COSTA RICA SURFING: CARIBBEAN ADVENTURES

Limon is not much of a Costa Rica vacation tourist destination. It's been afflicted with drug-related problems serious enough to recently warrant the federal government’s attention but it’s also the gateway to Tortuguero and the wilderness areas of north Costa Rica as well as to the spectacular beaches south.

However, it’s Costa Rica surfing along the Caribbean that has our attention here. Try these beaches when you come.

Limon

This is a favorite Costa Rica beach for surfers and if you’re experienced, you’ll enjoy the heavy, thick, strong swells into the shallow reef waters and a powerful point reef break with a dangerous left break. But, if you’re still learning, try another beach.

You can also try Portete, just north of Playa Bonita. Off the southerly point, you’ll find a right break.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: IN AUGUST 2008, THE WATER AT PORTETE BEACH WAS FOUND TO BE SO CONTAMINATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DECLARED IT HAZARDOUS TO HUMAN HEALTH AND WAS LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION. AVOID SWIMMING OR SURFING HERE FOR NOW.

Isla Uvita is a small island located close to Limon. Usually, you’ll not have much company here because you’ll need to charter a boat to get to the surf and its left break.


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Cahuita

Playa Negra (the black sand Costa Rica playa) lies just north of this little Caribbean town. Don’t confuse this beach with other Costa Rica beaches having the same name. Still pretty much unknown, you’ll find nice breaks year-round—and you won’t have much company, except maybe the monkeys which enjoy the beach, too. You'll have lots of fun in Costa Rica surfing Playa Negra.

And while you’re there, snorkel or scuba at the Parque Nacional Cahuita’s spectacular 1500 acre coral reef or hike the rainforest trails.

Westfalia Beach is south of Cahuita. You’ll find some nice beach breaks with good left and rights for surfing but when the swell is too high, the waves do close out. Fortunately, there are other good surfing beaches nearby.

Puerto Viejo and Points South

If you’re a beginner, or even an intermediate, surfer this is not for you because the reef breaks in shallow reef waters. There are also very strong rip tides here.

Though very exciting, the Salsa Brava is simply too dangerous for all but the best surfers and way too dangerous for swimming.

You can, of course, come to this Costa Rica playa and watch the pros during the day and play with them at night at Puerto Viejo, a real party town.

But, this site is about your Costa Rica vacation adventure--not watching somebody else have fun.

So, I have good news for you non-pros! If watching the experts doesn’t give you goose-bumps, simply take your board and walk east from Salsa Brava about 15 minutes. You’ll find Beach Break with really good waves and. . .sand. . . not sharp reefs.

And don't forget that you can still dance, drink, and play all night at Puerto Viejo—just like, and with, the pros. After all, they're here on a Costa Rica vacation, too.

South Towards Panama

More Costa Rica beaches.

A mile or so south of Puerto Viejo is Playa Cocles with its crystalline azule water and pale sands. It’s so pristine that it has received a Blue-Flag award for ecological awareness and water and beach quality.

If you’re into Costa Rica surfing you’ll love this place for its large swells and reliable left and right breaks. There can be strong currents at this beach but it’s one of the few beaches in Costa Rica to have lifeguards.

This Costa Rica playa (beach) is very popular with non-surfing tourists and is a major destination for surfers.

Manzanilla Beach is about 10 miles south of Puerto Viejo. Here you’ll find nice, fast, consistent beach breaks and in some areas, tubular waves. Like many of the other Costa Rica surfing beaches along the Caribbean, the water is superb and there are wonderful reefs for snorkeling along this pale white beach.

And, don’t forget to visit the wonderful Refugio Nacional Gandoca-Manzanilla after you surf. There's a lot of wildlife in the tropical rainforest, five types of coral reefs along its sandy beaches, manatees, sea turtles, and a very rare (and just recently discovered) freshwater porpoise (that interacts with its salt-water cousins). Wherever you go, you’ll find spectacular, turquoise water and mile-after-mile of pristine, nearly deserted beaches.

When you’re not surfing, you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving along the reefs and exploring sunken ships. Or you can go kayaking, horseback riding, or discovering the very places that Christopher Columbus did over 500 years ago.

You’ll likely see flocks of parrots and macaws (in December) and a whole variety of furry critters. But don’t leave your backpack on the beach. Monkeys are real thieves!

And, you’ll find a laid-back Caribbean ambience wholly unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in Costa Rica. The food will be spicy (you’ll only find spicy food on this coast) and you’ll be able to feel the Jamaican heritage here. Expect a lot of reggae and Bob Marley.

So, Go East Young Man (and Woman)! Enjoy your Costa Rica surfing adventure along the Caribbean.

On your trip to Costa Rica, be sure to bring your bathing suit, camera, and surfboard. Costa Rica will provide the excitement.

Pura Vida!

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