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Where Should You Go Surfing In The Americas?
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By Matt
- Updated | September 15, 2026
The Americas are home to some of the world’s best surf destinations.
From warm Caribbean beaches to powerful Pacific breaks, there is a huge variety of waves, towns and travel experiences to choose from.
And you don’t need a car everywhere.
Some surf towns are easy to explore on foot, while others are connected by local buses, boats, taxis or shared surf transfers. The key is choosing the right town and staying close to the waves.
This guide covers the best surf destinations across North, Central and South America, with a focus on places where you can surf without relying on your own car.
Jump Straight To An Americas Destination
Surfing The Americas Without A Car
You don’t need a rental car to surf the Americas. You just need the right base.
Choose a surf town where the beach, accommodation, restaurants and surf schools are close. Ideally, you can walk to most of what you need.
Some places make this easy. Others don’t.
In the right town, your board can be your main mode of transport. Walk to the beach. Grab a bike. Take a local bus. Use a taxi when you need to reach a further break.
Surf camps can make things even simpler. Many include transport to different beaches, so you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
This is especially handy if you’re travelling solo. Or if you simply don’t want to spend your trip behind the wheel.
And the Americas give you plenty of choice.
Chase warm water in Costa Rica, Mexico or Ecuador. Head to El Salvador or Peru for consistent Pacific waves. Or explore the huge variety of surf along the United States coastline.
There is a destination for almost every type of surfer.
The hard part is choosing one.
In This Guide
Surfing The Americas
The Americas are massive.
So is the choice.
You could spend months moving between surf towns and still barely scratch the surface. Pacific point breaks. Warm-water beach breaks. Long lefts. Powerful rights. Busy beach towns. Tiny fishing villages.
You don’t need to work out all of it.
Start with the destination that matches the trip you have in mind.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an obvious place to start.
Tamarindo has everything happening around the beach. Surf lessons, board hire, restaurants and accommodation are all close to the action.
Want something less busy? Santa Teresa stretches along the coast with surf breaks, beach bars and plenty of places to stay. It’s a popular choice for longer trips.
Then there’s Jaco, with a busier town feel, and Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side for something completely different.
Costa Rica works particularly well if you want surfing to be part of a bigger tropical adventure.
Best for: Warm water, beginners, tropical beaches and surf camps.
Mexico
Mexico is one of those countries where the hardest part is narrowing it down.
The Pacific is the main draw for surfers, with a mix of powerful waves, mellow beaches and lively coastal towns.
Puerto Escondido is the famous one. Expect serious waves, a big surf community and plenty happening away from the beach.
Prefer something more relaxed? Sayulita has a smaller-town atmosphere, with surf, restaurants, nightlife and plenty of places to stay within easy reach.
Mexico is also hard to beat for food and culture. Your trip doesn’t have to revolve around the surf forecast.
Best for: Warm water, surf towns, food, culture and variety.
El Salvador
El Salvador is a smaller country. The surf is anything but small.
Its Pacific coast is known for long right-hand point breaks and warm water. For surfers chasing quality waves, that’s a pretty good combination.
El Tunco is the obvious base. It’s compact, lively and built around surf. You can eat, sleep, meet other surfers and get to the beach without going far.
For a quieter atmosphere, head towards Playa las Flores.
This is a destination where the waves are the main event.
Best for: Consistent surf, point breaks, warm water and surf culture.
Ecuador
Ecuador doesn’t always get the same attention as Costa Rica or Mexico.
It should.
The Pacific coast has plenty of surf, but the real appeal is the variety of towns you can base yourself in. Montanita is the lively option. Surf during the day, then head into town when the sun goes down.
For something slower, try Ayampe. It’s small, relaxed and surrounded by nature. You can also look at Canoa or Mompiche if you want to get further off the usual tourist trail.
Ecuador is a good fit when you want surf without spending a fortune.
Best for: Affordable trips, warm water, small surf towns and a slower pace.
Peru
Peru is different. The coastline seems to go on forever. And there is plenty of surf to find along the way.
