If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, just know that you haven’t had the full experience unless you’ve discovered the Costa Rican waves for yourself. Whether you’re looking to tick surfing off your bucket list or are an experienced surfer ready to take on a new challenge, there’s no place better than Costa Rica to score the best surf.
Costa Rica has a thousand microclimates, so you will experience great waves year-round and weather changes where you can easily shift your activities throughout the day. If traveling during the wet season, the rain usually clears out by the end of the day, and the sun is less intense. You can count on our experienced team at Kalon Surf to advise you on how best to plan your activities based on our varied microclimates.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Central American surf season, this blog will be your one-stop guide for the best time to surf in Costa Rica, depending on your level of surfing experience.
Discover the perks of surfing in Costa Rica during the dry season
Costa Rica’s dry season is from December to May, when waves are smaller — the best time to surf in Costa Rica for beginners. These are the summertime months in Costa Rica, where the rain slows down in mid-November and holds off until around May.
If you want to take in some sightseeing during your stay, we recommend visiting Costa Rica at the beginning of the dry season, when greenery is more prominent in the tropical dry forest. Towards the end of the dry season, you can expect trees to lose their leaves and grass to dry up, making way for colorful flowering trees.
If you’re concerned about booking your stay when it’s too hot, the Papagayo winds kick off the dry season in December and January — a welcome relief from the warmer summer Costa Rican days. And when you’re taking a break from the surf, you can enjoy the buzz of tourism in the dry season with bars and restaurants around town, from live music to festivals and fiestas.
The “green season” — the best time to surf in Costa Rica for surfers of all levels
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the surf, the rainy or “green season” from April to November has consistent swells and is a great time to score big waves. After the first big swell, the conditions become regular for surfers of all experience levels to enjoy. You can count on smooth, steady waves to give you ample time to adjust your board, practice taking direction on an unbroken wave, generate speed, and eventually make turns.
Expect sunny days, calm winds, and occasional rain, the rainiest month being October, when it may rain sporadically. In other months like July, you can expect it to rain for about 20 minutes in the morning or afternoon and quickly dry up from the heat. The best part? The warm water means you don’t have to worry about wearing a wetsuit!
This season is known as the “green season” as the rain brings lush shades of green, particularly apparent in the tropical dry forest of Guanacaste, home to the famous surf town of Tamarindo.
Discover surfing lessons at Kalon Surf
Now that you have an idea of the different times of year to visit Costa Rica, let’s talk about accommodations. If you’re booking your accommodation, one thing’s for sure — you can count on Kalon Surf for the most luxurious surf resort there is.
Our surf coaching is catered to all surfing levels. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced surfer or haven’t surfed for some time, we offer tailored surf lessons to suit your needs.
For beginners or those needing a refresher, our Kalon Boardriders will help you build your confidence in our infinity pool before hitting the ocean waters. Kalon Cruisers will see you perfect your proper angled takeoffs, trimming, and body position. Carve clean lines on unbroken waves with Kalon Carvers, or learn more advanced riding techniques with Kalon Chargers — we’re sure to have something just right for you.
While you surf Costa Rica’s most spectacular, uncrowded beaches, our surf coaches will keep you nourished and protected with water, fresh fruits, sunblock, and a Kalon Rash Guard. For an extra thoughtful touch, you’ll even receive fresh aloe from our garden post-surf to help revitalize your skin.
Book your stay at Kalon Surf’s luxury accommodations in Costa Rica
Kalon Surf offers a luxury surf resort experience unlike any other. When you’re not surfing, you can relish in our delicious 3-course gourmet dinners that are locally inspired, so you can experience native Costa Rican flavors that are internationally loved in a dinner-party setting while you mingle with other guests. Enjoy lunch and breakfast by the beach and take in our spectacular sights.
To hit the surf every morning, it’s in your best interest to rest and recuperate to avoid body aches and pains. Our yoga and spa treatments will help you foster a moment of relaxation and give your body some much-needed TLC after riding the waves.
If you plan on sightseeing or are an avid adventurer, our staff is more than happy to help you plan your tours. From waterfall viewing to ziplining, we have something for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Book your stay at Kalon Surf today for an exciting surf holiday you and your family deserve and won’t soon forget.
