Costa Rica Surf Season: The Best Time to Surf, Month by Month
October 14, 2026
It's 6am in Santa Teresa. The sky is turning pink over the jungle, the sand is still cool under your feet, and the first clean lines are rolling in. A few strokes later you're sitting out back, warm water around your legs, waiting for your wave. That's a normal Costa Rican morning, whatever the month. There's surf here all year round, so the real question isn't if you should go, it's which kind of surf season suits you best 🏄
Here's the short version: Costa Rica's Pacific coast has waves every month of the year. The dry season, from December to April, brings sunny days and smaller, cleaner waves that are perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers. The green season, from May to November, brings bigger, more powerful swell, fewer people in the water and the odd afternoon rain shower. Below, we break it all down month by month, by coast and by surf level, so you can pick your dates with confidence.
Costa Rica surf seasons at a glance
Dry season: December to April. Sunny skies, clean and mellow waves, the busiest time of year.
Green season: May to November. Bigger swell, lush jungle, afternoon showers and quieter lineups.
Transition months: April and November, when one season slowly hands over to the other.
Caribbean coast: Its own calendar, with the most reliable surf roughly from December to March.
Water temperature: Warm all year, so no wetsuit needed.
Best for beginners: Dry season, although the green season works well with a surf coach.
Best for experienced surfers: Green season, when the bigger swells arrive.
When is surf season in Costa Rica?
There's no off season on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, just two different kinds of surf. The year splits into the dry season from December to April and the rainy season from May to November, with April and November working as transition months in between.
Costa Rica sits close to the Equator, so it stays warm all year and the ocean never gets cold. What changes between seasons is the rain, the size of the swell and how many people are in the water. In the dry season you get sunshine, calm and glassy conditions and smaller waves.
In the green season the Pacific wakes up with stronger swells, the hills turn bright green and the lineups thin out. So when people talk about Costa Rica surf season, they're really asking which version of Costa Rica they want. Both are good. They're just different!
What is the best time to surf in Costa Rica?
The best time to surf in Costa Rica depends on your surfing level: December to April for mellow, beginner friendly waves, and May to November for bigger, more powerful surf.
If you're learning to surf or still building confidence, the dry season makes life easy. Waves are smaller, conditions are clean and you'll spend more time standing up and less time getting tumbled. If you can already paddle into green waves and want something with more punch, the green season is when Costa Rica really delivers. Intermediate surfers can have a great time in both, and the shoulder months around April and November are a nice middle ground.
Surfing in Costa Rica's dry season (December to April)
The dry season is Costa Rica's high season, with sunny days, light winds and clean, mellow waves that are ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers.
What are the waves like in the dry season?
Think glassy mornings, minimal wind and smaller, well shaped waves. It's the kind of surf that makes your first week on a board feel like real progress. On the Nicoya Peninsula around Santa Teresa, the dry season brings some of the friendliest beach break conditions you'll find anywhere, so it's no surprise that this is when a lot of first timers book their trip. Experienced surfers will still find waves, especially when a swell pulse comes through, but this isn't the season for big, powerful days.
Weather, crowds and prices
Expect blue skies, warm days and very little rain on the Pacific side. March is usually the driest and hottest month of the year. Because the weather is so reliable, this is also the busiest time to visit. Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa (Holy Week, which falls in March or April) are the peak weeks, so if you're set on those dates, book early. The social scene is at its liveliest too, which is a big plus if you're traveling solo and want to meet people.
Why Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s best surfing destination
Is it worth surfing in Costa Rica in the rainy season?
Yes. For a lot of surfers, Costa Rica's rainy season (better known as the green season) is the best part of the year, with bigger swells, fewer crowds and mornings that are usually dry.
Bigger swell and fewer crowds
From May to November, swells from the south and southwest light up the Pacific coast. Waves get bigger, more powerful and more consistent, which is exactly what intermediate and advanced surfers are after. And because fewer travelers come at this time of year, you'll usually be sharing the lineup with far fewer people.
