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PLAYA HERMOSA, COSTA RICA

SURFONOMICS : CONDUCTED 2021

© Dixiana Salas

OVERVIEW

Popularly known as Costa Rica’s ‘National Stadium of Surfing’, Playa Hermosa’s 7km stretch of beach is one of the most consistent beach breaks in the country and a hub for surf tourism. 

This Surfonomics study reveals that 83% of surfers staying overnight in Playa Hermosa are international surf tourists, with almost half coming from North America, and the remaining 17% are Costa Rican surf tourists. In total, Playa Hermosa attracts an estimated 15,000 surf tourists per year. 

This research also found that the total direct contribution from surfing to Playa Hermosa’s economy is approximately US $14 million per year, making it a key source of income to the local community.

READ Full Report

OVERVIEW

Popularly known as Costa Rica’s ‘National Stadium of Surfing’, Playa Hermosa’s 7km stretch of beach is one of the most consistent beach breaks in the country and a hub for surf tourism. 

This Surfonomics study reveals that 83% of surfers staying overnight in Playa Hermosa are international surf tourists, with almost half coming from North America, and the remaining 17% are Costa Rican surf tourists. In total, Playa Hermosa attracts an estimated 15,000 surf tourists per year. 

This research also found that the total direct contribution from surfing to Playa Hermosa’s economy is approximately US $14 million per year, making it a key source of income to the local community.

READ Full Report

SUMMARY OF REPORT

This study was conducted by Save The Waves in partnership with local non-profit Jacó Impact and the Federal University of Santa Catarina Surf and Sustainability Research Group (SandS) in Brazil. SandS also conducted the data analysis in the Surfonomics studies in Lobitos, Perú and Guarda do Embaú, Brazil. 

Playa Hermosa hosts several breaks along its 7km stretch of coastline, including a rivermouth, a rocky pointbreak, and various A-frame peaks that provide waves around all tide levels and swell sizes. Playa Hermosa is also located in a recognized biodiversity hotspot that harbors multiple important ecosystems, 61 threatened species, and a sea turtle hatchery. Some of the threats facing this unique surf ecosystem include climate change, over development, and wastewater management.

Local surfers are interviewed by the Surfonomics research team in Playa Hermosa. Photos by Abigail Acuña

All primary data was collected between July and September 2021, during the peak swell season for Playa Hermosa. The team completed 316 face-to-face interviews, including responses from 22 lodging managers and 20 local surfers. This study used the Direct Expenditure Method based on previous Surfonomics studies and employed descriptive statistics to present the research findings.

The Playa Hermosa Surfonomics Report includes:

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