Best Longboard Waves in Costa Rica

I’ve surfed all over Costa Rica with a 9'6″ log strapped to the roof of a dusty rental car, chasing mellow peelers and quiet points. Whether you're traveling solo with a board or looking to spend a few weeks slow-gliding through warm water, this country’s got plenty of friendly spots that deliver. If you’re looking for the best longboard waves in Costa Rica, there are a few standouts that offer the consistency, shape, and vibe that longboarders dream about.

From the long lefts of Pavones to the beach breaks of Nosara, I’ve gathered my go-to favorites after multiple trips and plenty of trial and error. This guide is meant to be practical and realistic—less hype, more honest help. These are waves that are actually fun on a longboard, not just spots where shortboarders let you sit on the inside.

Best Longboard Waves in Costa Rica

There’s a big difference between a surf spot that can be surfed on a longboard and one that’s actually fun on a log. When I look for the best longboard waves in Costa Rica, I’m thinking about soft takeoffs, long rides, and ideally, not too crowded. Here are some of the top spots I keep going back to.

Nosara (Playa Guiones)

Nosara has become a longboard hub for good reason. Playa Guiones is a massive beach break that picks up just enough swell year-round to stay fun. The wave here isn’t super powerful, which is ideal—it gives you time to set your line and trim.

• Wave Type: Soft, rolling beach break
• Crowd Factor: Moderate to high near town, lighter to the north/south
• Skill Level: Beginner to advanced longboarders

Pavones

If you’re down for the journey, Pavones is one of the longest lefts in the world. It’s more advanced than Nosara in terms of logistics and wave energy, but on a solid south swell, it’s a dream. The wave sections beautifully, allowing for long nose rides and cutbacks.

• Wave Type: Long, point break left
• Crowd Factor: Medium, but spread out due to long rides
• Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Playa Avellanas

North of Tamarindo, Avellanas offers a mix of peaks. The inside section called “Little Hawaii” is heavier, but there are playful shoulders and reforms that work great for longboards.

• Wave Type: Beach break with multiple peaks
• Crowd Factor: Light in early mornings
• Skill Level: All levels, depending on the section

Playa Hermosa (Santa Teresa area)

Not to be confused with the heavier Playa Hermosa near Jaco, this southern Nicoya Peninsula break is a quiet alternative to nearby Santa Teresa. The waves are cleaner, and the vibe’s more relaxed.

• Wave Type: Mellow beach break
• Crowd Factor: Low to medium
• Skill Level: Beginner-friendly at high tide

Playa Grande

Just north of Tamarindo, Playa Grande is a wide-open beach break that handles swell well and spreads out the crowd. While it can get punchy at low tide, high tide offers fun, fat peaks that are super forgiving on a longboard.

• Wave Type: Broad beach break with shifting peaks
• Crowd Factor: Medium, but space to spread out
• Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate longboarders

Malpais

Further south of Santa Teresa, Malpais is a quieter zone with scattered reef and beach setups. It’s less consistent than other breaks but when it works, it’s uncrowded and smooth. Some of the inside reforms on smaller days are perfect for trimming.

• Wave Type: Beach and reef mix
• Crowd Factor: Low
• Skill Level: Intermediate

Dominicalito

South of Dominical, this small bay is often overlooked in favor of the heavier main beach at Dominical. But for longboarding, Dominicalito is a hidden gem. It offers mellow peaks and rarely gets too crowded.

• Wave Type: Soft, rolling waves in a protected bay
• Crowd Factor: Low
• Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate

Playa Negra

While Playa Negra is known for its fast reef peak, there’s a more playful section just to the south that breaks over sand and rock. On a smaller swell, this can be a sneaky-good log wave with great shape and less crowd pressure.

• Wave Type: Soft-breaking reef and sand
• Crowd Factor: Low
• Skill Level: Intermediate

You can find more Costa Rica longboard spots listed on my Longboard Waves hub, where I organize guides by region and vibe.

Key Points for Longboarding Costa Rica

• Know your tides: Many of these breaks are tide-dependent. Playa Guiones works on all tides, but others like Santa Teresa and Pavones shine at mid-to-high.
• Travel light, but bring the right board: I always bring a log with a bit of rocker to handle the variety. A soft-rail board with a single fin is ideal.
• Head north or south to escape the crowd: Even popular breaks have quiet zones—walk 5–10 minutes from the main paths.

Best Time of Year for Longboard Surf in Costa Rica

If you’re planning a surf trip, Costa Rica has two main surf seasons: the dry season (December to April) and the green season (May to November). Both have their perks depending on where you're going.

Dry Season

The dry season brings more consistent offshore winds, especially on the Pacific coast. This means glassy mornings and cleaner conditions—perfect for logging. The swell isn’t always massive, which works in our favor.

Green Season

May through August is often my favorite. You’ll get occasional storms, but also solid south swells. Pavones starts firing during this time, and many beach breaks come to life. Just bring a rain jacket and expect some muddy roads.

Travel Tips for Surfing Costa Rica with a Longboard

Bringing a longboard to Costa Rica adds a few logistical challenges, but it’s worth it if you want to get the most out of these waves.

• Check baggage fees carefully: Some airlines are better than others. Southwest and Alaska tend to be longboard-friendly.
• Rent a roof rack or soft rack: Don’t rely on local rentals if you’re bringing your own board—plan ahead.
• Watch for ding repairs: The sun is intense, and local repair shops vary in quality. Keep your board in the shade or a board sock.

Where I’d Go if I Only Had a Week

If I had to narrow it down, here’s what I’d do:

• 3 days in Nosara to settle in and get consistent waves
• 2 days in Avellanas for a change of scenery and reef breaks
• 2 days in Playa Hermosa for a quiet finish to the trip

If you had more time or wanted to chase a swell, I’d tack on Pavones—but only if the south swell charts are lighting up.