Located in Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica, Playa Hermosa (just 10k South of Jaco) is an excellent black sand beach break that offers up some powerful but shapely sections more days than not. The waves here are heavy and break for up to 100 meters over a sand bottom. This spot is not for the inexperienced surfer. Long hold-downs, boards breaking, and heavy closeouts are all on the menu. Strong currents and crocs are also issues. But the waves are usually really really good. There are a few different spots along the 7km of beach. The North end is usually fast and hollow at lower tides. Then there’s Almendro (almond tree) which is usually rippable at higher tides. Then you’ll hit Corners, usually bigger and stronger than the peaks to the North. At the Southern end, there is Tulin, which has a river mouth that grooms up some big, clean, hollow faces when the winds are down.
What are the best surf conditions for Playa Hermosa?
Gets good between waist-high and triple overhead. We recommend riding a shortboard or step-up as the size picks up. This break is suitable for intermediate and advanced-level surfers. The surf here is consistent (7/10) and will usually have a crew on it (6/10). The best winds are from the Northeast. The best swells are from the Northwest, South, Southwest, or West. Works on all tides.
We recommend wearing board shorts or a bikini year round as water temperatures range between 29 and 28. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
