Puerto Viejo & the south · Costa Rica
Surfing Punta Uva
A reef break in Puerto Viejo & the south, Costa Rica, for intermediate surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsDec-Mar
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Punta Uva is a bit more challenging as the scattered peaks can get hollow, although they shoulder off quickly and give intermediates a good session. Outside, the point can line up playful right walls, a pretty, reef-and-sand set-up in one of the most beautiful coves on the whole coast, framed by rainforest and calm turquoise water.
It's a favourite for a relaxed session and a swim, with the point offering the more interesting waves and the coves either side are pretty and easy to reach from Puerto Viejo.
Keep it for a north-east swell for scattered hollow peaks and the playful right walls out on the point. Punta Uva strikes a lovely balance, enough shape and punch to keep intermediates engaged, but forgiving enough to relax into, with jungle down to clear water, so it works as a beach day as well as a surf, deep in the mellow southern Caribbean.
9.63, -82.69 · Swell NE-E · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Punta Uva
Punta Uva is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Swell NE-E. 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 Punta Uva
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manzanillo | Puerto Viejo & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 4 km |
| Little Shoal | Puerto Viejo & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 5 km |
| Playa Cocles | Puerto Viejo & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 6 km |
| Salsa Brava | Puerto Viejo & the south | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 8 km |
| Playa Negra (Cahuita) | Puerto Viejo & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 20 km |
| Barco Quebrado | Limón & the north | Beach Break | Intermediate | 38 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Puerto Viejo & the south
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Puerto Viejo & the south 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 →
Punta Uva: common questions
When is the best time to surf Punta Uva?
Punta Uva works best from December to March. Ideal conditions: Swell NE-E.
Is Punta Uva good for beginners?
No. Punta Uva is a wave for intermediate surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo & the south, about 6 km away.
How crowded is Punta Uva?
Punta Uva is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Punta Uva?
Punta Uva is in Puerto Viejo & the south, in the Limón region of Costa Rica (9.63, -82.69). The nearest wave we cover is Manzanillo, about 4 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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