Costa Rica is simply one of my favorite countries to visit. Home to beautiful coastlines, incredible rainforests, and an incredibly kind culture and people, Costa Rica is my second home. When I lived there, I took these things for granted a bit. Every time we go back, I am struck by just how lovely of a place it is.

With some world-class surf, Costa Rica is home to amazing waves for all skill levels. In addition to quality waves, the culture and vibe varies from place to place. One of the great things about surfing in Costa Rica is the plethora of options for every traveler. We offer some resources for car rentals and transfers at the bottom of this post. Don’t forget to check out our Costa Rica Surfing Guide for specific spots and recommendations!

Tamarindo

Best place to learn to surf in Costa Rica

Tamarindo is a hotspot for tourism, full of backpackers, families, honeymooners, and surfers. It’s probably the closest to a resort town that can be found in the country, but the surfing in Tamarindo is super solid, especially for beginner surfers. If you want to learn to surf in Costa Rica, we definitely recommend Tamarindo. It made our list of the best beginner waves in Costa Rica, and is full of places to build your surfing foundations.

The town itself has a bunch of large hotels, resorts, and restaurants. It’s not much of a true local vibe, as it is mostly a vacation spot. As a tourist center in the country you’ll find a vibrant nightlife scene, tons of tours and activities to do, and lots of fellow travelers. If you want to learn to surf but also want tons of international food options, to party at night, or even to explore the surrounding nature, you could consider Tamarindo.

Because it is maybe the most touristy town in Costa Rica, it’s also on the expensive side. Also due due to its touristy nature, pickpockets and petty theft do happen. However, it is generally considered a pretty safe place to be! Although it’s not overall a budget-friendly place, you can do Tamarindo on a budget by staying in hostels and eating outside the main tourist center.

Getting to Tamarindo

You can get to Tamarindo a number of ways. First, you can rent a car (info at bottom of post). From the airport in San Jose, Juan Santamaria (SJO), it is about a 4.5 hour drive. If you do decide to drive, it’s a beautiful journey. You’ll pass through Puntarenas, a nice touristy place to stop, and out onto the Nicoya Peninsula.

You also might consider a private transfer. I believe they run in the $200-500 USD range, depending on the type of car. A bigger car or van will certainly cost more, but you can fit your boards inside. This is nice if you have a large group, or just simply don’t want to take the long drive yourself.

There are several bus companies that have routes to Tamarindo as well. This will be the most cost-efficient mentho, but will also take the longest. Carrying your board on these can be a hassle, but they may pack it away for an additional fee. There’s a solid guide here covering the bus routes to Tamarindo that is updated regularly.

Finally, you can take a flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport right into the surf town of Tamarindo (or nearby Liberia)! This may run anywhere from $100-200 per ticket one way. It’s not cheap. But it takes only 45 minutes or so, and flights leave several times a day. You can find flights from San Jose to Tamarindo at Trip.com or you might check Kiwi.com!

Where to Stay in Tamarindo

Tamarindo is home to everything from big resorts to small hostels. Some of the best surf camps in Costa Rica are here as well. Here are a few options we recommend:

Iguana Surf Camp - Iguana is probably the most well-known surf camp in Tamarindo and on our list of the 5 Best Surf Camps for Beginners. If you’re involved in the surf scene in town, you can’t miss them. They have an awesome surf shop and one of the best surf schools in Costa Rica. They have options for 6 day camps and 7 day camps, as well as lessons for adults and kids!
Mai Ke Kai - The other surf camp in Tamarindo we recommend. More of a dorm vibe, but they serve breakfast, have security, and nice common areas that will give you a great opportunity to connect with others visiting town to surf! They have 3 day, 4 day, and 5 day camps, and also offer lessons to individuals not staying with them.
Sueño del Mar - This is a little B&B on Playa Langosta. My sister and her husband stayed here for a few nights during their honeymoon vacation and loved it. They have shuttle services to and from the airport in Tamarindo, offer diving and snorkeling, have a private beach, and some nice options for food!
Selina Tamarindo - We’re a little partial to Selina in general. There’s one where we live in Mexico, and they can be found throughout Latin America. These little hostels are not strictly surf hostels in general, but the one in Tamarindo basically is. Selina is a hippie, laid-back hostel for travelers and backpackers. If you’re wanting to stay on a budget and be sure to meet other people, Selina is the place to go!

