Dominical & Uvita · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Dominical
A beach break in Dominical & Uvita, Costa Rica, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
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.
When to surf
Playa Dominical
Playa Dominical is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: Swell S-SW.
December to April: Good
Short dry season, cleaner, sunnier, but smaller than the summer swell
May to July: Prime
Green season S-SW groundswell fires Dominical and the points; offshore mornings
August to October: Prime
Peak, most consistent S-SW swell, and the wettest, greenest months
Nov: Quiet
Transition, heavy rains and swell easing into the dry season
The year across Central Puntarenas
Waves near Playa Dominical
Getting there
Where to stay: Dominical village puts you on the powerful beachbreak with cheap sodas and board hire; Uvita (20min south) is quieter, family-friendly and gateway to the marine park. Dominicalito is the sheltered beginner bay in between. Rent boards locally from around $10/day.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Dominical & Uvita guide.
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