Overview
Playa Hermosa South is a black-sand beachbreak with a reputation as the most consistent one in Costa Rica. Four miles of scalloped sand and fairly deep water offshore leave it open to just about any swell except northwest, and the shifting A-frames peel both right and left. A strong side current runs the length of it, which is part of why you can usually find an uncrowded peak somewhere along the stretch. At size it turns genuinely heavy, though it has an annoying tendency to close out once it pushes past double-overhead. The bottom is shallow, so snapped boards and long hold-downs come with the territory, but that's a small price to pay for a green, spinning tube with jungled coastline as the view. The water is surprisingly clean for somewhere this close to a populated area.
When It Works
The beach draws swell from south-southeast through south to west, and it shows its true face on a solid south swell. It works from 1.5 m / 5 ft to 2.7 m / 9 ft. Winter is the season to aim for. The north end holds the best sandbanks and comes alive on a south swell, while further south toward Tulin there's a very popular sandbar right at the big tree, more open to west swell.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast offshore wind, with north-northeast to east the workable window. It's a mid to high tide spot, and a rising tide is generally the better call. That plays out along the beach too: the north end breaks best on the higher tide, while the Tulin sandbar tends to come good on lower tides.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediate and expert surfers. Bring a shortboard or fish for the average day and a gun for when it's big. Expect a moderately busy lineup with the best peaks pulling the most surfers, though the four-mile stretch leaves plenty of options. The atmosphere can be somewhat reserved, and the local talent is not to be underestimated. When it's firing, the paddle out around low tide can throttle you.
Access
Getting here is easy: about a two-hour drive from the airport and you're right there. Park at one of the many restaurants, bars or hotels along the beach.
