4 Best Places to Surf in December in Latin America
Although it may not be seen as the best surf season out of the year, December is a common time for people to go on surf trips. Coming from the Northern Hemisphere, finding a place to surf in December offers you a getaway from the cold and some solid waves.
The good news is that there are some great places to surf in December in Latin America. We have a few beginner surf spots and some places where the intermediate and advanced waves may still be coming in. Here’s our list of the best places to consider for a winter surf trip!
Costa Rica
Not as big as wet season, but offers solid waves
Costa Rica definitely gets bigger waves in the summer months, or wet season. During the dry season, or the North American winter, you can still find plenty of waves. Offshore winds are fairly consistent during the dry season, but can be fairly strong. On the right days, this creates smooth, glassy waves in some parts of the country.
Generally, the northern part of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica will be the best way to go in the winter. Places like Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa (all three of which are on our list of the 5 Best Surf Towns in Costa Rica) offer solid waves in the winter as the swells come in from the Pacific. In December, you’ll find relatively mellow waves but more wind. There will also generally be nice, small waves for beginners to practice on.
In Costa Rica in December, you likely won’t need a wetsuit. The water temp is generally lovely. The downside is you might find holiday crowds in the more touristy spots, such as Tamarindo. Santa Teresa and Nosara like will have less crowds, but are still subject to holiday-season tourism. There are also tons of nature tours and activities such as hiking, rafting, snorkeling, diving, and more in the area for your off-days from surfing.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
Surf Camps
Zeneida’s Garden - Zeneida’s is one of our favorite places, and it’s on our list of our favorite yoga and surf retreats in Costa Rica. They have amazing grounds with lush tropical foliage, offer massages and ice baths, provide incredible healthy food, and make wellness a priority. While staying at Zeneida’s, you’ll have the chance to surf with some top-quality instructors, but also relax with meditation and yoga classes.
Iguana Surf Camp - Located in Tamarindo, Iguana is a well-known surf camp in the area. They offer many options for surf camps and surf lessons, including group and private lessons. They have a full surf shop with longboards, foamies, and shortboards, as well as leashes and rashguards. They offer bilingual instruction, have yoga classes, and can offer you trips to go sailing, ATVing, whitewater rafting, and more.
Mai Ke Kai - Another surf camp in Tamarindo, Mai Ke Kai is a dorm-style surf camp. It’s a great way to go to Costa Rica in December on a budget, and you’ll definitely meet other travelers during your time. They have 24-hour reception, breakfast is included, laundry service, coworking space, and a lovely common area. They have all the equipment you’ll need, classes in small groups or privately, and ISA-certified surf instructors.
Hotel Refugio del Sol - Located in Nosara, Hotel Refugio del Sol is another small surf hostel. Located right next to the beach, they offer double rooms, triple rooms, and a room with a full kitchen and oven. Surrounded by untouched jungle, you’ll be sure to hear the howler monkeys in the morning. They also have a small restaurant with healthy dining options and local cuisine.
Safari Surf School - Finally, we have Safari, a surf school and camp in Nosara. Primarily a surf school, Safari works with a few local places to offer accommodations in either hotels or private homes. Every option has air conditioning other than the hostel, and are just a minute or two from the sand of Playa Guiones. They work with more luxurious hotels such as Olas Verdes, or can put you up in more budget-friendly options like the Nosara Beach Hostel.
Hotels
Hotel Nantipa - Located right in Santa Teresa, Hotel Nantipa is a relatively small hotel with freestanding bungalows. It’s definitely luxurious, but also very natural and relaxing. Bungalows have a private soaking pool, tons of light, outdoor lunge chairs and hammocks, and a super serene vibe. Just a few minutes from the beach, you’ll have no problem getting into the wave break from Nantipa.
Lagarta Lodge - Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge in Nosara is another lovely upscale hotel. They work a lot with traveling surfers, and can set you up with surf leesons and transport. They also have horseback riding, snorkeling and diving, and a full spa for massages and relaxation. The rooms are situated in the middle of the jungle, and all have air conditioning. A few of the rooms have beautiful ocean views as well.
Sueño del Mar - Sueño del Mar is a small bed and breakfast on Playa Langosta in Tamarindo. My sister and brother-in-law stayed here a few nights during a honeymoon trip around Costa Rica and absolutely loved it. They provide shuttles to and from the local airport in Tamarindo, offer a ton of activities and tours, have a small private beach, and delicious breakfasts. It’s also located pretty centrally, making it easy to get around town and to the surf!
Cancun, Mexico
Fun vacation spot, has surprising waves in winter
Not often thought of as a surf spot, Cancun does produce some waves worth surfing in the winter. If you’re an advanced surfer, keep reading. The waves here are Caribbean, and will be much better for beginners and intermediates. On the best days with offshore winds, you’ll find chest or shoulder-high waves.
The Atlantic really gets going in December and January, making this a good place to consider when you’re planning a surf trip in the winter. The beaches of Cancun are home to some waves, as are the beaches south of the city in Punta Brava, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Aventuras. You won’t find any overhead waves, but you will find great learner waves.
