Limón & the north · Costa Rica
Surfing Barco Quebrado
A beach break in Limón & the north, Costa Rica, for intermediate surfers.
Barco Quebrado is the mouth of the Río Banano, on the Westfalia stretch south of Limón. The river shapes the sand into better-defined peaks than the beach around it, so on a north-east swell it's usually the best bank along this coast.
It's easy to miss from the road and almost always empty.
It's best on a north-east swell from December to March. The river can bring currents after rain. Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, further south, have the places to stay.
When to surf
Barco Quebrado
Barco Quebrado is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Swell NE-E, rivermouth.
December to March: Prime
Main season, NE-E storms off Colombia fire Salsa Brava and the reefs
April to June: Quiet
Flat spells between seasons; the Pacific is the better bet now
July to August: Good
A reliable mid-year mini-season, July the safer bet for swell
September to November: Quiet
Mostly flat and very wet, off-season on the Caribbean
The year across Limón
Waves near Barco Quebrado
Westfalia
4 kmLimón & the north · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
Isla Uvita
11 kmLimón & the north · Left Reef · Advanced
Cocaine Point
14 kmLimón & the north · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Avoid Limón city itself for lodging (bar the Park Hotel), head to Playa Bonita or up to Cahuita. Tortuguero is a boat-in world of its own from Puerto Moín. This coast is extremely wet; take wet-weather gear. Petty crime and street hustle are real in Limón, stay aware.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Limón & the north guide.
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