ASK THE COSTA RICA SURF EXPERT  << Previous Costa Rica Surf page -- Next Costa Rica Surf page>> Tico Travel is proud to be the only company offering this unique Costa Rica surf service and it shows once again why we are the recognized leaders when it comes to all aspects of Costa Rica Surf Travel. Send your Costa Rica Surf Questions to Mike QUESTION: Hi Mike! How's CR in the fall? I'm planning a surf trip as a honeymoon & we're looking at September 2008 to come. I'd say my skills are intermediate but it's been a while since I last rode, and my fiancée has been surfing once with great effort but not much time upright on the board ;) What trip do you recommend for us? I like the idea of surf gear & instruction provided, the all-inclusive kinda accommodations so we can relax & share the stoke for the waves. Are the camps adult, kids, or mixed? Thanks for all the feedback, Eleanor ANSWER: Hey Eleanor, What I like about our surf camp programs is that we house our clients in full service hotels. You will have more privacy and you can pick and level of comfort you would like and than our surf guides will come by your hotel each day and pick you up and take you surfing for about 4 hours (rental boards and equipment included). We offer our surf instruction programs in the Jaco/Playa Hermosa area as well as the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. You can check out our hotel section and look at the accommodations we offer in each of the these areas. (look in the Central Pacific area section). If you would like and all-inclusive plan the Jaco Beach Hotel in Playa Jaco does offer and all-inclusive plan all meals and drinks included (including alcohol). Once you have had a chance to check that out let me know if I can give you some more advice or details. We can also set up your airfare, transfers, rental vehicle whatever you need. Your husband is a lucky man with his wife wanting to go to a Surf camp for their Honeymoon that’s very cool Regards, Michael Brooks, Costa Rica Travel Planner QUESTION: Hi Mike, I've got a 2 week surf trip in Dec./Jan. planned for Mal Pais, Nosara area, and Tamarindo (in that order). Rather than bring a board or rent all along the way, I was considering buying a board and then selling it in Tamarindo. Is this a decent plan? Any good surf shops in San Jose? I'm hoping to find a new or used 6'2" - 6'6" hybrid fish. What are my chances of finding that or something similar? What should I expect to pay/sell (assuming minimal dings)? Thanks Mike! Bryce. ANSWER: Hello Bryce, That’s a pretty good idea you can get a good deal on a board in SJO and you should not have a problem reselling it in Tamarindo You should be able to get a good semi used board for about $250. There is a surf shop called Arenas Surf & Skate in SJO I’m sure any taxi driver can get you there. If you need more details and or assistance in booking accommodations, transfers or a rental vehicle please just let me know Surfs Up!, Michael Brooks, Costa Rica Travel Planner   QUESTION: Thanks Mike! I'm probably going to get to the coast via Dominical (as I was told it has a wicked atmosphere), but definitely contemplating Playa Hermosa. I guess I want the best of both worlds: good waves to improve on and a chill location (but who doesn't, eh?). And all honestly, I can't afford any surfing packages (I'm an intern in Guatemala) so I'll only be able to rent a surf board. Could you tell me the average cost of weekly rentals? Thanks so much for you help!. ANSWER: Hola Camila, You could rent a board for about $100 U.S. per week you may want to consider buying a used board down there and than reselling it before you leave. A good used board starts around $250.00. If you go to Playa Hermosa there is a good surf shop in Jaco called WOW surf shop Chuck will take good care of you. Regards, Michael Brooks, Costa Rica Travel Planner   QUESTION: This is Joe booked at the Diria in Tamarindo 3/22-29 who emailed you earlier. The reservations that I have are size and crowds. I guess my son and I might be on the advanced side of intermediate and have heard Tamarindo is a good place for beginners and have only 2 spots that everyone surfs. We're looking for 4 to 7 ft tubes that are not necessarily remote but not overly crowded. I have heard that you can paddle across a river from Tamarindo to Playa Grande and get good uncrowded conditions. How much time would this take from the Diria? Or is it only feasible to get there and Langosta by car? The Diria and Tamarindo sound great but I'd like to stay where I am going to be happy with the surf conditions. ANSWER: Hey Joe, Tamarindo can get crowded at times and is not usually 7 ft tubes it is a more of a mellow longbaord type wave but you can get very hollow 7ft face waves in Playa Grande and yes you can paddle across the river and walk down the beach to it. You can also get some pretty good waves in Langosta and if you have a car you can drive to Playa negra and Avellanes as well as take a boat trip to Ollies or Witches Rock one day alot of people that stay in Tamarindo use it more like a base camp and surf the surrounding breaks. The Play Hermosa area on the central pacfic is very consistent and hollow surf spot hope this helps some get back with me when you get a chance if you have more questions. Regards, Michael Brooks, Costa Rica Travel Planner   QUESTION: Hi Mike, I´m heading to Costa Rica in the third week of December, and I´m planning on staying in the country for about three weeks. I´ve surfed a number of times (couldn´t tell you the size of waves I´m comfortable with-maybe 5-6ish feet?), and I was wondering where would be a good place to surf, with a chill atmosphere, or a good base for about two weeks? Thanks a bunch. Camila. ANSWER: Hello Camila, I think I would either go to Tamarindo in the NW Pacific or the Central Pacific in the Playa Hermosa area, either spot has plenty to do and lots of other surf spots you can surf in the area. Most people would probably say that the NW would probably be a little better for surf that time of year though both spots are really consistent. If you would like more details or I can book any portion of you trip please just let me know. Surfs Up!, Michael Brooks, Costa Rica Travel Planner   << Previous Costa Rica Surf page -- Next Costa Rica Surf page>> TICO TRAVEL™ 161 East Commercial Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33334 Office Hours: * Monday thru Friday 9am to 6pm * Saturday 10am to 2pm E.S.T. 1-800-493-8426 Copyright © 2008 Tico Travel™ - All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Tico Travel™ is prohibited. Prices and information are subject to change without notice.