Every Surfer Girl in Nosara Is Wearing These Bikini Brands

News and Trends

April 10, 2026

By Rachel Kius

Avellanas - Traje De Mangas Largas En Azul Royal-45NE

Image Credit:Silverlines.women

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Warm water, clean breaks, and the surf bikini brands — local and international — that Costa Rica's surfer girls won't take off.

There's a moment at Playa Guiones — right around 6 p.m., when the offshore wind dies and the water turns glassy — where every woman in the lineup is wearing something you won't find in a generic surf roundup. They're in suits handmade down the road, named after the very breaks they're riding.

Costa Rica's Pacific coast in spring is one of the best surf destinations on the planet for women who want warm water, clean waves, and zero wetsuit bulk. But finding swimwear that survives a wipeout and still makes you feel like yourself? That takes local knowledge.

We went straight to the source — the brands born in these beach towns and the international labels the surf community actually trusts — to build the only Costa Rica surf guide that pairs the best breaks with the bikinis that stay on.

Key Takeaways

01April is prime time for Costa Rica surf

Water temperatures hover around 80–84°F with offshore Papagayo winds creating clean, glassy mornings. No wetsuit needed — just a rash guard and a bikini you trust.

02The best breaks span every skill level

From Tamarindo's waist-high beginner waves to Pavones' legendary left-hand point break, there's a beach for your comfort zone and one to push it.

03Local brands are the real discovery here

Silver Lines Women (Nosara) and DKoko (Jacó and Santa Teresa) design surf-specific swimwear you can try on at their beachside boutiques — suits named after the breaks they were built for.

04Performance and femininity aren't a trade-off

Every piece here is engineered to stay put through duck dives and hold-downs, without sacrificing the kind of design that makes you want to wear it off the board too.

Costa Rica's Best Surf Breaks for Spring

Aerial view of a serene coastline featuring rocky outcrops and soft sandy beaches, surrounded by lush green vegetation under a clear blue sky.

Image Credit:Alegutierrezc

A stunning sunset over the ocean, with vibrant orange and purple hues reflecting off the wet sandy beach, creating a serene atmosphere.

Image Credit:VanTucky

Calm turquoise waters with gently rolling waves, framed by lush palms on a sandy beach, perfect for a serene swimwear editorial setting.

Image Credit:MySwimLook

Playa Guiones, Nosara is where most surf-obsessed women end up eventually. A three-mile horseshoe bay with consistent beginner-to-intermediate beach breaks, warm water year-round, and a yoga-surf culture that runs deep. Silver Lines Women has their shop right here on the sand — walk out of the water, walk in to try on suits.

Tamarindo is the easiest entry point if you've never surfed. Sand bottom, sheltered by Isla Capitán, waist-high waves most mornings. The town is busy — restaurants, nightlife, surf schools on every corner — but the water is forgiving.

Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen sit on the Nicoya Peninsula and attract a more bohemian crowd. Santa Teresa's beach break hits harder (intermediate), but the Carmen side is gentler for those still finding their pop-up. DKoko runs a boutique here, so you can gear up between sessions.

Pavones is for the adventurous. One of the longest left-hand point breaks in the world, set against dense jungle with fewer crowds. DKoko recently posted a full-moon surf session here — the kind of moment that makes you book a flight.

Water temperatures in April sit between 80 and 84°F. The offshore Papagayo winds blow clean through the morning, and the smaller spring swells are ideal for surfers who want to progress without getting hammered. No wetsuit, no booties — just you and whatever you're wearing.

For the Lineup: Rash Guards & Surf Suits

This is what you pull on for a dawn patrol session — long-sleeve protection for paddling out, duck diving, and sitting in the lineup under tropical sun. The brands below design these pieces for this coast specifically: strong UV, warm water, and a swell that tests every seam.

  1. Silver Lines Women

    A Nosara-based brand that names its suits after the surf breaks where they're tested. Every piece is handmade in Costa Rica, and the shop on Playa Guiones is open daily for try-ons.

    Silver Lines Avellanas

    Avellanas - Traje De Mangas Largas En Azul Royal-45NE

    Image Credit:Silverlines.women

    Avellanas - Traje De Mangas Largas En Azul Royal-48KC

    Image Credit:Silverlines.women

    A long-sleeve surf suit in royal blue that looks like it was made to be photographed mid-wave. Reinforced seams built for durability across seasons, with a fitted cut that moves like a second skin. Named after Playa Avellanas — one of Guanacaste's best breaks — this is the suit you reach for when the swell picks up and you need full-arm coverage without overheating.

    Silver Lines Marbella

    Marbella    -  Traje En Rojo-412N

    Image Credit:Silverlines.women

    Marbella    -  Traje En Rojo-42NA

    Image Credit:Silverlines.women

    A cherry-red one-piece with geometric cutouts at the waist and a scoop neckline that transitions from water to beach bar without effort. The body-highlighting stitching at the back flatters across body types, and the versatile silhouette works equally well under a pair of jeans as a bodysuit. At $85, it's one of the most accessible pieces in the Silver Lines collection.

