Dominical & Uvita · Costa Rica
Surfing Punta Uvita
A beach break in Dominical & Uvita, Costa Rica, for beginner surfers.
- TypeBeach Break
- LevelBeginner
- Size2-5 ft
- Best monthsMay-Nov
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Punta Uvita is in the Marino Ballena national park, next to the sandbar shaped like a whale's tail that you can walk out on at low tide. The point shelters the beach, so the waves stay small and soft.
It's mostly useful when the rest of the coast is too big or a north-west wind is blowing. It's a beginner spot, not a performance wave. Humpback whales pass offshore from about July to October and again from December to April.
9.15, -83.74 · Swell S-SW, NW onshore · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Punta Uvita
Punta Uvita is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: Swell S-SW, NW onshore. This is how the year looks across Central Puntarenas:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Good | Short dry season, cleaner, sunnier, but smaller than the summer swell |
| May to July | Prime | Green season S-SW groundswell fires Dominical and the points; offshore mornings |
| August to October | Prime | Peak, most consistent S-SW swell, and the wettest, greenest months |
| Nov | Quiet | Transition, heavy rains and swell easing into the dry season |
Waves near Punta Uvita
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Ballena | Dominical & Uvita | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 3 km |
| Playa Hermosa (Uvita) | Dominical & Uvita | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 11 km |
| Dominicalito | Dominical & Uvita | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 16 km |
| Punta Dominical | Dominical & Uvita | Point Break | Beginner / Advanced | 17 km |
| Playa Dominical | Dominical & Uvita | Beach Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 18 km |
| Playa Matapalo | Quepos & Manuel Antonio | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 31 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Dominical & Uvita
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Dominical & Uvita surf guide →
A week here costs from about $794 with flights from Europe, or around $1,712 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Punta Uvita: common questions
When is the best time to surf Punta Uvita?
Punta Uvita works best from May to November. Ideal conditions: Swell S-SW, NW onshore.
Is Punta Uvita good for beginners?
Yes. Punta Uvita suits beginner surfers.
How crowded is Punta Uvita?
Punta Uvita is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Punta Uvita?
Punta Uvita is in Dominical & Uvita, in the Central Puntarenas region of Costa Rica (9.15, -83.74). The nearest wave we cover is Playa Ballena, about 3 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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