Costa Rica - with its lush rainforests, abundant wildlife, and pristine beaches, is a paradise for surfers seeking the ultimate thrill; barrel riding. The country's Pacific and Caribbean coastlines offer a variety of world-class breaks that consistently produce those coveted cylindrical walls of water that we all crave.

If you’re out here eager for that tunnel vision, Costa Rica has an abundance of waves to choose from to quench your thirst. Dominical’s peaky breaks, the power of Witch's Rock, and the Caribbean reef breaks of Salsa Brava in Puerto Viejo are just a few of the legendary spots that beckon barrel chargers from around the globe. With warm waters and a laid-back surf culture, Costa Rica promises not only incredible barrels but also a genuine pura vida experience that will be sure to keep you coming back for more.

Here are the best barrels that the nation has to offer.

Salsa Brava

Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica lies the epic barrels of Salsa Brava. A fast tube falling over sharp reef, this is the pipeline of Costa Rica. Breaking better and longer towards the right, this wave is a quick slot into the barrel right from the take off, with a second section that peaks again afterwards if you make the first tube. Salsa Brava is a wave that packs a lot of energy into a steep drop at low tide. Working best on a northeast swell and southern offshore winds, this is a wave that will spit you out without any mercy.

Santa Teresa

Known as a small surf town situated on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is Santa Teresa. The main break that is the biggest and steepest is at Playa Santa Teresa. With lefts and rights peaking all along the beach, this spot holds potential for deep tubes during the bigger swell months of May to November, as do most other waves in Costa Rica. Because it is a beach break, reading the wave is trickier as sections are constantly shifting with the moving sand banks, and strong rip currents also persist. Thriving on a west-northwest swell and northeast wind, the barrels at Santa Teresa are sure to amaze you and send you flying through the doggy door.

Playa Negra

Breaking fast and hollow over pretty shallow reef is the tube of Playa Negra. Also located on the Nicoya Peninsula, this is a powerful right-hand wave that is significantly challenging. On a northeast swell and southwest offshore winds, the thick lip of Playa Negra will be sure to envelop you into exceptional barrels. Due to its remote and rugged location surrounded by bushland, this spot is usually more isolated from crowds during wet season swells.

Witch’s Rock

In Santa Rosa National Park rests the unreal take-off barrels of Witch’s Rock. Surfing against a backdrop of massive oceanic boulders and stunning rocky cliffs, this is a consistent a-frame wave that produces the best barrels on big southwest swells and lower tides.

Playa Hermosa

Last but not least is Playa Hermosa. Nestled in the tranquil surf town of Dominical, the barrels at this spot are known to be big, heavy and powerful. Unlike most other spots that produce barrels on the low tide, this spot has the ability to pump through the high tide as well. With left and right wedges scattered along the beautiful black sand beach, this wave is known to produce the most crisp tubes on the west coast of Costa Rica during conditions consisting of west swells and northeast winds.

From deep pits to light curtains to shampoo froth, getting barrelled is a feeling like no other, and Costa Rica is a mecca for it. Don’t miss out on the vision!

Written by Kayli Wouters

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