Costa Rica Surf Expert

Hey mike, my name is steve, just started surfing this year, wound up getting going with a 8'6" board for the new jersey surf, worked out pretty well. i was out to the shore quite often this summer and have become moderately proficient, where would you recommend the best place for long boarding?

Hello Steve, I would say probably the 3 best surf spots for the type of wave you are looking for would be either, Tamarindo, Mal Pais or Jaco.Tamarindo and Jaco are good and you also would have some good nightlife and restaurants etc. (of the 2 Tamarindo would be more crowded)Mal Pais would be good and if you are looking for a very remote spot it would be a good choice.
Hope that helps a little. Get back with me when you get a chance and I will be happy to give you more details and help you decide on the best accommodations, rental vehicle and or private transfers.

Hey Mike, Were heading to Ocotal beach area and was wondering what the surfing was like in that area and/ or if there was somewhere better we could take a day trip to that you might recommend. Thanks for any help you can provide.

YHello Jeff. There is not any surf in Ocotal but you could take a boat trip to Witches Rock or Ollies Point (these would be surf spots for more advanced surfers). Or by car the nearest spot by car would probably be Tamarindo (good for beginner and advanced).

Hi Mike, I am going to be staying just outside of Mal Pais from Nov. 10 - 13 and am looking for some surfing lessons while I am there. I have my own board. Where can I get lessons and what other equipment is needed? I have just started surfing in Tofino, B.C. so used to cold water and wearing full wetsuits. What can I expect there?

Hello Pauline. It will be very warm...;-) air temp high 80 and 90s and water temp about the same. We do not have a surf camp in that area the only think we could offer would be private surf guide service that would include a private guide, transportations and surfboard rental the service is $500 per day with a two day minimum. Other than that I'm pretty sure if you stop by one of the local tour desk at some of the local hotels I'm sure they have a local guy that they use for surf lessons that would most likely have surfboards for rent I have not been out that way in awhile but there are not any surf shops out that way that I know of?

Hey Mike, Got a dilemma, first time going to CR and I am going with a group of friends ( 2 females-beg, 16/boy-beg/int, 3 men-int-adv). It seems everybody has there opinion where the best break is located, a safe place for women and so on. Well my friends have been told that Hermosa is the best place to go for first timers. I was told that Hermosa could be a gnarly break over 6 feet and Mal Pais, Nosara north has a better variety of waves and can handle bigger breaks and is just as safe (safe=common sense I know). We are scheduled to go during the last week of April for about 7 days. I have had several people tell me we would enjoy N CR much better because of the area, variety of good waves (the pretty water, tube s, etc.. Witch's) and a true experience of surf and culture, which is why so many travel to CR. Mike what would you recommend... something that can accommodate all or will Hermosa be fine for a first round?

Hello Drew. I do think that Hermosa you really can’t go wrong . There is plenty of power and size at Hermosa for the more advanced guys and Jaco is just perfect at high tide for just about anyway to have fun on. And there are so many different breaks you can go with in a one hour drive. And you could go to Manuela Antonio to the Park and surf and lots of other activities to do in the area.
If you would like a house the house in Hermosa are great http://www.ticotravel.com/hotels/beachhouse.htm, With good surf right out front.
We also have some hotels in the area if you prefer you can check out our Costa Rica Hotel section under the central Pacific. If you would like more details or I can book anything for you, transfers, rental vehicles, accommodations etc please just let me know.

Mike, Me and my G-Friend are heading to CR for two weeks of surf and relaxation. We are planning to spend a few night in Manzanillo, then come to the Pacific side for the rest. We are looking to come down the coast and end up somewhere closer to the airport (2 hours). Do you guy have any packages that would suit that, vice spending 6 or 7 days someplace? We are both comfortable surfer in 4-6 foot waves, not looking seriously shallow reefs but something fun to write home about would be nice… Any recommendations?.

Hello Travis. You are going to have a pretty good bit of driving going to Manzanillo 2-3 hours from SJO or more and then back through an Jose and than you could drive 4 hours from San Jose to Tamarindo (7 hr drive total or more if you don’t make any wrong turns and than you could work your down the coast to the Jaco / Playa Hermosa area ( 2 hr drive to the SJO airport). That would work but like I said would include a fair but of driving. Or you could just drive from Manzanillo to the Jaco/hermosa area the entire 6 days and than just drive back to SJO for your departure.
Let me know what you decide and I will be happy to suggest some hotels you can check out some of the accommodations we do offer at http://www.ticotravel.com/index/hotelsmain.htm. Also check out our rental vehicles at http://www.ticotravel.com/costarica/car.htm.