Nosara

Most consistent waves of all levels

Next, we have the little surf town of Nosara. Located on the western side of the Nicoya Peninsula, Nosara probably has the most consistent waves to learn on in Costa Rica. The town itself is not nearly as touristy as Tamarindo. The beaches are part of the Ostional Wildlife Preserve, which prevents hotels and resorts from building right on the beach! Surfing here is a little mellower and you’ll have views of the jungle from the sea.

Like Tamarindo, it is not one of the cheaper surf towns in Costa Rica. Unlike Tamarindo, it is a bit more spread out. The town itself is home to a lot of healing and wellness. You’ll find yoga and meditation classes and retreats, healthy food, and a laid-back vibe. It’s still touristy, but more of a granola tourist than Tamarindo or Jacó.

Some call the waves soft, or even mushy in Nosara, but I don’t find that to be the case. Yes, there are soft waves here, which are perfect for beginners. The main break at Playa Guiones is great for beginners and intermediates, while the nearby Playa Ostional can often get pumping. We’ve also seen turtles while surfing here! You can find out more about the surf in Nosara and different breaks in our Nosara Surf Guide.

While you’re there, you might check out the Ostional Wildlife Reserve. With over 40 years of experience protecting the land and wildlife, they offer tours to see the local flora and fauna, and your money goes toward helping keep the land protected! If nature is your thing, you can also check out the Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary, where they take care of animals that for one reason or another are not able to return to the wild.

Getting to Nosara

Like Tamarindo, there are many ways to get to Nosara! You can fly from San Jose International Airport (SJO) into Liberia or Tamarindo. Liberia is about 2.5 hours away, and Tamarindo is slightly under two hours. The flights are costly, but it definitely cuts down travel time a bit. From the airports in Tamarindo or Liberia, you can find a bus ride or rent a car.

You also can just rent a car from San Jose and drive to Nosara. It is about a 5 hour drive or so, but it’s a beautiful drive. If you want to stop and spend the night somewhere, Puntarenas is a nice place to stop on the way. This, in our opinion, is the way to go in Nosara. The town and breaks are spread out, and the roads don’t have much room to walk on. Renting a car gives you the freedom to get to the different waves spread out across this Costa Rican surf town.

Where to Stay in Nosara

Hotel Refugio del Sol - This is a relatively budget-friendly surf camp option in Nosara. They have dorms and a common area, kitchen, and some activities such as yoga and meditation classes. The big benefit here is that it’s nearly right on the beach, so getting to surf will not be a problem! They currently offer 4 day and 8 day surf camps.
Safari Surf School - Another solid surf school in Nosara. They have 8 day surf camps and offer a backpacker’s special. Staying at Safari gives you the opportunity to surf with some amazing teachers, go on outside excursions, and meet likeminded travelers.
Selina Nosara - Selina, again. Great little budget-friendly places offered all over Latin America. Selina is the way to go if you want the true hostel atmosphere and to meet other travelers. They often have live music and events, inviting people in from outside the hostel. It’s a safe, fun place to stay, especially for young travelers and backpackers.
Lagarta Lodge - A more upscale option, Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge is a more luxurious option that offers all kinds of activities. They can organize surf lessons and rentals, have horseback riding and snorkeling, and a lovely spa.

Jacó

Most accessible surf town in Costa Rica

Before writing this post, I did a bit of research of other lists about surf towns in Costa Rica. I saw Jacó listed as a good family-friendly option or best for a local vibe, and that’s just not my experience. I’ll be honest, it’s not my favorite surf town in Costa Rica. It definitely has more of a local vibe, but also is popping with tourism (and growing). It has a little more grit than other surf spots in Costa Rica, but not necessarily in a bad way.

Jacó is definitely the most accessible surf town, as it is only an hour and a half or so from San Jose and the airport. Staying in Jacó you won’t need a car as it is extremely walkable. It’s kind of like a tiny city. There’s a popping nightlife, tons of surf rentals on the beach, and lots of surf shops. Food and lodging are much more reasonable than the more international tourist destinations, as Jacó is popular among ticos looking to escape the city.

There are solid and powerful whitewater waves to learn on, especially at the southern end of the main beach. Out back, you’ll find a fair amount of closeouts if the waves get too big, but when the waves are in the chest-high range you can get some solid rides. Just south of Jacó is Playa Hermosa, a renowned surf spot for advanced surfers. It’s one of the best advanced waves in Costa Rica, and should only be approached by comfortable and experienced surfers.

Getting to Jacó

Getting to this surf town is super easy. You can of course rent a car or take a private shuttle. It will be relatively reasonable, as it is much closer than other surf towns. You also can take a bus through Transportes Jaco straight from San Jose. Bus tickets will cost just a few dollars, and it takes only two hours to get into Jacó!

Where to Stay in Jacó

Damo Surf Camp - A popular surf camp in Jacó. We’ve heard great things from people about Damian, the instructor, and his team. In addition to surfing, they have tons of meditation and yoga, hiking options, and bikes to use freely! Damo offers 3 day camps and 7 day camps.

School of the World - This makes our list for the simple fact that they are one of the few surf camps that offer multiple surf classes a day. If you want to get the most surfing in possible, definitely go with School of the World. Every day you’ll have two two-hour surf lessons. They have video analysis included and offer camps for all skill levels!

Surf Inn Hermosa - Located just south of Playa Jacó in Playa Hermosa, this is a bit more of a chill surf camp. You’ll be outside Jacó, but still able to get to town if you need to. The waves are a little bigger here, and although inside waves may be suitable for beginners, this is probably the best option if you have at least some experience swimming or being in the water. They offer 7 day camps for intermediates, and 7 day beginner surf camps.

Diego Naranjo Surf Academy - Former professional surfer Diego Naranja runs this surf school and camp, and has tons of experience both surfing and teaching. Their surf camp offers lessons every day for beginners and intermediates, photos, yoga lessons, breakfast every day, and other options like massages and wildlife tours.

Hotel South Beach - Located on the south end of Playa Jacó (duh), Hotel South Beach is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the beginner-friendly waves in Jacó. You will be about a 5 minute walk to the actual surf town, but it will be quieter than staying right in town.

Dominical

True surf town in Costa Rica

Dominical is perhaps the truest surf town in Costa Rica. A walk along the main drag in town will flood you with surfing and surf-related shops. There are rentals, surf hostels, gear, and tours. The town itself is pretty small. With under 1,000 permanent residents in town, the place really revolves around the surfing community, or so it feels.

Dominical is a surf town without the heavy tourist vibe you’ll find in a few other places. It’s tourist-friendly, but you won’t find high rises or big resorts lining the beach. There’s delicious healthy food, a few bars, and some awesome surf. We recommend checking out Cafe Mono Congo, right on the river. They have an awesome chill vibe, great food, and lovely views out back on the river. There’s also a health food store right next door.

If you’re considering your options for the best surf towns in Costa Rica, Dominical needs to be on your list. If you want something chill, but not too remote, Dominical is a great place to be. People are friendly, there are lots of surfers, and you won’t find the resort or party crowd found in more populated places. However, you also won’t have the number of outside activities, tours, and food options available.

The surf in Dominical centers around the river mouth, where you can find some pumping waves in the wet season. Best for intermediates, there are still smaller waves on the inside and sides for beginners. You also can head down to Dominicalito just south for some smaller waves that might be more newcomer-friendly. We also recommend visiting Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary while you’re there!

Getting to Dominical

When we went to Dominical, we rented a car and recommend that as the way to go. It’s about a 3 hour drive. You don’t need a 4x4 at all; the highway is well-paved and relatively easy to navigate.

You can also take a bus or fly into Quepos. Located right next to Manuel Antonio, Quepos is about a half hour away. From there, you can take a taxi for around $50 or $60 USD, or get on a bus.

Where to Stay in Dominical

Costa Rica Surf Camps - This is the main surf camp in town. You can stay with them for a true surf camp experience, or take lessons. They have a full surf shop for all of your surfing needs, and excellent coaches and classes.
Dominical Surf School - A surf school with over 20 years of experience there in Dominical. They’re not a proper surf camp, but if you contact them they can help set you up with accommodations!
Hotel Villas Rio Mar - A little bit more upscale, but still mellow as Dominical doesn’t offer real resort-style hotels. They are up on the river, a few minutes into the actual town. They offer tours including snorkeling, horse riding, hiking, and more. They also have a little spa and massages.

