Surfing beaches of Costa Rica - Nicoya Peninsula & Dominical
The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is fast becoming one of the preferred resorts for surfing in Central America. Areas such as Nicoya peninsula and Dominical are the best destinations for surfing because there the beaches are sublime and the water offers excellent conditions for this outdoor activity.
Nicoya has many unspoiled beaches offering great surfing for all surfers - from novices which try this sport for the first time up to veterans. For this reason Nicoya has a fantastic reputation in the entire surfing community.
A few years ago places such as Santa Teresa were no more than small fishing villages, but with the boom of tourism in the area numerous services are now provided by locals - so, this villages are now perfect settings not just for surfers, but for other vacationers too. For those just wishing to hang out there are available numerous beach restaurants and many other vacation activities.
Dominical is probably Costa Rica's most famous surfing place. It's less isolated than the Nicoya region offering easy access to the surrounding national parks. Dominical is easy accessible from the country's capital, San Jose. The area is famed for its "surf camps", where surfing, accommodation, food and many outdoor activities are included in vacation packages. Dominical is a great place for beginners to get into the sport and even experienced surfers will have here a magnificent vacation.
Even if the region has begun to develop the lodges are here the typical accommodation and the local autorities try to preserve an area of immense natural beauty. Waters teeming with fish and other marine creatures offer great conditions for scuba diving or snorkeling; the sea-fishing is also great here - many local boats take tourists out on the hunt for tuna, marlin and other fishes.
Below are a few other great surfing beaches of Costa Rica.
Tamarindo
Some peoples say that the surf capital of Costa Rica is Tamarindo, located in the northwestern Pacific region. Tamarindo is a party town with many young surfers enjoying the sun and the fun. The city provides numerous surf schools and surf camps for beginners.
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is located north from Tamarindo and has strong surf, offering thrilling action for the experinced surfers. A great number of secluded beaches can be found in this area - you can get away from the renowned resorts and spend a more intimate beach vacation.
Playa Naranjo
Playa Naranjo, also known as "Witche's Rock", provides wilde surfing and huge waves; to the south Playa Negra provides a hollow right break on a volcanic black sand beach.
Malpais
Settled on the southern part of Nicoya peninsula, Malpais provides fantastic surfing without the crowded and commercialized environment found in Tamarindo. The sandy bottoms provide great action for both beginners and expert surfers.
Playa Santa Teresa
Playa Santa Teresa has become very popular nowadays and provides budget and resort accommodations for travelers.
Playa Jaco
Settled in the central Pacific region, Jaco provides great surfing options, decent swells for instruction and is also the most lively nightlife town on the entire Costa Rican coastline! If you want to sleep after a hard day of surfing, choose for accommodation the southern area of the beach - there are quieter nights.
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa, located south from Jaco, includes miles of sandy beaches and is recommended just for experienced surfers.
Playa Pavones & Zancudo
The far southern Pacific region of Costa Rica includes many great beaches in Golfo Dulce and Osa peninsula area. Zancudo and Pavones stand out for their fast and long left break. The break on a decent day is nearly one kilometer long - making it one of the longest breaks in the entire world! It's not a place for beginner surfers!