  2. DKoko

    Sixteen years of surf engineering from a Costa Rican brand with boutiques in Jacó and Santa Teresa. Everything is crafted from Econyl regenerated Italian fabric — recycled, quick-drying, and absurdly soft.

    DKoko Pacific Long Sleeve Surf Suit

    Pacific Long Sleeve Surf Suit-86LF

    Image Credit:Dkoko

    Pacific Long Sleeve Surf Suit-88WT

    Image Credit:Dkoko

    DKoko's hero piece for serious sessions. Full-coverage long sleeves in Econyl fabric with built-in UV protection and a back-zip closure that's easy to manage solo. The tonal ocean-blue colorblocking reads clean and editorial, and the matte performance fabric dries fast between rounds. This is the suit the brand designed for women who want to stay out longer and push harder — from heavy swells to coastal paddles.

  3. Abysse

    Abysse Cooper One Piece

    Cooper One Piece - Swell-43O1

    Image Credit:Abysse

    Cooper One Piece - Swell-52FQ

    Image Credit:Abysse

    Pure 80s surf energy. The Cooper features a front zipper, high neck, and double-lined construction with UPF 50+ — no padding, just support. The sky-blue matte fabric has the kind of sporty-chic edge that looks intentional, not accidental, and the high-cut leg gives it a silhouette that reads as confident as it feels. At $218 it's the premium pick here, but this is a suit built for years of salt, chlorine, and sun.

For the Break: Bikinis & One-Pieces That Stay On

This is where cheap swimwear fails you. The wave breaks, the whitewash hits, and suddenly you're adjusting instead of paddling back out. Every piece below holds — but more importantly, every piece was designed by women who surf these breaks and refuse to choose between staying covered and feeling like themselves. As DKoko surfer Jackie George put it: "Who says surfwear can't be feminine?"

  1. Seea

    California-born, recycled-fabric-driven, and a brand that once named an entire collection after Nosara. Seea makes surf swimwear for women who care about what they're putting on and what it's made from.

    Seea Maggie Bikini Top & Flor Bottom – Zaia

    Maggie Bikini Top - Zaia-7435

    Image Credit:Seea

    Maggie Bikini Top - Zaia-76WK

    Image Credit:Seea

    A sporty top with interior binding that provides secure support even for larger chests, paired with a high-waisted retro bottom in elevated bouclé fabric. The Zaia colorway is a showstopper — a handcrafted-looking open-mesh knit with pops of red, lavender, and yellow that reads artisan rather than mass-produced. Runs small; size up.

    Seea Ramona Tank & Darla Short – Ultramarine

    Ramona Tank - Ultramarine (rc-skin)-218D

    Image Credit:Seea

    Ramona Tank - Ultramarine (rc-skin)-23NU

    Image Credit:Seea

    An active swim tank in ultra-soft recycled C-skin fabric with slight compression, paired with a high-waisted boy short with contrast binding. The vivid ultramarine set looks as credible on a wave as it does on a trail — Seea designed it for surf, hike, and swim in one. The editorial photography for this piece was shot mid-surf, which tells you everything about its intended use.

  2. Salvaje Swimwear

    Handmade in Nosara and sold at local boutiques like Lobo and Recreo, Salvaje is the kind of brand you find by word of mouth.

    Salvaje Nelly Top Crinkle & Heron Bottom Ribbed

    Nelly Top Crinkle-85T0

    Image Credit:Salvaje Swimwear

    Nelly Top Crinkle-888R

    Image Credit:Salvaje Swimwear

    A textured terracotta crinkle halter top paired with a high-waisted leopard-print bottom — a mixed-print combination that feels intentional and very Nosara. The crinkle weave is tactile and artisanal, and the earth-tone palette grounds the whole look in a boho surf aesthetic. At $48, it's the most affordable pick in this lineup and the one you'll find only if you walk into the right shop.

  3. DKoko

    DKoko Magic Top & Pavones Bottom

    Magic Top-49O5

    Image Credit:Dkoko

    Magic Top-53E9

    Image Credit:Dkoko

    Sixteen years of refinement in one bikini. The Magic Top is DKoko's all-time best-selling sports top — specialized band support engineered for surfing and high-impact water sports. The Pavones Bottom is named after the legendary left-hand point break and hits a mid-waist sweet spot that's neither too high nor too low. In a tropical snake print with warm pinks, greens, and golds, the colorway is pure Costa Rica.

    DKoko Tropics One Piece

    Tropics One Piece-62EH

    Image Credit:Dkoko

    Tropics One Piece-633X

    Image Credit:Dkoko

    The next generation of DKoko's iconic Deep Roots — their most-loved one-piece, redesigned for an even more inclusive and feminine fit. The jet-black colorway with white contrast piping and a front cutout at the waist gives it a modern, clean edge. Engineered to hold you through every kind of swell, this is the suit that serious surfers in Santa Teresa reach for when they want one piece that does everything.

