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Boca Barranca

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Ideal surf conditions at Boca Barranca

Swell window
S, SW
Best swell direction
S
Swell size
3ft - 8ft
Swell breaks over
Uneven Reef, Sand
Wave types
Rivermouth
Wave directions
Left
Wind window
E
Best tides at
Low, Mid
Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasons
Summer
Board types
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish

Boca Barranca surf guide

Surf: On a major S-SW swell, Boca Barranca is an exceedingly long left wall that trickles and peels through up to 750m of fun-filled sections for all craft and abilities. Environment: Crowds are big since it is close to San Jose and there's a large local contingent, but it should be mellow like the waves. Longboarders love it and many contests are held here. Really dubious water quality, especially after rains which is when the place works. Since April 2003, the Tempisque Bridge, (780m long), one of the longest in Central America, is an alternative to the Naranjo ferry for crossing the Golfo Nicoya from Mal Pais side to Puntarenas. Surf: General: A super long, high-quality left-hand point break/river mouth, Boca Barranca is one of the better points in Costa Rica (arguably second only to Pavones), and relatively easy to access to its proximity to San Jose. Of course, this means that when its on, it gets pretty crowded. Still worth the trek, as 800-yard rides are possible. Tides: Low to mid Size: Waist high to well overhead Wind: N, NE, ENE Swell: S, SSW Bottom: Flat rocks with sand. Paddling: Like most point breaks, the current tends to run when the swell gets solid. Spot Rating: Quality, left-hand point break that gets borderline world-class on its day. Access: Drive to the end of the bridge and pay for parking (this is safest), then walk down to the river mouth. Crowds: Crowd Factor: When its on, it gets busy. Local Vibe: One of the better waves in Costa Rica, and relatively close to San Jose, so it's a bit localized. Environment: Tends to be a bit dirty due to river mouth runoff. Hazards: Localism, crocodiles, pollution, petty theft. Season: Summer

Written by Joris de Ruiter

Joris is a dad, husband, surfer, software developer, yogi and swimmer. He combines his passion for surfing and technology to help others catch more and better waves.

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