In addition to surfing, Cancun has a ton of activities to offer. The Riviera Maya is full of nature-based action. You can visit cenotes, go on ATV tours through the jungle, visit Chichen Itza, sail to Isla Mujeres, or go snorkeling and diving on the Mesoamerican Reef. There’s also a lively party scene in the area if that’s more your speed!
The weather in Cancun in December is beautiful and mild. You won’t be killed by the Caribbean heat, and you likely won’t need anything other than shorts and tee shirt. Surfing in the tropical waters in December means no wetsuits as the water temperature is lovely. It’s definitely a solid place for beginners with the warm waters, sandy bottoms, and relatively gentle rolling waves.
Outside Cancun you can find a left at Punta Brava when a north swell comes in, bigger beach and reef breaks over on the island of Cozumel, and a small point break at the pier in Playa del Carmen.
If you’re coming to Cancun, hit us up via email or on Instagram! We’re just south in Playa del Carmen, and always love meeting people to surf with. Doesn’t matter your level, we love meeting travelers!
Where to Stay in Cancun
Surf Camps
Hostel Natura - Hostel Natura is one of the few surf-oriented hostels in the Cancun hotel zone. The hostel has mixed rooms of 6, 8, or 10, as well as private rooms with 1 or 2 beds. Rooms will run anywhere from $40-75, and dorm rates are in the $15-20 range. They are pet-friendly as well if you’re traveling with a little buddy! They connect with the local surf and SUP school, and are right there near the beach with waves in Cancun!
Good Vibes Surf School - Good Vibes is a surf school in Cancun. They offer 90 minute lessons, 5 day surf packages, and rentals of all the surf equipment you might need. They also offer Stay and Play packages as they own a few properties on the beach right there. They have a few oceanfront condos that have beautiful views and are walking distance to the restaurants, bars, and activities in Cancun.
Selina Cancun Laguna - We are constantly writing about Selina. A growing chain across Latin America, Selina is a friendly, social hostel. They offer private rooms, premium rooms, and dorm-style rooms. Located just on the other side of the strip on the lagoon side, it’s just a few minute walk over to the waves of Chac Mool, the restaurants and bars, and the nightlife in Cancun.
Hotels
Krystal Cancun - Krystal Cancun is a resort right there at Playa Forum where the waves come in. If you’re down there surfing in the sea, you can’t miss this hotel. They also have the Grand Krystal all-inclusive resort right next door if you’re looking for an all-inclusive option. They have many room and suite options right on the Caribbean, several restaurants, and tons of activities for kids and adults.
Paradise Beachfront - Another hotel right there in Cancun, Paradise Beachfront is on the beach (as the name suggests). They have beautiful Panamoramic Corner Suites with views of the sea and lagoon. This is an apartment/condo type of hotel, so you will have a kitchen with microwave, stove, and dishwasher, a huge terrace, and a private bathroom.
Ventanas al Mar - Located southeast of Cancun on the island of Cozumel, Ventanas al Mar is a great place to stay if you want to be closer to some of the bigger surf offered in the Riviera Maya. They have multiple different ocean view suites and were built on a natural cliff overlooking the sea. There’s a long sandy beach right there, sea turtle nesting, and you’re pretty close to Machito’s Surf Lessons, the best surf school in Cozumel!
Nicaragua
Decent waves, less crowds than other options
Like Costa Rica, Nicaragua is definitely better in the wet season. However, the dry season (winter for North America) still has plenty of waves on offer. They have many different kinds of surf breaks in the country, and although you won’t find the huge waves of July or August, there’s plenty of fun to be had.
Playa Colorado is a river-mouth break, and the river runs year round. During the dry months you won’t find huge overhead waves, but there are still consistent rights and lefts around chest to shoulder high. The Main Reef at Popoyo won’t be pumping like you see on social media in December, but Beginner Bay, Playa Santana, and Stoneys will still have waves on offer. San Juan del Sur is probably a weaker option as the south-facing beach really relies on the southern swells, but you’ll still find plenty of knee-high waves and beginner-friendly whitewash.
Nicaragua is an awesome place. If you’ve been, you know. The people are super friendly, the beaches are beautiful, and there’s some of the most dense and beautiful jungle in Central America. It’s also cheaper than Costa Rica to the north once you’re there. The weather is generally mild in December in Nicaragua, and wetsuits may be necessary for some, but not for most.
Where to Stay in Nicaragua
Surf Camps
Hide and Seek - More of a surf resort than a surf camp, Hide & Seek is a top-notch hotel in Popoyo. A luxury surf hotel, they have AC in all rooms, saunas, ice beaths, a pool, spa, beautiful gardens, and on-site restaurant with room service. They of course offer surf lessons, and also have horseback riding, plenty of local tours, meal prep, and more. It’s a wellness-oriented resort, so you’ll find healthy meals with vegetarian options. Surf is not their main focus, but they do offer surf-specific camps in addition to yoga classes, meditation, pilates, and more.
