For years now, one of the favorite surf destinations of East Coast surfers has been Costa Rica. Inexpensive direct flights to San Jose or Liberia, and hopper flights to many of the small towns near the coast make it easy to access the best surf destinations. Consistent swell from the southern hemisphere are bigger in the northern hemisphere summer, which is the rainy season in Central America. November thru April, the dry season brings cleaner surf conditions with offshore Papagallo winds that can be quite strong when the weather pattern sets up.
Want to see what the surf has been doing lately? Don’t take our word for it. Our friends down at Surfing Nosara have been posting almost daily surf reports and selling real estate in the Playa Guiones area for over 20 years now:
Surfing Nosara Surf Report
Playa Nosara is a fairly remote area in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, offering yoga retreats, surf camps and a variety of excursions and activities besides surfing like zip lines, waterfalls, horseback riding and offshore fishing. The gorgeous beach of Playa Guiones is the highlight of the area for surfing, and is one of the most consistent surf spots in all of Costa Rica. Nearby beaches of Pelada, Garza and Ostional offer options for more experienced surfers.
If you are searching online for places to stay, you will find hotels and cabinas in price ranges for any budget, but it does book up quickly especially in the dry season. Your best option is to organize a group of friends, or bring the family and rent a house. You can even hire a maid and a chef to come in and take care of cleaning and meals. Once again, our friends at Surfing Nosara have a great selection of Vacation Rentals to choose from, and will help you plan your trip:
Surfing Nosara Vacation Rentals
If you are a beginning surfer, and have taken a lesson somewhere like Florida where the waves are perfect for just starting out, Playa Guiones is a perfect place to take your skills to the next level. The waves are typically in the shoulder to head high range, but can be a little smaller in the dry season, and can be much larger when southern Pacific storms kick up from April thru October. It should be noted that the rainy season kicks into high gear in September and October, and is not the best time to visit.
Obviously you can rent a surfboard and go try it on your own, but if you have never set foot in the Pacific Ocean, it’s a great idea to take some surf lessons and get some local knowledge first. So what’s the best company to hire for surfing lessons in Playa Guiones? Here’s a couple of links to get you started:
SURF SIMPLY – Click Here for More
If you have the coin, no doubt the best option is one of the best surf schools on the planet at Surf Simply. They have their own all-inclusive LEED Platinum Certified resort where you can stay in comfort, eat amazing food, do some yoga, get a massage and enjoy some outdoor activities while you are there! Surf Simply is dedicated to making you a better surfer, and have developed a simple plan to take your surfing to the next level, no matter your ability.
NOSARA SURF SCHOOL – Click Here for More
If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica and just want to take some surf lessons while you are in the area, Nosara Surf School is a great affordable option. Instructors are Lifeguard certified, which is a good idea since Guiones has strong currents and can be dangerous if you are not a strong swimmer.
NOSARA SURF ACADEMY – Click Here for More
Nosara Surf Academy offers private and group surf lessons, as well as guided surf tours for more experienced surfers to find the best waves in the area depending on swell direction, wind and tide. Instructors are ISA and CPR certified, so you can be sure to have a positive experience.
Editors Note: We will be adding more information to this page as we find more cool places to stay, our favorite restaurants to eat, and things to do besides surfing. If you have any suggestions please email eddie@surf-station.com
