Playa Hermosa || What's it Actually Like! (VLOG: Ep5)

Hey guys! Vlog Episode 5 from Central America! In this video, I ventured down to Playa Hermosa, the heavy black sand beachie just outside of Jaco. While I certainly did;t score it anywhere near its full potential, I hope this video gives you some insights into what surfing Playa Hermosa is actually like.
Please let me know what you thought of the place if you've surfed it!
The Latin American Surf Tales (Dropping May 11th)!
Can't wait to share this project with the world - The Latin American Surf Tales is my first ever book. The story details my travels through Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil and more. I hope the book provides first-hand insights into some of the best waves in the world and inspires you to get on the road and chase waves! (Available Now for Digital Pre-order): www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1KQJ1X
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Playa Hermosa Surf Accommodation:
- Sunny's: booking.tp.st/cA1ieTTh
- Brisa del Mar: booking.tp.st/nCwAltGT
- Vida Hermosa: booking.tp.st/I9iXoS3S
- Hermosa Beach House: booking.tp.st/H5pjHiuC
Accommodation Resources
- Outsite (Co-Work & Co-Living): www.outsite.co/?rfsn=7724517....
- Surf Camps: www.booksurfcamps.com/?aid=8277
- Rooms: booking.tp.st/DSzN5oPc
- Hostels: hostelworld.tp.st/zgy5eAlJ
Transportation:
- Hire Cars: discovercars.tp.st/QIVUHrwr
- Buses: busbud.tp.st/Usu35k28
What I Travel With (Surf Stuff):
- Boardbag: amzn.to/46q0AfI
- Board Socks: amzn.to/3HL5uKd
- Leg Ropes: amzn.to/49i0NU0
- Poncho: amzn.to/3ujolZO
What I Travel With (Tech Stuff):
- Backpack: amzn.to/3OqpO7B
- Laptop: amzn.to/4br0Nmr
- GoPro: amzn.to/4bkHBXB
- Video Camera: amzn.to/4bhvsml
- Mic: amzn.to/42raopp
Travel Essentials:
- Wise Card: wise.prf.hn/l/yOwRq9O
Digital Surf Coaching:
- OMBE: train.ombe.co/?via=dan
*Please note that some of these links are affiliate links. This means (at no extra cost to you), I receive a small commission which helps me make more videos like this.
#surfingplayahermosa #playahermosasurf #playahermosa #costaricasurf #surfingjaco

[@skinrat81374]

hey mate! could be a good idea to include some surfline data of the days you're surfing to get a sense of what their forecast and swell charts actually look like on the beach. not sure how much extra work this would be, I think it'd be cool! thanks!

[@briansurfer8625]

In 2004 I stayed there for a month. In the bungalows right near the almond tree. It was rainy season, it was big almost everyday. Sometimes TOO big. Had to get on it at dawn and dusk, otherwise pretty blown out. Trip was awesome bagged a few ticas, chilled in Jaco at nights , and surfed everyday. Great memories.

[@DanHarmon123]

Sick Brian!!

[@glen603]

beetle bar jajajaja

[@briansurfer8625]

@@glen603 ha! Fortunately at 24 years old I didn’t have to pay for it. Lol.

[@jrobertwest52]

I was there in June/July 2004. On a big day at Hermosa my leash broke and I was questioning my life choices. 😅 Similar experience with the Ticas at 19 years old.

[@briansurfer8625]

@@jrobertwest52 hahah! Awesome. I was there Sept October so just missed you. I also almost drowned, at Jaco believe it or not. Not even that huge of a day but there was just this giant sneaker set. It was a 3 wave utter beat down getting dragged on the bottom. We prolly know some of the same people who lived at the bungalows year round. I stayed in touch with a few, great people.

[@cjgamer2140]

Ok brother from a local. Yes it hasn't rained here in like 2 months, so you are correct about the sandbars. Here is the real secret about Hermosa. Yes there can be some huge epic long period swells that on the right direction and conditions will give you an insane barrel, but the best Hermosa IMO are the short period 3ft at say 12 seconds or less from the SW with offshores. This combo will make the most fun overhead A frame barrels you can imagine. Cheers.