99 Surf Lodge - 99 Surf Lodge is another all-inclusive surf lodge in Popoyo. They offer retreats for beginners and camps for intermediates/advanced surfers. They do offer a-la-carte options and all-inclusive options so you don’t have to worry about anything. They have a solid restaurant, transfer to all of the best surf waves, and even offer the option to get towed into waves. There’s yoga, a high-quality restaurant, and luxurious and minimal rooms that sit right on the beach.
Dreamsea Surf Camp - Located in San Juan del Sur, Dreamsea is a beautiful jungle surf camp with double and twin rooms. They also have shared accommodations available for thoseon a budget. With private transport, Dreamsea takes individuals to various waves in the area, offering individual and group surf lessons. They also have yoga and offer tours and cultural experiences.
Room to Roam - Located just next door to Playa Colorado in Playa Gigante, Room to Roam is a relatively new surf camp. They have locations in other countries, but the Nicaragua surf hotel and camp is rad. They have shared double rooms and private singles, and each room is equipped with AC, WiFi, and a private bathroom. Some rooms have kitchenettes available as well. They have a cute little palapa restaurant, offer tons of tours and activities, and of course surf classes. They can take you on a boat to nearby breaks, including advanced, intermediate, and beginner waves! This is a great way to go to explore multiple different waves in the area.
Hotels
Monoloko Lodge - Monoloko is a beautiful bungalow-style hotel. Hotel isn’t really fair, as it is much more private and peaceful than most hotels! Nestled just a few hundred meters from the beach in the middle of the tropical rainforest, Monoloko’s wooden bungalows are the perfect place to be in nature but still close to the beach. They have an outdoor pool, lovely beach, and access to some amazing surf. The area in Popoyo has so many different waves for all surf levels, and during December they will be slightly gentler than the wet season.
Hotel Alcazar - Located right in the town of San Juan del Sur, steps from the beach, Alcazar is a small luxury-style hotel centrally located. They have deluxe rooms, terrace rooms, and poolside rooms at reasonable rates ($75-100 USD/night). They have a bar, pool, and spa, but they are not a surf-centric hotel. However, in San Juan del Sur you’ll have no problem finding surf rentals and surf equipment or classes in town!
Sayulita, Mexico
Best beginner spot in winter
Sayulita is our favorite spot for beginner waves in December. Before we get into it, let us warn you that the main beach can be insanely crowded around holiday season. Like a level of crowded you’ve likely never seen. However, if you go out in the early morning or late afternoon, you’ll find a little more space.
As can be seen in the graphic above, Sayulita has fairly consistent wave size. December is slightly smaller than other months, but the waves average around waist high and can be perfect for beginners. The reason Sayulita makes our list is not just the beginner waves; there are tons of fun things to do in Sayulita like tours, snorkeling, whale watching, fishing, and partying.
With options for everyone, Sayulita is a great place either for a romantic surf vacation, a family surf vacation, or a solo surf trip to meet likeminded travelers. Sayulita has hostels, remote hotels, jungle lodges, and everything you could ask for. During December, it’s really popping off. The waves are perfect for newbies, and there are a few other beaches around offering different waves that may be less crowded.
Where to Stay in Sayulita
Surf Camps
Variant Surf - This surf camp is actually in Punta Barros, just outside Sayulita. It is a good option for surfing in December, as it will be much quieter than the main beach in town. With over 10 years of experience in the Riviera Nayarit, they offer personalized surf classes. If you stay elsewhere in town, we recommend hitting them up for some surf guidance or rentals!
Sayulita Cruz - Sayulita Cruz is really a surf camp creation company. They can offer personalized surf and stay experiences in the area. They offer lots of yoga and wellness along with their surf camps. They also will add on extra activities like cultural and adventure tours, dining and culinary experiences, and more.
Surf’n Sayulita - One of the older surf camps in Sayulita, Surf’n Sayulita is right in the middle of town. It’s definitely best for beginners or beginner/intermediates. They offer private surf lessons, group classes, and surf courses for the whole family! They also have surf guide options if you want someone to take you to the different breaks in the area during your stay.
Hotels
Casa Lotería - Casa Lotería is located right in the center of Sayulita. On the other side of the street from the central plaza in town, this spot is happening. If you want to be close to the action and go out at night, we recommend staying here or somewhere in this area. Be aware that during December, many of the bars and clubs will be playing loud music into the early hours of the morning. They have a large poo, and options for junior suites and family-sized suites.
Selina Sayulita - Selina again! Their Sayulita location is right int he middle of town. This dorm-style hostel can set you up with surf classes, and you’re guaranteed to make some fellow surfer friends if you stay here. They have dorm accommodations, a swimming pool, and an active social scene. They are also known to have events like live music, meditation classes, and more.
Haramara Gardens - This new hotel is more of a retreat experience, located slightly out of town in a more jungly environment. But fear not, it’s still only a few minutes into town and to the beach! They are a wellness-oriented retreat experience. They have yoga classes, a beautiful healing center and spa, and really focus on holistic wellbeing.