In short: Surfing Junquillal, Costa Rica, puts three very different waves within reach. Junquillal itself is an exposed beach break, best for intermediate surfers and heavily tide-dependent. Playa Negra, 15 to 20 minutes away, is a well-known right-hand reef break. Avellanas, 20 to 30 minutes away, has several peaks that suit a range of levels.
First light. From the staircase at Diosa del Mar you see the white line of foam before the water itself, and the surfers in the house start counting sets. Then they check the tide. In Junquillal there's rarely another car parked in front of the peak. That's the difference from the better-known stretches of Guanacaste, and also the reason it pays to know how this beach behaves before you paddle out.
What is the wave like at Playa Junquillal?
Junquillal is a beach break open to the Pacific: sand bottom, peaks that shift with the sandbars and the size of the swell, and very little shelter. When a swell arrives, the beach takes it head-on. That's why we recommend it mainly for intermediate surfers, people who can already get through the impact zone and know when not to go out.
The tide matters a lot. The same beach can close out on one tide and open up clean walls on another. There's no single rule that holds all year; the sensible approach is to check the tide chart every morning and ask on site. Luca, our on-site concierge, grew up at Diosa del Mar while his parents were building it. He has known this beach since he was a kid, and he's the person to ask before you go in.
What level do you need to surf Playa Negra?
Playa Negra is one of the best-known waves on the Nicoya Peninsula: a right that breaks over reef, about 15 to 20 minutes by car. It's a wave for experienced surfers. The rock and coral bottom demands respect, especially at low tide, and the lineup fills up when it's firing.
Our advice: if your group has one or two advanced surfers, Playa Negra is the outing of the week. Beginners are better off watching from shore with a coffee. Corazón Café in Playa Negra is a good spot for that, and for breakfast afterward.
Is Avellanas good for beginners?
Avellanas, 20 to 30 minutes away, is the most versatile beach in the area. It has several peaks along the shore, so surfers of different levels can each find their wave on the same morning. It's the natural pick for a first lesson, or for a mixed group where some take a class and others surf on their own.
It has another advantage: after the session there's Lola's, the area's most iconic beach restaurant, a few steps from the sand. For the rest of the group, that turns a surf morning into a plan everyone shares.
How do you book surf lessons from the villa?
Lessons go through the concierge. Gaby, our online concierge, can have them scheduled before you arrive, and on site Luca adjusts to the ocean each day. What helps most is being honest about everyone's real level. A total beginner and someone who last surfed ten years ago need different beaches and different hours.
A practical note: in the rainy season we recommend a 4x4 for getting between beaches. The green season runs from May to November, and rain usually comes in the afternoon or at night, so mornings stay open for the water. Tamarindo is 30 to 45 minutes away and has the best-stocked town in the area, but most of our surfing guests prefer to stay on this quieter coast.
What do non-surfers do while the others surf?
Almost every group has someone who has no interest in a board, and that's fine. We handle it with parallel plans:
- Yoga with an instructor at the villa while the others are in the water.
- A horseback ride on the beach, or kayaking the Estero de Venado mangroves.
- An in-villa massage, or just the infinity pool and a book.
By late afternoon everyone ends up in the same place. More options in the concierge guide to activities and our Playa Junquillal guide.
Where to stay
- Villa Diosa del Mar — beachfront art retreat →
- Villa Hermes — modern architectural beachfront villa →
- Rent both villas together as Odisea Retreats →
To plan a surf week, talk to the concierge.
Frequently asked questions
Is Junquillal a good beach to learn to surf?
Junquillal is an exposed beach break and works best for intermediate surfers. For a first lesson we usually suggest Avellanas, which has several peaks and conditions for different levels. The concierge books the lesson based on each person's level and what the ocean is doing that day.
How far are Playa Negra and Avellanas from the villa?
Playa Negra is about 15 to 20 minutes by car, and Avellanas 20 to 30 minutes. A regular car works, though we recommend a 4x4 in the rainy season. The concierge can also arrange private transportation for the group and the boards.
Do I need to check the tide before surfing?
Yes. At Junquillal the tide changes the wave dramatically, and at Playa Negra the reef is more exposed at low tide. Check the tide chart every morning and ask on site before you go out; Luca has known these beaches since childhood.
Can the concierge arrange surf lessons for kids?
The concierge arranges lessons based on each person's age and level. For kids we usually look at beaches with gentler peaks, like Avellanas, and at calmer times of day. Tell us who will be surfing when you book, and the concierge will suggest the best option.
