We love September at Kalon. So do our return guests.
September is deeper green season — the veranito has wound down, and the jungle is at peak vibrancy. But the surf? The surf is excellent. Consistent SSW swells, warm water, and lineups that are emptier than any other month. If you’re comfortable in the water and want the best waves with the fewest people, September is your month.
Weather
Mornings around Dominical are typically sunny to partly cloudy. Afternoon rain becomes more common in September — but this is the refreshing, cooling kind of shower that arrives in the late afternoon or evening, clears quickly, and makes the jungle smell incredible afterward. It’s not all-day rain. It’s not sitting-inside-watching-it-pour rain.
Daytime temperatures sit in the low to mid-80s°F (27–30°C). The air is warm but comfortable. Everything around the resort is at its greenest — the mountains, the trails, the gardens. It’s visually stunning.
Water temperature: 78°F (25–26°C). No wetsuit.
Surfing
SSW swells deliver consistent, well-formed waves with longer period energy. This means more power, cleaner wave faces, and the kind of surf that experienced beginners and intermediates thrive on. The breaks around Dominical are well-positioned for these swells — our coaches select the right beach and tide window daily.
The mountain wind protection is a major advantage in September — while other parts of Costa Rica struggle with wind, the Dominical coast stays calm, allowing us to surf through the day.
At Kalon Surf, September weeks often have smaller guest groups — which means even more personalized coaching, more waves per person, and a particularly intimate atmosphere at the resort.
What to know
September is one of our favorite months — and it’s personal. My brother, for example, always comes in September and October. The weather is typically great for most or all of the day. The cooling rain showers at the end of the evening are genuinely beautiful — seeing the storms coming in while you’re having dinner overlooking the ocean, watching the lightning further away across the Pacific, is a sight our guests remember long after they leave.
Flights in September tend to be cheaper than high season (Skyscanner data shows about 19% below the yearly average), and demand is lower — which means smaller guest groups, more personalized coaching, and a particularly connected atmosphere at the dinner table. But the reason people come back in September isn’t the flight price. It’s because the experience itself is extraordinary: everything is super green, the water is warm and fantastic, and the surf is as good as it gets.
It’s worth noting that Costa Rica has over a thousand microclimates. Where we are around Dominical, the conditions are quite different from, say, the Central Valley inland (which gets more rain) or the northern Pacific coast. Every location behaves differently — which is why local knowledge matters so much.
Beyond surfing
Southern hemisphere humpback whales are still present along the coast — whale watching is excellent. The waterfalls are at full power. Wildlife is active — the green season brings out more birds, monkeys, and jungle creatures than the dry months.
September is also when the jungle around the resort is at its most dramatic. The contrast between the vivid green mountains and the deep blue Pacific is something guests consistently photograph and remember.
For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our complete seasonal guide to surfing in Costa Rica.
