Playa Negra, Costa Rica
Playa Negra is one of Costa Rica's most sought after surf spots. There is a narrow channel between rocks where the surf rushes over a shallow lava reef, producing fast hollow breaks.
Surfing Playa Negra
As the takeoff zone for riding the waves is concentrated on a small spot the break is crowded with only two dozens of surfers, which can gather quite easily. Playa Negra is famous in the surfing world, having been featured in the surf cult movie "Endless Summer".
Watching the surf at Playa Negra
The surf of Playa Negra is very consistent and the right-hand barrels attract the pros among the surfers. Surf is best during high tide, as low tide exposes rocks under the water.
When Playa Negra is too crowded or too dangerous to surf you can walk over to some lesser known breaks like Playa Callejones to the south, or paddle out to an off-shore reef.
The pristine beaches of Playa Negra are dark-colored and rocky in many parts. For bathing there is a stretch of protected beach some 100 m south of the famous break.
Right in front of the break sits Hotel Playa Negra with its big thatched rancho where you can get food and drinks along with the entertainment of surfers frolicking in the waves.
1 km inland is the small village of Pargos, a cluttering of houses, restaurants and lodgings. Accommodations range from low-key surfer cabins to small boutique hotels with gourmet dining. The atmosphere in the small village feels peaceful and laid back, and maybe it's the great surf of Playa Negra which puts this happy grin on the faces of most people you meet there.
How to get to Playa Negra:
From Santa Cruz drive until the village of "27 de Abril" where you turn left and then, shortly after, right to drive
the 16 km to Paraiso on an excellent new road. In Paraiso turn right and drive for another 4 km until Playa Negra.
From Tamarindo drive via Vila Real, follow the road signs to Hacienda Pinilla, then on to Playa Avellans from where it's another
4 km to Playa Negra.