Best Time to Surf Costa Rica

on July 30, 2022

If you want to know when is the best time to surf in Costa Rica, then you are in the right place.

Located in Central America, Costa Rica is boarded by Nicaragua to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Costa Rica is definitely one of the best places to surf worldwide.

But when is the best time to surf in Costa Rica, and what else do you needs to consider finding the best time to surf in Costa Rica?

In this article, we will find out when is the best time to surf in Costa Rica, depending on the different regions of Costa Rica.

The Best Time to Surf Costa Rica 

Costa Rica has two primary seasons, the dry “summer” season (sp. Verano) and the rainy wet "winter" season – (sp. Invierno).

The dry season usually lasts from December and April, while the wet season lasts from May to November.

The dry season is cloudy, hot and dry, while the wet season is humid, wet and rainy.

The climate in Costa Rica is uniformly warm and tropical throughout the year with an average temperature of 70 to 80 °F, or 21 °C to 27 °C

The climate in Costa Rica is very constant, so it will not be the main factor to decide when is the best time to surf in Costa Rica.

The best time to surf in Costa Rica is mainly determined by the following factors: Your surfing ability, the swell which depends on the storm activity, the regions and your favorite activities besides surfing.

We will start with the two coasts of Costa Rica, the Pacific coast and the Caribbean coast, and then look at the north and the south of Costa Rica and finally the specific regions on each coast.

Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

The Pacific Coast offers the best conditions for surfing, whether you are a beginner, advanced or experienced surfer. The swell is more consistent compared to the swell on the Caribbean coast. Hotels, restaurants, eateries and stores are the main factors why there is more tourism on the Pacific coast compared to the Caribbean coast.

Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

The Caribbean coast is ideal for surfers looking for less tourism and more locals, and for those who specifically want to discover the Caribbean coast, knowing that the swell is not as consistent as on the Pacific coast.

North of Costa Rica vs. South of Costa Rica

When deciding whether to go to the north of Costa Rica or to the south, one must keep in mind that the north of Costa Rica is drier than the south during the rainy season. Therefore, the south of Costa Rica is especially suitable for those who don't care if it rains or not while surfing.

The best time to surf Costa Rica - based on Regions

Best time to surf Costa Rica map

The main coasts of Costa Rica are:

  • North pacific coast
  • Central pacific coast
  • South pacific coast
  • Caribbean Coast

North Pacific Coast

The best season for surfing on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is between November and March. During this time the swell and weather conditions are ideal for beginners, intermediate and experienced surfers.

One of the best surf spots in Costa Rica is located in the North Pacific coast: Playa Naranjo or better known as Witches Rock (sp. Roca Bruja). If you want to learn more about Witches Rock, read our article about Witches Rock Costa Rica.

Central Pacific Coast

The best time to surf in Costa Rica on the Central Pacific Coast is between May and October.

South Coast

The best time to surf in Costa Rica on the south coast is between May and October, just like on the central Pacific coast.

Caribbean Coast

If you choose the Caribbean coast, the best time to surf is from May to October and most often in February.

 

Conclusion on the Best Time to Surf Costa Rica

The season depending on the regions is an information about how to find out the best time to surf in Costa Rica. But beyond that, you should also consider your personal preferences.

This can be your surfing skills, additional activities you prefer besides surfing, and whether you want to stay in a tourist region or enjoy a less touristy region.

No matter when you go to Costa Rica to surf, we wish you all the best and great surf sessions!

Please let us know in the comments what your favorite place in Costa Rica is and when you plan to visit Costa Rica for surfing and why you decided that way. 

 

"pura vida"

 

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