Limón & the north · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Bonita
A left reef in Limón & the north, Costa Rica, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Playa Bonita is the main beach near Limón. At its north end there's a thick left reef that gets powerful on a strong north-east swell, with fast, hollow sections.
You can watch it from the beach and walk out to it, and hotels and restaurants are close by. It's for confident surfers when it's big, and the reef is shallow on the inside.
It's at its best on a strong north-east swell from December to March, and Limón is a few minutes away.
When to surf
Playa Bonita
Playa Bonita is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Strong NE swell.
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 Playa Bonita
Roca Alta
under 1 kmLimón & the north · Right Reef · Advanced
Cocaine Point
2 kmLimón & the north · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced
Isla Uvita
5 kmLimón & the north · Left Reef · 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.
Limón & the north surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.