{"id":61179,"date":"2025-04-22T12:13:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T18:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/?p=61179"},"modified":"2025-06-02T09:11:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T15:11:08","slug":"best-time-to-surf-costa-rica-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/best-time-to-surf-costa-rica-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"South Swell Season 2025 \u2014 Why May to October Is the Best Time to Surf Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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I’m Curtis Custer, surfer of 50 years and part of the Sales Office here at Witch\u2019s Rock Surf Camp. I’ve lived in Tamarindo for over a decade, and when it comes to scoring world-class waves with low crowds and tropical vibes\u2014this time of year is it.<\/p>

From May to October, Costa Rica\u2019s north coast lights up with consistent south and southwest swells from the Southern Hemisphere. The jungle\u2019s alive, the water\u2019s warm, and the lineups are mellow.<\/p>

With the first south swells already hitting in April, 2025\u2019s Green Season is off to an epic start. I\u2019ve put together this guide to explain why May through October is the best time to surf Costa Rica\u2014and how to lock in 20% off your trip right now.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why South Swell Season Rules<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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More swell, fewer people, perfect conditions<\/b><\/p>

We call it the “Low Season” down here, but there\u2019s nothing low about it. This time of year is when the real surf magic happens:<\/p>

  • Consistent Surf:<\/b> Long-period groundswells from the South Pacific fuel steady surf all along the Guanacaste coast.<\/li>
  • Warmer Water:<\/b> 82\u00b0F and no wetsuit required\u2014just boardshorts and a smile.<\/li>
  • Low Crowds:<\/b> Lineups thin out, and it becomes a locals’ paradise.<\/li>
  • Glass-Off Mornings:<\/b> Offshore winds often groom the early morning surf. Some afternoons bring light rain showers that clean up the conditions\u2014and when they do, it\u2019s not uncommon for the waves to turn on again in the evening.<\/li>
  • Jungle Vibes:<\/b> Rain brings out the monkeys, parrots, iguanas, and more. Nature is full-on.<\/li><\/ul>

    “If you’re a real surfer, this is when you want to be here. It’s probably one of the best-kept secrets in Costa Rica.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The Waves Are Firing<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The entire coast comes alive during the South Swell Season. Here are just a few of the spots lighting up:<\/p>

    • Witch\u2019s Rock:<\/b> Long lefts & rights, plenty of offshore winds, epic energy.<\/li>
    • Ollie\u2019s Point:<\/b> “Some of the best waves I’ve had in 13 years of living here.”<\/li>
    • Avellanas & Little Hawaii:<\/b> Glassy and hollow. Sometimes three barrel sections in a row.<\/li>
    • Playa Grande:<\/b> Wedge peaks, reeling rights and lefts.<\/li>
    • Tamarindo Rivermouth:<\/b> Multi-section setups and shifting peaks.<\/li>
    • Pico Grande\/Pico Peque\u00f1o:<\/b> Town break that fires across long, fun rights and lefts.<\/li><\/ul>

      “You\u2019ve got your pick\u2014and with surfers spread out across so many breaks, it rarely feels crowded.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      \"witchs_rock_barrell\"<\/figure><\/div>
      \"witchs_rock_barrell_south_swell\"<\/figure><\/div>
      \"South<\/figure><\/div>
      \"witchs_rock_south_swell_barrell\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      Photos: SICKOS April 2025 strike\u00a0mission<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      More Than Just Waves<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Between May and October, the jungle wakes up too. It\u2019s not just about the surf:<\/p>

      • Tropical birds from inland forests migrate to the coast.<\/li>
      • Howler monkeys are everywhere.<\/li>
      • Iguanas bask on warm rock walls.<\/li>
      • Sea life comes alive offshore.<\/li><\/ul>

        “The animals are less timid, and the jungle feels more alive. It\u2019s a beautiful time to be here.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Why Book a Trip May\u2013October?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        It\u2019s not just a surf trip. It\u2019s a completely different Costa Rica.<\/b><\/p>

        • You\u2019ll surf more and wait less.<\/b> This time of year is known for long-period swells and empty lineups. You\u2019ll get into more waves every session\u2014and the vibe in the water is friendly and local.<\/li>
        • The jungle is peaking.<\/b> May\u2013October is when Costa Rica turns its most vibrant. Picture bright green hills, cooler nights, and misty sunsets. If you love nature, this is the time.<\/li>
        • The weather works in your favor.<\/b> Mornings are typically sunny and glassy\u2014prime surf conditions. Afternoon rains cool everything down and refresh the beach for golden-hour sessions.<\/li>
        • Town slows down\u2014in a good way.<\/b> Fewer crowds in Tamarindo means no lines for restaurants, more quiet time on the beach, and that relaxed pace we all chase on vacation.<\/li>
        • It\u2019s a surfer\u2019s Costa Rica.<\/b> This is when the locals surf the most. It’s not overrun with tourists, and that gives your trip a more authentic, connected feel.<\/li><\/ul>

          “May to October is when everything comes alive\u2014and yet it feels like you have it all to yourself.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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          Save 20% on May Trips (Limited Offer)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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          Now through April 30<\/b>, we\u2019re offering 20% off select trips in May\u2014specifically on Courtyard Rooms at Witch\u2019s Rock Surf Camp. That includes:<\/p>\n

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          • Saturday-to-Saturday stays between May 3\u201331<\/li>\n
          • Any surf program (Beginner to Advanced)<\/li>\n
          • Just book with a deposit by April 30<\/b>\n

            <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            “This is the season we live for. Let me help you get down here.”<\/p>\n

            Reply to your email or message our Sales Office to lock in your 20% discount before April 30.<\/b><\/p>\n

            We\u2019ll see you in the lineup soon.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            I’m Curtis Custer, surfer of 50 years and part of the Sales Office here at Witch\u2019s Rock Surf Camp. I’ve lived in Tamarindo for over a decade, and when it comes to scoring world-class waves with low crowds and tropical vibes\u2014this time of year is it. From May to October, Costa Rica\u2019s north coast lights […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2901,"featured_media":61193,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_front_end_style_editor":"no","ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"0","ocean_second_sidebar":"0","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"0","ocean_custom_header_template":"0","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"0","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,2402],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-wrsc-blog","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61179","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2901"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61179"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61179\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}