Mal País & Santa Teresa · Costa Rica
Surfing Punta Barigona
A point break in Mal País & Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, for intermediate surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsMay-Nov
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Punta Barigona is a left point near the Cabo Blanco reserve, at the southern end of the Mal País coast, next to the Mar Azul cabins. It needs a decent south-west swell to wrap into the point.
When it does, the lefts line up into long walls with only a few people out, much quieter than the beaches in Mal País. On small days there's not much there. It's a short drive from the main road, with the protected forest of Cabo Blanco just to the south.
9.62, -85.13 · Decent SW swell · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Punta Barigona
Punta Barigona is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: Decent SW swell. This is how the year looks across Golfo de Nicoya:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Good | Dry season, cleaner conditions and WNW pulses, though smaller than the summer swell |
| May to July | Prime | Green season SW groundswell fires the points and beachbreaks; offshore mornings |
| August to October | Prime | Peak S-SW swell, most consistent and biggest, but the wettest months |
| Nov | Quiet | Transition, rain and swell easing into the dry season |
Waves near Punta Barigona
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Santa Teresa | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced | 5 km |
| Playa Carmen (Mal País) | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 5 km |
| Playa Manzanillo | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 19 km |
| Playa Caletas | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Reef Break | Intermediate | 22 km |
| Playa Coyote | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Point Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 26 km |
| Tivives | Puntarenas & the river lefts | Beach Break | Advanced | 52 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Mal País & Santa Teresa
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Mal País & Santa Teresa surf guide →
A week here costs from about $822 with flights from Europe, or around $1,631 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Punta Barigona: common questions
When is the best time to surf Punta Barigona?
Punta Barigona works best from May to November. Ideal conditions: Decent SW swell.
Is Punta Barigona good for beginners?
No. Punta Barigona is a wave for intermediate surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Playa Santa Teresa in Mal País & Santa Teresa, about 5 km away.
How crowded is Punta Barigona?
Punta Barigona is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Punta Barigona?
Punta Barigona is in Mal País & Santa Teresa, in the Golfo de Nicoya region of Costa Rica (9.62, -85.13). The nearest wave we cover is Playa Santa Teresa, about 5 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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