Costa Rica surf guides
Field notes for planning a surf week—start with a guide, then open a destination.
Costa Rica family surf trip with kids
Kid-friendly bases (Sámara, Tamarindo, Jacó), how to pace lessons and easy days between sessions.
Read the guide →NEW / SURF CAMPSCosta Rica surf camps vs DIY lessons
Who each format fits, what a camp week usually includes, and how to vet a stay.
Read the guide →NEW / FIRST LESSONYour first surf lesson in Costa Rica
Beach briefing to whitewater, swim and age questions, and how this pairs with choosing a school.
Read the guide →NEW / SURF + ADVENTUREGuanacaste surf and adventure week
Mix morning surf lessons with zip-line, volcano, ATV or catamaran afternoons.
Read the guide →NEW / SURF SCHOOLSHow to choose a surf school in Costa Rica
Ten questions to ask before booking your first lesson.
Read the guide →NEW / NOVEMBERSurfing Costa Rica in November
Transition-month conditions, wetsuit, crowds and where to base.
Read the guide →NEW / DEC–FEBSurfing Costa Rica in December to February
Surfing Costa Rica in December, January and February: dry-season Pacific conditions, offshore wind, holiday crowds, what to wear and which base fits.
Read the guide →NEW / DAY TRIPSPlaya Grande and Avellanas from Tamarindo
When to leave Tamarindo for stronger nearby waves, and who they suit.
Read the guide →NEW / DAY TRIPSBeyond Santa Teresa: Carmen, Manzanillo & Coyote
Mal País and south Nicoya step-ups by level, plus when to skip Camaronal.
Read the guide →NEW / DAY TRIPSDay trips from Jacó: Esterillos, Bejuco & Hermosa
Where to surf near Jacó once the main beach feels easy, by level.
Read the guide →NEW / BEGINNERSSurf etiquette for beginners in Costa Rica
Priority, dropping in, snaking, paddling wide and holiday-crowd tips.
Read the guide →01 / SURF TRIPHow to plan a Costa Rica surf trip
Coasts, bases, sample 7-day itineraries, lessons and timing.
Read the guide →02 / SURF TOURSCosta Rica surf tours
Lessons, day trips, vacation weeks and which town to book from.
Read the tours guide →03 / SURF VACATIONSCosta Rica surf vacations
Pick a base, shape a week, book lessons and compare coasts.
Read the vacations guide →04 / SURF TOWNSCosta Rica surf towns
Compare bases by vibe, access and who each town fits.
Read the towns guide →05 / SURF SAFETYCosta Rica surf safety for beginners
Rip currents, river mouths, stingrays, lifeguards and choosing a coached sandy break.
Read the safety guide →06 / TAMARINDO VS JACÓTamarindo vs Jacó for a first surf week
Compare Liberia (LIR) vs San José (SJO) transfers, beginner waves, lessons and 3- to 7-night stays.
Compare the two bases →07 / SURF PACKING LISTWhat to pack for a Costa Rica surf week
Rash guard vs thin neoprene top, mineral sunscreen, booties, rain gear and renting vs flying with a board.
Read the packing list →08 / PLANPlan your trip
Week structure, gear, seasons and booking path.
Open plan →09 / DESTINATIONSChoose a base
Six destination guides by coast and level.
Compare bases →