For the Beach Bar: Surf-to-Sunset Pieces

The après-surf ritual in Costa Rica has its own dress code: salty hair, sun-warm skin, and something that doesn't scream "I just got out of the water" when you walk into a Nosara juice bar or a Santa Teresa taco stand. These pieces work that transition without a wardrobe change.

  1. Silver Lines Women

    Silver Lines Aurora

    Aurora - Traje Negro Brillante Con Tira Dorada-184G

    Image Credit:Silverlines.women

    Aurora - Traje Negro Brillante Con Tira Dorada-19WH

    Image Credit:Silverlines.women

    A sleek black one-piece with a contrasting gold strap that shifts the whole mood from surf to evening. Minimalist lines, maximum support, and a construction that doubles as a bodysuit under a skirt or high-waisted pants. The matte black fabric looks equally refined on wet sand at overcast Guiones or under a rattan lamp at a beachfront restaurant. This is the Silver Lines suit that surfer Sadie Klein wears — and the one locals call "the best suit for any conditions."

  2. Abysse

    Abysse Maya Top & Misty Bottom – Lei-Blue

    Maya Top - Lei-blue-5898

    Image Credit:Abysse

    Maya Top - Lei-blue-60WY

    Image Credit:Abysse

    A classic triangle top in recycled double-lined fabric with UPF 50+ and adjustable ruched cups, paired with an 80s Brazilian-cut cheeky bottom. The Lei-Blue print — an organic, bubble-like pattern in tonal blues and greens — reads island and effortless. Side-tie bottoms add a bohemian edge, and the lightweight fabric dries fast enough to go from ocean to outdoor dining without the cling.

  3. Jolyn

    Jolyn Margie Bikini Top & Odessa Bottom

    Margie Bikini Top-080B

    Image Credit:JOLYN Surf Collection

    Margie Bikini Top-106U

    Image Credit:JOLYN Surf Collection

    Jolyn was founded by athletes, and it shows. The Margie top is recycled SurfTec fabric with UPF 50+ — chlorine resistant, fully lined, tagless. The Odessa bottom hits a mid-rise with a high leg cut that's more flattering than it has any right to be at this price. In a saturated orchid print that pops against tanned skin, this is the set that brings the energy to sunset drinks. At $56 for the top, it's the proof that performance surf swimwear doesn't require a premium price tag.

Surf Trip Packing Checklist

The essentials for a Costa Rica surf trip , based on what the locals pack:

  • 2 long-sleeve surf suits — rotate while one dries (the Avellanas and Pacific cover you from morning sessions to midday UV)

  • 2–3 bikinis or one-pieces — at least one reversible for two looks in one suit

  • 1 surf-to-sunset set — the Aurora or a similar piece that transitions without changing

  • Reef-safe sunscreen — non-negotiable in Costa Rica's marine reserves

  • Salt-proof hair ties — the elastic ones from the pharmacy don't survive two sessions

  • Dry bag — for your phone, keys, and a few colones for the juice bar after

  • Stop by in person: Silver Lines Women shop in Playa Guiones (Mon–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 11am–5pm) and DKoko boutiques in Jacó and Santa Teresa

Our Final Take

A Costa Rica surf trip in spring is warm water, clean waves, and the kind of mornings that make you forget you own a phone. But the real discovery isn't the breaks — it's the women-founded brands making swimwear along this coastline. Silver Lines Women names their suits after the beaches where they're tested. DKoko has spent sixteen years engineering pieces that hold through heavy swells without losing an ounce of femininity. And Salvaje is the handmade Nosara find you'll only get by walking into the right shop. Pack the packing list, bookmark the breaks , and let the lineup do the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

01What should I wear surfing in Costa Rica?

A rash guard or long-sleeve surf suit for UV protection, paired with a compression bikini bottom or supportive one-piece. Water temperatures are 80–84°F year-round, so no wetsuit is needed — just [swimwear designed to stay put through wipeouts](https://myswimlook.com/stories/fashion-tips/embracing-your-sporty-side-10-no-slip-swimsuits-to-surf-swim-and-snorkel-in/).

02Which Costa Rica beach is best for beginner surfers?

Tamarindo is the most beginner-friendly — sand bottom, sheltered waves, and plenty of surf schools. Playa Carmen on the south end of Santa Teresa is another gentle option with a mellower crowd.

03Can I buy surf bikinis in Costa Rica?

Absolutely. Silver Lines Women has a beachside shop in Playa Guiones (Nosara), DKoko runs boutiques in Jacó and Santa Teresa, and Salvaje Swimwear is carried at Lobo, Recreo, and Lanu boutiques in Nosara.

04What's the best time of year to surf in Costa Rica?

April through May offers the cleanest conditions — offshore winds, smaller swells, and sunny weather. May through November brings bigger Southern Hemisphere swells for intermediate and advanced surfers, but expect afternoon rain.

05Do I need a rash guard for surfing?

For extended sessions, yes. The tropical sun at this latitude is intense, and even 90 minutes in the water can cause a burn. Look for UPF 50+ rated pieces like the DKoko Pacific or Silver Lines Avellanas — they also protect against board rash on your chest and arms.