What a green season day actually looks like
Rain in Costa Rica's green season rarely means a washed out day. On the Pacific side, rain mostly falls in the afternoon and early evening, as a short tropical downpour rather than a grey drizzle.
A typical day looks like this: surf in the morning, lunch, a lazy afternoon in a hammock while the rain comes through, then dinner with your crew. The jungle is at its greenest, waterfalls are full and everything feels alive. The wettest months are usually September and October. If you want the green season swell with less rain, aim for the middle of the season instead.
The little summer (veranillo): July and August
One thing most surf guides skip is the veranillo, or “little summer,” a short break in the rain that Costa Rica’s Pacific side usually gets in July and August. You get green season swell with drier, sunnier days, which makes these two months a sweet spot for a lot of surfers.
5 things every surfer should know before heading to Santa Teresa
Costa Rica surf season month by month
Every month has surf on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Here's what to expect, and who each month suits best:
January: Dry, sunny and clean, with smaller waves. Great for beginners. The Caribbean side is in its best window.
February: Peak dry season. Glassy mornings, mellow surf and lots of sunshine. Another top month for learning.
March: Usually the hottest and driest month. Conditions stay clean, and the first south swells can start to show up. Semana Santa sometimes falls in March, so expect busier beaches that week.
April: A transition month. Mostly still dry, with more swell starting to arrive. A great middle ground for intermediate surfers.
May: The green season begins. South swells pick up, afternoon showers return and the crowds start to thin.
June: Consistent swell, lush scenery and quieter lineups. A strong month for intermediate and advanced surfers.
July: The veranillo usually brings a dip in rain. Good swell plus more sunshine is a great combination.
August: Still in the little summer window, with solid green season surf. One of our favorite months for surfers who want waves with some power.
September: One of the wettest months, but the swell keeps coming and the lineups are at their quietest.
October: Also one of the wettest months. Powerful surf for experienced surfers and lots of space in the water.
November: A transition month. The rain starts to ease, the swell is still around and the dry season is on its way.
December: The dry season returns with sunny days and cleaner, smaller waves. It gets busy around Christmas and New Year, and the Caribbean side starts to wake up.
Swell is nature, not a timetable, so conditions can change from year to year and week to week. Use this as a guide, and check a forecast such as Surfline in the days before your trip.
Does the surf season change between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts?
Yes. The Pacific coast has surf all year round, while the Caribbean coast runs on a shorter, separate surf season, roughly from December to March.
Pacific coast
The Pacific is where most of Costa Rica's surf happens, from Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula in the north, through the Central Pacific, down to the Southern Pacific. The whole coast follows the same dry and green season pattern described above, though each region reacts a little differently to each swell.
Down south, Pavones, one of the longest left hand waves in the world, needs a solid south swell to break, so it's very much a green season wave. Want to know where to surf once you've picked your dates? Our guide to Costa Rica's surf spots covers the whole coast.
Caribbean coast
The Caribbean side doesn’t really have a clear dry season, and its surf depends on swells from the north and east rather than the South Pacific. The most reliable waves usually arrive between December and March around Puerto Viejo, where Salsa Brava, a heavy and shallow reef break, draws experienced surfers. Outside that window the surf is much less consistent. It’s a beautiful part of the country, but the Pacific is far more consistent for a surf trip, especially if you’re still learning.
What is the best surf season in Costa Rica for your level?
Beginners will love the dry season, intermediate surfers can surf happily all year, and advanced surfers should aim for the green season swell.
First time surfers
If it's your first time on a board, the dry season from December to April is the easiest place to start: smaller waves, clean conditions and plenty of sunshine to dry off in between sessions. That said, if your dates fall in the green season, don't worry. You can absolutely learn to surf in Costa Rica in the rainy season.
