Beach

both

Level 4/10

Playa Cocles

Limon, Costa Rica

🌀Strong rips

Playa Cocles is Costa Rica's Caribbean alternative—a mellow beach break south of Puerto Viejo that offers a friendlier option when nearby Salsa Brava is pumping and intimidating. The wave works on the same northeast groundswells but breaks with less intensity, making it accessible to intermediate surfers and those who prefer fun over fear. The Caribbean coast's distinct vibe—reggae culture, Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and a more relaxed pace—provides a refreshing contrast to the Pacific side's busier surf scene. Winter is prime season, but summer swells can surprise.

10-Day Forecast

Today

Poor

2.7mENE

@10s

5km/h

Wed

Poor

2.7mENE

@10s

5km/h

Thu

Poor

2.2mENE

@10s

6km/h

Fri

Poor

2.2mENE

@10s

6km/h

Sat

Poor

2.0mNE

@9s

5km/h

Sun

Fair

1.6mENE

@9s

6km/h

Mon

Poor

1.7mENE

@9s

6km/h

Tue

Poor

2.4mENE

@10s

7km/h

Wed

Fair

2.1mENE

@10s

5km/h

Today

Tue, Jan 20

2.7m @ 10s ENE

5 km/h NNW

Wed

Wed, Jan 21

2.7m @ 10s ENE

5 km/h SSW

Thu

Thu, Jan 22

2.2m @ 10s ENE

6 km/h S

Fri

Fri, Jan 23

2.2m @ 10s ENE

6 km/h SE

Sat

Sat, Jan 24

2.0m @ 9s NE

5 km/h E

Sun

Sun, Jan 25

1.6m @ 9s ENE

6 km/h SE

Mon

Mon, Jan 26

1.7m @ 9s ENE

6 km/h SE

Tue

Tue, Jan 27

2.4m @ 10s ENE

7 km/h SW

Wed

Wed, Jan 28

2.1m @ 10s ENE

5 km/h WNW

Today's Conditions

Swell

2.7m

ENE(59°)

Score: 10/25

Period

10s

Medium period swell

Score: 20/25

Wind

5km/h

NNW(331°)

Score: 8/25

Weather

26°C

0.2mm84%

Windswell Component

0.1mSSW@1s

Forecast Confidence

100%

Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather

Best Session

morning

Strike Score Breakdown

Poor

Swell Direction

5/25

How well swell angle matches the spot

Swell Size

10/25

Wave height in the ideal range

Swell Period

20/25

Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.

Wind

8/25

Offshore/glassy conditions

Total Score43/100

Location & Conditions

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Swell

Wind

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Showing forecast for today

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction: E (80°)
Direction range: 45° - 120°
Size range: 0.6m - 2.5m
Ideal period: 12s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction: W (270°)
Offshore range: 230° - 310°
Best window: morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide: all
Optimal range: 0.3m - 1.5m

Water temp

28°C

Wetsuit

Boardshorts / Rashguard

Difficulty

4/10

Crowd level

4/10

Access: South of Puerto Viejo. Easier than Salsa Brava.

Getting There

Airport

SJO

Drive time

250 min

Best Season

Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Secondary: Jun-Aug

Caribbean swell season. NE groundswells.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Costa Rica surf community