Surf Travel Guide: Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica

Playa Avellanas earned the nickname Little Hawaii long before most travelers had heard of Guanacaste, after a wave at the south end of the beach started throwing up barrels good enough to make it into Endless Summer II, and the name has stuck ever since.

Why Playa Avellanas?

Avellanas is really several beaches in one, a long stretch of sand with distinct named peaks rather than a single break. El Parqueo sits near the main parking area and works well for all levels on a mid to high tide, El Palo breaks in front of a landmark dead tree halfway down the beach, and Little Hawaii itself is a right hand reef and sand break at the south end that needs a shortboard and a real south swell to fire.

→ The green season, roughly May through October, brings long period south and southwest groundswells from the Southern Hemisphere and is widely rated the best surf of the year here, with glassy mornings before afternoon showers roll in.

↳ The dry season, December through April, is more consistent day to day but brings strong Papagayo offshore winds in December and January and noticeably bigger crowds and prices.

Getting There & Getting Around

Fly into Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), then it is about an hour and a half and roughly 74 kilometers by road, mostly paved with a dusty final stretch.
→ An SUV with decent clearance is a good idea for that last unpaved section, though it is manageable for a reasonably confident driver.
↳ From Tamarindo, Avellanas is only about 20 minutes south by car.
From San Jose, expect four to five hours by car via the Tempisque bridge, or a short domestic flight to Tamarindo followed by a taxi.

When to Surf (and Stay Safe)

Mornings are the move almost year round, since the offshore wind typical of this part of Guanacaste tends to groom the surf early before the trade winds pick up in the afternoon. Water sits around 27 to 30 degrees Celsius depending on the month, so no wetsuit is needed.

The river mouth and mangrove area at El Estero carry a genuine, if uncommon, crocodile risk at high tide, so avoid crossing the estuary channel and be extra cautious at dawn and dusk. Ask locally about recent sightings before paddling out near the river mouth, especially after heavy rain when the water turns murky. Keep an eye on belongings on the beach and avoid walking alone on unlit roads at night, and bring cash since many businesses in the area do not take cards.

Surf Breaks

El Parqueo: The beach break nearest the main parking area.
Wave: Sand bottom beach break, lefts and rights, best mid to high tide.
Level: Beginner to intermediate.
El Palo: Named for the dead tree marking it, roughly halfway down the beach.
Wave: Sand bottom beach break, lefts and rights.
Level: All levels.
Little Hawaii: The famous section at the south end, accessed near Cabinas Las Olas.
Wave: Reef and sand right hander, rides of 50 to 150 meters when a south swell is running.
Level: Advanced, shortboard only.

Where to Stay (Hotels)

→ Prices below are approximate 2026 listings in US dollars, seen October 2026.

Budget ($)

Dream Surf House Avellana (from about $30 per night for a dorm bed, $60 for a private room, seen October 2026)
A surf focused hostel in the heart of Avellanas, within easy reach of all the main peaks.

Mid Range ($$)

Cabinas Las Olas, directly on the beach near Little Hawaii (from about $131 per night, seen October 2026)
One of the original Avellanas surf lodges, with a restaurant and bar on site known for cold craft beer and fish tacos.

Beachfront ($$$)

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa, Hacienda Pinilla (from about $209 per night, seen October 2026)
A full service beachfront resort a short drive from Avellanas, for anyone who wants the surf by day and a proper resort by night.

Food & Drink

Beachfront Tables in the Sand: Lola's on the Beach, Playa Avellanas
→ An Avellanas institution since long before Little Hawaii had a name recognized abroad, with mains like fish tacos and poke bowls running about $11 to $22, seen October 2026.
On Site at the Surf Lodge: Cabinas Las Olas restaurant and bar
→ Known locally for cold craft beer and fish tacos, with prices that vary by the day rather than one published menu.

Photographing Playa Avellanas (Surf Snaps)

With several named peaks spread along one long beach, Avellanas gives a photographer room to move between spots in a single morning and still catch good light at each one. If you cover a session, upload your gallery to Surf Snaps so the surfers in frame can find and buy their own shots. If you were riding, browse Surf Snaps for photos from the day, starting at $8 with no account needed to look.

FAQ: Surfing Playa Avellanas

Is Playa Avellanas good for beginners?

Parts of it, yes. El Parqueo and El Palo are forgiving sand bottom beach breaks suited to beginners and intermediates, while Little Hawaii at the south end is a more serious, advanced wave.

Why is it called Little Hawaii?

The nickname comes from a south end section that can produce powerful, barreling waves when a solid south swell arrives, a reputation cemented after it appeared in the film Endless Summer II.

Are there crocodiles at Avellanas?

There is a real, documented risk around the mangroves and the river mouth at El Estero, particularly at high tide, though an actual sighting is considered unlikely. Avoid crossing the estuary and ask locally before paddling out near the river mouth.

When is the best time to surf Avellanas?

The green season, roughly May through October, brings the most consistent, highest quality swell, while the dry season from December through April is sunnier but windier and busier.

Where can I find photos of my Avellanas session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date to see if a photographer caught your wave.

More Popular Surf and Kitesurf Spots

Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.