🇨🇷 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

Playa Hermosa

Costa Rica's most consistent beach break

FAIR

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

4ft waves — with 11s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — Clean 4mph offshore winds grooming the surface

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's FAIR

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 211° — matches the ideal 210° window for this spot

Swell Period

11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

4mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face

Season

September is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

3.7ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

11s

Mid-period

Wind

4mph

OFFSHORE

Water

87°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

100%

Primary Swell

3.4ft @ 10.4s

SSW 211°

Secondary Swell

1.4ft @ 13.2s

ESE 123°

10 Day Outlook

3.7ft

TODAY

Sep 12

(16s)

3.3ft

TMRW

Sep 13

(15s)

3.0ft

MON

Sep 14

(14s)

3.1ft

TUE

Sep 15

(18s)

3.3ft

WED

Sep 16

(18s)

3.4ft

THU

Sep 17

(17s)

3.4ft

FRI

Sep 18

(15s)

3.3ft

SAT

Sep 19

(14s)

3.2ft

SUN

Sep 20

(18s)

3.4ft

MON

Sep 21

(19s)

Best this week: today — 3.7ft

Best next week: MON Sep 21 — 3.4ft

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)3.7ft

ICON (35%)3.9ft

GFS (20%)3.3ft

Model confidence80%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco is one of the most consistent and powerful beach breaks in Central America. Black sand beach, strong rips, and punchy waves make this a favourite for intermediate to advanced surfers. Easy access from San Jose makes it perfect for a quick strike.

The Break

Multiple peaks along the black sand beach — pick your spot based on sandbar conditions. The south end tends to be more powerful.

Ideal Conditions

SW swell 4-7ft, light offshore winds, mid tide

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Sep

Trip Planner

Hermosa Weekend

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into San Jose (SJO). 90min drive to Playa Hermosa. Stay at a surf hostel on the beach.

Saturday

Full day Hermosa — multiple sessions. Ceviche and Imperial beer at a beach bar.

Sunday

Morning session, drive back to San Jose, fly home.

Central Pacific Surf Week

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive San Jose, drive to Hermosa.

Day 2

Full day Playa Hermosa.

Day 3

Day trip to Manuel Antonio — surf and national park wildlife.

Day 4

Back to Hermosa for another full day.

Day 5

Explore Jaco town — lively surf town with good restaurants.

Day 6

Drive south to Dominical — different vibe, great waves.

Day 7

Final session, drive to San Jose, fly home.

Local Knowledge

Playa Hermosa has strong rips — know how to handle them before paddling out.

The black sand gets extremely hot — wear shoes to the water.

San Jose is only 90 minutes away — easy weekend escape from the city.

The surf competition held here annually draws pros from around the world.

Stay in Hermosa not Jaco — quieter, cheaper, and right on the waves.