different areas that have numerous popular beaches for surfing, these are: the Caribbean, the North, Central and South Pacific coasts. The Pacific coast has more points for this activity, specifically in the province of Guanacaste, northwest of the country. Below are some of the best beaches to find your perfect wave for surfing.

Tamarindo Beach

Tamarindo is the best known surfing site along the Pacific coast. Located in the heart of the province of Guanacaste, it is a fairly long beach with consistent waves throughout the year, high seas winds, and reefs. Tamarindo not only has the main beach in the center of the city, but there are others for surfing five minutes away, such as Big beach which is located on the other side of the mouth of the Matapalo river and has a perfect sandy bottom ideal for
beginners. There are a variety of places to stay in Tamarindo, which makes it more attractive, and ranges from luxurious resorts to surf camps that adapt to all the needs of surfers.

Guiones Beach

Having more than 300 days a year of surfing waves makes Playa Guiones one of the most consistent surfing spots in all of Costa Rica. Its waves are small enough for beginner surfers to learn. In addition, its white sands and its 7 kilometers of beach perfectly complement the trip of any surfer, where you will find everything from surfing lessons to advanced surfers perfecting their technique.

In addition to this, it is said that the people of Nosara live longer, are happier and have better health than the rest of the world, being classified as one of the blue areas of the world (where people usually live more than 100 years). The beach recently received the ecological Blue Flag for the cleanliness of its waters and sand, thanks to the commitment of both locals and tourists.

Avellanas Beach

Located in Guanacaste, the Avellanas beach has waves that can reach five meters, which makes it the most visited place by experienced surfers in the area. Some compare the beauty of its waters and its excellent world-class waves with Hawaii, which when seeing its white sands turquoise waters becomes evident the origin of such a comparison.

The beach is divided into different sections for surfing, among them are La Purruja, a cliff located in front of El Palo, as well as the legendary El Estero de Avellanas, which is considered one of the best in Costa Rica. If you are a less experienced surfer, you can practice without fear in El Parqueo where the waves are longer and softer which will allow you to enjoy with low risk.

Brava sauce, Old Port

In Salsa Brava, surfers will find the strongest waves in the country. Here it sits on a shallow, but rather sharp, reef; It is not a place for beginners since the currents are strong and the waves are very fast. Most unskilled surfers look for less intense beaches, and only enjoy in Salsa Brava to see the experts master the waves.

It should be remembered that the surf season on this beach is from November to January and from April to August, the remaining months the waters remain calmer, allowing even bathing in them, so the trip must be planned in advance.

Being located in the center of Puerto Viejo de Limón, it is common to find bike rentals and surfboards on the beach, as well as a rich nightlife. It is very easy to reach by car since the entire route is paved.

Naranjo Beach, Witch Rock

It is a beach covered with stunning golden sand inside the Santa Rosa National Park. On this beach, professional surfers and celebrities from around the world who are regular surfers will enjoy fast and powerful waves. Being located in a national park, there are no hotels or lodgings in the area, but it is possible to camp at the entrance of the park, in an area designated for this purpose. The best time to visit this beach is from December to March, where the northwest winds generate spectacular waves.

If you want to plan a walk through this country, contact us.

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Our Managing Director, Alon, has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. He has biked the death road in Boiliva, trekked 500 miles across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago, cycled from Brussels to Florence and hiked the five sacred mountains of China. Pygmy Elephant is how he spreads his love for adventure and self discovery in the world.

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