Playa Negra
Playa Negra is the right-hander from The Endless Summer II — a fast, hollow reef break on the Nicoya Peninsula, sometimes listed as Los Pargos. It sits on the same stretch of Guanacaste coast as Playa Avellanas, a short drive south of us.
The wave
A right-hand reef break over rock, with a well-defined channel to paddle out through. It barrels, it is fast, and it holds size. Because it catches swell from both the northern and southern hemispheres, it works more consistently through the year than most beach breaks on this coast.
Low tide steepens the face and makes it a serious wave. Higher tide is more forgiving, but "forgiving" here is relative — this is an intermediate-to-advanced spot, and the bottom is rock, not sand.
Who it suits — and who it doesn't
If you surf well, this is one of the best right-handers in the country and the reason a lot of people come to this coast at all.
If you are learning, go to Playa Avellanas instead. It is the next beach north, it breaks over sand, and the inside near the river mouth is where every surf school on this stretch teaches. A mixed-ability group can split the day: the strong surfers at Negra, everyone else at Avellanas, and both are a short drive from the same house. More on the Avellanas break →
Getting there
- From Playa Avellanas — a short drive south down the coast road
- From Tamarindo — roughly 40 minutes
- From Liberia airport (LIR) — about an hour and three quarters
The coast road between Avellanas and Negra is dirt in stretches and gets rough in the green season. Four-wheel drive is worth having. If you are staying with us and would rather not drive it, our vans will run you down.
Where surf groups actually stay
Playa Negra is a small town and large-group lodging there is thin. Most camps and crews base at Playa Avellanas just north, then drive to whichever break is working.
Johnny's is a whole private property three minutes' walk from the Avellanas break — six ensuite bedrooms sleeping up to 28, breakfast cooked every morning, board storage, and staff who live on site. Surf schools book it by the week for exactly this reason: one address, two breaks, no hotel logistics.
When to come
Negra is consistent year round, but the green season from May through November brings the bigger swell — which is exactly when this coast is quietest and cheapest. Guanacaste is the driest province in Costa Rica, so the rain in those months is usually a warm afternoon shower rather than a washout.
September and October are the quietest weeks of our year and the best value. Surf is up; nobody is here.
What else is on this stretch
- Playa Avellanas — sand-bottom beach break, surf schools, Lola's, turtles nesting July to December
- Hacienda Pinilla — golf, tennis and pickleball, about ten minutes north of Avellanas. Guide →
- Tamarindo — restaurants, shops, nightlife and sport fishing boats, 30 minutes from Avellanas
Bring your crew
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