Surfing in Dominical whisks you away from the tried-and-tested spots of northern Costa Rica to a place that’s famed for its right-hand barrels, though still not all that popular. This guide runs through just why we think it’s one of the top surf towns in the country right now…
An introduction to surfing in Dominical
It’s no secret that northern Costa Rica gets most of the plaudits when it comes to surfing. There’s Witch’s Rock for the pros right down to lippy little Tamarindo for the beginners. Few surf travelers actually even consider venturing further south than, say, Jaco or Quepos (AKA Manuel Antonio). Those who do are rewarded with little towns like Domincal. It’s on a less-busy stretch of shore that has surfable days over 90% of the time, along with some key spots that are positive barrel factories
when they hit their stride.
The piece de resistance here is actually the playa right out front of the town. You can bag a surf hotel overlooking the sandbanks that flank the mouth of the Barú River and watch long, spinning barrels shoot off into the bay all day long. The spot varies from easy to solid depending on swell conditions, but there are always alternatives – such as the beginner bay of Dominicalito – if things get too heavy.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Costa Rica
Surfing in Dominical at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to surfing in Dominical?
Where is Dominical?
Dominical is a town roughly midway down the coast of Costa Rica’s long, thin Puntarenas province. It faces the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Barú River on the other, which gives the big silt deposits and sandbanks that power the local surf. To get here, most people will fly into the San Jose Airport in the Costa Rican Capital and then choose to drive. A car rental is actually a great idea because it means you’ll get to explore all the beaches around Dominical, from Uvita to the beginner-friendly hub of Playa Dominicalito. However, there are also shuttle buses that do the route, costing $15 per person and taking just shy of 5 hours.
Dominical surf spots
Playa Dominical
Playa Dominical picks up any swell from the S channel to the W channel and faces a big underwater canyon some 23 miles out in the Pacific. That’s a pretty good cocktail of topography and bathymetry, that, when combined with well-arranged sandbanks during a solid wet season, offers up a consistency that would make even Indonesia blush. The best spots are all clustered at the Barú River estuary on the southern end of the bay.
They say something ridiculous like 95% of the year is surfable on this beach. A lot of those days see scorching sessions, too – think fast, pitching lefts and barreling rights that feel more like an Aussie point than a sandbar beachie. Funny thing is, Playa Dominical isn’t all that packed and rarely gets uber-busy. That’s the blessing of the location and the times – we really think it’s gonna’ get more popular so come now!
Playa Dominicalito
Look at the map. Notice how Playa Dominicalito has an ever-so-slight northwesterly orientation. Well, that’s just enough to temper the dominant SW swells and tame the sets that bend their way around Punta Dominical and into this beautiful bay. The upshot? This is the beginner playground of the region. Surf schools and learners come here to score punchy but forgiving waves that are usually a full three or four feet smaller than their compadres on the town beach just to the north. Not a spot of localism. Great vibes all round.
Playa Hermosa
Not to be confused with a beach of the same name up by Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa is a pretty deserted sweep of coffee-colored sand that runs between Dominical and Uvita (more on that below). It’s considered a haven for intermediates looking to hone specific surf technicals, mainly thanks to the consistency and the mushy nature of the waves. On average swells, they’re usually peely enough to turn and rip, but the shoulders are slow and crumbly, always inviting you to twist back into the pocket and practice some more.
We’ve also got a complete guide to Playa Hermosa surf right here.
Uvita
Uvita is one notch down the coast from Dominical, some 20 minutes in the car. It’s known as the whale watching mecca of the country, which is great. But there’s also surf here. The main spots are at the south end of town, where there’s a bit more exposure to direct S swells in the wet season months. However, you can also surf on the iconic Punta Uvita, a huge tombola of sand and rainforest that’s said to look like a whale’s fin splashing in the ocean.
We’ve also got a complete guide to Uvita surf right here.
Surf camps in Dominical
Dominical is only just about starting to become a hub for surf camps. There’s like one or two in the town, and, for us, there’s one that really stands out…
- Check out the 8-day all level surf camp in Dominical run by Tropical Sands Inn. They literally take care of EVERYTHING. Even airport transfers from San Jose are included, plus unlimited use of surf equipment and daily lessons, AND two sports massages. It’s a really comprehensive package that we rate highly for beginners and intermediates.
Where to stay when surfing in Dominical?
There are some FANTASTIC hotels in Dominical. Remember how we mentioned that this is still a bit like off-the-beaten-track Costa Rica? Well, there are places that really embrace that sorta’ rep. We’re talking characterful homestays and eco lodges in the jungles, all only a short drive from all the aforementioned breaks. Let’s take a look at the best…
- Tribe Boutique Hotel – Adults Only – For a bit of luxury and pampering, choose the Tribe Boutique. It’s been designed with surfing nomads in mind, so offers stunning social spaces and things like an in-house yoga program. The pool is downright divine, plus its within walking distance of Dominical Playa.
- Hona Beach Hotel – A very nice midrange option that ticks all the boxes and gets you near to the main beach. It’s easier on the wallet than both the surf camp and the more lux hotels in the town, and still very, very nice indeed.
Step-by-step guide to planning your surfing in Dominical trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the surfing in Dominical…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
When to surf in Dominical?
As with everywhere on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, the wet season tends to be the best for surfing in Dominical. Big, strong S and SW swells dominate between May and September, sending groundswells marching up and into the points to create the epic river mouth breaks that the place is known for. The dry season still works here because everywhere from Dominical to Uvita has loads of exposure to the W swell channel, but it’s probably better for total beginners and surf campers looking to learn.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
