Costa Rica Surf Trips Meets Luxury – Everything You Need to Know 

Thanks to its warm waters and famous breaks, Costa Rica has become the unofficial home of surf camps; drawing in curious beginners, tourists on wellness journeys, and development-focused pros alike. 

In the surfer’s paradise of Tamarindo, this may look like glamping tents, thatch-roofed casitas, or shared accommodations. Especially if you have been known to enjoy a bit of opulence, you may find yourself asking “What if there’s another way?”

Ready to plan the self-indulgent holiday of your dreams? We’d like to introduce you to the luxury Costa Rica house rental (with a chef!) that will have you replacing the traditional surf camp on your bucket list in a heartbeat. 

Why is Costa Rica a Top Surfing Destination?

Costa Rica isn’t just a beautiful place to ride waves, it’s actually one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world. This is, in part, due to the consistency of its wave breaks. Thanks to its location, swells are frequent during all twelve months of the year with swells from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere contributing to the surf scene. 

Besides having so many “perfect days” on the surf forecast (upwards of 350 a year) there’s also a lot of variety from gentle breaks suitable for beginners to barrelling reef breaks. All that, and the water is nice and warm, meaning you can stick to bikinis and boardshorts if you want to, 

How Much Do I Need to Know About Surfing? 

Costa Rica is a prime surfing destination for total beginners and pros alike. That said, if you are new to the sport, you’ll want to ensure there are some structured lessons in your itinerary. We provide boards you can use to practice on your own, but this will ensure you are well-versed in ocean safety, proper form, and the rules of the water. 

Top Surf Spots Nearby

• Witches Rock 

Located in the heart of Santa Rosa National Park, this is perhaps one of the most scenic places to surf in Costa Rica with an epic rock formation to the side of the break. This is also known to be the location of some of the biggest waves in the area, accessible only by boat. 

Ability Level: Advanced

• Tamarindo Beach

Right at our doorstep, Tamarindo Beach will take you straight from the comfort of your luxury villa to the most popular surf spot in Guanacaste. Tamarindo Beach’s break offers tons of mellow waves and whitewash suitable for beginners working with longboards. That’s not to say that only newbies love this spot, though! Further along the beach, the Rivermouth has big barrels for intermediates and offshore spots are a primo choice for pros. 

Ability Level: Beginner to Advanced

• Playa Negra

Playa Negra’s volcanic reef break is the perfect choice for surfers who want a more serious vibe. Depending on conditions, these breaks are not suitable for beginners, offering a bit of a challenge and less of a crowd. It’s also one of the more beautiful surf spots around with black sand and crystalline water.

Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced

• Avellanas

There are five main surf spots at Avellanas, each best suited for a different type of surfer. The majority of these breaks are good for those still learning the art of surfing, but it’s not recommended for true beginners or first-timers. Purruja, however, boasts the largest waves and is a massive draw for pros. Also known as “Little Hawaii”, this is a great place to come and watch when you’re finished with your own surf sesh. 

Ability Level: Experienced Beginner to Intermediate. 

• Playa Grande

If you’re just here for a good time, regardless of experience level, Playa Grande is the way to go. This beach has totally chilled-out vibes, and wave sets that appeal to beginners, pros, and everyone in between. There is a wide variety of breaks here, for a particularly fun and playful experience, perfect for switching it up as you go and practicing new skills. 

Ability Level: Beginner to Advanced

5 Reasons Why The Point is Better than Most Luxury Surf Resorts in Costa Rica

1. Unlimited Ways to Upgrade

Your surf holiday will obviously be centered around time spent at the beach, but here are just a few ways a stay in our luxury villa will be a game-changer for the times you’re back on dry land: 

• Rinse off in our state-of-the-art outdoor showers or soak in our freestanding spa tub
• Take advantage of complimentary yoga, pilates, and meditation classes down by the shoreline to keep you connected with yourself and nature, plus help maintain your physical stamina
• Work on your surfer’s tan on our poolside daybeds
• From facials to rehydrate your salty skin to messages designed to soothe your tired muscles, there’s no shortage of ways to treat yourself to some pampering 
• We can hire a photographer to come and document the moment you catch your first wave!
• Our concierge can bring in DJs for your entertainment while your butler prepares craft cocktails to bring the night to life
• Our team can run errands so you can spend more time in the water 
• Remember that we are one of the only Costa Rica house rentals with a chef! Don’t waste time cooking; eat a gourmet breakfast no matter how early you get up for your sunrise surf and have them whip up a picnic for you to bring to the beach. 

2. Unbridled Luxury

Surf camps and surf trips in collaboration with local hotels may have nice, clean rooms and a peaceful atmosphere, but we’re so much more than just an accommodation. The Point is a feat of modern architecture, bespoke furniture, and nature-inspired design, plus we have an entire staff dedicated to bringing your private group unparalleled customer service. 

3. We’re Eco-Friendly

I think it’s safe to say that luxury and tourism sometimes come at a cost to our beautiful planet. But The Point has worked hard to ensure that our guests can live the “high life” with peace of mind that their stay is having a positive impact. We only use local, organic cleaning and bath products on-site, we have a sophisticated recycling program and limit single-use products to reduce waste. 

4. Maximum Privacy and Security 

Thanks to our location in a quiet, gated community, this lush paradise offers both isolation and 24/7 perimeter security. Going out? We’ll even arrange for private guards to accompany you. 

5. No Rigid Itineraries

We know that the best vacation memories come from doing things on a whim- that’s why we’ve taken the rigid trip schedules out of the equation. You just let us know what you want to do and we’ll handle all the hard stuff so you can stay present. This flexible approach allows for tons of customization and a holiday that’s totally tailored to you. 

Top Tips for the Perfect Surf Holiday

• Add surf essentials to your packing list! In addition to your standard beach vacation must-haves, there are a few things you’ll want to make sure you have tucked into your suitcase. Wetsuits/rash guards, reef-safe sunscreen, and a mini first aid kit are must-haves, while reef booties, surf earplugs, dry bags, mountable surf camera, and deep hair conditioning masks are extras that will definitely enhance your experience. 

• Plan for a range of surfing experiences from structured lessons to free practice time on our house-provided boards, to ensure the most progress. You can also switch up your surf location to keep things fun and new. 

• Brush-up on surf etiquette practices. Especially if you’re planning to take a DIY approach to surf trips around the region, you want to ensure you’re respecting the rules of the game and the locals who surf these breaks every day.  

• If you’re bringing your own board, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. Choosing a versatile board for your surf holiday is important because even the most consistent breaks occasionally have an off day. This will allow you to surf more spots, and avoid being a slave to the surf forecast. You’ll also want to invest in a high-quality board bag to protect your equipment and arrange transport with the airline PRIOR to arrival at the airport. 

• Participate in local surf culture. In surfer towns and on streets surrounding hotspot beaches,  you’ll find plenty of ways to hang out with local groms. Surf shops are always a great place to start looking for meetups, but there’s also no harm in being friendly while in a lineup and seeing where that takes you. 

• Choose breaks that are appropriate for your skill level. Especially in a location with incredible swells that draw in the pros, it can be tempting to try and surf waves that are too big for you and end up in over your head. For the sake of your safety, only attempt breaks that are suitable for your personal level of experience and work your way up slowly.