The Northwest Pacific Coast
Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

This area receives swell year round. Bigger and more consistent in the summer months of April-October when Southern Hemisphere swells prevail. Ideal swell angles for the Tamarindo & Playa Grande area are SW and WNW. Straight S and SE swells are picked up better atspots like Playa Negra and further down the Nicoya Peninsula. In the winter months of November-March the offshores may blow all day. In winter, expect clean, fun-sized surf. Dont expect the North Shore of Oahu, however clean 4-6 foot surf is commonplace. Winter surf is not as consistent as summer. Check the surf forecast immediately before your trip by contacting Surfline/Wavetrak at 900-976-SURF, and typing in the 011 area code on your telephone. If the models are a no go, you may want to head to the Caribbean side, or reschedule.

1. Ollies Point- Right point at a rivermouth, very good. Not possible to hike or drive in. Boat access only. Rent a boat at Playas del Coco or hook up with the Rancho Diablo Surf Camp in Playa Grande. 2. Witches Rock- A small estuary comes out into the ocean and creates sandbars for Witches Rock. Very hollow lefts and rights depending on the sandbars and the swell. In winter (Dec.-Mar.) the Papagayo winds make it much colder, so itís not a bad idea to bring a springsuit. Mosquitos are really bad in the camping area. Bring all supplies. Access is by 4x4 or boat. Beware of crocodiles in the estuary. 3. Playa Grande- Good SW facing beach break surf to the North of Tamarindo. One of the most consistent breaks in Costa Rica. From Tamarindo, 20 minutes by foot, or 25minutes by car. 4. Tamarindo- Right point and a right and left rivermouth break.

5. Langosta- Right and left rivermouth break five minutes south by car from Tamarindo, or walk around the point. Breeding ground of the giant sea turtles. Notorious for car theft.6. Avellanes- Good right with rock bottom in front of a small estuary located just west of Paraiso. 7. Playa Negra- Just south of Avellanes. A right reef bottom break.

8. Nosara- Long strand of beach break with various peaks and a rock reef left- very hollow and shallow. 9. Garza- Outside reef that holds some larger swell. North side of bay has inside reef that breaks both ways on S or SW swells. 10. Samara- Beach and reef breaks in a bay facing south. Several outside reefs that offer uncrowded surf on large S swells. 11. Playa Carrillo- A south-facing protected bay with some inside beach break and outside reefs. The reef in the middle of the bayís mouth, way outside, offers juicy rights on upcoming tides and a hairball left. Needs a strong South swell. 12. Camaraonal- Rivermouth and beachbreaks with both rights and lefts. Itís never crowded and can get BIG. South of village of Carrillo about 10 miles.

13. Playa Coyote- Short right reef, several breaks. 14. Playas Santa Teresa- Beach break that picks up lots of swell. Best at low tide. 15. Mal Pais- Cabo Blanco- Several left reef-points and miles of quality beach break.