Surfing the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica From the Intense Salsa Brava to Manzanillo
Sometimes it seems that whether you are arriving or leaving Costa Rica, someone has a surfboard.
Most head to the magnificent Gold Coast on the western Pacific coast to enjoy some of its famous surfing beaches, such as Witches Rock, where part of the epic surf movie, Endless Summer II, was filmed.
Many are drawn to the beaches north and south of Tamarindo, one of the country’s most popular vacation cities.
And of course, no Costa Rica vacation is complete without spending time in Jaco, a party town that has great surfing beaches nearby. Beaches like the pristine, Blue Flag certified Playa Hermosa, home to the annual Quicksilver International Surfing Championship (August).
There’s even a beach, Pavones, along the southern Pacific coast that has the second longest wave in the world, nearly two miles of surf in one wave!
While the Pacific coast is justifiably famous for surfing, the less-visited Caribbean coast has some of the best surfing in Costa Rica, particularly around the small, laid-back town of Puerto Viejo, a mix of Costa Rican, Caribbean (think Bob Marley) and international influences. You’ll find expats and visitors from Eastern Europe to southern South America and, of course, Yankees and Canucks.
It’s in this laid-back, eclectic community that you’ll find Salsa Brava, where a strong reef is reminiscent of Hawaii. Some call it the heaviest and best wave in Costa Rica, as exciting as any coral reef double right tube on the planet.
And, if you haven’t already guessed, it’s not for beginners. Every year, from January to April, professionals and some of the best amateurs in the world come to Puerto Viejo to challenge Salsa Brava.
Now, unless you’re in that august group, perhaps another nearby beach is where you should spend your time on your board.
Playa Cocles (Cocles Beach) is one mile south of Puerto Viejo. Awarded the Ecological Blue Flag for the quality of its waters, you will find large waves with breakers both to the right and to the left. This beach is one of the most popular for both locals and travelers, surfers or non-surfers.
If you go a few more kilometers, you will arrive at Manzanillo beach with its magnificent waters, good enough for snorkeling and consistent waves for surfing.
A note of advice: bring your own board. This part of the country is essentially devoid of places to rent a surfboard.