[@DanHarmon123]

Epic mate!! Thanks heaps for the info :)

[@hipsonsogbo]

Good information, simple format. Keep em coming.

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks mate :)

[@bereal4peace8]

YOU SLAYED ONE BACKHAND HACK MATE!!!!

[@leandropinero7830]

You gooo!!!!

[@benny3337]

Looks perfect for a tour stop, WSL will be there next April for sure. Hit em’ up for a finders fee Dan😆

[@derekhemmes]

Sub'd! Great vids. Love the format.

[@DanHarmon123]

Thank you :))

[@leonardberverena1030]

Love this information video

[@DanHarmon123]

Thank you!!

[@janhunter360]

Great surfing Dan, considering the small closeouts.

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks mate :))

[@osvaldomurillofernandez7612]

That’s my backyard! So sad you could not see it at its full potencial. When it’s on, it’s epic!

[@MachucaPermies]

hermosa has been amazing for my surf progression surfing here for a couple of years. Granted it is a very fickle wave but when it's pumping with a big SW swell it can really show its colours. Fast big hollows barrels and brutal on the inside!

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah I can imagine that! Teaches you to surf fast and critically because there is no other option haha...

[@roninplaya1]

Playa Avellanas in Guancaste is good area to explore as well.

[@barbaraweiss8686]

Please stfu about the guanacaste

[@arvbnb9735]

Hermosa is a very tide, swell and period specific beach. There are miles of black sand opportunities if you have time to explore around…close outs are the default but it can be perfect at any size and time of the year. Always bigger than it looks and very heavy as the swell increases in size.

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah it does seem like that!! Thanks for the extra info mate and yeah even on those small days, it was bigger once you got out there!

[@nickd1637]

That black sand has literally made me scream during the peak of the day when the sun is directly overhead walking out to the lineup. Crazy how hot it gets.

[@lawrencebrumwell]

That place pumps on the right conditions!

[@DanHarmon123]

I bet!!

[@bm7586]

You need to go there mid to high tide mate. I have had some big open barrels here last year and it was pumping (and heavy) !

[@DanHarmon123]

Sick!! Yeah I did have a few fun surfs at mid/high, was just onshore with the tide timings this time though :( Still fun for turns!

[@theseb1979]

Sweet no claim claim after the little barrel. I also do the nose grip occasionally

[@DanHarmon123]

Hahaha, apologies for that... was just surprised it didn't close out ;)

[@thegentleorchestra]

Close outs not fun 🤙🏽🏄‍♀️🤙🏽thanks for the information

[@devintanner4154]

Low tide hermosa has always been tricky. Too fast on the small days but thumpy & heavy on bigger days

[@wisdomoverfear2685]

I went to Hermosa Beach in the mid 90's for a few weeks. It was overhead to double overhead every day except for 2....1 of those 2 days was maybe waist to chest high ( locals said it was flat) and the other was as big as any beachbreak could handle ....like 20-30' faces ....and the locals said that day was out of control ! There were a handful of guys out on 9 foot guns getting seriously barreled...or completely annihilated ! That was the one and only day of a 30 year surfing career that I stood on the beach and said ...nope ...out of my league ! We went to a rivermouth that hardly ever breaks because of how big hermosa was and it was shoulder high to a foot overhead and reeling ! I cuaght some of the best waves of my life in Costa Rica in the 90's . Crowds were only an issue at Jaco...bunch of Brazos hassling everyone for 3 foot closeouts when 5 minutes drive put us in 5 foot offshore Hermosa on day one. We surfed from Tamarindo down to Dominical over the course of a few weeks. Surfed every single day and most days we did the am and evening glassoffs ! What i wouldn't give to do it all again ! Have fun be safe and I'm hooked on your videos ! Keep up the great work !

