Last updated on November 15th, 2023 at 09:22 am
If you are looking for the best surf spots in Costa Rica for beginners, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our top 5 beginner surf beaches in Costa Rica, where you can practice your skills and improve your surfing without danger.
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About Beginner Surf Beaches in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a world-class surf destination. It is famous for its beautiful beaches and huge variety of surf spots. Although there are many challenging breaks in Costa Rica, it also offers fantastic waves for beginners. For instance, On some beaches, you can ride small and mellow waves over a sandy bottom and hardly any crowds. Such an environment allows you to learn and practice your surfing skills without worrying about hazards and injuries. Moreover, Costa Rica is a wonderful place to take some surfing lessons.
So let’s get into it; in detail, these are the main beginner surf spots in Costa Rica
A List of Costa Rica’s Best Beginner Surf Spots:
Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo, on the North West Coast of Costa Rica, is an excellent choice for novice surfers. In fact, it is one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica for Beginners. Due to the shape of the bay and the sandy bottom, the swells here tend to break softly and gently. Moreover, this beach offers several different surf spots for beginners, so you can choose the best one depending on the conditions and the crowds. On top of that, Tamarindo is a famous surf town, so surf lessons, hotels, shops, and kicking nightlife are also here at reach. Therefore, it is definitely one of the best places for beginners to surf in Costa Rica.
For details about beginner surf camps in Tamarindo, please click here.
Jaco
Playa Jaco is a famous surf town among both locals and foreigners. Its proximity to the capital, San Jose, and also to other surf spots in the area makes it a real attraction for surfers. Despite being far from perfect, the waves in Jaco are super consistent all year long and very suitable for newbies. In fact, they tend to break very softly over the sandy bottom, with an easy and forgiving drop at the takeoff zone. For smaller size, it is better to paddle out during low tide, and keep in mind it gets bigger as the high tide comes in. Moreover, if a big swell hits Jaco while you are there, you can walk a few minutes to the south end of the bay, where the water is more protected from the swell, and practice on smaller waves.Additionally, Jaco offers many boards to rent, restaurants, nightclubs, and an authentic “Tico” atmosphere.
For details about beginner surf camps in Jaco, please click here.
Playa Carmen
Playa Carmen, just south of Santa Teresa, is an incredible beginner surf beach on the Pacific Coast. Actually, this area is probably the best beach strep to be at during your surf trip. It simply has it all: a Beautiful beach, various accommodations, night parties, and wonderful people from all over the world.
As for the waves, it is absolutely amazing. Unlike the steep drops in Santa Teresa beach, here at Playa Carmen, the break is very gentle and yet produces some pretty long rides. Therefore, this spot is perfect for any skill level, from beginner to advanced, especially during the dry season.
For details about beginner surf camps in Santa Teresa, please click here.
Nosara
Nosara is one of the most quiet and magical surf towns you will ever visit. Here, it is not about crowds and parties but more of a spiritual vibe. For that reason, many surfers and yoga fans keep coming here regularly.
Although Nosara offers several breaks, Playa Guiones is definitely the main attraction. This large beach strep with its multiple peaks is excellent for any surfer, regardless of his skill level. The first break, far in the deep water, can be aggressive and challenging, so this is where the experienced surfers hang out. However, close to shore, the broken waves re-form into a second break, a softer one, which is perfect for beginners to practice. Since the second break is much less powerful, any newbie can handle it, especially between November and April.
For details about beginner surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
Playa Cocles
Puerto Viejo is the proud surf capital of the Caribbean Coast. While Salsa Brava is an aggressive reef break, Playa Cocles, just next to it, is much more suitable for beginners. The bottom here is sandy, and the swells are simply not as powerful. Now, don’t get it wrong, on a big swell, especially between December and March, the currents can be powerful. However, on average days, the conditions at Cocles are very comfortable for learning and practicing. Surf lessons, camps, and board rentals are easy to find here, so that is a great beach to hang out and catch some nice waves with Caribbean flavor.
