This is a guest post by Aaron Atkey, who is a member of Mambo Surf.

Costa Rica has long been a hotspot amongst the international surf community. Through the 60’s and 70’s it was hailed as a far off mystical land of great waves, chilled locals, and epic adventures. What we are left with today in Costa Rica is very different than what was started so many years ago, but there are many surviving traits.

Located in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica has two coasts, one bordering the Pacific Ocean, and the other bordering the Caribbean Ocean. While the surf is perhaps more consistent on the West Coast, there are still some prized surf breaks along the East Coast. The other benefit that surfers have in Costa Rica is that you have no need for wetsuits like in Canada or America, and you can pretty much surf every day of the year. Having such a large swell window means that along the open beaches, you will always find something.

Surfing in Costa Rica really gained traction after the filming of Endless Summer, the film featured several standout breaks in the country, and blew the lid off the so called “secret spot” that many people came to in search of clean, empty waves. After that, Witche’s Rock and Ollie’s Point became instant destinations, with people coming in from all over the world after what they had seen in the movie. The promise of empty waves held true, and since then, millions of people have enjoyed what the country has to offer, in, and out of the lineup.

In recent years, Costa Rica has become a staging grounds for competitive surfing, with so many waves, and so much local talent, Costa Rican surfers have put their name on the sport. With such a varied coastline, and so many different waves available, local surfers can train for pretty much any type of surf that they may come across anywhere in the world. Some of the top pros in the world come to Costa Rica for the quality of the waves, and the consistency. Recently, in Santa Teresa, Clay Marzo showed up for a Quiksilver sponsored contest.

Pavones, Witche’s Rock, Ollie’s Point, Salsa Brava, Playa Hermosa, Boca Barranca, Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Playa Negra, Avellanas, Matapalo, Uvita, and Playa Grande are only a few of the country’s standout breaks. There are many hidden gems here yet to be discovered, and many only known to the locals. Even with all the technology that is out there, you can have an epic adventure surfing in Costa Rica. Different swells make different waves break, and a few kilometers up or down the road can lead to a truly awesome session.

Surfing in Costa Rica is on the rise, and now in a more international way than ever. Any given day in the lineup out front you can hear 4-5 different languages, people from all backgrounds are flocking here for the good surf. It’s all about knowing when and where to be, and with the right information, a surf trip to Costa Rica is amongst the more affordable, and memorable options around.

If you would like more information on surfing in Costa Rica, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Mambo Surf, as we specialize in custom tours and surf packages for people of all levels. Whether you are an accomplished surfer looking for some local knowledge, or a total beginner looking to get your first real ride, we have what you need. Surfing is on the rise, and there is no reason why you can’t learn too.