Surfing in Playa Hermosa / Jaco
Introduction
 Playa
Hermosa and nearby Jaco is THE definitive surf mecca of the central pacific
coast. This area arguably offers the most consistent year-round surf with over 3 ½ miles of steep beaches with excellent exposure to swells from almost any direction. Although this area
is extremely popular, there are so many peaks up an down the beach that you are likely to find an uncrowded, head high peak at almost any time of year.
Playa Hermosa is a small community of surfer
friendly hotels and small restaurants & all accommodations are located beachfront with surf right out the door. Because the surf in Playa Hermosa is more challenging than nearby Jaco, this
area attracts a more experienced surfer.
Playa Jaco, located just 2 short
hours from the international airport, has become one of Costa Rica's most visited beach towns, especially amongst the traveling surf community. Jaco is a small, yet extremely active town geared
towards surfers, parties & nightlife. As you walk down the "strip," you will find countless surf shops, restaurants, bars, discos and a variety of accommodations.
 Hermosa is geared more towards the hard-core surfer while Jaco is designed for the active type looking for plenty of hotels, surf shops, bars, discos and an overwhelming nightlife.
Getting There
One of Hermosa's greatest advantages: located just 2 hours on paved road from the international airport in San José.
Breaks
 Best Time:
May ~ November
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Because the surf in Playa Hermosa is more challenging than nearby Jaco, this area attracts a more experienced surfer.
Boca Barranca
a very long left that breaks off a rivermouth. This is an ideal wave for longboarding as it does not get hollow, however on a good day, rides are up to 500yds.Best on south or southwest swell & dawn
patrol. Water can be extremely dirty after a rain so be prepared!
Caldera
 a rivermouth break with a left breaking at low, incoming tide over a sand bar. This break needs a large swell from the south/southwest. Just to the south, you will find "El Hoyo" which
is a thick, hollow right hand which forms off a jetty and breaks over a sand bar. It is more consistent than Boca Barranca. To get to " El Hoyo," you must enter the port and "convince" the
guard to let you through.
Playa Tivives & Playa Valor
Offering a variety of lefts and rights, beach breaks and rocky points (Valor). Tivives offers rights & lefts breaking with strong currents; the mouth of the river creates and almost perfect,
tubular left (beware of crocs & dirty water). Valor is accessed by paddling across the river. Best at incoming high tide with a south swell (L & S).
 Playa
Escondida
a horseshoe, A-frame reef break with a powerful, hollow left and mellower right. Be aware of low tides as rocks are exposed. Best at mid - high tide with a southwest/west swell. Boat access only
from Herradura Bay.
 Playa
Jaco
long beach with lefts and rights breaking and sandbottom and rocks. This area is smaller than Hermosa and a good option for beginners. Best in front of Cabinas Alice at the south end, in front
of Disco in the middle, and in front of Copacabana at the north end.
 Roca
Loca
a right which breaks in deep water over a reef. It is one of the heaviest spots on the coast offering long, clean rights. Climb down the cliff just before the highway takes you down into Jaco.
Paddle out through a narrow 8" wide channel visible on the inside reef at low tide. Best on a due WEST swell at low to incoming tide.
Playa Hermosa
long stretch of beach offering some of the most consistent conditions on the Pacific Coast. A variety of sandbars have formed creating a pounding and tubular beachbreak. The following are the
breaks that line this beach:
 Terraza -
a fast, hollow right breaking in front of a group of visible rocks. Several other breaks just south of this break offer less punishing waves breaking over a sandbar. Best conditions on
a west/southwest swell from low to mid tide incoming.-
 Backyard -
a very consistent sandbar located at the entrance to the dirt road in Hermosa. This wave breaks close to the beach and is generally hollow with rights and lefts. Best conditions on
a southwest/west swell at mid - high tide incoming.
- Almendro (Almond Tree) - breaking in deeper water than most of the hotel breaks, this break also offers a sandbottom
with rights and lefts. Best conditions on a south/southwest swell at mid- high tide incoming.
- Corners - breaking in even deeper water creating a little more size, more sandbottom rights and lefts. Generally
bigger than northern breaks of Hermosa. Best conditions at low to mid tide and a west/southwest swell.