Uvita

Best chill surf town in Costa Rica

Uvita perhaps doesn’t have the best surf around, but it is my favorite mellow surf town in Costa Rica, and I hope it stays that way. When you’re down by the beach, much of it isn’t paved. You’re surrounded by jungle and lots of people riding their bikes places. A lot of hotels and hostels in town offer bikes either for free or at a reasonable rate. It’s also probably the cheapest surf town in Costa Rica that we know of.

Located just south of Dominical and Dominicalito, Uvita is the place to go in our opinion if you’re looking for a super laid-back vibe. I didn’t put shoes on once during our stay. We walked to nearby restaurants, to rent boards, and to all the surf. There’s also a nice waterfall, Catarata Uvita, right up the road where you can jump and slide and play on the waterfalls and pools.

If you’re looking for more luxurious accommodations, the hills of Uvita are full of incredible hotels and yoga retreats. Overall, the town has a very healthy, mellow, and nature-y vibe. It’s not the place to go if you don’t like a raw experience or need the comfort of nice clean roads and restaurants.

As for surfing in Uvita, it simply can’t compare with places like Tamarindo. However, for beginners it does perfectly well. The strong waves create whitewash powerful enough to learn on, and out back you may find waves up to 6 feet.

Getting to Uvita

Getting to Uvita is pretty similar to getting to Dominical up north. You can drive in about 4 hours, or take a transfer or the bus. The drive is completely along highways, and they are clean and well-maintained. If you’re stay down in the beachside of Uvita, you may possibly want a 4x4 as the roads are dirt/sand, but they were very level and safe when we last went.

You also can fly into Quepos up north. However, as its about an hour and a half from the airport there, it doesn’t exactly make a ton of sense. We definitely recommend driving if possible!

Where to Stay in Uvita

Arboura Eco Cabins - Where we stayed in Uvita. Small, cozy, with a pool and common area. We lost electricity once, but only for an hour or two. Everyone is super friendly, and you can throw a rock and hit surfboard rentals. Also just a hundred meters from the beach and surf!
Bodhi Surf and Yoga - A legit eco-friendly surf camp. They have yoga, surf, and bodyboarding camps. Their grounds are absolutely beautiful. With a saltwater pool, meditation gardens, and healthy food options, it’s definitely for those more inclined toward wellness and self-care. They offer one week and two week surf camps.
Oxygen Jungle Villas - Another luxurious option, Oxygen is incredible. Lots of partners and honeymooners, and a seriously beautiful and romantic vibe. They have a spa, amazing grounds, and super friendly staff. A solid 10 minutes from the beach and surf, but they can help you with transport!

Puerto Viejo

Best Caribbean surf town in Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo, Limón, is one of the few places on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica where you can surf. Home to Salsa Brava a fairly heavy reef break, there are plenty of waves in this surf town for different skill levels. Although there are lots of surfers here and a serious surf culture, the real vibe in Puerto Viejo is party.

I wouldn’t exactly recommend Puerto Viejo as a family-friendly option, but you could do it with a family. Full of Caribbean culture, food, dancing, and music, this surf town is more of a party town. When the sun goes down, the music comes on and the town gets bumping. If you’re looking for a surf town in Costa Rica where you can go out and enjoy yourself dancing the night way, get to Puerto Viejo!

It’s definitely a bit touristy, but the prices don’t really reflect this. It’s one of the cheaper options on this list, and the food is unlike the food in other surf towns in Costa Rica due to the strong Caribbean influence. It’s pretty far from San Jose, but the fun Caribbean vibes and beautiful beaches make it worth the trek.

How to Get to Puerto Viejo

The bus is the most economical option to get to Puerto Viejo. It costs around $15 each way, and takes about 5 hours. You can get some more information here about the bus and routes from San Jose into Puerto Viejo and Limon. Once you arrive, you won’t really need a car. It is a super walkable surf town.

You can also of course rent a car or take a transport. The roads out to Puerto Viejo aren’t quite as good as the roads on the other side of the country but they aren’t so bad. You might need a 4x4 once in Puerto Viejo, but you won’t need it generally to actually get there.

Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo

Casa Pura - Casa Pura is a surf camp right in Puerto Viejo. They offer mindful movement classes, meditation sessions, surf lessons of course, yoga classes, and massages. They also offer tours and guides for the area. One thing we like about Casa Pura is that their surf lessons are fully private!