[@katieharmon5922]

Excellent trip

[@jacktesmer5068]

I surfed there in may 2014 and 2015. Although it does get walled it can also turn on and get epic

[@nadhemmusicproduction5786]

I surfed there 4 days in august 3 years ago and my experience was completely different: one of the most fun waves ive ever surfed and one ofnthe best in costa rica. A peaky heavy beach break, probably comparable to south west france on good days. Some close outs but a lot of open faces and very easy to cach waves, since crowds spread out. The quality of this way is remarkable for one reason, it seems to me water is super deep close to shore so waves come clean and "out of nowhere" so peaking a lot of energy just in the right moment. Definately one of the waves I want to surf one day, and I am an intermediate surfer btw.

[@scottmcwave9479]

Bigger than it looks!🤙

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah it is always a bit like that!!

[@MrJeanelgato]

Quepos has a decent river mouth left also just a short jump down the south

[@jonathanherren1117]

looks like FL with all the sandbar closeouts haha

[@user-pr8os9xq2z]

Do you plan on coming up to surf Witches Rock ? I have a fishing/ surfing tour boat and we do overnight surf trips to Witches Rock and Ollies Point

[@DanHarmon123]

Hi mate!! Would have loved to but heading to Nicaragua tomorrow :)

[@matthillier1761]

Stayed there for quite some time a long while back. You need to check out the whole beach for the best banks. Back then it was a more of an incoming / high tide thing dunno about now. Early morning and late evening for the more glassy conditions. Some of the funnest performance peaks ive surfed anywhere if you like air type waves. Great vibe and people, amazing wildlife too even if some of it does try to kill you. Shouts to Carton for driving me out to Hermosa from Jaco when I first arrived and Shifi for all the photos. Pura Vida.

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah for sure!! To be honest I was pretty lazy but the swell was juts tiny so figured I'd just surf out front!! Will defo be back to surf it properly at some stage!!

[@aaronhunt7050]

I live right here in Jaco. I was in bocas when you were there. Good stuff maybe we will catch a surf together.

[@DanHarmon123]

Sick mate!! I'm sure we will cross paths at some point haha!

[@xisotopex]

that drone shot @07:29.... where is that? was that Jaco or Playa Hermosa??

[@michaelkenopke]

Dan, really bad luck. Playa Hermosa picks up more swell than any place in C.R. My take on Playa Hermosa has always been that it is a good wave for elite level surfers and a close out for the rest of us.

[@DanHarmon123]

Hi Michael! Yeah I can see that actually!

[@Moocafyu]

Only gets good at high tide ,other than that it's like salt creak....looks nice then runs off and closes out... But it's good if your good at changing style and moves...airs and floaters till the barrels start ripping off

[@joehernandez2461]

Maybe try it in July 😊

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah good shout!!

[@sebbeasant1868]

That turn at 5:49 was spicy 🌶

[@DanHarmon123]

Haha thanks mate!!

[@bombietours]

Since you were on the bus you couldnt go down to were the waves were in the time of year you were there. When in front of the cabins is small go south past the tree to a place called the corner and you will find head high waves. PURA VIDA🌴

[@cjgamer2140]

Yeah it looked like low tide, and it's definitely better down by the corner or Tulin at low tide. Bigger too.

[@skinrat81374]

sure is less crowded than ST! I guess more of a closeout

[@cjgamer2140]

While like any beach break there are plenty of closeouts, this video did no justice to how good it can get.

[@reelaxcharters636]

it pumps there ,big tide difference so just have to know where and when to be at any peak. that stretch infront of bowies is not the low tide bar. Holler at me next time and we can put ya on some surf, we offer guided surf trips based just south of hermosa.

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks for the info mate!! Just needed more swell this time!

[@martovalvarez6167]

Manuel Antonio pumps bro right by the buss stop it pumps bro !

