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Reef
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Level 6/10

Playa Negra

Guanacaste, Costa Rica
🪸Sharp reef🦔Urchins

Playa Negra is Guanacaste's reef break crown jewel—a long, peeling left that offers some of the most consistent quality surf on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The wave breaks over a flat rock shelf, producing predictable, workable walls with occasional barreling sections that have drawn surfers to this dusty coastal outpost for decades. The take-off is defined and the wave peels with reliable rhythm, rewarding patient positioning and smooth rail work. Urchins patrol the reef and booties are advisable, but the tradeoff is waves that maintain their form even when nearby beach breaks blow out.

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction
SW (220°)
Direction range
200° - 250°
Size range
0.8m - 2.5m
Ideal period
14s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction
E (90°)
Offshore range
45° - 135°
Best window
morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide
mid
Optimal range
0.4m - 1.4m

Water temp

28°C

Wetsuit

Boardshorts / Rashguard

Difficulty

6/10

Crowd level

5/10

Access: Beach access from road.

Getting There

Airport
LIR
Drive time
90 min

Best Season

Peak: Apr-Oct

Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Year-round. Rainy season (May-Nov) often glassier mornings.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Costa Rica surf guides