It sometimes seems that whether arriving or leaving Costa Rica, somebody has a surfboard.
Most wend their way to the magnificent Gold Coast off the western Pacific Coast for some of its renowned surfing beaches like Witches Rock where component of the epic surfing film, Endless Summer II, was filmed.
Lots of are attracted to the beaches north and south of Tamarindo, a single of the country's most popular holiday cities.
And, of course, no Costa Rica vacation is full without spending time in Jaco, a party town that just occurs to have wonderful nearby beaches for surfing. Beaches like the pristine, Blue Flag certified, Playa Hermosa, property to the annual (August) Quicksilver International Surf Championships.
There's even a beach, Pavones, along the southern Pacific coast that has the second longest wave in the planet, almost two miles of surfing on a single wave!
Although the Pacific coast is justifiably well-known for surfing, the much less visited Caribbean coast has some of the perfect surfing in Costa Rica, particularly around the laid back tiny town of Puerto Viejo, a mix of Costa Rican, Caribbean (assume Bob Marley), and international influences. You will locate ex pats and guests from Eastern Europe to southern South America plus, of course, Yankees and Canucks.
It's in this relaxed, eclectic community that you'll encounter the Salsa Brava where a heavy reef break is reminiscent of Hawaii. Some call it Costa Rica's heaviest, ideal wave, as thrilling as any coral reef double-up ideal tube on the planet.
And, if you haven't but guessed it, it is not for beginners. Every year, from January through April, pros and some of the world's very best amateurs descend on Puerto Viejo to challenge the Salsa Brava.
Now, unless you are in that august group, perhaps one other nearby beach is exactly where you will need to devote your time on your board.
Playa Cocles (Cocles Beach) is about a mile south of Puerto Viejo. Awarded the Ecological Blue Flag certification for the top quality of its water, you'll come across big swells with breaks to each the appropriate and left. This beach is 1 of the most trendy for each locals and travelers, surfers or non-surfers.
If you head a handful of miles farther, you'll come to Manzanillo Beach with its excellent water, good adequate for snorkeling, and consistent surfing waves.
A note of advice: bring your personal board. This part of the nation is basically bereft of locations to rent a surfboard.
