Last updated on January 8th, 2024 at 04:54 pm
If you plan to surf in Puerto Viejo, you came to the right place. In this guide, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including surf seasons, surfer tips, and the best surf spots in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.
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About Surfing in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo offers a different surfing experience than any other beach town in Costa Rica. While most surf spots in the country are located on the Pacific side, Puerto Viejo is situated on the Caribbean Coast, facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Getting to Puerto Viejo will take you about a 4-hour drive from the International Airport of San Jose. The moment you arrive, you will immediately feel the difference. For instance, the climate in the Caribbean side is exceptionally humid. Moreover, the people look slightly different, behave differently, and even talk differently. And the music… well, you better like reggae, especially Bob Marley, as it is played here everywhere about 24/7.
The town itself is very touristy. It offers a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and great nightlife. In fact, almost every night you can find a good party and meet people from all over the world. Unfortunately, it is relatively expensive, but for the great time you can have, it’s totally worth it.
Surf Seasons in Puerto Viejo
The surf season on the Caribbean Coast is pretty short and lasts only from December to March. Therefore, this is the recommended time to surf in Puerto Viejo. When the north swell hits during these months, it hits big time, and the waves are enormous. For that reason, Puerto Viejo became a full-time surf town with national surf competitions and talented local surfers. In the rest of the year, the waves are tiny, so it is better to surf on the Pacific side.
Surf Spots in Puerto Viejo
There are several good surf spots in Puerto Viejo. While some are powerful and aggressive, others are beginner-friendly.
So, in detail, these are the best surf spots in Puerto Viejo:
Salsa Brava:
This is the most powerful surf spot in Costa Rica. Even though it performs only between December and March, it is known as a world-class break. This right-hand reef break is extremely hollow, and the reef is shallow, sharp, and full of sea urchins. Therefore, only experienced surfers can surf here, and even for them, it is a great challenge. When a massive Caribbean swell hits the shallow reef, it turns into a massive barrel. Broken boards and injuries are a common thing in Salsa Brava, so if you are a beginner, you shouldn’t be here. However, if you know what you are doing and can handle the locals, the reef, and the steep drop, you will ride the barrels of your dreams.
Playa Negra:
If the waves in Salsa Brava are too scary for you, don’t worry, as Playa Negra offers beginner-friendly waves just next to it. Some surfers call this spot “El Barco”, and you can recognize it by the shipwrecks that pop out of the water and create the peak. Especially during high tide, you will ride mellow waves that allow you to practice without danger.
Playa Cocles:
A short distance from Salsa Brava, you will find Playa Cocles. It is a punchy beach break that offers both right and left rides. The current is strong, but the sandy bottom is forgiving and suitable for all skill levels. The best time to surf in Playa Cocles is during high tide and early morning.
Surf Camps in Puerto Viejo
If you are brand new to surfing, you can explore Puerto Viejo’s surf scene at a surf camp. It doesn’t really matter which one of the camps you choose, as the idea is pretty much the same. They pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel where you meet people just like yourself. Accommodation, breakfast, and daily surf lessons are included, and you get unlimited access to surfboards to practice your new surfing skills.
These are the best surf camps in Puerto Viejo:
1. Surf the Jungle– Find more info at surfthejunglecostarica.com.
2. Selina Surf Club– Find more info at selina.com.
After a few days in one of Puerto Viejo’s surf camps, you will be surprised how fast you can learn to surf and how much fun it can be.
Surf Hotels in Puerto Viejo
When coming to surf in Puerto Viejo, you want to stay as close as possible to the waves. So, these are some of the most recommended surf hotels in town:
1. Cabinas Yucca– at Cabinas Yucca, you will find a terrace and a coffee and Tea kitchen in the communal area. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge and luggage storage. Parking space on the property is available only on request.
2. Amimodo Beach Rooms– Set in Puerto Viejo’s best location at Salsa Brava Beach, Amimodo Beach Rooms feature accommodation with a garden and free WiFi.
3. Oasis– Featuring a private beach area, Oasis is a great beachfront place. With free WiFi, this hostel offers an outdoor ocean view, a shared kitchen, and free private parking.
4. Casa Coquito– Casa Coquito is situated in Puerto Viejo, 750 m from Cocles Beach, 1.1 km from Negra Beach, and 3 km from Jaguar Rescue Center. This property offers access to a balcony and free private parking.
For more surf hotels in Puerto Viejo, check out the best deals on Booking.com.
Can Beginners Surf in Puerto Viejo?
Puerto Viejo is famous primarily for the giant waves of Salsa Brave. Therefore, people mistakenly think that only experienced surfers can surf Puerto Viejo. Luckily, there are other surf spots in Puerto Viejo, like Playa Negra and Cocles, that offer beginner-friendly waves. On these beaches, you can learn and practice on mellow waves over a sandy bottom. Therefore, surfers of all skill levels can surf in Puerto Viejo.
Puerto Viejo- Travel Information
Language– Spanish.
Currency– Costa Rican Colon.
Electricity– 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US
Calling code– +506.
Time zone– GMT -6.
Pros– Caribbean atmosphere, world-class waves, warm water, great nightlife.
Cons– short season, expensive.
Other Fun Activities in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo’s surfing days are limited to a pretty short season, and even then, the surf conditions will not always be perfect. Luckily, this town offers several cool things to do while surfing is off:
Chocolate tour– Walk through an authentic cacao farm and witness the process that turns a cocoa bean into a delicious chocolate.
Visit the Indigenous community– the mountains on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica are home to the Bri Bri, the biggest indigenous group in the country. This tour will allow you to witness how these people kept their authentic lifestyle.
Cahuita National Park– The entrance is free, and you can see wild animals such as monkeys, birds, snakes, and sloths.
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see turtles, crocodiles, caimans, toucans, and parrots.
White water rafting in the Pacuare River– This is one of the most extreme rivers in the world, so make sure to put your helmet on.
Diving and snorkeling– The Caribbean coast is known for its rich underwater life, so on a good day, you can see tons of tropical fish.
Jaguar Rescue Center– The center takes the injured wild animals, treats them, and releases them back to nature.
Conclusion- A Final Thought
Puerto Viejo is an outstanding Caribbean surf town. Although it is flat most of the year, the waves are spectacular during the peak surfing months. So, whether you are a beginner who wants to take surf lessons and enjoy the beach or an experienced one seeking the barrels of Salsa Brave, Puerto Viejo is definitely the place to be.
After you surf in Puerto Viejo and it’s time to move on, you can either head south to Bocas Del Toro, on the Caribbean Coast of Panama or move to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
