Puerto Arista
Puerto Arista is Mexico's southernmost Pacific surf zone, a beach break in Chiapas that catches summer swells heading toward Central America. The remote location and tropical climate create a unique surf experience far from the more developed Mexican coast, offering consistent waves for those willing to venture to the country's frontier.
Puerto Arista surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 165° - 195°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (22°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Southernmost surf zone on Mexican Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Puerto Arista?
Puerto Arista is a beach break in Chiapas, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Puerto Arista?
Puerto Arista picks up swell from the SSE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 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 Puerto Arista?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Puerto Arista, and anything from the N round to the NE 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 Puerto Arista?
Puerto Arista isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Puerto Arista?
The most reliable run of swell at Puerto Arista comes May to Oct. There's a second window in Apr and Nov too. Summer swells. Southernmost Pacific surf zone.
How cold is the water at Puerto Arista?
The water at Puerto Arista averages around 29°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Puerto Arista 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. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Remote location. Hot climate.
How do I get to Puerto Arista?
The nearest airport on our list is TAP, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. Southernmost surf zone on Mexican Pacific.
Best Season
Peak: May-Oct
Secondary: Apr, Nov
Summer swells. Southernmost Pacific surf zone.
Getting There
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