Bahía Salinas

Costa Rica · YYZ/YVR/YUL → LIR · 7 nights

High-wind · Flat-water · Papagayo · Dry-season

The Papagayo jet funnels through the Nicaragua gap and nukes across Bahía Salinas all dry season — dry heat, howler monkeys, and 25-knot mornings an hour from Liberia's direct YYZ flights.

The window · % of days ≥18 kts

10 years of satellite reanalysis

JFMAMJJASOND

The window · Dec–Mar

Season averages

45%

Wind

27°C

Water

Rain days

Spot sheet

Water

Big crescent bay — flat near the beach, chop outside, Isla Bolaños in the middle.

Gear

6m–9m, seriously. The jet is strong and comes in gusty packets.

Hazard

Gusts roll down off the hills; give the beach lee and the island a wide berth.

Getting there

LIR → Playa Copal

76 km · ~1h 15

An hour and a quarter north of Liberia airport on the Pan-American Highway, turning off at La Cruz just before the Nicaraguan border. The last few kilometres down to the bay are dirt road. Riders stay at the beach lodges by Playa Copal or up in La Cruz.

Transfer

Several operators run pre-booked shuttles and private transfers from the airport to the bay.

Taxi

Official airport taxis wait at the signed rank outside the terminal.

Rental car

Driving is on the right. No 4x4 needed, though high clearance helps on the beach roads in the rainy season. Carry your passport — there are police checks near the border.

Open in Google Maps →

No-wind days

🌋 Rincón de la Vieja volcano hike

🏄 Surf trip down to Tamarindo

🇳🇮 Border run to San Juan del Sur

Live on the board

Typical fare ~$776

YYZ → LIR · Swell$508

Dates

Members only

Airline

Members only

The when + the how are on the board

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