Hey Mike! I'm traveling back to CR the end of January and looking to score surf with a little less of a crowd. Any suggestions? I have been to Hermosa, manuel antonio in the summer during South swell peak season but haven't done too much in dry season when more likely to get NW swells. What spots get the NW swells best?? Do I need to make the trek out to Tamarindo area? Or will Central coast work also? Esterillos?? I will have my 6 month old with me so really don't want to spend the whole time driving if you know what I mean:) Thanks for your help!

Hey Allen. Sure know what you mean about the driving plus you probably don’t want to be too far off the beaten path in case the baby needs care or meds. The central pacific area is pretty darn consistent so you will probably get some chest high waves in Jan not big but clean. I have a young one also and it’s hard to beat that area for convenience. Though like you said you are more likely to get bigger waves in the NW area around Tamarindo? Good luck please let me know if you need more details or I can assist you in booking any portion of your trip.

Mike - I am staying in Playa Hermosa November 3rd-9th. I haven't surfed in 2 years and am curious if you have any type of guided trips/tours or lessons for experienced surfers. I am thinking about getting back in gradually. Thanks for any thoughts you may have.

Hello Kevin, We have an awesome surfguide service in the Playa Hermosa area. We can come by and take you surfing for the day the cost is $350 for 5-6 hours of surfing we will come by and pick you up at your hotel and take you to the best spot that will suit your needs depending on the swell conditions. That is for private guide service we also offer group surf lessons (group sessions: geared toward the beginner surfer) we usually take the surfers for the group sessions to a very gentle breaking wave the cost for that is only $90 per day per person and includes RT transportation from your hotel and rental surfboard if you need one. If I can assist you in booking transfers and or accommodations as well please just let me know.

Hi Mike, I'm Jose from Puerto Rico. I'm planning a surf trip to Costa Rica Nov. 23-30. How are the waves / wind at this time of year? What zone would you recommend in terms of size and consistency: North, Central or South Pacific? Should I postpone my trip for another time of the year? I'd really appreciate your advice on this.

Hello Jose. November is one of my favorite times of the year to go to CR the waves and weather is good and it is off season so price and availability are good and not very crowded either. I think the Central Pacific is probably the most consistent at that time of the year. If I can give you more details or you would like me to book any portion of your trip just let me know.

Hi Mike! My sister and I are headed to CR for a surf trip in January- she's a beginner and I'm comfortable in 3-5 foot waves- we were thinking about 2 days in Mal Pais and 2 days in Tamarindo- would that make sense or would it be better to stay put- if the latter, then which place would be better suited for our surfing needs?

Hola Eliza. If you want to just spend as much time surfing as possible I would stay in Mal Pais going to Tamarindo will cost you a couple of surf sessions. But if you want to have some nightlife than you may want to spend a night or two in Tamarindo. I like Tropico Latino in Mal Pais and Tamarindo Vista Villas in Tamarindo. I think your sister could surf either location though Mal Pas would be less crowded.

Hello. My Dad and I are planning a trip to C.R. We don't really know much about the good breaks swell direction, wind direction, good seasons to travel to C.R., Also, what type of surf can we expect at the various locations? Spillers, tubers, slow rollers, dumpers, any thoughts??????Also, any good surf packages you know of?

Hello Chris, Costa Rica is not known so much for its huge waves but more for it's consistency you can find waves there just about anytime of the year. Some areas to tend to be more consistent depending on the time of year. You can usually expect to find chest to two foot overhead faces. You can find slow rolling waves, point breaks and powerful beach breaks. We have some great packages you can check out at http://www.ticotravel.com/surfing/intro.htm.
The Wings & Wheels , Quepos Surf School and our Playa Jaco Surf School ( not shown) are very good.

Thanks Michael. We definitely want to return to CR...just a question of where and when. We are definitely still beginners so need a Guiones-like break. Re Malpais—Are there breaks that come alive when it gets big (for us, over 5 ft) or protected breaks that buffer big swell? When would be the best surf-wise to come (smaller waves, glassier, crowds)?

Hello Tony. There are a lot of good choices of different breaks in the Mal Pais area from advanced to beginner type breaks. Anytime of year is good for surf the times you may want to avoid as far as crowds would be Easter , Christmas and the New years weeks. And as far as weather you may want to avoid late Sept and October the wettest times of the year.