The best place to learn to surf is somewhere you can fall off and not get hurt.
Playa Guiones (one of Playas de Nosara)
Weather : Good to Excellent year round
Environment : Not a tourist trap
Nightlife : A little
Nature : Very good
Playas Nosara includes Guiones, Nosara, and Peleda with Guiones being the place to surf. There is a large community of expatriates near Guiones with nice homes and fun local activities. The town of Nosara is small and nothing to see but this is an enjoyable area for surfing, exploring, and having fun.
The beaches are long and there is plenty of room which is needed especially on Guiones during season when it can be a little busy. Surf is pretty consistent all year long here. Waves vary from 3 to 10 ft so certain tide levels should be avoided while learning to surf. Local surf schools can point you in the right direction as well as when is best for your skill level.
Playa El Carmen
Weather : Good to Excellent year round
Environment : Not a tourist trap
Nightlife : Little to none
Nature : Very Good
Located in southern Nicoya between the booming waves found in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, this long right and short left is the best place in the area to learn to surf. Popular with long boarders, the sandy bottom is more forgiving than elsewhere in the area.
This area is one of my favorites in Nicoya and includes less commercialization than places like Tamarindo or Jaco. The waves here are challenging for beginners but local knowledge will keep you out of trouble.
Rip tides exist but are not as strong as you will find elsewhere on the Pacific side.
Playa Tamarindo
Weather : Good to Excellent year round
Environment : A tourist trap
Nightlife : Plentiful during season especially weekends
Nature : Below average (see nearby Grande and Langosta)
This is one of the most popular spots in Costa Rica. Good place to learn due to sandy bottom (reef in places) and smallish waves. Decent near Capitan Suizo and the river mouth. Plenty of nightlife and is dominated by the young backpacker surfers.
Accommodations range from inexpensive to very expensive. Sixty to ninety minute drive from Liberia airport and more than half a day from San Jose.
Note: I think their blue flag status is threatened by the booming growth and waste problems experienced in this area.
Playa Jaco
Weather : Good, but a little wetter from May-November
Environment : A tourist trap
Nightlife : Plentiful during season especially weekends
Nature : Below average
Jaco is the largest hamlet on the Pacific coast and includes many bars and restaurants. A bit dirty and seedy but this is also a popular spot for learning to surf during the day and partying at night. Downtown is noisy at night so if you are a light sleeper consider somewhere outside of town.
The smallish break has fun lefts and rights that close out head high and during low tide. This is the closest surfing beach from San Jose for surfers flying into the Juan Santamaria airport.
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