If you are looking for a surf travel destination with jungle vibes, gorgeous beaches and warm water, Costa Rica is a great destination to start with surfing, or treat yourself to a special trip as an intermediate or experienced surfer. You can live the barefoot life in little villages like Nosara and dive in fully in the surfing world.
How to get to Costa Rica
We flew with Edelweiss from Zurich to Liberia, which is one of the most convenient ways to reach Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. From there, we picked up a rental car and drove south towards Nosara. One important tip early on: make sure to rent a 4×4. Roads can be rough, especially after heavy rain. Expect unpaved sections, potholes, and river crossings, having the right car makes the journey significantly easier.
Tamarindo – Costa Rica’s famous surf town
On the way to Nosara, we stopped in Tamarindo for two days. Tamarindo is one of the most popular surf towns in Costa Rica and a very easy place to start your trip. There are plenty of surf schools, cafés, restaurants, and accommodation options, and overall it’s a convenient first stop after arriving. It is a buzzing place – so be prepared for quite some tourists.
Surfing in Tamarindo
We surfed at Playa Tamarindo, which offers gentle, rolling longboard waves. It’s one of the best surf spots in Tamarindo for beginners and a good place to ease into your first sessions. We rented some boards directly at the beach of playa Tamarindo in one of the many surf shacks. We also surfed at the River Mouth (El Estero), which has slightly more powerful waves. When we arrived, we were greeted by a sign saying “Beware of crocodiles.” Crocodiles are known to be present in this area, so it’s important to check local conditions and ask around before entering the water. The lineup was quite busy, but still manageable, and we were able to get some good waves.
Where to eat in Tamarindo
Tamarindo has a wide range of food options, including many good vegan and healthy spots, some of the places we tried are:
- Café Flora
A small café with excellent vegan tacos - Breakfast Grinds
A good option for breakfast after surfing, overlooking the beach - Beachfront restaurants
There are many options directly on the beach for sunset drinks and dinner - Mother Earth
A more upscale vegan restaurant worth visiting – you can also stay there
We stayed in a small Airbnb very close to the center, which worked well for a short stay.
Nosara – jungle meets beach and holistic lifestyle
After Tamarindo, we continued to Nosara. Compared to Tamarindo, Nosara feels quieter, greener, and more focused on surfing and nature. We first stayed in the hills to celebrate a friend’s wedding, and then moved closer to the beach. We stayed at The Nomadic Hotel for a few nights and would recommend it for its relaxed atmosphere and comfortable rooms.
Surfing in Nosara: Playa Guiones
The main surf spot in Nosara is Playa Guiones, one of the most consistent surf spots in Costa Rica. It’s a long beach with multiple peaks, which makes it suitable for all levels. What stands out is the mix of people in the water, beginners, experienced surfers, and what amazed me most, surfers of all ages. I would look right or left, and see a 70 year old take of on a longboard. If you’re looking at the ocean, the waves tend to be slightly smaller on the left side, which can be helpful if you’re still building confidence. We were lucky with the conditions and had clean waves every day, around 3–5 foot.
Surf conditions & what to bring
Costa Rica is hot, we had temperatures between 32–37°C when we visited in February and water temperatures around 27°C. Because of the heat, we structured our surf sessions early in the morning and again in the late afternoon. Midday is generally too hot for longer sessions. One thing that becomes very clear very quickly is how strong the sun is. Having the right gear makes a big difference if you want to stay in the water longer and actually enjoy your sessions. A few things I would always bring on a surf trip like this:
- A surf hat – especially for longer sessions in strong sun
- A zinc stick – perfect for nose and face protection
- A reef-safe sunscreen – important for your skin and the ocean
- A long sleeve rashguard or a surf suit – depending on what you prefer
These are simple things, but they make a huge difference once you’re in the water for multiple sessions a day.
Where to eat in Nosara
Nosara has many good options, especially if you prefer healthy or plant-based food. We absolutely loved spending time in local Cafés and Restaurants, and trying out all the delicious dishes and drinks. As a flexitarian, I was
- Sunrise Coffee Nosara
Great for breakfast and coffee - Harmony Hotel (juice bar)
One of the best places to spend time between sessions - Destiny Café
Good for brunch and lunch — try their cloud coffee and smoothies - Soda Rosi’s Nosara
Local and affordable Costa Rican food - La Luna
Beachfront restaurant with great food and atmosphere - Organico Grocer
Organic grocery store - La Feria (local market)
Local produce and handmade goods (check locally for schedule) when we were there, it took place on Tuesdays.
Surfboard rentals in Nosara
We rented our surfboards at two local spots, but if you fly with Edelweiss, you could also bring your boards for no additional charge. These are the two local surfrentals in Nosara we got our boards from:
- Nosara Tico Surf School
Good option for renting hardboards - Living Stoked Nosara
Convenient location directly at the beach
Final thoughts
Costa Rica is an incredible surf destination if you’re looking for warm water, consistent waves, and a relaxed environment. Tamarindo is a very buzzing place, lots of places to eat out and go for drinks, while Nosara offers a more holistic environment. If your goal is to spend a lot of time in the water and improve your surfing, this combination works very well.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I genuinely use and love.
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