Playa El Carmen Surf Spot Guide

This beach serves as a natural boundary between Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Malpaís. On the Costa Rica surf spots map, it appears as one continuous stretch of coastline. The seamless transition between these two beaches makes the area a popular destination for surfers and beachgoers alike, offering a variety of waves and scenic beauty along the Pacific shore.

Surfing Conditions at Playa El Carmen

This spot offers several peaks along the beach. This beach break is best surfed during high tide, but can be surfed at any tide.

The bottom is sandy. Be sure to figure out the position of the rocks when surfing during low tide. This beach can be surfed year around.

Playa El Carmen offers good surfing conditions for beginners and intermediate surfers, the waves are quite forgiving.

How to get to Playa El Carmen

To reach Playa El Carmen from the main airports and from San José, you have several options:

From San José International Airport (SJO)
By Shuttle or Private Transfer: The most comfortable way is by booking a shared or private shuttle. This usually involves a drive to Puntarenas, a ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquera, and then a drive to Playa El Carmen. The total journey takes about 5-6 hours.

By Public Bus: Public buses run from San José, usually requiring a transfer at Puntarenas and taking the ferry to Paquera. This is the slowest but most economical way, taking around 6-7 hours.

From Liberia International Airport (LIR)
By Shuttle or Private Transfer: You can book a shuttle or private transfer directly from Liberia Airport. This route does not involve a ferry, but the drive is long (about 5 hours) and includes some unpaved roads.

By Rental Car: Renting a car and driving is possible, but be prepared for rough roads, especially in the rainy season.

Photos of Playa El Carmen