ELCOME to one of the happiest places on earth. Growing up as surfers, we’ve traveled the world exploring surf spots, but the Pacific coast of Costa Rica remains a place we’ve returned to time and again. We honed our surfing skills on the waves of Tamarindo, watched our older brother get married on the beach of Mal Pais, and sought reprieve here from brutal northeast winters. Everything you need for a perfect day is at your fingertips: warm sun, great surf, fresh fish, and friendly people. We’re proud to be Andaz’s Peninsula Papagayo Cultural Insiders of Surf. In the following pages, get a behind the scenes look at some of the best surf spots (and food) in Costa Rica. See you out there.
We believe that life’s great moments are spent by the water: sand between your toes, watching a sunrise on a surfboard or a sunset with friends around a bonfire. Our life passion is to create a clothing company that embodies the casual spirit of the beach. We create premium clothing inspired by our travels to seaside cultures around the world. Our faded colors, indigenous prints, and innovative fabrics, both environmentally sourced and ethically sound, are a testament to our impeccable attention to detail. Here’s to living a never-ending summer.
Nestled in a location second to none, where the Gulf of Papagayo meets the sapphire blue waters of Culebra Bay, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo personifies Costa Rica’s “Pura Vida” (pure life) expression, an extension of the native spirit of the country. The design concept of Andaz Peninsula Papagayo by Costa Rican architect Ronald Zurcher translates the healthy and poetic integration of men and nature.
TRIPS TO ALL OUR FAVORITE SURF SPOTS CAN BE ORGANIZED THROUGH THE HOTEL MAKE SURE TO CHECK SURFLINE.COM FOR SURF REPORTS AND TIDE INFORMATION
UST a few miles north of Witch’s Point is Potrero Grande (Ollie’s Point) renowned for its great right hand point break. This break was nicknamed “Ollie’s Point” due to a nearby airstrip used by U.S. Colonel Oliver North to land weapons for the Nicaraguan Contras. Because it’s only accessible by boat, you can avoid crowds, particularly during the weekdays. We’d recommend this experience to more advanced surfers due to the strong fast waves and dangerous rocks that emerge during low tide.
The ultimate surf experience. Sandy bottoms. Great swells. An A-frame wave that breaks both left and right, and a view of the beautiful Rincon de la Viega Volcano. On calmer days, look for whales, dolphins, turtles or manta rays. By boat
: By boat
There’s a lot to be happy about during Happy Hour in Costa Rica. We usually feast on the local fishermen’s catch of the day in the form of ceviche. Raw fish soaked in fresh limes and spiced with chili peppers, coriander, onions and salt, this snack is perfected with tortilla chips. Sip with a guaro caipirinha. You’ll taste a bit of heaven.
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ceviche
After a few hours on the water, indulge in casado, the go-to Costa Rican meal, at a local restaurant. Comprised of heaping portions of rice, beans, and a side salad, you get to choose your meat, be it fish, pork, or carne asada. We recommend adding a side of plantains and splashing the meal with homemade chileros for extra spice. Wash it down with a piping hot cup of Costa Rican coffee, an ice cold Imperial, or a banana smoothie.
o r a gu Beware the Guaro! This popular local rum is derived from sugar cane juices and can vary in proof. It’s best mixed with some sugar and lime for a caipirinha cocktail. If you’re planning on an early morning surf, drink at your own risk.
Yes, please. Pre surf. Post surf. Pre lunch. Post Lunch. Keep it coming. Some of the best coffee in the world grows here. Did you know coffee plants grow berries? Meaning coffee is a fruit. All the more reason to drink a few cups a day.
IMPERIAL
The infamous Costa Rican lager. Drink cold on a hot night.
e basically learned to surf here, thanks to the great waves for beginners and intermediates. There are a ton of quality waves along the beach, so feel free to keep walking down the shore to find an uncrowded spot. The beach near the center of Tamarindo is pretty consistent and good for beginners to learn on. The beach is usually sandy and the waves are slower than some of the other breaks along the western shore. Surf is best during midhigh tide.
