Costa Rica is the easier trip. It has more surf towns, more beginner beaches and more places to stay, and it's busier because of that. Panama is quieter and a little cheaper day to day, but its best waves are spread out and some, like the outer reefs of Bocas del Toro or Morro Negrito, take a boat to reach. For a first surf trip to Central America, start with Costa Rica. If you've been and want emptier points, Panama is the next step. The two share a border, and Bocas del Toro is a few hours by bus and boat from Puerto Viejo on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
Which one should you pick?
First surf trip or learning
Costa Rica. Tamarindo, Santa Teresa and Jacó have dozens of schools and easy beach breaks, and getting around is simple.
Fewer people in the water
Panama. Santa Catalina and the Bocas del Toro reefs see a fraction of the crowds you find in Costa Rica.
December to March
Costa Rica's Guanacaste, with dry weather and offshore mornings. In Panama this is the season for the Caribbean reefs of Bocas del Toro.
May to October
Either. Both Pacific coasts get the south swells; Costa Rica has more surf towns to choose from, Panama has the point at Santa Catalina.
Tight budget
Panama is a little cheaper day to day, but Costa Rica has more cheap hostels and surf camps to choose from.
When to go
Costa Rica is at its best from December to October, and Panama from December to September.
| Month | Costa Rica | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| January | Prime (Guanacaste) | Prime (Bocas del Toro) |
| February | Prime (Guanacaste) | Prime (Bocas del Toro) |
| March | Prime (Guanacaste) | Prime (Bocas del Toro) |
| April | Prime (Guanacaste) | Prime (Southwest Panama) |
| May | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) | Prime (Southwest Panama) |
| June | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) | Prime (Southwest Panama) |
| July | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) | Prime (Southwest Panama) |
| August | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) | Prime (Southwest Panama) |
| September | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) | Prime (Southwest Panama) |
| October | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) | Good (Southwest Panama) |
| November | Quiet (Guanacaste) | Good (West Panamá Province) |
| December | Prime (Guanacaste) | Prime (Bocas del Toro) |
More in our guides to Costa Rica and Panama.