Surfing Dominical & Uvita

Beach Break · Best May-Nov · 3-10 ft · Crowd 4/5

Swell S-SW

Dominical is a small surf town on Costa Rica's south Pacific coast, quieter than Jacó or Tamarindo, with one of the most consistent beach breaks in the country. The waves are strong and hollow, and they get bigger near the mouth of the Rio Barú.

It holds size well and works on most south and south-west swells, best for intermediate and advanced surfers. The rips are strong and boards get broken here often, so don't paddle out on a big day unless you're confident. On smaller days, Dominicalito, a few minutes south, is easier.

The town has surf shops, sodas and cheap places to stay, and many travellers end up staying longer than planned.

Beach Break · Best May-Nov · 2-5 ft · Crowd 3/5

S-SW swell, mid tide

Dominicalito is a small bay just south of Dominical, sheltered by the headland. It's smaller and softer than Dominical, so beginners and improvers come here when the main beach is too heavy.

There are a few rocks hidden at low tide, so look before you paddle out and go at mid to high tide. It works on a south-west swell, with jungle right behind the beach.

It's the place to go when Dominical is too big or too heavy. Dominical, a few minutes north, has the hostels, surf shops and restaurants.

Left Point · Best May-Nov · 2-12 ft · Crowd 3/5

S-SW swell, high tide

Punta Dominical is the left point at the south end of Dominical. When it's small it's a slow, easy wave that beginners can ride. On a big swell it holds up to three times overhead, with long hollow rides for experienced surfers only.

It works best at higher tides. On big days the sets catch people inside and the current is strong, so watch it for a while before you paddle out. The point is backed by jungle, with a couple of restaurants on the cliff above.

Beach Break · Best May-Nov · 2-6 ft · Crowd 2/5

Swell S-SW

Playa Hermosa near Uvita is a long beach backed by jungle hills, with waves that are usually about half the size of Dominical. It's cleaner and softer, which makes it a good place for beginners, improvers and longboarders.

It works on a south-west swell at most tides, and it's where people go when Dominical is too big. Don't confuse it with Playa Hermosa near Jacó, a heavy black-sand beach break. Uvita has waterfalls and the Marino Ballena national park nearby for the flat days.

Uvita, a few minutes south, has the places to stay.

Beach Break · Best May-Nov · 2-5 ft · Crowd 2/5

Swell S-SW, NW onshore

Punta Uvita is in the Marino Ballena national park, next to the sandbar shaped like a whale's tail that you can walk out on at low tide. The point shelters the beach, so the waves stay small and soft.

It's mostly useful when the rest of the coast is too big or a north-west wind is blowing. It's a beginner spot, not a performance wave. Humpback whales pass offshore from about July to October and again from December to April.

It's a gentle place to learn, inside a national park that charges a small entry fee. Arrive early: the park opens in the morning, and the sandbar is best seen at low tide. Uvita has the places to stay.

Beach Break · Best May-Nov · 2-5 ft · Crowd 1/5

Swell S-SW

Playa Ballena, inside the Marino Ballena national park, has slow, long waves and very few people, which makes it one of the best places to learn in the area.

It works on a south-west swell. Further south there are more quiet beaches: Piñuela, Ventanas and the Tortuga rivermouth. From Ojochal you can take a boat, or walk, to the Terraba rivermouth, which has a long left.

It's a quiet beach for learners, inside the Marino Ballena national park, which charges a small entry fee. Uvita and Ojochal, a few minutes away, have the places to stay and eat.