Junquillal
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Junquillal is an exposed, sandy Pacific beach break in the Santa Cruz Coast area, known for very consistent surf and a “regional classic” feel. The wave setup is typically both lefts and rights, and it’s repeatedly described as powerful with fast, hollow sections—especially when conditions line up. The highest-tide timing is a recurring theme: high tide (and mid to high tide) is generally considered best, helping the waves stay more open and reducing the chance of the surf closing out. Normal rides are commonly described in the 50 to 150 meter range, with longer sessions possible on better days. Safety is a major factor at this beach. Multiple sources highlight heavy shore break and very strong rip currents along the beach, alongside underwater rocks/reef in parts of the break. Combined with reports of no lifeguards, this makes the spot a better fit for experienced surfers who can manage entry/exit carefully and work with the current. Wind/seasonal conditions generally support clean offshore surfing in the dry season. Best months are most often given as December through March (with at least one source noting September as a best month), and conditions are widely described as consistent and usually uncrowded compared with more developed nearby areas.
- Consistently hollow, fast waves with both lefts and rights
- Best at high tide (mid to high tide timing emphasized)
- Rarely crowded, often empty
- Heavy shore break and strong rips—experienced surfers only
- Very consistent, powerful beach break
- Hollow, fast waves with both lefts and rights
- Typically rarely crowded/empty on weekdays and weekends
- Warm water temperatures year-round
- Exposed conditions with heavy shore break
- Very strong rip currents
- Rocks/reef hazards near parts of the break
- No lifeguards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Dry-season offshore winds locally referred to as Papagayos; also noted for consistent offshore conditions in the surf season.
- Reliability
- High during the dry season; consistent surf-season offshore winds reported.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr · Dir: W, WSW · Regional pattern suggests light morning conditions followed by strengthening offshore winds in the afternoon; locally, Papagayo-driven offshore winds dominate during the dry season.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with sections of flat rocks.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf reported; swell can start working at less than 1 m and hold larger sizes up to 3 m+.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Heavy shore break reported.
- Launch
- Big — Long wide sandy beach with surfable sections; sections of flat rocks reported.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded year-round; very quiet compared to nearby Tamarindo.
September to October is the peak of the rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed, very consistent beach break that can produce hollow, fast waves with both lefts and rights. Often best at higher tides when the wave holds up and lessens early closing-out.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is repeatedly reported as the best time to ride the beach and reef breaks.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as a regional-classic with good wave quality on the working days.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Repeatedly described as powerful with hollow fast waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Sources describe normal rides around 50 to 150 meters, with good days reaching 150 to 300 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides 50–150 m; exceptional/good days reported up to 150–300 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Junquillal in the full forecast view.
Junquillal wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- E101°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2610 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–1.4 m12s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Junquillal is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.2–1.4 m with a period of about 12s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Reef
- Underwater rocks
- Strong rip currents
- Heavy shore break
- Fast, hollow surf
- Rough rocky sections farther out in some reports
- Sharks (occasionally reported)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is reported as none / no formal lifeguard services.
- Emergency Info
- No lifeguards at the beach; nearest major medical facilities are reported in Tamarindo or Santa Cruz. Costa Rica uses emergency number 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is reported as none to moderate across sources; the spot is generally described as having low crowd pressure.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies.
- High tide is repeatedly reported as the best time to surf (mid to high tide helps reduce the chance of waves closing out).
- Be extremely cautious of the heavy shore break when entering and exiting the water.
- The spot is rarely crowded, which can reduce local friction.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tamarindo
- Nearest Town
- Veintisiete de Abril
- Parking
- Limited parking near beach access points (one source).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several eco-hotels and small guest houses within walking distance of the beach; some lodges/hotels in the Junquillal area are also mentioned.
- Food & Drink
- A few local restaurants and sodas are available in the small village area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is reported as available for surfing and SUP in the broader Santa Cruz Coast area; specialized wind-sport gear may be more limited.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Junquillal?
The best overall months at Junquillal are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Junquillal?
Junquillal works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Junquillal suitable for?
Junquillal suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.