The Two Seasons
Costa Rica has two seasons, and they both affect the surf in very different ways.
☀️ Dry Season — December to April
Best for Beginners
Smaller, cleaner waves. Offshore morning winds groom the surface. Almost no rain Jan–Mar. The classic tourist season — most crowded and expensive, but most consistent for clean, manageable surf.
Typical wave size: 2–4 feet at Tamarindo main beach. Bigger at Langosta and Avellanas on south swell pulses.
🌧️ Green Season — May to November
Best for Intermediate+
Bigger swells, more consistent surf, warmer water. South and southwest swells light up every break. Trade-off: afternoon rain, more onshore wind, occasional flat spells between swells.
Typical wave size: 3–8 feet depending on the break and swell. The best waves of the year happen now.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January & February
Peak dry season. Offshore winds most mornings, blue skies, and small but clean waves at the main beach. Peak tourist season — crowded lineups and higher prices. Water temp around 80°F. The best months for learning to surf: consistent conditions, warm water, forgiving waves.
March & April
Tail end of dry season. Still offshore mornings, but swell picks up. March can be some of the best surf of the dry season — clean conditions with more energy. April gets warmer with occasional afternoon showers. Tourist crowds thin, prices drop, surf improves. A sweet spot month.
May & June
Green season begins. First south swells arrive — Avellanas, Langosta, and Playa Negra come alive. Rain starts, mostly afternoons — mornings are often still sunny and offshore. Fewer crowds, lower prices, better waves. Water temp climbs to 82–84°F. The intermediate surfer's window.
July & August
The "mini-summer" or veranillo. A brief dry spell within green season — swells stay consistent, rain eases up. The hidden gem window: good waves, less rain than June or September, green-season prices. Advanced surfers hit Witches Rock and Ollie's Point for some of the year's best waves.
September & October
Peak rainy season and peak swell season. Overhead to double-overhead swells are common. Playa Negra and Avellanas produce world-class surf. Heavy afternoon downpours, roads can flood. But if you're experienced and don't mind rain — this is when the magic happens. Prices at their lowest. Lineups empty.
November & December
November is the transition: rains ease, swells taper, but plenty of energy remains. Great value, fewer crowds. December brings dry season back — waves clean up, winds go offshore, holiday crowds arrive. Late December (Christmas/New Year) is the busiest and most expensive week.
Tides & Wind Patterns
Tides in Tamarindo follow a semi-diurnal pattern with significant range — sometimes over 8 feet between low and high. This matters more than most guides tell you:
🔻 Low Tide
Most breaks get shallow and close out. Tamarindo main gets particularly gutless. Exception: Langosta can still have shape. Generally avoid.
⬆️ Mid Tide (Incoming)
The sweet spot. Waves have shape, depth is forgiving, currents manageable. Plan your sessions around incoming mid tide.
🔺 High Tide
Waves lose power and get fat. Beginners can still have fun, but push weakens. Some breaks like Playa Grande work better here.
Wind rule: Mornings are offshore (clean, groomed waves). Afternoon brings onshore chop. Dry season is more reliable. The universal rule: surf early.
When Should YOU Come?
🏄 First-Time Surfer
Come: December – April
Clean, small waves. Warm water. Lots of surf schools. You'll stand up on day one.
🌊 Intermediate Surfer
Come: April – June or November
Transition months give more wave energy without peak rainy season chaos. Better value, fewer crowds.
💪 Advanced Surfer
Come: July – October
Consistent overhead swells, world-class breaks, empty lineups. Bring a quiver.
💰 Budget Surfer
Come: May – November
Green season prices are 30–50% lower. Better waves, fewer people, more authentic Tamarindo.