Howler monkeys, rum bars and incredible waves

Surfing paradise

Costa Rica

Wake up to the raucous calls of the howler monkeys, ride the waves in the early morning light and unwind with a cocktail in your hammock at the end of the day. Costa Rica is a real surfer’s paradise.

Catch the waves

Rob Francis / Alamy Stock Photo

Costa Rica literally means ‘rich coast’. And the country absolutely lives up to its name. Miles and miles of white sandy beaches and unparalleled waves make Costa Rica one of the top surfing destinations in the world. However this region offers much more than just fabulous waves. The combination of laid-back beach towns, pristine natural beauty and sultry reggae-fuelled nights transform your surfing holiday into an unforgettable experience.

Matt Seaver

Nosara

No shoes, no shirt, Nosara

Close your eyes and picture an easy-going surf town surrounded by jungle and wildlife, steps from endless golden beaches. Too good to be true? That’s Nosara. This surf and yoga paradise is one of the most gorgeous surfing destinations in all of Costa Rica. Here you will find three magical beaches connected by winding gravel roads.

“No shoes, no shirt, Nosara” is the motto of this little paradise, which perfectly sums up the town’s carefree vibe.

Start the day with breakfast at the popular Beach Dog Café (tip: try the banana bread French toast!). Then grab your surfboard and walk the short distance from your beach bungalow to the sea. Playa Guiones is Nosara’s most popular beach. And it’s easy to see why: surfers can count on a yearly average of 300 days of surfable waves, with spots that are suitable both for beginners and advanced surfers. Take the plunge and test the waves.

‘La Pura Vida’ is a popular expression in Costa Rica. The translation is ‘Pure life’, but for Costa Ricans it means so much more. For them, the statement is all about enjoying life. And that is a very fitting description of the already easy-going lifestyle of the average surfer.

Playa Jaco and Playa Hermosa

Surfing and partying

For an experience that is almost the complete opposite of Nosara, head to Jaco. This lively beach resort is perfect for beginner surfers. With five kilometres of beach, Jaco is the closest of these beaches to Costa Rica’s capital of San José and attracts both locals and travellers.

Nearby Playa Hermosa is far quieter and offers much bigger waves, more suitable for advanced surfers. This black sandy beach also hosts the yearly International Quicksilver Championship, where hundreds of professional surfers show off their amazing skills on the board.

At the end of the day, Villa Caletas is the place to be. Perched high on a cliff, the hotel also boasts an amphitheatre with spectacular views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean. This is the perfect place to grab a cocktail and watch a magical sunset.

Julien Delmouly

Santa Teresa

After a day riding the waves, head to the Funky Monkey Lodge to chill. This hotel has a laid-back restaurant with a cocktail bar where you can often catch some music. The sushi nights on Wednesdays and Saturdays always draw a crowd. Fancy spending the night here? The lodge offers its guests a wonderful jungle swimming pool and a beautiful yoga studio.

Costa Rica’s most beautiful beach

The beach of Santa Teresa has been ranked in the top 10 of Central America’s most beautiful beaches for many years. There are no high-rises, traffic or throngs of people; only trees, beach and sea. A consistent offshore wind makes this a favourite destination for surfers of every skill level. At low tide, the waves become even faster and more challenging. The best surfing months are May through December, during the rainy season.

Kenneth Rivera

Dominical

Camping along the beach

The rugged ocean at the surf town of Dominical draws surfers from around the world, spending the night in camper vans along the palm-tree lined beach to get an early start and catch the best waves. This town lives and breathes surfing. Don’t expect large hotels – Dominical is hippie, happy and simple.

The many mellow rum bars set the tone for the town’s easy-going atmosphere.

There is more to life in Dominical than surfing. Inland, the beach gives way to mangroves and rainforest that are perfect to explore by kayak. Or take a hike to the Nauyaca Waterfalls and dive into the crystal clear water.