Surf: Tamarindo’s wide, rivermouth-dissected bay has become Costa Rica’s blueprint surf town with its handful of user-friendly waves and a laid-back vibe. At the northern end is Playa Grande, which is an excellent beachbreak and famous turtle breeding ground, 30mins walk or 20 mins drive from Tamarindo. It picks up the maximum S-SW swell available and unpackages it along a choice of quality triangular bars at mid tide. Goldilocks factor means low is too closey, while high gets a bit backwashy. Environment: So crocs have attacked surfers crossing the river and it has become the shark attack capital of CR. The splendid Hotel Las Tortugas is worth a visit. Surf: General: Located in Las Baulas National Park, around 200 meters south of Las Palmeras, Playa Grande has the most power and best shape in the area, which makes it the main focus for many of the region’s surfers. A well-shaped and occasionally punchy set of sandbars in a beautiful natural setting, this is quintessential Costa Rica surfing. Left and right peaks dole out square tubes or rippable sections, depending on the tide and swell. It’s possible to roll into the double-up from the outside, or you can just sit under it and hunt barrels from takeoff. Either way, head-high to slightly overhead seems to be the ideal size for this fun beachbreak. Tides: Mid Size: Head high to a few feet overhead Wind: North-East, East Swell: South-West, West Bottom: Sand Paddling: You’ll take waves on the head while paddling out, but the peak is pretty close to shore. Spot Rating: A fun, punchy beachbreak with cracking tubes when it’s on. Access: Walk (40 minutes), drive (20 minutes), or boat (5 minutes) from Tamarindo. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Expect crowds whenever Playa Grande is firing. Local Vibe: Locals are on it, as is anyone else in Tamarindo who can surf. Environment: Playa Grande is in a national park, so pollution is at a minimum. Hazards: Eggy crowds, strong currents, shallow sandbar. Season: March through October have the most consistent swells, although the offseason has a better chance of all-day offshores