Malpais
Malpais and its more famous neighbor Santa Teresa occupy the sun-baked southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, offering a constellation of breaks that range from mellow beach break walls to punchy reef points. The main right-hand point at the southern end provides the region's most defined wave, reeling along rocky outcrops with occasional barrel sections. The area's remote location—accessible by rough roads or ferry—has cultivated a distinct bohemian surf culture. Development has arrived, but the consistent waves and spectacular sunsets continue to draw surfers seeking the quintessential Costa Rican surf village experience.
Malpais surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 230°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (70°)
- Offshore range
- 30° - 110°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Drive or ferry from mainland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Malpais?
Malpais is a point break in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Malpais?
Malpais picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Malpais?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at Malpais, and anything from the NNE round to the ESE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Malpais?
Malpais is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Malpais?
The most reliable run of swell at Malpais comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Year-round. Rainy season best.
How cold is the water at Malpais?
The water at Malpais averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Malpais good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Rocky points. Rips between breaks.
How do I get to Malpais?
The nearest airport on our list is SJO, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. Drive or ferry from mainland.
What other surf spots are near Malpais?
The closest breaks we track are Santa Teresa (5.3 km), handy when Malpais isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Year-round. Rainy season best.
Getting There
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