Bigger swell days just mean picking the right beach, tide and time of day, and that's exactly what a good surf coach does for you. You'll be surfing the friendly whitewater while the experienced crew paddles further out. If you're traveling solo or with a friend and just want to try surfing in a safe, social setting, either season works. It's the people around you that make the trip!
Intermediate surfers
You're in luck: both seasons work for you. The dry season is perfect for polishing your pop up, turning and reading waves in clean conditions. The green season gives you bigger, more powerful waves to push your level. If you want a bit of both, April, May and November are good bets.
Advanced surfers
Head to Costa Rica between May and November. That's when the south swells deliver bigger, more powerful waves and the lineups are quieter. July and August add the bonus of drier days. Bring a high performance shortboard and consider a step up board for the bigger days.
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Surf season in Santa Teresa: What to expect at our surf camp
Santa Teresa has great waves every month of the year: clean and mellow in the dry season, bigger and more powerful in the green season.
Santa Teresa sits on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, a laid back surf town lined with palm trees, smoothie spots and long sandy beaches. Our surf camp is only minutes from the beach, and one of our favorite surf spots is a five minute walk away. We teach levels 1, 2 and 3 with a maximum of three students per instructor, so whatever the season, you'll get coaching that matches the waves on the day and your level.
In the dry season, Santa Teresa is at its most social, with calm, glassy sessions and sunsets on the beach. In the green season, the town is quieter, the jungle is lush and the swell has more power, which is great news for anyone ready to push themselves.
Good to know:
Best for: Beginner to advanced
Surf season: All year
Dry season (December to April): Clean, mellow waves and a lively social scene
Green season (May to November): Bigger swell, quieter lineups, lush jungle
Planning your trip? Our Surfing in Costa Rica guide tells you everything you need to know about Santa Teresa, from the surf to the food.
What should you pack for a surf trip to Costa Rica?
For a surf trip to Costa Rica, pack your surf essentials, sun protection, light clothes and a few extras for the tropical weather. Here’s what to bring:
Rash vest and surf hat: They protect you from the sun during long sessions and help prevent board rash.
Swimwear: The water is warm all year on most of the coast, so boardshorts or a bikini are all you need.Â
Reef booties (optional): Worth packing if you plan to surf reef breaks rather than sandy beach breaks.
Reef safe sunscreen: The tropical sun is strong all year, even on cloudy green season days.
Light, breathable clothes: Shorts, tees and a light layer for the evenings, plus flip flops and a pair of shoes for jungle walks and waterfall hikes.
Light rain jacket: Handy for green season afternoons, when tropical showers roll through.
Insect repellent: Especially useful in the green season, when the jungle is at its lushest.
Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated makes a real difference after long sessions in the heat.
Dry bag: Keeps your phone and valuables safe on the beach and during sudden downpours.
Travel insurance that covers surfing: Not all policies do, so check the small print.Â
A small first aid kit. Plasters and antiseptic for small cuts and scrapes.
FAQ: Best time to surf in Costa Rica
Surf Costa Rica in any season with Lapoint
Dry season or green season, Santa Teresa always has waves. Come between December and April for sunshine, clean waves and a buzzing social scene, or between May and November for bigger swell, quiet lineups and the jungle at its most beautiful.
Either way, our coaches will match you with the right waves for your level, and you'll share every session with a crew of people who are just as stoked as you are. Pick your season, pack your boardshorts, and we'll take care of the rest!
Aude St-Cyr
About the author: Hi, I’m Aude, originally from Quebec, but the last decade has taken me across Europe and slowly closer to the ocean. I’m drawn to quiet streets, slow mornings, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, tiny bookstores, and the kind of places where you can lose track of time for a while. When I’m not travelling, you’ll usually find me surfing in Peniche, trying a new recipe, or wandering around with my analog camera, saving little pieces of life for later.
I write content for Lapoint, edit videos, and help grow our community, which means most days involve a mix of words, stories, people, and way too many tabs open at once!
Life goal? To take care of the people and places I love, stay curious, and never lose touch with my inner child.
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