Selina Puerto Viejo - If you’ve read this entire post to this point, you’re probably sick of hearing about Selina. We don’t have much more to say, but they have a location in Puerto Viejo as well!
AWA Beach Hotel - Just a little bit south of Puerto Viejo, this is a lovely luxury hotel. We’ve visited AWA hotels and residences before. Not this specific one, so we don’t have a ton to say. But in general they’re a solid option bridging the gap between economy and luxury.

Santa Teresa

Prettiest surf town in Costa Rica

Santa Teresa is deep. Located at the end of the Nicoya Peninsula, it’s absolutely beautiful. A true surf town rich with surf culture, it lacks the level of tourism found in other parts of the Nicoya Peninsula. It definitely is more touristy than Uvita or Dominical, but it’s much mellower than Tamarindo or Nosara even. There are tons of restaurants for every desire, empty beaches, and a super chill energy.

There are fairly consistent swells here, and it is hard to find a prettier place to surf. Waves come in all sizes for all skill levels, and it’s definitely a great place for a chill family vacation. The big downside is how far out it is, but if you can get there, you’ll fall in love. We have a good friend who lives there now, and go visit quite often. We always talk about moving there on the plane ride home.

Getting to Santa Teresa

As it’s relatively deep, there are many ways to get to this little surf town. First, you can take a car from San Jose. You’ll have to drive to Puntarenas, then take the ferry over for the best route. It takes about 5 hours or so, and is a beautiful drive. You can also of course drive all the way around the Nicoya Peninsula, but this takes much longer.

There are also domestic flights to the nearby airport of Tambor. Flights run every day, and take about 40 minutes. Samsa is the airline to go with in our opinion. From Tambor, you’re going to have to drive another about 30 minutes to get to town.

Where to Stay in Santa Teresa

Akihs Pods Hostel - Located right at the beach, Akihs is a surf hostel. Housing is in pods in dorms, and each dorm has AC and a locker. It’s definitely on the more economical end, but will offer you a great surf experience. They have 8 day surf and yoga camps, 10 day surf and yoga camps, and 6 day surf camps or 10 day surf camps.
Zeneida’s Garden - A bit more luxury, Zeneidas is a beautiful spot with ice baths, massages, healthy food, and a focus on wellness. The are number one on our list of the best surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica! They have 4 day, 5 day, and 6 day surf and yoga camps, as well as a 5 day couples camp.
Jakera Jungle Surf Camp - If you want a longer stay in this rad surf town in Costa Rica, Jakera is your answer. They offer immersive 15 day camps and full monthlong camps.
Hotel Nantipa - A nice little resort right in Santa Teresa. A relaxing place with grounds full of jungle and nature. You’re a few minutes from the beach, have access to a beautiful spa, and it has a great restaurant.

Getting Around Costa Rica

Any time you’re planning a surf trip, you have to consider how you’re going to get around. And a different answer may fit you than me. But, when we go to Costa Rica, we usually rent a car if we’re able. It’s a bit more costly than taking public transportation, but offers you quite a bit of freedom to go visit different surf towns. We use GetRentacar.com and have had solid 4x4 cars every time we’ve gone. We like being able to go form place to place (you can read about our last trip to Costa Rica here, where we went to several different places).

If you don’t want to drive, there are plenty of other options. One is a private transfer. It’s a nice way to relax, not have to worry about driving or navigating, and have a trusted driver. Also, if you’re bringing boards, you can book a nice big van to fit the boards in. We go with GetTransfer.com, as they have locals they work with everywhere to get solid prices.

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft won’t be common in Costa Rica in the small surf towns, but you will find taxis. The fares may vary, but they’re around $1.15 per km. They’re not the cheapest taxis in Central America, and a lot of the smaller surf towns won’t have taxi service available. However, smaller towns like Uvita and Dominical won’t really require a taxi or car to get around!

Finally, for the most budget-friendly option, check out Tica Bus. These nice coach buses run all over the country, and can likely get you pretty close to your destination. Carrying a board with them may be difficult, and you will likely need to pay an extra fee. Definitely check with them ahead of time and make sure you’re all set!

The 5 Best Surf Towns in Costa Rica