Chicama is the big draw if you’re chasing long left-hand waves. It has a remote feel, but the surf makes the journey worthwhile.
Then there’s Lobitos. A small surf village with a strong reputation for quality waves and a much quieter atmosphere.
Both are built around surfing.
There isn’t a huge amount of distraction. That’s part of the appeal. Surf in the morning. Grab some food. Check the waves again. Peru is a great choice if you want to put surfing at the centre of the trip.
Best for: Long rides, point breaks, consistent surf and dedicated surf trips.
United States
The United States has a lot of surf. And it isn’t all in California.
Huntington Beach is one of the classic California surf towns. Long beaches, plenty of surf and a town built around the sport.
Malibu offers something very different. Famous point breaks, beautiful beaches and a taste of the Southern California surf lifestyle.
On the East Coast, Rockaway Beach gives you a rare combination, surfing with New York City right on your doorstep.
Further north, Pacifica is a good option if you want to stay close to San Francisco while still having easy access to the Pacific.
That’s the appeal of surfing in the US. Different coastlines. Different waves. Completely different trips. It can be expensive, though. And some surf areas are much easier without a car than others.
Best for: Surf culture, iconic beaches, variety and city-and-surf trips.
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Find Your Type Of Surf Trip
Want warm water?
Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador or Ecuador
Want beginner-friendly surf?
Tamarindo, Jaco, Sayulita or Montañita
Want powerful waves?
Puerto Escondido, El Salvador, Peru or the United States
Want a lively surf town?
Puerto Escondido, Tamarindo, Montañita or El Tunco
Want somewhere quieter?
Ayampe, Mompiche, Troncones or Santa Teresa
Want consistent surf?
Pacifica, Puerto Escondido, El Tunco or Tamarindo
The Americas offer a huge range of surf trips.
Want warm water? Start with Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador or Ecuador. Learning to surf? Tamarindo, Jaco, Sayulita and Montañita are good places to begin.
Pick the waves. Pick the town. Then start planning.
Want An Americas Surf Camp?
A surf camp can make a car-free trip much easier.
You have a place to stay. Surf lessons are organised. Boards are usually included. Some camps also take you to different breaks.
And you don’t have to figure everything out alone. That can be a big bonus if you’re travelling solo. You’ll meet other surfers, share meals and spend most of your days in the water.
Costa Rica is a great place to start. There are camps for complete beginners, experienced surfers and everyone in between.
For yoga lovers, the best Costa Rica Surf & Yoga Camps are worth checking out. Want to stay somewhere quieter? Santa Teresa Surf Camps are a good option.
For a livelier town, Best Jaco Surf Camps are worth a look. Or keep things simple with Tamarindo Surf Camps, where the beach and town are both easy to reach.
Less planning. More time in the water.
More Surf Trips To Explore
Still deciding where to go? Start with the type of surf trip you want, then find a destination that matches your plans, surf level and travel style.
Planning Your First Surf Trip?
Keep things simple. Choose a destination with easy waves, plenty of surf schools and a town that’s easy to explore. Best Places For Your First Surf Trip is a good place to start.
Want Warm Water?
Leave the wetsuit at home and chase tropical waves instead. Warm Water Surf Destinations brings together some of the best places for sunshine, warm seas and plenty of surf.
Travelling Solo?
Going alone can be one of the best ways to experience a new surf destination. Look for social towns, surf camps and easy transport in Solo Surf Trips Without A Car.
Want Surf And Yoga?
Surf in the morning. Slow things down afterwards. Surf and Yoga Destinations Without A Car looks at destinations where you can combine waves, yoga and a more relaxed pace.
Ready To Explore The Americas?
The hardest part is choosing where to go.
The Americas give you warm water, powerful waves, laid-back beach towns and plenty of surf culture. You can make the trip as relaxed or adventurous as you like.
Base yourself somewhere that suits your style. Surf early. Explore when the waves slow down. Stay for a week, or keep moving.
No complicated itinerary needed.
Just find a beach you want to surf and go from there.
