Surfing Costa Rica - Playa Hermosa has been chosen as a World Surfing Reserve

The non-profit organization Save the Waves Coalition (STWC) has selected Playa Hermosa as a World Surfing Reserve. This makes Playa Hermosa the first Central American and eleventh such reserve worldwide.

This beautiful beach on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast was in contention with various destinations across the Americas for this prestigious recognition; however, its biodiversity and environmental attributes, along with a clear vision for future conservation, determined the triumph of this national beach.

“Playa Hermosa was a perfect candidate for the WSR designation. With its incredible biodiversity and environmental attributes, as well as a clear conservation vision for the future, this surf ecosystem is very deserving of the title. This is also a very exciting choice for the program, as it will be the first World Surfing Reserve in Central America,” said Nik Strong-Cvetich, executive director of Save The Waves Coalition.

With this award, Playa Hermosa joins a select group of beaches worldwide, which are: Malibu, California; Ericeira, Portugal; Manly Beach, Australia; Santa Cruz, California; Huanchaco, Peru; Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, Mexico; Punta de Lobos, Chile; Gold Coast, Australia; Guarda do Embaú, Brazil; and Noosa Heads, Australia.

Playa Hermosa is moving forward with the development of its management plan and will be formally dedicated as a World Surfing Reserve in 2021. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, Save The Waves is delaying the application process in 2020 for the next World Surfing Reserve, which will now be submitted in 2021.

Being a World Surfing Reserve requires a lot of responsibility, and a local committee will have to ensure the protection and conservation of the natural resources of this national destination.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero