🇨🇷 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

Playa Hermosa

Costa Rica's most consistent beach break

GOOD

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

4ft waves — with solid 14s groundswell — hitting at the ideal angle — light cross-shore winds, still manageable

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's GOOD

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 202° — matches the ideal 210° window for this spot

Swell Period

14s — strong, long-period groundswell. Maximum wave power and quality.

Wind

1mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face

Season

June is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

4.3ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

14s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

1mph

OFFSHORE

Water

85°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

80%

Primary Swell

3.6ft @ 11.4s

SSW 202°

Secondary Swell

2.4ft @ 9.2s

S 185°

10 Day Outlook

3.7ft

TODAY

Jun 14

(15s)

3.8ft

TMRW

Jun 15

(15s)

3.8ft

TUE

Jun 16

(21s)

3.9ft

WED

Jun 17

(19s)

4.0ft

THU

Jun 18

(18s)

3.9ft

FRI

Jun 19

(16s)

3.9ft

SAT

Jun 20

(16s)

3.8ft

SUN

Jun 21

(15s)

5.7ft

MON

Jun 22

(17s)

6.0ft

TUE

Jun 23

(19s)

Best this week: TUE Jun 16 — 3.8ft

Best next week: TUE Jun 23 — 6.0ft

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)4.5ft

ICON (35%)4.5ft

GFS (20%)3.5ft

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: Jun

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.