What size does Westfalia work best at?

1–4 ft is the working range. Below that it goes flat; above, it stops being fun and the lineup thins out.

When is the best season to surf Westfalia?

Peak season runs through the months when the swell window aligns and trade winds blow offshore. See the month strip in Wave fit for the working window.

What swell direction does Westfalia need?

Westfalia works on a ne - se groundswell with south westerly winds.

What are the main hazards?

no concerns. Reef booties are common at reef breaks; check tide and crowd conditions before paddling out.

What type of wave is Westfalia?

Westfalia is a a-frame breaking wave over beach. Mellow beach peaks, closeout-prone at size.

Limón, Caribbean Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Westfalia

9.940, -83.005

Edited by Thomas Jackson

Verified May 2026

Cross-referencedCross-checked against 1 reference

A-frame · BeachBeginner → Intermediate1–4 ftJan – Dec

A low-key beachbreak on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Westfalia sits along the 60km stretch of shoreline running toward Cahuita, where consistent sandbanks rarely see another surfer. NE to SE swells are the engine here, with SW winds going offshore. Works across all tides, but keep sessions below the 4-5ft mark because the banks tend to closeout when size builds. Beginners and intermediate surfers learning to read peaks will find the most value, anyone chasing performance waves will be frustrated. Bottom: sand. Season: Caribbean swell season, broadly Oct through Feb. Consistency: medium. The river and estuary nearby means water quality is a concern after heavy rain, and shark and croc sightings have been reported around the rivermouths, so heed any local advice before paddling out.

Wave fit

Skill suited

Beginner → Intermediate

BegIntAdv

Best months

Jan – Dec

Character

Mellow beach peaks, closeout-prone at size.

Conditions

When it works

Swell window

NE - SE

Offshore wind

South westerly

Optimum tide

All tides

Size range

1-6ft

Medium

Hazards

No concerns

Trip planning

Quick facts

Water temp

26° to 30°C

Wetsuit

Boardies

What to bring

Longboard or minimal for small days
Fish or funboard 6ft 8in to 7ft 6in for catching the punchy peaks

Lineup

Mellow lineup

Where it sits

Location

Loading map...

About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd Access Nearby Alternatives

Crowd & Localism

Deserted most of the time. If a few surfers appear, they will likely be beginners staying at nearby beachfront accommodation. No localism concerns, but the empty lineup is also a sign of how average the wave can be.

Access & Facilities

No facilities on site, so bring water and food. Free roadside parking is available. The spot sits along the main coastal road en route to Cahuita, making it an easy pull-over. Avoid the water near the rivermouth after significant rainfall due to pollution and wildlife risk.

Nearby Alternatives

When Westfalia is closing out or the water quality is poor, head south to Cahuita for its main beachbreak or continue to Playa Cocles for mellow beginner-friendly fun. For something with genuine punch, Salsa Brava in Puerto Viejo handles any Caribbean swell in serious cylindrical form, but that is strictly advanced territory.

10-day swell, wind and tide