Puntarenas & the river lefts · Costa Rica
Surfing Tivives
A beach break in Puntarenas & the river lefts, Costa Rica, for advanced surfers.
Tivives is a rivermouth left in Puntarenas province that only works on a strong south swell. On those days it can throw a fast, hollow section off the point, and there's rarely anyone else out.
The rest of the time it's small and unremarkable, and the river makes the water dirty. Don't plan a trip around it. Check it if you're passing through on a big swell, and pick your tide carefully.
It's a green-season wave, from May to November, and only on a strong south swell. Crocodiles live in many Costa Rican river mouths, including in this area, so ask locally and avoid surfing at dusk. Boca Barranca, nearby, is the better-known option.
When to surf
Tivives
Tivives is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: Strong S swell.
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 Tivives
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.
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