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Best time to surf in Costa Rica
The best time to surf in Costa Rica is May–Oct. Average wave height across 9 spots peaks at 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in June (swell from SSW, 10 s period), compared with 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in January. Figures are 2015–2024 monthly averages.
Costa Rica surf season by month
| Month | Avg. wave height | Avg. period | Swell from | Avg. wind | Days ≥ 1 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) | 9 s | SSW | 8 kt | 69% |
| February | 1.1 m (3.7 ft) | 9 s | S | 8 kt | 74% |
| March | 1.2 m (3.8 ft) | 10 s | S | 7 kt | 82% |
| April | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) | 10 s | SSW | 6 kt | 89% |
| May | 1.4 m (4.5 ft) | 11 s | SSW | 5 kt | 95% |
| June | 1.4 m (4.6 ft) | 10 s | SSW | 5 kt | 98% |
| July | 1.4 m (4.5 ft) | 10 s | SSW | 6 kt | 96% |
| August | 1.4 m (4.4 ft) | 10 s | SSW | 6 kt | 97% |
| September | 1.4 m (4.6 ft) | 10 s | SSW | 5 kt | 97% |
| October | 1.4 m (4.5 ft) | 10 s | SSW | 6 kt | 97% |
| November | 1.3 m (4.2 ft) | 9 s | SSW | 6 kt | 95% |
| December | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) | 8 s | S | 7 kt | 75% |
By coast
Puntarenas
Dominical, Jacó, Pavones, Playa Hermosa (Jacó), Santa Teresa. Best May–Nov; peak 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in September from SSW.
Guanacaste
Nosara (Playa Guiones), Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Witch's Rock (Roca Bruja). Best May–Oct; peak 1.4 m (4.7 ft) in June from SSW.
Month by month
Surfing Costa Rica in January
January is off-season: average wave height 1.1 m (3.6 ft), period 9 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 8 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 69% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in February
February is off-season: average wave height 1.1 m (3.7 ft), period 9 s, swell mostly from S, wind averaging 8 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 74% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in March
March is off-season: average wave height 1.2 m (3.8 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from S, wind averaging 7 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 82% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in April
April is off-season: average wave height 1.2 m (3.9 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 6 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 89% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in May
May is peak season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.5 ft), period 11 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 5 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 95% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in June
June is peak season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.6 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 5 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 98% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in July
July is peak season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.5 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 6 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 96% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in August
August is peak season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.4 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 6 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 97% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in September
September is peak season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.6 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 5 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 97% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in October
October is peak season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.5 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 6 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 97% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in November
November is off-season: average wave height 1.3 m (4.2 ft), period 9 s, swell mostly from SSW, wind averaging 6 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 95% of days.
Surfing Costa Rica in December
December is off-season: average wave height 1.1 m (3.6 ft), period 8 s, swell mostly from S, wind averaging 7 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 75% of days.
Best months by spot
| Spot | Region | Best months | Peak average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominical | Puntarenas | May–Nov | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) (Sep) |
| Jacó | Puntarenas | May–Nov | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) (Sep) |
| Nosara (Playa Guiones) | Guanacaste | May–Oct | 1.5 m (5.0 ft) (Jun) |
| Pavones | Puntarenas | May–Nov | 1.1 m (3.7 ft) (Sep) |
| Playa Grande | Guanacaste | May–Oct | 1.4 m (4.8 ft) (Jun) |
| Playa Hermosa (Jacó) | Puntarenas | May–Nov | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) (Sep) |
| Santa Teresa | Puntarenas | May–Nov | 1.5 m (5.0 ft) (Sep) |
| Tamarindo | Guanacaste | May–Oct | 1.4 m (4.8 ft) (Jun) |
| Witch's Rock (Roca Bruja) | Guanacaste | Jan–Feb | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) (Feb) |
Common questions
What is the best month to surf in Costa Rica?
June has the biggest average swell in Costa Rica: 1.4 m (4.6 ft) from SSW at 10 s. The wider window with consistent waves is May–Oct.
When is surf season in Costa Rica?
Surf season in Costa Rica runs May–Oct, when average wave height stays at or above 1.4 m (4.4 ft) across the spots we track. Outside that window the average drops to 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in January.
Can you surf in Costa Rica in winter?
Yes. In December the average wave height is 1.1 m (3.6 ft) with waves of at least 1 m on 75% of days, so there are rideable waves, but swell is smaller and shorter-period than in May–Oct.
Method: hourly significant wave height, peak period and direction for 2015–2024 at the open-water model point nearest each spot, averaged by month across 9 spots. Direction is a height-weighted vector mean. Data: ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis (waves: ERA5-Ocean) via Open-Meteo.com, CC BY 4.0. Computed 2026-10-08.