Surf trips compared
Indonesia vs Costa Rica for surfing
Waves, seasons, crowds and costs side by side, from the 156 surf spots we cover in the two.
These are the two classic long-haul surf trips from Europe, and they're very different. Indonesia is reef country: long, powerful waves, but most of them are for intermediate surfers and up, and the season runs from April to October. Costa Rica is mostly beach break with warm water and easier waves to learn on, and it has surf all year, so it fills the gap when Indonesia is in its wet season. Indonesia is cheaper once you land; Costa Rica is the shorter flight.
Plan and price both tripsSide by side
| Indonesia | Costa Rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Surf spots we cover | 94 | 62 |
| Areas | 19 | 13 |
| Beginner-friendly spots | 7 | 24 |
| Wave types | reef 85%, beach 12%, point 3% | beach 53%, reef 27%, point 19% |
| Best season | Apr-Oct | Dec-Apr |
| Average crowd | quiet (2.3/5) | quiet (2.2/5) |
| Flight from Europe | 16-20h | 11-14h |
| Daily budget (tight / comfortable) | $28 / $65 | $40 / $90 |
| A week from, with flights | $683 | $717 |
Crowd is the average of our 1 to 5 rating across all spots. Week from: seven nights on a tight budget in the cheapest area, with flights from Europe.
Month by month
| Month | Indonesia | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder (Bali) | Prime (Guanacaste) |
| February | Shoulder (Bali) | Prime (Guanacaste) |
| March | Shoulder (Bali) | Prime (Guanacaste) |
| April | Good (Sumatra-Nias) | Prime (Guanacaste) |
| May | Prime (Bali) | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) |
| June | Prime (Bali) | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) |
| July | Prime (Bali) | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) |
| August | Prime (Bali) | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) |
| September | Prime (Lombok) | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) |
| October | Prime (Mentawai Islands) | Prime (Golfo de Nicoya) |
| November | Good (Lombok) | Quiet (Guanacaste) |
| December | Shoulder (Bali) | Prime (Guanacaste) |
Guides
Indonesia vs Costa Rica: common questions
Is Indonesia or Costa Rica better for beginners?
Costa Rica has more beginner-friendly spots: we list 24, against 7 in Indonesia.
Is Indonesia or Costa Rica cheaper for a surf trip?
Day to day, Indonesia is cheaper: from about $28 a day on a tight budget, against $40 in Costa Rica. A cheap week with flights from Europe starts around $683 for Indonesia and $717 for Costa Rica.
When is the best time to go to Indonesia and Costa Rica?
In Indonesia, at least one region is at its best in these months: May to October. In Costa Rica: December to October. Both are in good shape in these months: April to October.
More comparisons
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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