Surfing Salsa Brava offers Hawaiian style juice and barrels, Salsa Brava is the biggest break in Costa Rica and is for expert surfers only. Because the reef here is shallow, it is not for beginners.

Salsa Brava offers both rights and lefts, although the rights are typically faster. Check out the easterly swell, as conditions are usually better there. Best to go in the morning before the winds pick up.

Located on the Caribbean coast, the town of Puerto Viejo is relaxed with primarily black residents. There are several surf schools in Puerto Viejo. You can get lessons, rentals and advice at these schools.

The top Costa Rica surfing destinations are listed below:

• Pavones: The legendary longest left in the country is located in the southern Golfo Dulce.
• Playa Hermosa: The country's most consistent waves.
• Playa Grande: Great waves and a gorgeous beach, in the midst of the national park north of Tamarindo.
• Salsa Brava: The roughest beach (Caribbean side) has earned this break its nasty reputation and is for experts only.
• Witch's Rock/Ollie's Point: Way-out-of the-way but worth the trip.
• Jaco: Offers consistent surf year-round.
• Cabo Matapalo: Steady surf and still undiscovered.
• Caribbean coast: One long surf paradise from Puerto Limon to the Panama border.
• Playa Avellana & Playa Negra: Near Tamarindo and famous/busy.
• Playa Tamarindo: Filled with surfers who are learning but most consistent waves are in nearby Playa Grande.
• Playa Manzanillo: Best surfed when the tide is rising and there's an offshore wind.
• Playa Santa Teresa: Has powerful waves and is fast with scattered rocks.
• Playa Dominical: Monster waves in a laid-back beach town.