Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Montepío is a wide sandy, generally clean water launch area near a river mouth. Sources describe the water as shallow and mostly flat for kitesurfing, with the option for small-to-medium wave riding depending on conditions. Beach sessions are also described as approachable thanks to the open space and sand-bottom nature, though the river mouth can bring changing conditions. Wind is primarily from the North sector (N, NNE, NE, and also NW/NNW at times), with the strongest and most consistent sessions tied to winter 'Nortes' and the January to May period. One record also notes a spring/early-summer thermal/sea-breeze contribution in the afternoons, so conditions can shift by time of day and season. Winds are described as moderately gusty, and typical kite wind is roughly in the 15–25 knots range. Safety considerations are a priority at this spot: hazards include swimmers and bystanders, and there are also notes about rip currents and river-mouth currents. Riders are advised to respect designated swimming areas during busy holidays/weekends and to watch for changing sandbars near the river mouth. Lifeguard presence is described as seasonal, and rescue is not dedicated to kite sports (emergency response relies on local resources). Surrounding conditions also make it relevant for surfing in the same season window: one record describes it as a locally reliable beach break when North and Northeast swells arrive, with mushy, moderate power waves and average overall quality. It is exposed, works across tides, and can close out on very large swells, so wave selection matters.
- Wide sandy beach with clean water
- Shallow flat water plus small-to-medium wave potential
- Strong North-sector winds during the winter Norte season
- Wide sandy beach with clean water
- Flat/shallow riding suitable for progression
- Winter Norte season brings strong North-sector winds
- Limited-impact tides (tide-independent for wind sessions)
- Shallow water and river-mouth effects can create changing sandbars and variable depth
- Surf can close out on very large swells
- Seasonal crowds during holidays and spring break can affect comfort
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Winter 'Nortes' (strong cold fronts) are associated with the strongest North-sector winds; some seasonal thermal/sea-breeze influence is also noted.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Big sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Small to medium waves reported; surf description notes mushy, moderate-power beach-break waves.
- Launch
- Big — Wide-sandy-beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty described as easy by one source and moderate by another; conditions depend on where you launch relative to the river mouth.
Through the year
High crowds during Mexican holidays and spring break; quiet otherwise.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, shallow water and a wide sandy beach suitable for freeride and beginner-to-intermediate kitesurfing, with added wave riding possible depending on conditions. Strong North winds ('Nortes') in winter months drive the most reliable sessions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Open space can suit foiling in consistent winter winds; caution is advised near the river mouth sandbars due to variable depth.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- variable-due-to-sandbars
Local beach-break surf that tends to work reliably with North and Northeast swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Best results are generally tide-independent.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- onshore with Nortes; more favorable conditions with westerly winds.
- Bigger Swell
- closes-out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) in the full forecast view.
Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- N354°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.3 m7s period
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.8–1.3 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- swimmers
- bystanders
- rip-currents
- river-mouth-currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kite-specific rescue services; rescue depends on local fishermen or the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) in emergency cases.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility: Hospital General de San Andrés Tuxtla; national emergency number: 911.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming areas during holidays and weekends.
- seasonal-crowds-of-tourists
- The spot is best with a Norte when winds blow strongly from the North.
- Watch for changing sandbars at the river mouth.
- Respect designated swimming areas during holidays and weekends.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Veracruz
- Nearest Town
- San Andrés Tuxtla
- Nearest Airport
- Veracruz International Airport (VER), approximately 170 km away
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach and local restaurants.
- Public Transport
- Regional ADO buses connect major cities; local colectivos (shared taxis) and sub-urban buses serve coastal villages.
- Access
- Accessible via car from San Andrés Tuxtla; follow signs for the coast and Montepío.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Local hotels and basic cabins are available in Montepío village; accommodation ranges from rustic beachfront cabañas to eco-hotels.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beachside palapas serving fresh seafood.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized kite/surf rentals; bring your own gear.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated public gear storage facilities in the region.
- Gear Repair
- Major gear repairs require traveling to Veracruz City; some local upholstery shops can handle basic sail/canvas stitching.
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 Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla)?
The best overall months at Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) are November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla)?
Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) works with N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) suitable for?
Montepío (San Andrés Tuxtla) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.