Costa Rica has world-class surf all along both coasts. But if you're a beginner trying to decide where to learn, the choice comes down to two main contenders: Tamarindo on the Pacific North and Jacó on the Central Pacific. Both are popular, both have surf schools — but they are not the same experience.
At Pura Vida Surf School, we teach hundreds of first-timers every year, and we get this question constantly. Here's our honest side-by-side breakdown — no fluff, just what actually matters when you're learning to surf.