[@martovalvarez6167]

I went to hermosa first and regretted not spending more time in manuel antonio (better than santa terressa)

[@noahgabrielsilasstorhaugar2986]

I live in playa hermosa, usually that area when it’s small there are a lot of closouts. You should of gone more north of playa hermosas beach to the spot called la curva when it’s low tide in the mornings next time get a local friend to show you where to surf cause the spots depend on the tides

[@Paul-rn5bz]

Last I surfed it it only worked at high tide low tide go to esterrilos

[@WatermanSurin]

ripping man!

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks mate!!

[@AEVMU]

Place has the power of a wave nearly twice its size and its heavier than it looks. Been held on the bottom there for a good second or two in head high surf. Not beginner friendly at all and not safe to swim either at any size.

[@DanHarmon123]

Totally agree!! been fully rolled there on a 2ft whitewater 😂😂

[@charliefox9424]

I spent a month in Playa Guiones. One whole week of some of the best surf of my life and 3 weeks of absolute nothing. Hit n miss. Nicaragua was extremely better everywhere

[@ethandykes7367]

even at that size ol lhermosa is a board breaker.

[@AustinUrie]

its the tide brah-- higher tide no close out

[@davidcarmona4362]

dude come in july

[@manny7982]

Bro, you went out at the wrong tide, at that spot. You have no idea what your talking about!! If there's no surfers out, that means it's not the right time. It's usually packed at the correct moment. If you would've waited for the right tide and spot (like Corners or Tulin) you would've scored. You doing a disservice to Hermosa waves. Pura Vida mae!

[@gabstart1594]

This guy….😂….pura vida “mate” perdón Maeeeee , see ya don’t wanna be ya 🤣🤣🤣

[@godfreybala6868]

Invest the extra $75 and get a board bag with wheels 😢

[@DanHarmon123]

Hahah, think I will next time ;)

[@messono]

its way heavier than a regular one.

[@adrianhendersonlopez8429]

Guy you come for the worst month of the year for that zone.

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah think I need to go back in July sorta time. Been twice in January and in April, mostly closeouts on both occasions!

[@user-km1lw3zn6z]

Costa is rough

[@exxotixjeff2822]

Long way to go to practice your moves on closeouts

[@davechavis4275]

save money and surf malibu it's always firing.

[@ChiggerBugs]

Why did I bother?

[@Animal-xd7rs]

Well mate, your video shows how truly great Hermosa is if you have half an idea. No respect for tides, breaks, time of year etc and you still were able to tuck into a barrel and catch a few corners with no swell. Did you do any research?? I commend your traveling efforts but once you got to the destination you got lazy (didn't even go 100 yds north to terrazas, the low tide spot). I reccomend you immerse yourself in the local culture instead of being holed up in your hostel for 3 days 😂. No one was out because they were all past Corners (La curva), everyone knows that's where you surf in dry season. Jacó is a tropical paradise btw, been here since 2009. Spend more than 30 seconds in a place before making an uneducated judgment call. Dan, you straight kook'd it on this one. Next time stop by The Pizza Shop and we'll get you tightened up. or just stick to Guanacaste with the narrow minded folks and California slicks. Pura Vida 🤙

[@DanHarmon123]

Hi mate! Thanks for your comment. I'm just trying to give a realistic view on surf trips... Not everyone can just post up somewhere for six months and wait for the waves to get good. I've actually been to Hermosa a couple of times before and had the same conditions... I'm sure it gets good sometimes...

[@kevinwhelehan421]

Kinda tired of your negative comments on CA surf breaks.....you dont know what your talking about!!!

[@killbill5486]

Go cry in your safe space. He's giving his honest opinion and until you upload proof otherwise I'll believe him.

[@kevinwhelehan421]

@@killbill5486 great!! One less kook to worry about in the line-ups...they are already way to overcrowded.....I guess that's because all the breaks close out!! 🤡

[@DigitalClown-rw1mk]

​@@kevinwhelehan421talking about how the waves are already way too crowded only validates what Dan says😂

[@richardandre6993]

u literally surfed it on a 2ft swell at dead low tide what u expect lol