Best Surf Spot in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo sits in between Costa Rica and the Panama Border. Because of its unique location, there are many surfing spots in this small surf town. However, there are a select few surf spots that stand out from the rest, offering the best waves, and are most visited by both local and tourist surfers.

When a local tour guide in Jaco told Tim and me about how Puerto Viejo has a lot of unique surf spots for all surf skill levels, we decided to travel to the Caribbean Coast to see for ourselves.

At the time, we were only intermediate surfers, so when we arrived in Puerto Viejo, we were eager to try out all the surf spots available in this small surf town, which we did.

In this guide, I have written all you need to know about the best surf spots in Puerto Viejo where you can surf, regardless of your surf level.

Key Takeaways

• The best surf spot for beginners is Playa Negra
• Playa Cocles is the perfect surf spot for Intermediate surfers
• The strong waves of Salsa Bravamakes it the best surf spot for advanced surfers
• There are about eight surf spots in Puerto Viejo
• The best season for surf in Puerto Viejo is November through April
• There are many surf schools in Puerto Viejo where you can learn how to surf in no time.

Surf Spots in Puerto Viejo

Here’s an overview of all surf spots for you: 

Surf Spot	Location	Wave Strength	Best For	Activities	Pro Tips	Best Season	Cost
Playa Negra	Between Puerto Viejo town and Cahuita National Park	Mild	Beginners	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling, exploring shipwreck	Avoid staying till nighttime, no nearby snack options	November to April	Free
Playa Cocles	Between Puerto Viejo and Playa Chiquita	Medium	Intermediate Surfers	Surfing, swimming, relaxing under palm trees	A popular beach with surfboard rentals	November to April	Free (Surfboard rentals: $10-$20)
Salsa Brava	In the heart of Puerto Viejo	Strong	Advanced Surfers	Surfing	Avoid if beginner, very strong waves	November to April	Free
Cahuita Black Sand Beach	South of Limón	Mild	Beginners	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling	Great for beginners	November to April	Free
Playa Vargas	Inside Cahuita National Park	Mild	Beginners	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling	Great for beginners	November to April	Free
Playa Blanca	Next to the entrance of Cahuita National Park	Mild	Beginners	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling	Great for beginners	November to April	Free
El Barco	Around the bend of Salsa Brava	Medium	Intermediate Surfers	Surfing	Great for intermediate surfers	November to April	Free
Punta Uva	South of Puerto Viejo	Medium	Beginners and Intermediate Surfers	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling	Good for both beginners and intermediate surfers	November to April	Free
Playa Manzanillo	South of Puerto Viejo	Medium	Beginners and Intermediate Surfers	Surfing, swimming, snorkeling	Good for both beginners and intermediate surfers	November to April	Free

 

Playa Negra

Playa Negra is a gorgeous black sand beach in between Puerto Viejo town and Cahuita National Park. It is a four-hour and thirty minutes drive from San Jose International Airport and much of a secluded beach.

The water waves are mild here and perfect for beginner surfers. If you are an advanced surfer and try to surf on this beach, you will easily get bored. 

However, you can still sit around the beachfront to watch the locals and other beginner surfers do their thing or you can swim or snorkel in the water or climb in on the shipwreck when the waves aren’t that strong.

I advise you to ask the locals first before doubting any of these activities.

Pro Tip

• For your safety, do not stay on this beach till nighttime. It is a secluded beach and can be unsafe at nightfall.
• There is a spot to park at the beach but be sure to take out valuables from the car and lock it.
• There’s no place to get snacks around, do well to cone with your snacks and water that would sustain you for the duration of your stay.

Playa Cocles

This is a soft tan sand beach with stunning blue waters. It is located between Puerto Viejo and Playa Chiquita. 

The beach stretches for about two kilometers and is surrounded by palm trees that serve as shade. It is a popular beach so you will see a lot of surfboards on the beachfront for rent.

The waves here us stronger than Playa Negra, so it is perfect for Intermediate surfers. Aside from surfing, you can swim in the water or just sit in the shade at the beach.

Salsa Brava

Salsa Brava is the most popular surfing spot in not just Puerto Viejo but all of Costa Rica. It has the strongest waves and current you can ever imagine and is a perfect spot for advanced surfers.

The good thing about Salsa Brava is that it is located in the heart of the town, so you can just ride 15 minutes on a bike to the beach.

Warning: Please if you are a beginner surfer, do not come any close to the waves of this beach. It is very strong and you may likely drown. I would advise you to stay afar and watch other surfers.

Other surf spots are beginner-friendly like;

• The Cahuita black sand beach is located an hour’s drive south of Limón.
• Playa Vargas is located a kilometer walk inside the Cahuita National Park.
• Playa Blanca, next to the entrance of Cahuita National Park.
• El Barco around the bend of Salsa Brava. 
• And also Punta Uva and Playa Manzanillo.
• All of the beaches I mentioned above are good for surfing lessons,  swimming, and snorkeling. 

Best Time to Surf in Puerto Viejo

The Caribbean Coast surf season is different from the Pacific Coast side. The rainfall is heavy from November through January, and then there’s a pause for the dry season in part of January through early April, and then the rain starts again from April through August. 

And then, the dry season starts from September through October, the peak of the rainy season on the Pacific coast.

This seasonal change makes the surfing season different in Puerto Viejo, with the biggest waves from November to April.

