Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Thanks to consistently high-quality waves and a variety of breaks, Costa Rica is one of the world’s top surfing destinations, with waves for everyone from beginners to the pros. Dominical is known for its powerful waves best for the experienced, while Jaco is a great place for beginners with lots of surf schools. Tamarindo provides a little of both with beginner-friendly waves to the south and waves for the experts closer to the river mouth. The main surfing provinces are Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limón, but no matter which you plan to visit, you’ll find the perfect Airbnb for your surfing stay on this list.
Epic 200 Year Old Bali Home on 20 Acres - Dominical
This Balinese-style villa is hidden among 20 acres of lush tropical rainforest, only about 10 minutes from the waves at Dominical. Ideal for surfing honeymooners or any romance-seeking couples, it includes a shared infinity pool and access to chefs and masseuses right on the property for in-villa massages and fantastic meals. Plus, you’ll be just above the jungle filled with monkeys, toucans, and sloths.
Large Home Walking Distance to Beach - Santa Cruz, Tamarindo
Casa Naranja was built with guests in mind, designed to provide a warm, welcoming feel with the comforts of home. It’s succeeded with five stars across the board, located a 5- to 10-minute walk to a quiet, less touristy locals’ beach or 20 to 30-minutes on foot to all the action in Tamarindo. After a day of surfing you’ll be able to come back and relax in your own private pool with lights for night swims, and prepare your meals in the large well-functioning kitchen or cook out on the grill. Laundry facilities are included too.
Oceanfront Villa with Gorgeous Pool & View - Savegre, Puntarenas
Enjoy the beach and the wildlife-filled jungle in this oceanfront villa with ocean views from most of the bedrooms and the terrace. It sits on a semi-private beach just a two-minutet drive or 20-minute walk south of Dominical and includes all the essentials plus your own private pool. It’s surrounded by trees and mature landscaping that blends with the jungle inhabited by toucans, macaws, and iguanas.
Sol Vista Ocean and Jungle View - Punta Banco, Pavones
Described as a “Yogi, Surfer & Wildlife Lover’s Paradise,” we have to agree as you’ll get both the jungle and the ocean here, waking up to the sounds of the waves and the calls of the birds and howler monkeys. This one-bedroom open-air bungalow is just a three-minute walk to the beach and outstanding surfing while bringing opportunities for wildlife encounters. It includes fabulous indoor-outdoor living spaces and even private yoga with a breathtaking view. Part of the Sola Vista Eco Lodge in the tropical rainforest, highlights include an outdoor waterfall shower and an observation/yoga deck for practicing yoga, watching the surfers or relaxing in a hammock.
6-Bedroom Luxury Villa on Dominical Beach - Dominical, Puntarenas
This 6,500-square-foot villa offers the ultimate luxury surfing vacation for up to 14 guests right on Dominical Beach, just 100 feet above the surf. Enjoy the tropical rainforest, dramatic ocean views and the sounds of the waves from every room. Just one of the highlights is the large, deep pool with an infinity edge that melds the pool and the sea into what looks like “one continuous span of tropical blue.”
Casa Mambo Tamarindo Surf House - Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Casa Mambo is a short boat trip to Witch’s Rock, the surf spot that put Costa Rica on the map, while providing the chance to enjoy the quintessential Costa Rican lifestyle, complete with great outdoor spaces for relaxation, including hammocks. You’ll be a short walk from the beginner-friendly Tamarindo beach, but if you’re looking for a challenge, it’s an easy shuttle ride to Playa Langosta. It includes an outdoor kitchen – wake up early and catch the sunrise while making breakfast.
Casa Nirvana - Santa Teresa, Puntarenas
Casa Nirvana is a luxury villa on a hill overlooking Santa Teresa, just 5 minutes from the beach with Playa Carmen, Suck Rock, and Playa Hermosa all nearby. It accommodates eight guests in four bedrooms, three of which are en-suite and include a swimming pool, both indoor and outdoor dining areas, a full kitchen, and a spacious living room with a Plasma TV. You’ll also have a terrace that overlooks the pool and a Rancho with a BBQ grill, providing a perfect spot to watch the colorful sunsets. Be aware, the host notes a 4X4 vehicle is highly recommended.
