Best Surfing Beaches in Costa Rica

Dominical Beach, or Playa Dominical, is a true Costa Rican beauty, with tropical jungle lining the golden sand, and turquoise waters crashing on the shore. This beach is a surfing mecca, with some of the most consistent waves in the country. The waves stand as high as ten feet tall, giving advanced surfers the thrill that they came for. Surf. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. This is the mentality of many surfers that flock to the waters, and it's common for them to camp out on the sand for the night. Swimmers should exercise caution, as riptides are strong throughout much of the beach.

An excursion to the nearby Caño Island offers stunning coral reefs, sea turtles, stingrays, and more. This engaging location is a scuba-diving hotspot, with colorful, underwater attractions at every turn. Because the island is a part of a biological reserve, the number of divers is limited per day, so be sure to reserve a spot before you go. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also great ways to explore the marine life as you slice through the nature-filled waters. The lush, forest greenery beside the beach is home to as many species as the sea is, with hundreds of bird species scaling the trees.

The scenic hike to Nauyaca Waterfalls is one of the best day trips in the area, with a natural swimming hole at the bottom of the stunning, 61-meter falls. Haciends Baru is another one of Mother Nature's gems and has forests, mangroves, and grasslands within its boundaries. There are a few nearby hotels and accommodations, including Plaza Suites, MAVI Surf Hotel, and Roca Verde. Dominical Beach is clearly the quintessential destination for nature enthusiasts, avid surfers, and beachside relaxers. Set foot on the sands of this beach, and you'll want to call Dominical Beach "home" forever.

Located in the city of Hermosa Beach in the South Bay region of Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach – also known as Hermosa City Beach – is a popular two-mile-long beach that has light brown sand and a pier named Hermosa Beach Pier.  This beach is spread over 94 acres and it has been listed by the Travel Channel as one of the “Top 10 Beaches in the United States.” It has also been listed as one of the best beaches in Los Angeles County by many online and print publications including Thrillist and LA Weekly.

Hermosa Beach is usually open between 6 am and midnight.

Looking for the place where the surf is always up? Try the quintessential surf village of Santa Teresa, a small beach town where the sun is bright, the sands is sparkling, and the water is crystal clear. And while your initial lure might be the beach, you’ll be surprised by the fishing, the kite-surfing, the yoga and spas, and the gorgeous sunsets. Even though Santa Teresa has recently boomed in popularity, it has managed to resist the high-rises and still has a pristine coastline with sandy white beaches bordered by a broad strip of forests and jungle covered hills that separate the beach from the town.

Santa Teresa is a great place for novice surfers with its easy-going breaks and many surf schools and camps, but Santa Teresa is about more than surfing. Try one of the long hikes along the scenic coastline, swim and investigate interesting sea life in the tidal pools, go snorkeling or fishing, or read a book while enjoying the amazing views from any direction.

Visitors often mention the memorable sunsets at the beach where the entire town seems to gather. Watching surfers show their talents, chatting with the Ticos, enjoying the bonfires, and planning for the rest of the evening all combine to make visitors feel welcome. Don’t be surprised if the beauty and atmosphere of Santa Teresa make you think about joining the many others who have settled at Santa Teresa permanently!

Best known as a destination for yoga and surfing, Playa Guinones is a breathtaking slice of paradise. With over four miles of beachfront and a biodiverse tropical environment, Playa Guiones is every nature lover’s ideal beach paradise.

Set on the Northwestern end of Costa Rica, Playa Guinones is the largest and nicest beach within the Nosara district. With its thick and pristine white sand, baby-blue water, and miles of vegetation and trees, it is stunning. Beachgoers looking for a peaceful and serene beach experience love it, as it is secluded, large, and often empty. At Playa Guinones, beachgoers decompress in warm tide pools that act as nature’s very own jacuzzi tubs, lounge in huts to cool down and avoid Costa Rica’s heat, spy on Howlett monkeys in the beach’s trees, and take surfing classes. Yoga enthusiasts travel to Playa Guinones from all over the world for its world- renowned yoga classes and retreats, which are held throughout Nosara. Playa Guinones is also a renowned destination for surfers, as it has high waves and an unobstructed and undeveloped beach.

While Playa Guinones is fairly remote, there are activities to keep beachgoers busy. Looking for fun and adventure? Head to Nosara Escape, where beachgoers try to escape the jungle in South America’s first outdoor Escape Room. To get a workout in, play tennis at the Tennis Club Colibri. And if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, visit the SIBU wildlife sanctuary, where you can view a variety of plants and animals that are being protected. After the sun sets, grab dinner at La Peruana, an authentic Peruvian restaurant serving specializing in ceviche and seafood. If you’re looking to stay in Playa Guinones, the Green Sanctuary Hotel is a peaceful modern inn with incredible views and hospitality.