Limón & the north · Costa Rica
Surfing Barco Quebrado
A beach break in Limón & the north, Costa Rica, for intermediate surfers.
- TypeBeach Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsDec-Mar
- Crowd1/5
The wave
At the Rio del Banano rivermouth, Barco Quebrado is where better-shaped banks are often seen along the otherwise average Westfalia stretch. The river pushes the sand into more defined peaks, giving a rivermouth wave with a bit more shape and punch than the surrounding beachbreak when the swell and tide agree.
It's a quiet, easily missed spot on the road towards Cahuita, rewarding surfers who slow down and check the banks rather than pushing straight through to the busier Puerto Viejo waves.
Try it on a north-east swell and look for the sandbars the river has built up; on the right day it's a fun, uncrowded rivermouth session. Barco Quebrado is the sort of overlooked bank that the exploratory surfer prizes, no crowd, no fanfare, just better-organised peaks in a stretch of coast most people drive straight past on their way to the reefs of Puerto Viejo.
9.88, -82.93 · Swell NE-E, rivermouth · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Barco Quebrado
Barco Quebrado is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Swell NE-E, rivermouth. This is how the year looks across Limón:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to March | Prime | Main season, NE-E storms off Colombia fire Salsa Brava and the reefs |
| April to June | Quiet | Flat spells between seasons; the Pacific is the better bet now |
| July to August | Good | A reliable mid-year mini-season, July the safer bet for swell |
| September to November | Quiet | Mostly flat and very wet, off-season on the Caribbean |
Waves near Barco Quebrado
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westfalia | Limón & the north | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 3 km |
| Isla Uvita | Limón & the north | Reef Break | Advanced | 16 km |
| Roca Alta | Limón & the north | Reef Break | Advanced | 18 km |
| Playa Negra (Cahuita) | Puerto Viejo & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 18 km |
| Cocaine Point | Limón & the north | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 19 km |
| Playa Bonita | Limón & the north | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 20 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Limón & the north
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Limón & the north surf guide →
A week here costs from about $738 with flights from Europe, or around $1,536 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Barco Quebrado: common questions
When is the best time to surf Barco Quebrado?
Barco Quebrado works best from December to March. Ideal conditions: Swell NE-E, rivermouth.
Is Barco Quebrado good for beginners?
No. Barco Quebrado is a wave for intermediate surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Westfalia in Limón & the north, about 3 km away.
How crowded is Barco Quebrado?
Barco Quebrado is usually empty: 1 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Barco Quebrado?
Barco Quebrado is in Limón & the north, in the Limón region of Costa Rica (9.88, -82.93). The nearest wave we cover is Westfalia, about 3 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
One strange surf spot a week
The Lineup: one strange surf spot each week, from hippos on the beach in Gabon to lefts under the volcanoes of Kamchatka. Free, and nothing else lands in your inbox.