North of the beach is El Estero, the rivermouth, whose solid right beach break is especially popular with long boarders. Nearby, in front of the Tamarindo Diria hotel is Pico Pequeno, a rocky point which is best surfed at mid tide. Chock full of great restaurants and bars, Tamarindo is a great place to spend the day.
a ately 80 ekm or Approximho iv dr 1.5 ur
A kilometer or so north of Tamarindo, PLAYA GRANDE is one of the most consistent breaks with super accessible surf conditions. Breaking both left and right over a sandy bottom, it’s a great place for beginner and experienced surfers alike. When western and northwestern swells roll in, we’ve seen waves up to 10 feet high on a good day. The beach is also home to the endangered leatherback turtle, so depending on the time of year, keep a look out for turtles making a mass ocean exodus to lay their eggs onshore.
km or a tely 78 a im x o r App r drive 1.5 hou
1 kilometer south of Tamarindo is Playa Langosta where a right and left point break comes up fast and curls off the estuary of the Rio San Francisco.
Crossing the river and walking for around 40 minutes you’ll arrive at the next great surf spot: Avellanas, nicknamed “Little Hawaii.” Surf is good during both low and high tide with beach breaks featuring very hollow rights and lefts. Drive 16 km from Tamarindo via Villarreal and Pinilla.
P LAYA NEGRA is a spot for more advanced surfers. Because it breaks over a shallow lava reef, the waves are fast and hollow and can lead to some cuts and bruises if you don’t know what you’re doing.
We first heard about this break after it was featured in the cult surf documentary Endless Summer 2. It’s one of our favorite spots.
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PAVONES is one of Costa Rica’s most famous surf breaks, known for its long lefts. It’s located on the southernmost Pacific side, just inside Golfo Dulce. It’s not an easy place to get to and will sometimes go weeks without surf. But once the swells arrive, you won’t regret making the trek.
PLAYA HERMOSA is a great place for beginner surfers. The waves are consistent and accessible and can provide a great long ride. Hermosa is a quiet serene spot with some solid restaurants and chill bars - not to be confused with its neighbor, Jaco, which is the ultimate party town in Costa Rica. 50 km tely 2ive a m i x Appro .5 hour dr or a 3
00 km tely 5 a m i x o e Appr hour driv or a 7
SANTA TERESA +
MAL PAIS is a quiet, rustic surf spot lined with green jungle and long sandy beaches dotted by rocky enclaves. Because the area has been slower to develop, it’s relatively quiet compared to its neighbor SANTA TERESA. Santa Teresa has a bunch of beach breaks and usually picks up the most swell producing the heaviest, fastest wave in the area. On the border between Malpais and Santa Teresa is
PLAYA EL CARMEN. El Carmen is popular with long boarders because a set of sand offers consistent, long rides. It’s also well suited for beginners because it doesn’t have as many riptides as Santa Teresa. The surf here is best at low tide. The entire area has some great restaurants and is perfectly suited for a full day trip. Approximately 300 km or a 4 hour drive
t i u r f N O S U R F ? GO F ISH
O n days when there’s no surf, ditch the board and go fishing.
Depending on the time of year, you can catch sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, snapper, roosterfish or grouper. If you’re lucky enough to bring in some goodies, it’s worth befriending a local fisherman or chef to turn the fresh catch into ceviche.
e e, som l b i d ncre s, a is i c i R salad ta t s i o u r C n . F ruit i world an. e The f h t you c n i s t a s h e uc tasti t as m o, a e of the … Mang ks , c a a y n a s ap thies, are P s e smoo t i r it. n Fru r favo o u i o s s f a o dP Some es an e h c y L pple, Pinea
DRINK Consider it a fruit frappuccino. Fresh fruit, water or milk, and ice blended into a frosted goodness.
Drink with a straw.
If you feel yourself getting pulled into a riptide, paddle parallel to shore. Get a good waterproof sunscreen – we like Headhunters Sticks. Make sure to put on your ears, lips and neck.
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ALWAYS DRINK MORE WATER THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED Take care of cuts as they are prone to infection. When you fall, don’t dive head first – jump away from board and try to land flat or on the backside of the wave.
S P I T
Be respectful of locals and others in the water.
Don’t leave anything in a car that you aren’t prepared to lose. We’d also recommend hiding your flip flops in the sand.
Bring ear drops to help clear water when you’re done. Wear a leash and don’t ditch your board if anyone else is around you.
CHECK SURF REPORTS AND BE AWARE OF CHANGING CONDITIONS
Regardless of whether you catch waves or not, enjoy being out on the water. There’s no better place to be.