-
 Tulin -
located in front of the Soda Tulin about 10 minutes south of the Backyard, this break is consistently a few feet bigger than the hotel breaks. There is also a rivermouth break further south (with
crocodiles) with a perfect line-up in ideal conditions. Best conditions at low tide on a west swell.
 Esterillos
Breaking over a sandbar on the inside and outside on a submerged reef. Generally outside breaks reforms on the inside for more beginner surfers. No crowds and best conditions at high
tide on a south swell. To get here, travel south of Hermosa for 20 minutes and enter at Esterillos Oeste.
 Bejuco
Beach break offering long waves breaking close to the shore. Best conditions at mid - high tide on a south/southwest swell.
Places to Stay
Located just 5
minutes south of Jaco, Playa Hermosa is a small community of surfer friendly hotels and small restaurants. All accommodations are located beachfront with surf right out the door.
Backyard Hotel
This newly built hotel sits right on the beach of Playa Hermosa. This hotel is ideal for those of you looking for surf out your backdoor and nice, relaxing accommodations. more >
Hotel Fuego del Sol
Located beachfront in Playa Hermosa, making it a perfect location for checking out the local surf. This small surfer friendly hotel was recently remodeled and under new administration,
offering 15 rooms, a private pool, restaurant, bar and private parking. more >
Hotel Terraza del Pacífico
The Terraza del Pacifico is a surfer friendly hotel located on the secluded, pristine black beaches of Playa Hermosa. more >
Hotel Villa Caletas
The Villas Caletas is located high on a cliff over the ocean surrounded by rainforest, this tropical mansion and the surrounding private villas provide the ideal
getaway for honeymooners/couples to enjoy the beauty of the Central Pacific in a first class environment. more >
Hotel Marriott Los Sueños
The brand new Marriott Los Suenos resort is an incredible resort that offers everything that one could imagine. This 202 room hotel, located only 5 minutes from Jaco has an 18 hole golf course,
a private beach/marina, 6 restaurants and lounges, large pool, casino and entertainment center, lighted tennis courts, jogging trails, a 1,100 acre rainforest reserve and much more! more >
Hotel Fiesta, Barranca
Long lefts at BOCA BARRANCA ALERT!…This beautiful resort comprises 230 rooms in 3 story building, featuring 143 standard rooms with two full size beds and 87 ocean view Jr. Suites with
queen size bed and sofa bed. more >
Best Western Jacó Beach
The Best Western is a beachfront hotel that offers first class lodging in a resort atmosphere. more >
Hotel Arenal Pacífico
This new hotel sits beachfront Jaco at the more remote southern end of town. The hotel offers standard and suite rooms that are situated around beautiful gardens, old growth trees, and the local
Jaco beach. more >
Hotel Club de Mar
Each villa has an ocean view
and is designed to provide the concept of indoor/outdoor living in harmony with the surroundings. more >
Places to Eat
Although there are a few restaurants in the area, most choose to head into nearby Jaco for food, nightlife, shops, and more.
--- In Jaco ---
Tsunami Sushi
Excellent sushi with a lot of variety located in the center of Jaco in the second floor of the Galeone Mall. This is the best sushi in Jaco, and most likely better than you will ever find in the
US!
Nacho Daddy’s
Located in the first floor of the Galeone Mall in the heart of Jaco. They offer excellent Mexican food including great nachos and incredible margaritas. At night it doubles as bar/club with reggae,
hip pop and a little bit of house music late at night and good surf videos on a big screen.
Wishbone
Our personal favorite…Located right in the heart of Jaco, this restaurant offers a variety of food from fresh tuna, sashimi, pizzas, burritos, pitas and more. Excellent atmosphere, good
prices and we assure you will return here!
Tangeri BBQ
Towards the northern end of Jaco, this restaurant offers excellent steaks including a jalapeno tenderloin, as well as fresh fish, local dishes, salads, etc.. Large menu, with very accessible prices
and great food.
Pollo Express
This place has very good roasted chicken at an excellent price located in front of the Beetle bar at the north end of Jaco.
Sunrise Place
Located towards the northern end of Jaco on the main road, only open for breakfast offering a wide menu including pancakes, eggs, breakfast burritos, etc..
