Best Surfing

Deliciously warm water, year-round waves, and two coasts add up to one of the world's most best-known surfing destinations. There's even better news: that popularity hasn't yet translated into overcrowding. Most surfers bring their own boards, as evidenced by the crowds that get off the plane and make a beeline for the oversize luggage carousel, but you'll find plenty of places to rent equipment if you're not quite that hardcore.

Jacó, Central Pacific.

Easily accessible Jacó draws the many surfers who come here as much for the partying as the waves.

Pavones, South Pacific.

It's a long trip here, but your reward is one of the world's longest left-breaking waves.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Caribbean.

One of the world's best (and toughest) waves, Salsa Brava, laps right offshore in town.

Tamarindo, North Pacific.

The north coast's consummate surfing town and a good place for beginners; the stretch of shoreline north to Playa Grande and south to Playa Negra satisfies experts.