For details about beginner surf camps in Puerto Viejo, please click here.
Costa Rica- Beginner Surf Spots Map
How to Identify Beginner Surf Beaches in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is abundant with countless beaches and offers a vast variety of surf spots. However, as a novice surfer, how will you know which breaks are suitable for beginners? To answer that question, there are 3 factors to check before stepping into the water:
1. Sandy bottom– As a beginner, you are going to fall. Many times! Therefore, make sure there are no sharp rocks below you that can cause an injury.
2. Soft break– While some waves are steep and hollow, others are mellow. Look for a spot where the foam of the waves pills softly and gradually. These kinds of waves are more forgiving and easier to ride.
3. Friendly crowd– You can tell a lot about a surf beach by looking at the people surfing there. If you see aggressive surfers riding shortboards and shouting at one another, it is probably not the right spot for a novice surfer. So, look for a beach with a majority of longboards and soft boards in the water, as they usually ride beginner-friendly waves.
What is the Best Time of Year for Beginners to Surf in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica Offers excellent surf conditions 365 days a year, so there is no particular surf season. However, the waves are more beginner-friendly during the dry season, from November to April. At this time of year, the swells typically range from 3 to 5 feet, and the winds blow offshore, mainly in the mornings. In contrast, during the wet season, you can also surf and even score fantastic waves, but the weather and surf conditions are less predicted.
How to Prepare for a Beginner Surf Trip to Costa Rica?
As a beginner surfing in Costa Rica, you are going to face a few challenges. The waves breaking on your head, the currents, and the unstable surfboard can sometimes be hard to handle. Therefore, to make it easier on yourself, preparing your body and mind for the challenge is crucial. Here is what you can do to ensure you are in perfect shape and ready to shred:
1. Take an online surf course– You can practice great online surf exercises to work on the relevant muscles and improve your fitness. Check out Surf Strength Coach and Surfing Made Simple; both are great online surf programs that can help get you ready for your surf trip to Costa Rica.
2. Sign up for a surf camp– Why deal with the ocean alone when you can be surrounded by people just like yourself and get advice from professional coaches? To find the best beginner surf camps in Costa Rica, click here.
What to Bring for a Beginner Surf Trip to Costa Rica?
Here is a complete gear list for the perfect beginner surf vacation:
1. Travel Insurance– For the best insurance by World Nomads, please click here.
2. Surfboard Bag– If you bring your own surfboard, you must have a good bag to protect it. Check out UCEDER, for example, which offers great value for money.
3. Surfboard Wax– Check out Sticky Bumps on Amazon.
4. Sunscreen– For tropical sun, use no less than EltaMD UV.
5. Surf Shorts/Surf Bikinis– Check out Hurley for new shorts and CUPSHE for surf Bikinis.
6. T-shirts and beach wear– Look for the new collection at Hurley.
7. Rash Guard– Protect your body with a good rash guard like BALEAF for men and AXESEA for women.
8. Surf Hat– To keep your head in the shade, try O&E Ocean and Earth Surf Hats.
9. Surf Booties– You will need a good pair of surf boots only if you surf over a sharp reef or in really cold water. Check out O’Neill Split Toe Booties.
10. Surfboard Leash– It is always good to have an extra leash just in case. Check out Ho Stevie Surf Leash.
11. Towel/Poncho– If you want a nice poncho, look at SUN CUBE Surf Poncho.
For more gear options and greater selections, look for our surf gear guides.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, these are our choices for beginner surf spots in Costa Rica. Obviously, there are many other great beaches for beginners in this amazing country, but it is impossible to mention them all. Also, as surfers, we are depended on the swells, and we never know exactly what we will get. But one thing is sure, after surfing for few days in any of these beaches, you will be surprise how much you improved as a surfer.
Before you go, don’t forget to visit our post about the best surf camps in Costa Rica, and also the one about surf resorts in Costa Rica.
