Puntarenas & the river lefts · Costa Rica
Surfing Puerto Caldera
A left point in Puntarenas & the river lefts, Costa Rica, for advanced surfers.
Puerto Caldera is a wedge that breaks off the jetty at the commercial port, near Doña Ana. It needs a big south swell and an east wind, and then it's short, steep and heavy, very different from the long lefts nearby.
It doesn't break often and the surroundings are industrial, so most people surf Boca Barranca instead. When it's on, it's for experienced surfers only.
It only works a few times each green season, when a big south swell coincides with an east wind. Doña Ana is close by.
When to surf
Puerto Caldera
Puerto Caldera is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: Big swell + E wind.
December to April: Good
Dry season, cleaner conditions and WNW pulses, though smaller than the summer swell
May to July: Prime
Green season SW groundswell fires the points and beachbreaks; offshore mornings
August to October: Prime
Peak S-SW swell, most consistent and biggest, but the wettest months
Nov: Quiet
Transition, rain and swell easing into the dry season
The year across Golfo de Nicoya
Waves near Puerto Caldera
Getting there
Where to stay: Puntarenas is a working port rather than a resort, handy for Boca Barranca and the ferry, with basic hotels and cheap food. Most surfers day-trip the river lefts from Jacó (under an hour south) rather than stay here. Mind the river pollution after rain.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Puntarenas & the river lefts guide.
Puntarenas & the river lefts surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.