Playa Negra – Guanacaste
Paraíso, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–November
Playa Negra is a small, dark-sand beach on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, just south of Playa Avellanas. Its main wave is a right-hand reef break at the northern end of the beach, breaking over volcanic rock and reef.
South and south-west swells from about April to November make the wave fast and hollow, with a steep take-off and a short barrel section; north-west swells can work in the dry season. Morning winds are usually offshore from the east and north-east, and the dry-season Papagayo winds can keep it clean longer. The reef is shallow and sharp, especially at low tide, so this is a wave for experienced surfers; intermediate surfers can try it on small days. The line-up is compact and gets crowded in good swells, so respect the order of priority. There are also beach-break peaks further south for smaller days. The water is warm all year, about 27–30°C, so boardshorts or a lycra are enough; reef booties help.
Spots near Playa Negra – Guanacaste
- Playa Avellanas (4 km)
- Tamarindo (11 km)
- Playa Grande – Tamarindo (15 km)
- Nosara – Playa Guiones (35 km)
- Witch's Rock – Playa Naranjo (68 km)
- Ollie's Point – Potrero Grande (73 km)
- Bahía Salinas (94 km)
- Santa Teresa (95 km)