Costa Rica is home to some of the best waves on the planet, crashing along beaches that are clean and blissfully empty.
The Caribbean
For  those surfing on the Caribbean coast, keep in mind that the surfing  season doesn't last long, and most of the waves are produced by tropical  storms off the Mexican coast. However, these storms produce some of the  biggest waves in the country and should only be attempted by veteran  riders.
Puerto Viejo also known as Salsa Brava, is home to some  of Costa Rica's biggest waves. A coral reef off the coast produces  Hawaiian-style breaks that often carry over 20 surfers at a time.  Located in the Limon province, Puerto Viejo is a vibrant seaside town  with gorgeous waters and waves that tempt surfing pros.
Westfalia  extends south from Limon to Cahuita, offering breaks from the left and  right. The best part of Westfalia is its reliability -- it offers  consistently good surf, but be forewarned of the riptides and jellyfish.
Portete  beach is located very close to Limon, so you'll have easy access to the  small bay. It's also a great spot for swimming and snorkeling if you're  the only surfer in the family. Portete is also close to Playa Bonita,  where you can test out some bigger waves.
North Pacific Coast
The  North Pacific Coast is encompassed by the Guanacaste Province and is  the country's most visited region. However, this area, home to some of  the best and most easily accessible diving and surfing spots, is also  one of Costa Rica's least populated regions.
Playa Naranjo, more  commonly known as Witch's Rock, is one of the best breaks in the  country, with some very strong offshore winds between December and  March. There aren't any resorts or hotels located here, but nearby  Witch's Rock Surf Camp is the perfect place to stay and learn.  Instructors will teach you the basics and shuttle you and other newbies  to the famous swells of Playa Naranjo. You can also camp out, but  4-wheel drive is a must and don't forget a mosquito net.
Playa  Grande provides consistent swells and breaks, making it one of the best  overall surf spots in the country. It also offers a quieter spot than  beaches like Playa Tamarindo and the beach's north side is a great  location for swimming, safe from the dozens of surfers tearing through  the Costa Rican waters.
Playa Negra is a right-handed point break  that the locals describe as epic. The waves are as powerful as they are  reliable. For experienced surfers, the ride is best when the waves are  breaking overhead, so head to Playa Negra on days when storms are  kicking up some aggressive surf.
Central Pacific Coast
This  region is the most easily accessible, just a short distance from San  Jose. The resort towns offer a bit more nightlife than the other coasts,  and the surf here is fantastic, making Central Pacific the place for a  more lively vacation.
A beach that offers one of Costa Rica's  longest rides, Boca Barranca is a left break in front of a river mouth.  You can ride these waves over half a mile when the conditions are right,  so if you longboard, this is the beach for you. There's great access to  this beach, so it's best to arrive early to avoid crowds.
Playa  Escondida is an excellent point break for rights and lefts. For members  of the beach club, the surf is accessible by land. If you're just  visiting, rent a boat from Playa Jaco or Playa Herradura. These waves  are best surfed at high tide, so check tide times before hitting the  surf.
Hermosa beach juts out into the Pacific Ocean, giving the  waters there constant swell. The beach stretches for several miles, so  you should be able to stake out your own territory. Some of the best  breaks occur off a sandbar located in front of a large tree known as the  Almendro. Ask a local to point out this primo spot.
South Pacific Coast
Unlike  the Central Pacific Coast, the South Pacific is home to some of the  largest last remaining stretches of Pacific Coastal rainforests. This is  the coast surf if you're only packing a wetsuit, a board and a sleeping  bag -- you're surfing with Madre Nature.
Playa Dominical offers  beautiful lush landscapes and waves for all skill levels. On the north  end of the beach in front of the Baru River mouth, the surf is a little  bigger and provides a challenge for skilled surfers.
Pavones is a  left point that offers one of the longest rides in the world. This  beach is located 8 hours from San Jose by car, but you're welcome to  pack your camping gear and stay a few nights. Rides here can last over  three-quarters of a mile, considered one of the longest in the world.  The surf here can be fickle, with the best surf occurring between April  and November.
Cabo Matapalo is located directly across the bay  from Pavones and catches the same ocean swells. Matapalo is much less  surfed than Pavones, so if you're looking to avoid crowds or just  learning, this is an excellent beach for you. It's drivable from  Pavones, so make sure to hit both of these spots on your surfing tour of  Costa Rica.