Playa Hermosa puts Costa Rica back on the WSL map as home surfers chase glory

The WSL returns to Costa Rica for the Garabito Surf City Pro at Playa Hermosa, where local surfers compete for a home title and crucial QS 2000 points.

Playa Hermosa puts Costa Rica back on the WSL map as home surfers chase glory

The World Surf League has returned to Costa Rica for the first time in nearly eight years, bringing the Garabito Surf City Pro to Playa Hermosa from August 13–16. The QS 2000 event has drawn competitors from 19 countries, while Costa Rican surfers pursue valuable ranking points on home waves.

Key takeaways

The tournament combines international competition with a major tourism and community showcase:

  • The Garabito Surf City Pro is Costa Rica’s first WSL Qualifying Series event since 2018.
  • Men’s and women’s winners can earn up to 2,000 ranking points.
  • Five Costa Rican men reached the round of 32, while Leilani McGonagle advanced strongly in the women’s draw.
  • The event is helping promote Garabito as a year-round surf and sports-tourism destination.

Finals weekend brings high stakes

The competition’s closing rounds are scheduled to run at Playa Hermosa, with quarterfinals, semifinals and finals set to be completed in a single session once conditions are suitable. The WSL’s first call was set for early Sunday morning, though weather and surf quality could affect the timetable.

Leilani McGonagle carried Costa Rica’s strongest result into finals day after winning convincingly in the women’s round of 16. In the men’s draw, Carlos “Cali” Muñoz, Sam Reidy, Darshan Antequera, Jason Torres and Maykol Torres remained among the country’s leading hopes after advancing through earlier rounds.

International contenders have also made an impression. American Jett Schilling recorded a 15.40 ride and a 16.00 heat total in the round of 32, among the event’s highest marks, while Lucas Cassity and Blayr Barton advanced through the men’s draw.

A return after eight years

Costa Rica last hosted an official WSL event at Jacó in October 2018. Muñoz won the men’s competition that year, and Germany’s Rachel Presti claimed the women’s title. Playa Hermosa has previously hosted major international contests, including the 2009 ISA World Surfing Games, but this is the beach’s first WSL Qualifying Series event.

The QS 2000 classification makes the contest important for surfers seeking to climb toward the Challenger Series, the pathway immediately below the Championship Tour. The event also carries a $24,000 total prize purse.

Playa Hermosa’s international appeal

Located just south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is known for powerful, consistent beach breaks that favor experienced surfers. Its challenging waves have helped establish the beach as one of Costa Rica’s most recognizable high-performance surf destinations.

The beach was designated a World Surfing Reserve in 2020 and formally dedicated in 2022, becoming the first reserve of its kind in Central America. The designation recognizes its waves, biodiversity, surf culture and community-backed conservation efforts.

Surfing drives tourism and local business

Organizers and tourism officials view the event as more than a four-day contest. They hope visiting athletes, fans and media will increase demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation and surf-related businesses in Garabito and nearby Jacó.

Costa Rican tourism figures indicate that roughly 17% of the more than 2.6 million annual air arrivals surf during their visit. A 2021 study estimated that surfing contributes about $14 million each year to the Playa Hermosa economy.

Garabito’s inclusion in the World Surf Cities Network further supports its effort to build a stronger surf identity. For local residents and businesses, the WSL’s return offers a chance to turn international attention into lasting economic activity while keeping conservation central to the region’s future.

Sources