The first survey carried out by the Costa Rican Surf Federation among the surfing community shows that Jacó beach in Garabito, Puntarenas continues to be the preferred beach by surfers in the country.

Coming up in second place was Avellanas in Guanacaste, the third spot went to Pavones in Golfito, Puntarenas and the top ten is completed by Hermosa Beach, Puntarenas; Santa Teresa, Puntarenas; Marbella in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste; Guiones Beach in Nosara, Guanacaste; Playa Grande in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste; Tamarindo also in Guanacaste and finally Camaronal in Nicoya, Guanacaste. When it comes to the Caribbean coast, Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo appears in position 14.

“It is interesting that beaches such as Playa Negra and Roca Bruja, known for the quality and the consistency of the waves did not make the top 10”, stated the release by the Federation.

The survey also showed that 92.9% of the active surfers in the country are Costa Rican vs. 6.1% of foreigners living in Costa Rica.

“The last data offered by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) estimate that in 2017 close to 600,000 surfers visited the country with the purpose of practicing this sport”, affirms the publication.

Other data that the survey shows is that the shortboard continues to be the most used surfing board with 63.9%, followed by longboards 11.4%, bodyboards 9.3%; SUP (Standup paddle boarding) in flat waters 4%; and SUP surfing 2.7%; only 0.8% practice skimboard; 7.8% responded “non-of-the above” and mentioned wind surfing, body surfing, kite surfing, kayak surfing as their preference.

Finally, 37.8% of those that practice surf in its different forms are between the ages of 15 and 25, followed by the group age of 25 to 35 with 34.8%; 19.5% are in the age group of 35-45.