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Aerial view of a curved beach below wooded hills in Guanacaste.

Costa Rica · Guanacaste

Surfing in Guanacaste

From lessons on Tamarindo’s small waves to experts-only breaks in Santa Rosa.

7 places1 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    AdventureOpen

    Surf lessons in Tamarindo

    Tamarindo beach0.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    $60
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Beginner lessons on the small waves of Tamarindo beach, with several schools and board rentals in town.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    About $60 plus VAT for a ~2-hour lesson (September 2026).
    Time needed
    About 2 hours.

    Nearby: Tamarindo (0 km) · Tamarindo nightlife (0.2 km) · ATV tours (0.3 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · Wikivoyage – Tamarindo

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  2. 2

    BeachOpen

    Tamarindo

    Tamarindo town, Santa Cruz0.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not needed

    Town beach and Guanacaste’s main surf hub, with small waves for learning, schools and board rentals, and sunsets over the bay.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Not required (public beach). Surf lessons and tours are booked separately.

    Tip: Avoid surfing near the estuary mouth and at dawn or dusk: crocodiles have been filmed (MINAE advice, January 2026).

    Nearby: Surf lessons in Tamarindo (0 km) · Tamarindo nightlife (0.2 km) · ATV tours (0.3 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · Wikipedia – Tamarindo, Costa Rica · Tico Times – Crocodiles share waves with surfers

  3. 3

    BeachOpen

    Playa Langosta

    Southern end of Tamarindo2.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Beach just south of Tamarindo, inside Las Baulas park, with surf, tide pools and spots to snorkel at low tide.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: It is also a leatherback nesting beach: respect marked areas and leave no rubbish.

    Nearby: ATV tours (2.1 km) · Tamarindo nightlife (2.3 km) · Tamarindo (2.3 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas

  4. 4

    BeachOpen

    Playa Grande

    North of the Tamarindo estuary; crossing boat from Tamarindo or 17 km by road via Villarreal4.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    6:00–18:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A long, open beach inside Las Baulas Marine National Park, with stronger waves than Tamarindo and a leatherback nesting site.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    The crossing boat from Tamarindo costs about $2 (September 2026).
    Hours
    SINAC: the park opens daily 6:00–18:00; in nesting season (October to February) you may stay on the beach until 17:00.

    Tip: Inside the park pets, alcohol, bonfires, single-use plastics and horseback riding are not allowed; SINAC caps the beach at 120 people at a time.

    Nearby: Playa Ventanas (0.7 km) · Leatherback turtle night tour at Las Baulas (1.5 km) · Tamarindo Estuary boat tour (3.1 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo

  5. 5

    BeachOpen

    Playa Avellanas

    South of Tamarindo, on a partly gravel road7.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Surf beach with several breaks for all levels, the biggest known as Little Hawaii, and a quiet small-village feel.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Avellanas area · 2025

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Guarded parking ₡2,000 per day (September 2025).

    Tip: A high-clearance car is recommended; 4x4 is not required. There are no ATMs: bring cash.

    Nearby: Zipline canopy near Tamarindo (3.5 km) · Playa Negra (3.9 km) · Playa Langosta (5.9 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Avellanas area

  6. 6

    BeachOpen

    Playa Negra

    South of Avellanas and Playa Lagartillo11.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Surf spot known for its break over a rocky bottom, about 10 minutes south of Avellanas; best for experienced surfers.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Avellanas area · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Despite the name, the sand is light. The gravel road is the same one that leads to Avellanas.

    Nearby: Playa Avellanas (3.9 km) · Zipline canopy near Tamarindo (7.4 km) · Playa Langosta (9.9 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Avellanas area

  7. 7

    AdventureRestricted access

    Witch’s Rock (Peña Bruja) by boat

    Playa Naranjo, Santa Rosa National Park57.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    World-famous break off Playa Naranjo in Santa Rosa National Park; surfers usually arrive by boat.

    SINAC describes it as an experts-only wave. Land access needs a 4x4 on a very rough 12 km road; the marine sector is reached only by sea and SINAC asks you to confirm it is open. If you are a beginner, surf Tamarindo or Playa Hermosa instead.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Park entry is charged separately: $16.95 for foreign adults (SINAC, 2026).

    Nearby: Playa Naranjo (Santa Rosa) (2.3 km) · Santa Rosa National Park and La Casona (9 km) · Murciélago sector (Santa Rosa) (13.1 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Rosa National Park

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