Playa Grande
Playa Grande
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Surf Spot: Playa Grande
Break Type: Beach break
Difficulty Level: All surfers
Best Swell Direction: Northwest, West
Ride Direction: Right and left
Tide: Mid and high tide – Rising and falling tide
Description
Playa Grande is a spectacular beach located on the northern end of Tamarindo in Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. The beach draws thousands of visitors every year because of its famous breeding ground of leather-back turtles and attracts even more surf enthusiasts who want to ride the smooth waves of Playa Grande. Travelers can easily reach the beach by taking a car from Tamarindo. The beach has been labeled as one of the top surfing destinations in Costa Rica. It is blessed with a perfect weather and great wind conditions along with a set of consistent waves. One of the great things about Playa Grande is that it is suitable for all sorts of surfers. Seasoned surfers can have an exciting challenge while beginners can have a fun time. Playa Grande is a sanctuary in the truest sense to these amazing turtles and to the surfers from all over the world.
Playa Grande features a beach break well known for its long rides and barrels. The waves are very regular breaking to the left and right. They are best surfed at mid to high tide. If you are a novice, you should hit the ocean when the tide is rising as it offers a perfect condition. The beach break of Playa Grande gathers swells from the west and northwest and rides pretty good when the swell is small or medium. The size starts working at 3 feet and can hold up to 10 feet during rising and falling tides. However, the waves tend to close out if the swells get any bigger. The northwestern swells together with southeastern winds create an awesome base with long rides. The waves are fast and strong breaking over a sandy bottom. Watch out for rips and currents which can be dangerous for a weak swimmer.
There is one thing about Playa Grande which seems to disappoint people. The beach is always crowded. If you think the beach is packed on weekdays, you should see it on weekends when it is super jam packed. Still, most hardcore surfers manage to make their way in order to experience the tropical surf.
Surf Camps in Playa Grande
Playa Grande Surf Camp is situated less than hundred meters from the pristine gorgeous shores of the Playa Grande. Playa Grande Surf Camp offers several surf camp packages. You can choose one best suited to your surfing experience and the number of days you plan on spending there. Playa Grande Surf School is another popular surf camp located nearby the beach. Many surfers also choose the camps located in Tamarindo.