This is the best time to visit Puerto Viejo as an advanced surfer. Anything outside of this season, you will likely meet smaller waves, which is perfect for beginner and intermediate surfers.

Surf Schools in Puerto Viejo

Surf The Jungle has been around for over ten years and offers private and group surf lessons for all levels of surfers. Their location is in town and on beaches like Cocles and Uva. 

The surf lesson lasts for two hours daily and the instructors are polite, patient, knowledgeable, friendly and speak good English. 

They are open 9 am to 4 pm daily and also offer adventure tours like kayaking  

Lewis Brother Surf is a surf school that does not only cater to private and group lessons for all levels of surfers, but they also teach the stand-up paddling method, which is something you may not find elsewhere.

The instructor is polite, knowledgeable, and fun to be with. They are open from 8 am to 6 pm daily, except on Sundays, when they are closed.

Caribbean Surf School is also a great surf school that offers private and group surf lessons for all surf levels. 

What I love about this surf school is how they customize the lessons to your skills and needs. They also watch your progress and give you feedback on what to do and what not to do.

The surf lessons are also fun and they cater to kids as well. This surf school only serves Playa Cocles and opens from 7 am to 6 pm daily.

Surfing Tips and Safety

Surf At The Right Beach

This is mainly for beginners who are learning how to surf. It is essential to learn how to surf at a beach that is suitable for your level. Where the waves are beginner-friendly and there is minimal risk.

The best surf spot to start from is a beach with sand at the bottom and light currents. A good surf instructor should teach you to surf at this kind of beach. However, it is good to know these things on your own.

Read The Ocean

Reading the ocean is the first safety precaution every surfer, regardless of your level, should adhere to before venturing out into the ocean.

You see, the ocean is very powerful and not a respecter of anybody. If you go in without a full knowledge of the waves and currents, you will find it hard to retrace your steps back to the shoreline because the overpowering force of the ocean waves will be too much for you to handle.

So it is best to take your time to observe the waves of the ocean and probably ask other surfers before going in to be on the safe side.

Take Note Of A Landmark

Regardless of how much of a pro you feel you are, take note of a landmark that you can use as a reference point before entering the water.

This landmark could be a house, tree, rock, or anything or any point at all on the beach

Doing this will not only help you know your starting point but also give you control of your current location on the ocean so you do not drift away.

Know What is Under The SurfBoard 

Having an idea of what is underneath your surfboard at all times will help you better prepare ahead of a jump or fall.

A sandy bottom will give you a much better landing compared to a rocky bottom. However, whether rocky or sandy, always try to land on your stomach, wrapping your arms around your head in the process, in case of a fall.

Try not to fall with your head first. If you land with your stomach, it will create a bounce on the water, thereby enabling you to balance properly and not fall with full force to the bottom.

Do Not Surf Alone

As a beginner, do not surf alone. You may see most advanced surfers surfing alone; however, you will put your life at great risk if you try it as a beginner.

For your safety, you should surf with experienced surfers who can be your surf instructor or friends.

If you are ever going to surf alone, ensure there is a lifeguard on the beach who is aware that you are alone on the sea. Otherwise, wait for others.

Adhere To Rules and Etiquette

Before entering the water, it is important to know the surf rules and etiquette in the lineup to avoid collisions or other dangers in the ocean.

Knowing these rules and familiarizing yourself with them is as important as surfing itself. Also, it is important to start communicating with the surfers in your line, especially when you are going after a wave. 

Be Aware

Being aware of your surroundings will not only help you avoid the danger of collision but also the risk of being attacked by the wildlife that lives in that water. 

Therefore, it is important to ask questions about the kind of wildlife around before surfing in a certain kind of water. And your good person for such question is the lifeguard or the local surfers.

Once you are certain of what lives under the water, you are free to surf.

Use Sunscreen

It is important to protect your skin against the sun when surfing because your skin will be more exposed to the sun than those lying down on the beach sand.

The sunscreen will help shield you from sunburn and other damage that could be caused to your skin by the sun.

Do Not Panic

When you find yourself in a terrible situation on the ocean, do not ever panic. Stay calm and signal the lifeguard or your surf instructor to help you out.

Also, do not act as if you are in control of the situation; always notify your instructor that you are feeling unsafe.

Do Not Let Go Of Your Surfboard

No matter what, do not let go of your board. Doing this can inflict serious head injury on the next surfer behind you because that board may hit him or her on the head.

And it may also hit you on the head as well. Just imagine it being a surfboard made of hardwood and not plastic or other soft material. That would hurt badly.

I advise you to signal other surfers, your instructor, or a lifeguard to help you out. This is safer than letting go.

In addition to exploring the best surf sport in Puerto Viejo, you can also check out the Top 15 free cheap things to do in Puerto Viejo to plan your itinerary. 

Wrapping

Puerto Viejo, is home to pristine beaches and a rich surf culture, offering some of the best surfing experiences in Costa Rica.

From the beginner-friendly water waves of Playa Negra to the strong water waves of Salsa Brava, there is an ideal spot for every surfer, regardless of skill level. 

Aside from the waves, Puerto Viejo is a blend of rich biodiversity, Caribbean charm, and a lively yet peaceful local community making it a go-to place for nature lovers and surfers.

So whether you want to tackle some big water waves or just want to enjoy some Caribbean vibe, Puerto Viejo is your go-to place.