Nosara & the south · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Avellana
A reef break in Nosara & the south, Costa Rica, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelIntermediate / Advanced
- Size2-8 ft
- Best monthsDec-Apr
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Avellana is a mixed bag in the best sense: a gnarly right reef nicknamed 'Little Hawaii' that sharpens up on smaller swells, a workable beachbreak, scattered reefs and a rivermouth that can offer great shape. The reef holds size and throws the kind of hollow, heavy wall the nickname promises, while the sand peaks give everyone else a look-in.
Because it holds more grunt than the beaches to the north, it draws a committed crew and the inevitable crowd on the good days. The setting is classic rural Guanacaste, a wide beach, forest behind and Lola the pig somewhere on the sand.
Best on a clean south-west swell at mid-tide, Avellana rewards surfers who can pick the right peak and commit to the drop. Watch the reef on the inside at lower tides, and give the locals their waves on the reef proper.
10.211, -85.822 · SW swell, mid tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Playa Avellana
Playa Avellana is at its best from December to April. Conditions it likes: SW swell, mid tide. This is how the year looks across Guanacaste:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Prime | Dry season, offshore mornings, sunshine, clean NW-fed 3-4ft waves almost daily |
| May to July | Good | Green season begins; bigger SW groundswell, afternoon showers, fewer crowds |
| August to October | Good | Peak SW swell and empty line-ups, but the wettest, muddiest roads |
| Nov | Quiet | Transition, rains easing, swell easing, a quiet shoulder month |
Waves near Playa Avellana
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Negra | Nosara & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 6 km |
| Langosta | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Intermediate | 8 km |
| Tamarindo | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 10 km |
| Playa Grande | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 14 km |
| Ostional | Nosara & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 27 km |
| Nosara (Playa Guiones N) | Nosara & the south | Beach Break | Beginner | 32 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Nosara & the south
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Nosara & the south surf guide →
A week here costs from about $822 with flights from Europe, or around $1,596 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Playa Avellana: common questions
When is the best time to surf Playa Avellana?
Playa Avellana works best from December to April. Ideal conditions: SW swell, mid tide.
Is Playa Avellana good for beginners?
No. Playa Avellana is a wave for intermediate and advanced surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Tamarindo in Tamarindo, about 10 km away.
How crowded is Playa Avellana?
Playa Avellana is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Playa Avellana?
Playa Avellana is in Nosara & the south, in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica (10.211, -85.822). The nearest wave we cover is Playa Negra, about 6 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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