🇨🇷 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

Playa Hermosa

Costa Rica's most consistent beach break

FAIR

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

4ft waves — with 13s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — cross-onshore wind affecting quality

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's FAIR

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 191° — matches the ideal 210° window for this spot

Swell Period

13s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

2mph cross-shore — not ideal but surfable if wind is light

Season

October is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

4.4ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

13s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

2mph

CROSS-SHORE

Water

87°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

85%

Wind Direction

60%

Primary Swell

3.9ft @ 11.2s

S 191°

Secondary Swell

2.1ft @ 10.8s

WSW 246°

10 Day Outlook

3.5ft

TODAY

Oct 24

(16s)

3.5ft

TMRW

Oct 25

(15s)

3.7ft

MON

Oct 26

(14s)

6.3ft

TUE

Oct 27

(13s)

5.6ft

WED

Oct 28

(17s)

3.2ft

THU

Oct 29

(17s)

2.7ft

FRI

Oct 30

(16s)

2.6ft

SAT

Oct 31

(16s)

2.8ft

SUN

Nov 1

(17s)

3.3ft

MON

Nov 2

(16s)

Best this week: WED Oct 28 — 5.6ft

Best next week: MON Nov 2 — 3.3ft

Incoming Swell Events

Day 4

moderate

Swell building to 6.3ft @ 13s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)4.8ft

ICON (35%)4.4ft

GFS (20%)3.4ft

Model confidence65%

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: Oct

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.