The Osa Peninsula, a remote jewel on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, is renowned for its pristine, uninhabited beaches and world-class surf spots. With consistent waves, warm waters, and breathtaking scenery, it’s no wonder this area is a dream destination for surfers seeking both adventure and solitude. The journey to these secluded shores might be challenging, but the reward is an unforgettable surfing experience far from the crowded beaches.
My first trip to the Osa Peninsula was a week-long adventure with my husband. As a novice surfer eager to tackle more challenging waves, I had heard whispers of Osa’s excellent beginner-friendly spots, making it the perfect destination for our surf exploration. This trip allowed us to dive into the peninsula’s raw beauty and discover its hidden surf gems.
In this article, I’ll share my key takeaways from surfing the Osa Peninsula. From the powerful waves of Playa Matapalo, suited for advanced surfers, to the thrilling left-handers of Pavones, second only to Peru’s Chicama, each surf spot offers unique challenges and breathtaking rewards. Whether you’re navigating the crocodile-populated waters of Drakes Bay or exploring the remote Punta Burica at the Costa Rica-Panama border, the Osa Peninsula promises an unparalleled surfing adventure.
Keep reading if you’re planning a surf trip to the Osa Peninsula. I’ll guide you through the best surf spots, the nuances of tides and currents, and practical tips to make the most of your surfing experience. Get ready to discover the untamed waves and serene beauty of one of Costa Rica’s most captivating destinations.
Key Take Takeaways from This Article
Osa Peninsula is popular with surfers due to its untamed and remote beaches. Getting to most of the surfing spots in Osa is challenging, so there are fewer crowds. However, what awaits the long journeys makes it worthwhile. Here are my key takeaways on Osa Peninsula surf spots.
- Playa Matapalo is a spot for more advanced surfers. Its strong waves can overwhelm a beginner.
- Pavones has the second-longest left-hand wave after Chicama in Peru.
- When surfing in Drakes Bay, you must be keen on the crocodiles.
- Punta Burica is the most remote surfing spot in the Osa Peninsula and borders Costa Rica and Panama.
7 Best Surfing Spots In Osa Peninsula
The tides and currents at the Osa Peninsula can be intense. Therefore, it is essential to pay close attention to the direction of the current. The Osa Peninsula has a curved, long coastline that causes extreme tides. It experiences some of the highest tides, up to 12ft in some places.
Hang out with the locals so that they can tell you the best times to surf. We discovered you can spend a whole day on the Osa Peninsula and not catch a single break. The tides are different, and the waters are very calm some days.
Playa Matapalo
Playa Matapalo is one of the uncrowded surfing spots in Costa Rica. It is between Corcovado National Park and Golfo Dulce. You can fly from San Jose airport to Puerto Jimenez, 17km (11 miles) away. Buses from San Jose take 8 hours to Puerto Jimenez. Alternatively, there is a ferry from Puerto Jimenez.
Matapalo break faces the open ocean, resulting in consistent and plentiful waves. Its best tides are low to mid-tide. If you have never surfed before, experienced trainers can train you. However, if you are a professional surfer, you can head to Matapalo and surf.
If you are a beginner, I recommend surfing in the Pan Dulce break. The Matapalo break can be treacherous for a beginner. Matapalo is home to dolphins and humpback whales. The table below highlights other wildlife to see at Playa Matapalo.
| Wildlife at Playa Matapalo | |
| Brown Pelican | Scarlet Macaws |
| Different breeds of Heron | Blue Morpho butterflies |
| All four monkey species (howler, white-faced capuchin, spider, and squirrel) | Toucan |
| Sloths | Poison dart frogs |
| Parrots | Iguanas |
Playa Pavones
Across from Golfo Dulce is Pavones, a stunning beach with a laid-back atmosphere. Pavones is a small, sleepy town on the southern edge of the Osa Peninsula. It is accessible by boat in only 35 minutes. The roads could be better, and you will need a four-wheel drive. It’s 6 hours drive from San Jose airport.
Pavones boasts the second longest left-hand wave, at 3281 ft (1000 meters). It only competes with Chicama in Peru. As an experienced surfer, my husband praised Pavones’ consistent, powerful waves.
However, Pavone’s shallow waters still provided an excellent surfing spot for an intermediate surfer like me. My guide told me that Pavones has beginner-friendly waves in December and January.
Pavones is ideal if you’re looking for a budget-friendly place to stay. There are small hostels and hotels to fit your budget. Pavones also has a handful of restaurants, bars, and shops, giving it that small-town vibe. It also has yoga studios for all types of budgets.
Playa Pan Dulce
You can access Pan Dulce Surf Point by taking a boat from Pavones. It’s ideal for confident beginners and newbies and is one of the softer surfing spots in the Osa Peninsula. Pan Dulce’s slow and soft waves can reach 500 yards. Pan Dulce wave has several fast sections that break over a rocky bottom.
However, the beach is rocky, and you should wear surf shoes to avoid injuries. You can access Pan Dulce Surf Point by taking a boat from Pavones. Most surfing lessons take place at Pan Dulce. It’s rarely crowded, giving you enough room to practice your moves.
Backwash Bay
You’ll identify this spot as it has a giant rock sticking up. Access it is by taking a boat from Pavones or using a four-wheel drive, which should take 1.5 hours from Puerto Jimenez. However, it’s a 10-minute walk if you are at Pan Dulce.
Surf at low- or mid-tide and be keen as the waves break over a reef. The waves must be bigger or a head high to surf well at Backwash Bay. Because the beach is steep, the waves also create steep sections, resulting in great longboarding.
Due to consistent, clean waves, September is the best month to surf at Backwash Bay.
Punta Banco
If you want to surf in a less crowded spot, head to Punta Banco, 20 minutes from Pavones. Punta Banco is very remote and challenging to access, especially during the rainy season.
You will have left and right-handers.
The best waves are during the low upcoming tide. Punta Banco gets more direct swells because it is farther toward the mouth of Golfo Dulce. It is a fun mix of reef and empty beach breaks.
However, the waves here are more challenging than at Pavones. They can break up to 328 feet ( 100 meters) over a rock and sand bottom.
Drakes Bay
It is on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula and is one of the most remote places in Costa Rica. You can get to Drake Bay by boat from Sierpe town. Driving is still possible but not ideal during the rainy season as the road is rough. Alternatively, take a domestic flight from San Jose Airport, which will take 45 minutes.
The best waves are during mid-tide. However, April is the ideal season to get clean, consistent waves. Rio Sierpe offers long lefts and rights and breaks on an incoming tide. But when surfing in this area, beware of crocodiles.
Punta Burica
If you want a more slow surfing experience, I recommend Punta Burica. However, access is mainly by boat as it’s at the tip of the Osa Peninsula. It separates Costa Rica and Panama. You can try using a four-wheel drive during the dry season, but I would not recommend it.
Punta Burica is an exposed reef breek in Golfo Dulce. However, consistent, clean waves occur in January. From March to September, you can experience glassy, clean left-handers. The waves swell a little, making it fun for beginners. However, when the swell is correct, it outmatches Pavones.
Aside from touring the surf spots in Osa Peninsula, you should also check out these 17 Best Restaurants Near Osa Peninsula for an ultimate treat.
Conclusion
We had a great time surfing at the various spots in Osa Peninsula. I must admit that this side of Costa Rica has beautiful surf spots and is less crowded. Though getting to them was challenging, I would recommend taking flights to the nearest domestic airstrip when traveling with kids.
Which were your favorite Osa Peninsula surf spots? Please share your experience and let us know the ones I should have mentioned.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