Two Bedroom Villa on Beachfront Hermosa Property - Playa Hermosa, Puntarenas
You’ll be able to walk right to the beach from this two-bedroom villa on a four-acre property, one of the few beachfront options in Playa Hermosa. It includes two large bedrooms, a full kitchen and dining area, a living room with a TV, central a/c, and a jungle view. There are just four other homes here that share a large swimming pool for refreshing dips when you need a break from the ocean – keep an eye out for the howler monkeys that are frequent visitors – you definitely won’t miss hearing them, but it just adds to the exotic feel.
Casa Celeste - Malpais, Puntarenas
Casa Celeste is a two-bedroom beachfront home on a two-acre private property that’s just steps from a right point break, with Playa Carmen just over a quarter-mile away. You’ll stay in what feels like your own private nature park, with lots of wildlife, enjoying pportunities to swim in natural tide pools and incredible stargazing after dark before falling asleep to the sounds of the waves. It comes with an outdoor BBQ, outdoor shower, covered furnished veranda and an alfresco dining area. A full kitchen, Wi-Fi and TV with Netflix are all included too.
Luxury Beachfront Condo - Jaco, Puntarentas
This two-bedroom luxury condo for up to four offers spectacular views of the ocean and Jaco Beach from the large terrace, and includes access to a common area pool. It’s just steps from Crocs Resort where you’ll find restaurants, cafe, and a casino. Your friendly host will be happy to make recommendations for everything from surf lessons to ATV rides through the jungle to the waterfalls.
Caribbean Jungle Tree House by Sea - Cahuita, Limon
Treehouse Airbnbs have become increasingly popular in recent years, but this is one of the most authentic options we’ve seen. You’ll stay a giant ficus tree, falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle while enjoying plenty of luxuries. It includes two decks, plus another small one for sipping coffee or a cocktail while gazing out at the treetops and occasionally wildlife like sloths too. The tropical wood deck on the first floor has carved posts with one side a full wall of the tree’s roots. It includes a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bathroom and terrace that overlooks a tropical pond with orchids and lilies. While relaxing in the hammock you can watch parrots, hummingbirds and toucans fly by.
Villa Pavones - Puntarenas
Located between two world-class breaks, including Pavones, one of the world’s longest lefts, this spacious two-bedroom home can accommodate seven guests and includes open-air lanais as well as a private swimming pool. You’ll be only about 650 feet from the ocean, enjoying not only opportunities for great surfing, but incredible sunsets, horseback riding on the sand or through the jungle, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and more.
Beach House with Ocean Views - Jaco, Puntarenas
This two-bedroom townhouse accommodates up to 10 and sits at the quiet, south end of Jaco Beach with uncrowded sands. It includes an oversized patio for sipping your morning coffee while watching the waves break and enjoying sunset cocktails.
Surf Rental Oceanfront on Playa Hermosa - Puntarenas
Located on Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco Beach, this air-conditioned oceanfront apartment is truly that – you’ll be right in front of one of the most consistent surf breaks, tucked between popular local restaurants and bars, with markets and even a zipline nearby. Guests note that it’s a “surfer/beach bum paradise” just 75 steps to the water’s edge, outstanding surf and spectacular views from a massive window with sliding doors that open to the sounds of the waves.
Beachfront Property Casa Sonrisa - Playa Langosta, Provincia de Guanacaste
This two-bedroom beachfront property for four offers a peaceful setting in the quietest part of Tamarindo, ideal for a relaxed surfing getaway. Enjoy a gorgeous panoramic view from the garden and a courtyard with a large outdoor seating area while being just a five-minute walk along the beach to shops, restaurants and bars.
