COSTA RICA SURFING

HANG TEN FOR THREE MILES!

Yep. Three miles. Imagine riding a 3-mile long wave on your Costa Rica surfing adventure.

One of the longest waves in the world is waiting just for you at Pavones along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

But, there are other great Costa Rica beaches here as well. Some really remote.

You’re not going to find the big, fancy hotels of the Gold Coast. And this is not a party-time coast like Jaco. But, you'll find virtually undeveloped beaches—and your own private surfing paradise.

How far south will you be when you travel Costa Rica to get here?

Think Panama.

Yep, just a few miles to Panama.

Perhaps you’d like to combine great Costa Rica surfing and a side-trip to Panama. It’s easy to do here. All you’ll need is your passport.

But, this page is about three Costa Rica beaches for your Costa Rica vacation, not Panama.

You’ll probably want to start at Golfito, a small town on the west coast of Costa Rica not far from Panama, and either head south or west.

Wait a minute. If Golfito is on the west coast of Costa Rica, what’s west of there besides the Orient?

The Osa Peninsula.

Take a look at a map of Costa Rica. You’ll see the Osa Peninsula. This is wilderness country. Virtually undeveloped.

From Golfito, you’re just a hop, skip, and short ferry ride from its southern tip. And Caba Matapalo sits on that tip.

Think pristine, private, and very remote. Not a lot of creature comforts. But memorable Costa Rica vacations.

Close to Corcovado National Park and Isla del Cano, both special places and very hard to get to, Matapalo will give you three good, but inconsistent, breaks and excellent swells. The right points can be world class.

If you’re a serious surfer and love a real adventure, spend some time at Matapalo.

By the way, did I mention you’ll be swimming with sharks here?

Pura Vida!

Playa Zancudo: A Black Sand Gem

You don't have to go to the Osa Peninsula for great beaches and surfing. Just look south when you're in Golfito and go to Playa Zancudo, a gorgeous black-sand beach just a few miles south.

Considered one of the best beaches in all of Costa Rica, you’ll have one very laid-back vacation here.

The three-mile long beach provides great swimming on the north end, good surfing on the south end, and wonderful boogie-boarding or bodysurfing in between. You’ll find spectacular sunsets along this beach and, on a starry night, the water often becomes phosphorescent.

This is also a very popular area for backpackers and you’ll find cheap accommodations, decent food and drink, and even a little night-life. But even more tranquility. How to get here? Drive or take a bus or water taxi from Golfito. Don’t forget your camera!

But, for Costa Rica surfing of a lifetime, go to the. . .

Pavones Beach: The Endless Wave

One of the truly great surfing beaches anywhere, Pavones is famous for its long waves.

How long? Three miles. The second longest wave in the world.

For many, this is the ultimate Costa Rica surfing destination. For the very best waves, surf here during Costa Rica’s rainy season (April to October) and you’ll find excellent left points where waves hold their shape. South swells, ideal for the serious surfer, come into Pavones and turn into perfect, hollow lefts.

Three miles long. So long you’ll find it easier to walk-back than paddle when you get to the end!

Where is this Mother of All Waves? About eight miles south of Zancudo.

You’re a long way from anywhere at Pavones and you’ll find there’s not much to do here except surf. Seriously surf.

But isn’t that why you want to travel to Costa Rica?

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