Limón & the north · Costa Rica
Surfing Isla Uvita
A left reef in Limón & the north, Costa Rica, for advanced surfers.
Isla Uvita is a small island off Limón, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, where Columbus landed in 1502. A shallow reef on the island throws heavy, hollow lefts on a big north-east swell.
It's best at high tide. You can take a boat from Limón or paddle across in about 20 minutes; jellyfish are more of a problem than sharks. It's for experienced surfers who are comfortable in hollow waves over shallow reef.
On other days, Playa Bonita and the beaches south of Limón are the options.
When to surf
Isla Uvita
Isla Uvita is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Big NE swell, high tide.
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 Isla Uvita
Cocaine Point
4 kmLimón & the north · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced
Roca Alta
4 kmLimón & the north · Right Reef · Advanced
Playa Bonita
5 kmLimón & the north · Left Reef · 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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