Last updated on January 7th, 2024 at 09:33 am
If you plan to surf in Playa Negra, Costa Rica, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including wave description, surf seasons, surfer’s tips, and everything else you need to know about surfing in Playa Negra.
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About Surfing in Playa Negra, Costa Rica
Playa Negra’s surf scene became famous when the movie “Endless Summer 2″ came out, just like its neighboring town, Tamarindo. And yet, the difference between these two surf spots is enormous. While the break at Tamarindo is soft and beginner-friendly, surfing in Playa Negra is a totally different story. It is a pure barrel crashing over a shallow reef in a very crowded lineup, and presents a great challenge for any surfer daring to face it.
The kind of people surfing in Playa Negra are those who are looking to stretch their limits and, hopefully, know what they are doing. In fact, many surfers are considering Playa Negra as one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica, especially for barrel hunters. Therefore, if you are looking for some perfect barrels and know how to handle them over a shallow reef, you should definitely surf Playa Negra at least once during your surf trip to Costa Rica.
Surf Seasons in Playa Negra
Playa Negra offers fantastic waves year-round, as the swell is consistent in both dry and wet seasons. The break can hold up to triple overhead height without losing its beautiful shape.
During the wet season, between May and November, the waves can get up to 6-15 feet and sometimes even higher. However, in the dry season, between December and April, it is typically around 3-6 feet, and the conditions are cleaner.
The best time to surf in Playa Negra is during mid or high tide. Due to its shallow reef, you don’t want to surf Playa Negra during low tide unless you are an excellent surfer and can handle the risk.
During low tide, you can also take a short drive north to Playa Avellanas, which performs better at low tide.
Surf Hotels in Playa Negra
Los Pargos, the village where Playa Negra is located, has several Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and shops. However, it is all pretty basic and not very impressive. Therefore, most people choose to stay in Tamarindo and just drive here for the surf session. If you want to stay in Playa Negra itself, at least ensure you stay as close as possible to the break. These are some of the most recommended surf hotels in town:
1. Hotel Playa Negra– Located along the beach, Hotel Playa Negra offers an outdoor pool, spacious beachfront restaurant and bar, and free WiFi as well.
2. Casa Mymy– Casa Mymy is located in Playa Negra and features a lovely garden, shared kitchen, and a terrace.
3. Cafe Playa Negra Hotel– This 3-star property is about 8 minutes from the beach. Cafe Playa Negra Hotel has a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a shared lounge.
For more surf hotels in Playa Negra, check out the best deals on Booking.com.
If you are looking for surf camps in the Playa Negra area, check out all the details about surf camps at Booksurfcamps.
Can Beginners Surf in Playa Negra?
The waves in Playa Negra are steep, hollow, and break over a shallow reef. In fact, it is one of the most aggressive breaks in Costa Rica. Therefore, surfing in Playa Negra is a challenge for experienced surfers only and definitely not for beginners. Luckily, other beaches in the area have mellower waves, like Tamarindo and Nosara.
How to Get To Playa Negra?
Playa Negra is located in the Guanacaste region on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. To get here, you must take a 5-hour drive from San Jose. However, if you are coming from Tamarindo, it will take you only about 40 minutes. With this in mind, if you want to drive here on your own with a rental car, make sure it’s a four-wheel, especially during the wet season (From May to November), as sometimes the road is flooded.
Playa Negra- Travel Information
Language– Spanish.
Currency– Costa Rican Colon.
Electricity– 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US
Population– About 1,000.
Calling code– +506.
Time zone– GMT -6.
Pros– epic barrels, consistent surf all year long, warm water.
Cons– dangerous shallow reef, nothing to do outside of the water.
Conclusion- Final Thought
In summary, Playa Negra is the kind of place that will reveal your true level as a surfer. If you are not good enough, the waves and the reef will let you know that pretty fast. However, for good surfers who can deal with a powerful barrel over a shallow reef, it is heaven on earth.
