tamarindo trip

I spent a little over a month in Playa Grande this past winter. So much better than tamarindo. Check out Playa Grande Inn. The guys there are super cool and its realy close to the beach. Check that or Las Tortugas. Grande is an awesome place, I would definitely go back.

 

grande has much better surf, but is further away from town. If you don't mind that, grande is the way to go.

 

i stayed in town in tamarindo a couple of years ago and the surf right in town wasn't nearly as good as grande, but i hiked down to grande almost every day and scored huge. and the nightlife in tamarindo is pretty awesome so it was a bonus to be in town, but if youre going for a straight up surf trip id stay away from the town

 

ya, there are advantages of being close to town - restaurants, night life, etc...

When i was there it was like a 20-30 minute walk or drive from grande to tamorindo. I dont know if they've made any advancements in the roads, since i was there many years ago.

 

Stayed at Barcelo Langosta right outside of tamarido. Very nice hotel with a pretty good break right on the beach.(Rivermouth-long rights and shorter lefts). I Recomend to take taxi or rental car down to playa negra

 

I was at Playa Grande last Spring. Great place. I definitely recommend it over Tamarindo. You are around more real surfers, and not as many tourists and beginners. Plus, let's be honest, Tamarindo is an epic sh**hole. It's fine for nightlife I suppose, but otherwise I think it hardly a vacation. Go to Grande where the is nothing around but a couple of sodas and quiet hotels. I stayed at Tortugas which is smack dab on the main break at Playa Grande. Super cheap, great staff, and great vibe. The restaurant is a bit pricey, so hit up the sodas in Matapalo or Kike's. Check out the other breaks along Playa Grande as well. The break by the Hotel Las Buelas I think it is, down near the rivermouth is a nice longer and smoother break than the Grande one. Plus make the trip up to Witch's.

 

I have been every where in Costa Rica. I have gone 8 times and i believe that all and all tamarindo is the place to go, if not playa Jaco. It sucks to go stay at grande and have nothing to do at night or no where to eat out. Grande gets so hyped, i dont really even like it and all the american surfers that go visit think they are k slate. If you want to get away from the tourists then stay in langosta (my personal favorite wave in costa). Its real close to tamarindo and has a great beach break right out front you cant beat it. And plenty of young ladies staying at the hotel that over looks the break who are eager to ditch their parents for a night on the town. Jaco is really fun too but the surf is not as plentiful.

 

Not Tamarindo

I've been to CR four times, spent some time in Tamarindo each trip. Don't stay in Tamarindo unless you plan on making the paddle and hike to Grande every day. Tamarindo has not been a good surf spot in 6 years. Stay near Grande, Negra, or Hermosa. I'm going down to CR in December, but I can't tell you where I am going....

 

Langosta is a reef break so be careful out there and watch the tides! I helped when they pulled a dead guy who drowned out of the water at that break a few years ago. Also, unless you stay at Hotel Barcelo, it is difficult to surf Langosta. The hotel owns that beach.

Jaco is alright for surfing, and Hermosa is right down the road.

 

Both Tamarindo and Jaco suck unless you want to party. If you are going to just surf all day and have a beer before you pass out go somewhere else. If you want to party all night, get laid, and all that other stuff, and sleep in then go to Tamarindo or Jaco...

 

It is called the green season for a reason. You will get some sun but expect to see rain every day. depends on the month and where you go.

 

If you are going that time of year, I sure hope it is to the non Pacific side.

As for where to stay, if you like to party stay in a town like Jaco or Tam as described in other posts. If you are there to surf and I mean really surf, you will not want to do anything but sleep at night. Our trip last June we surfed about 6 - 8 hours a day and were in the water by 5:30 AM. After many days like that it is easy to eat, drink a few and sleep early. You can always drive into town when you want but staying there can be bad if you really want to sleep.

 

december

I am thinking about heading to costa rica in late december, where would I be able to score the best waves?

 

Be prepared to pay $$$$ for your plane ticket. Check out the Caribe, Pacific starts to go to sleep. Still will have a surfable wave but won't be as epic as May-October on the Pacific.

 

I was down in CR back in may and june and stayed right down the road from Jaco in Playa Hermosa. I'm headed back in November but to Puerto Viejo to visit friends. BUT, given the time of year I would def go back to Hermosa. I also lucked out and got to see 2 different head high+ swells roll through. When Hermosa closes out go to Jaco. It's a 10 minute drive and you can party your nuts dry in that town. To each his own, but your f-in crazy to not get a taste of what costa rican nightlife is like...
Pura Vida
________
Think Mill

 

Tamarindo is where its at.....

Been to both Jaco and Tamarindo, I will be going back to Tamarindo for the rest of my days....If you go to Jaco, Hermosa is really your only option....Jaco is kinda dirty, imagine ocean city, Md down by the boardwalk costa rican style. But there is stuff to do at night. The second time we stayed in Tamarindo, AWESOME PLACE.... U have so many different breaks to choose from and the town is much nicer than JAco. Grande isnt far, Lagnosta, Avellanas, and my personal favorite Negra.....All these breaks are within 30 minutes of Tamarindo....And The night life is great, we went during college spring break and there were so many people in town and every night a different bar would be the scene, so you would see everyone at one spot....And Witches isnt far, about an hour and a half...Ask for a guy named Chino, real cool Tico that will show you the way to some great spots.....The town is much cleaner and seems a lot less shady that JAco........Let me know if you want Chinos Info, I should be able to find it.........
Pura Vida