Surf spot

Pico Grande

Forecast conditions and map view for Pico Grande in Costa Rica, Guanacaste. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Costa Rica, Guanacaste
Coordinates: 10.3028, -85.8411

Metric
Metric	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00
Wave height (m)	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	1	1	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8
Wave direction	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW	SW	SSW	SSW	WSW	WSW	S	S	S	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW
Wave period (s)	11.8	11.6	11.2	11	10.8	11.3	10.1	10	9.9	9.7	9	9.7	9.6	11.1	10.8	10.8	10.8	10.7	10.3	8.6	8.7	10.2	10.3	8.4	7.3	7.2	7.2	7	7	6.9	6.8	6.9	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	7.3	13.6	13.3	13.1	12.8	12.6	12.6	12.3	12.2	12.2	12	11.8	11.8	11.6	11.5	11.3	11.2	11.2	11.1
Wave energy (kJ)	301	300	293	272	255	245	227	225	220	204	156	204	197	164	143	133	133	124	110	77	78	108	103	62	46	45	51	50	56	55	56	64	63	63	62	62	63	71	261	264	264	256	246	244	226	210	218	203	198	195	199	187	173	169	159	156
Wind speed (km/h)	15.9	11.2	9.3	16.8	18.5	25.2	8.1	13.7	15.1	11.5	9	12.3	15.5	22.3	13.4	10.9	9.1	6.2	6.8	11.7	13.2	8.3	20.3	24.9	14.5	12.6	9.4	16.4	17.9	18.5	9.5	6.8	6.9	5.1	6.2	13.8	19.6	16.8	8.1	6.9	10.4	10.4	8.3	11.3	3.5	18.5	9	8	4.5	1.8	6.4	7.6	6.1	13.7	9	8.6
Wind direction	EOffshore	EOffshore	ENECross-off	NECross-off	NECross-off	SCross-off	SSECross-off	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	ENECross-off	EOffshore	NNECross	WNWOnshore	SSWCross	EOffshore	ESEOffshore	EOffshore	EOffshore	EOffshore	NNECross	NNWCross-on	WOnshore	ESEOffshore	EOffshore	ENECross-off	ENECross-off	EOffshore	ENECross-off	WNWOnshore	WSWCross-on	SCross	EOffshore	NECross-off	EOffshore	ESEOffshore	ENECross-off	WNWOnshore	SSWCross	SSECross-off	EOffshore	EOffshore	ENECross-off	EOffshore	EOffshore	NNWGlassy	SWCross-on	SCross	EOffshore	ESEGlassy	SGlassy	ENECross-off	EOffshore	ENECross-off	WSWCross-on	SSWCross	SSECross-off

Pico Grande in Guanacaste, Costa Rica is a well-known Pacific surf break best suited to experienced surfers. It’s typically a powerful beachbreak/point-style wave depending on the specific sand and swell conditions, and it can deliver fast, hollow, and heavy sections when the surf is up.

What it’s like

Wave quality: Powerful and punchy, often with steep takeoffs
Best size: Usually shines on medium to larger swells
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Crowd: Can get busy when conditions are good, especially during peak surf season
Vibe: Tropical, warm-water, classic Guanacaste surf scene

Conditions

Swells: Responds well to Pacific groundswells
Wind: Best with light offshore morning winds
Tide: Can be tide-sensitive; often works best around mid tide
Bottom: Often a mix of sand and reef/rock influences depending on exact zone

Best time of year

Guanacaste generally has surf year-round, but the wet season / Pacific swell season tends to bring the most consistent and powerful waves, roughly May to October.

Nearby feel

Guanacaste is known for dry tropical landscapes, warm water, and surf towns with easy access to beaches and breaks. Pico Grande fits into that laid-back but serious surf environment.