Hermosa Beach - Costa Rica

Driving northwest from Hermosa Beach on Highway 34 you come to a cliff with a imposing view, Punta Guapinol. From here you can see the 10 kilometer long beach of Hermosa Beach and its breaking waves. The constant beach break of Hermosa Beach is well known among surfers in Costa Rica and around the world. At least one national championship surf competition is held each year in Hermosa Beach. In addition several international surf events like the "Vans Airshow" and the "Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2009" , that usually takes place at the end of the beach, are held each year.

Well-known foreign surfers have surfed here: Christian Slater, Bob Hurley, Thomas Lange and many more. The Costa Rican elite like Gilberth Brown, Luis Vindas, Lisbeth Vindas, Jairo Perez, Jason Torres, Carlos Munoz, Federico Pilurzu, Juan Carlos Naranjo und Diego Naranjo as a matter of course have surfed the waves of Hermosa Beach.

This long beach is, from north to south, divided into five surf spots: Terrazas, Backyards, El Almendro, La Curva and Tulin.

Terrazzas is located in front of the hotel with the same name, it is not an easy surf spot. Backyards is a good spot to catch a tube, it is best surfed at medium tide.

Getting tubed in Backyards...

El Almendro breaks in front of an almond tree (El Almendro), the waves break further outside and are higher than in Backyards. Red scarlet macaws can be seen frequently in the tree, eating the almonds. La Curva is located one and a half kilometers further south. The bottom is sandy, but it is not very deep.

Another kilometer south and you are in Tulin, this surf spot is best during dry season. Sea turtles use this part of the beach for nesting.

Hermosa Beach on the map

Hermosa Beach on the map

Facts about Hermosa Beach, Costa Rica

  • Hermosa Beach is located in the province of Puntarenas..
  • Terrazas, Backyards, El Almendro, La Curva and Tulin are all surf spots that are located in Hermosa Beach.
  • Hermosa Beach offers all the infrastructure for a perfect surf trip: Surf shops, surf schools, hotels on the beach and perfect waves.

Driving times and distances

  • Distance from San Jose to Hermosa Beach: 108.6 kilometers respectively 67.4 miles.
  • Travel time from San Jose to Hermosa Beach: 2.08 hours.
  • Distance from Liberia to Hermosa Beach: 190.7 kilometers respectively 118.5 miles.
  • Travel time from Liberia to Hermosa Beach: 3.36 hours.