Dominical
Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–November
Dominical is a small surf village on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in Puntarenas province, where the Río Barú meets the sea at the northern end of a long, south-west facing beach. It is one of the most consistent surf spots on this coast.
The beach picks up almost any south or south-west swell, and the biggest, best days come from about April to November. The waves break over sand with some rocks, with a peak near the rivermouth and more peaks along the beach; they are fast, powerful and often hollow, and close out when the swell is big. Mornings usually have light offshore north-east and east winds, and onshore breezes often arrive by midday. It suits intermediate and advanced surfers; beginners are better off at gentler beaches nearby. Rip currents here are very strong, there is limited lifeguard cover, and crocodiles live in the Río Barú, so keep away from the river mouth. The water is warm all year (about 27–30°C); boardshorts or a lycra are enough.
Spots near Dominical
- Esterillos (77 km)
- Playa Hermosa – Jacó (89 km)
- Jacó (93 km)
- Matapalo – Osa Peninsula (116 km)
- Pavones (124 km)
- Boca Barranca (125 km)
- Puerto Viejo – Salsa Brava (130 km)
- Playa Cocles (132 km)