Hotel Poseidon
Located on an access road to the beach passing the Colonial, you will find an excellent option for dinner with a variety of dishes including seafood, steaks, pastas, etc.
Monica’s
Excellent homemade Italian food made by Monica and her mother… Located along the access road to the beach turning at the Colonial. Great food, family atmosphere, good prices.
Soda la amistad
In front of the Hotel Marparaiso, this is a great option for local food including casados, arroz con pollo, etc
--- In Hermosa ---
Jungle surf
Jungle Surf is a tiny restaurant located on the road across from the soccer field, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although the menu is small, the food is fantastic in a very laid back picnic
atmosphere. Nightly specials…BYOB
Jammin
Located on the main road in Hermosa in front of the Cabinas, offering large portions and very affordable local dishes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Surf atmosphere with reggae music and
surf videos
Backyard
Variety of dishes ranging from Tex-Mex, and American food including burgers, quesadillas, etc..They are open from 10am – 1pm (breakfast coming soon) and at night, this turns into the happening
bar in the area with ladies night on Wednesday and Friday.
Brown sugar café
This is a very small place right in the entrance of Hermosa Beach open from 6am - 6 pm They offer great natural juices,sandwiches and banana cake. No tables, but a great view of the surf and sunset!
Rancho Tipico de Beto
Located 5 minutes south from Hermosa, offering a variety of local food at very accessible prices. They have great casados, fresh fish and ceviche!
Things to Do
Jaco is a small, yet extremely active town geared towards surfers, parties & nightlife. As you walk down the “strip,” you will find countless surf shops, restaurants, bars, discos
and a variety of accommodations (including La Hacienda and Backyard Bar). This
is the ideal destination for surfers or young travelers looking to be in the middle of the action. Carara Biological Reserve is located about 25 minutes north, you will find the unique opportunity
to see the scarlet macaw, hundreds of species of flora and plenty of other wildlife including the occasional toucan.
Local activities include surfing, fishing, canopy tours, horseback riding, kayaking, and more.
Other Adventures
- Surf Lessons in Hermosa - Duration is 2–3 hours, and includes transportation, surf instructor, surf board.
- Tortuga Island Tour - The Original "Calypso Catamaran Cruise". Particularly enchanting for it's beauty, Tortuga Island is known for its immaculate white sand beach and turquoise
waters, a perfect stop for swimming, snorkeling and Calypso's Famous Lunch. GREAT food.
- Hermosa Canopy Tour - This is an exciting look at one of the few remaining transitional forest in Costa Rica . The Tour consists of 11 suspended platforms and a hanging bridge from tree to
tree in order to reach the other platform, connected with steel cables, the total length around seven hundred meters (+2000 feet). The height of the platforms vary from 60 to 120 feet above the
ground.
- Kayak & Snorkeling in Jaco - Includes transportation, guide, kayak, water, fresh fruit buffet, snorkeling equipment. Duration: 3 hours approximately
- Horseback Riding in Herradura - Includes transportation, guide, horses.
- Sportfishing in Herradura - All full day charters include lunch, beverages, bait and tackle.
- Manuel Antonio National Park - A half day trek that includes transportation, entrance fee & snacks.
- Aerial Tram - What a ride! Includes transportation to and from the Park, meal, guide, optional hike, all transportation at the Preserve. The Pacific Rain Forest Tram is about two hours from
San José (108 km) and is located 2 miles from the main entrance to Jacó Beach.
- Carara National Park - Carara National Park covers a low mountainous area of 15,000 acres of an interesting 'transition' forest between the Dry Tropical Forest and the Rainy one. Home of many
mammals, as well as the rare Scarlet Macaw and vast number of species of plants and trees. Appreciate the wonders of this intricate eco-system. And there's monkeys!
- ATV Tour - Includes drinks & snacks. Explore Costa Rica with an ATV! Modern equipment with all the fixings.
Things to Avoid
Disco Central: once a great dancing spot, the ambience has turned a little dark and we recommend avoiding this area
Do not park your vehicles on the beach or main road with ANY valuables inside as petty theft is created by temptation.
Surf Shops and Surf Camps
 To many surf shops on The Strip to even mention. We'll have
more information later as we compile.
Travel Packages
Here are the travel packages that we offer for the Jaco and Hermosa Region:
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