Playa Grande

Playa Grande is Costa Rica's conservation success story—a powerful beach break within Las Baulas National Park, protected as one of the world's most important leatherback turtle nesting sites. The wave doesn't care about its ecological significance, producing hollow, powerful peaks that can humble surfers used to the region's mellower options. The turtle sanctuary means restricted beach access during nesting season, but also means the beach has been preserved from the development that transformed neighboring areas. Surfing here feels like participating in something larger than just riding waves.