Going to Costa Rica mid march, Staying at a resort about 15 minutes outside tamarindo. From what i've heard, tamarindo is the last place i should think about surfing while there. Anyone spent any time there? any suggestions on where i should go? I'm a comfortable surfer and have surfed as big as double overhead. Also how consistant is it there? is there any chance i won't get any swell at all?
Im going to Nosara in April, it will be my first trip there. But my pals Im going with have been there several times. Their (Nosarans) idea of flat wave days are what you would pray for here on the east coast, especially during the summer season of "lake" Atlantic. Check out www.surfingnosara.com Its been going off for the last 4 days or so. But like I said go through the archive posts even when the say its flat some type of rideable ground swell is coming in.
Feb isnt tipically a large wave month there. expect f-ing surf my frriend. I got a buddy livin in Tam till end of April he hasn't had any problem catching empty barrels. Prepare for surf much better than presently on the EC.
whomever told you that Tam is not a good place to surf is mistaken. Northern costa has buttloads of surf spots - it typically isn't huge but definately makes up for size in quality. I would plan on doing nothing but surfing.
I stayed at the Barcelo Playa Langosta Hotel right outside of Tamarindo. The wind usually is calm every morning before 9am and every afternoon after 5pm. Had a solid swell the whole trip with nothing less than waist-stomach at the worst. HAVE FUN!!! Use the search tool...i believe there was a recent thread about the same area i posted pics..
sounds pretty legit to me. For those who have been there before, is it worth hiring a surf guide? or will it be fine if i have a rental 4x4..?
Some costa rica surf spots: playa negra - fast right barrel reef playa grande - super fun, A frames, beach break Tamorindo - rivermouth, mostly rights, playful, easier wave
Cap2nd, i am also going to Nosara in April for the first time. It is known as the most consistent break in Costa Rica so we should score. My day isn't complete until i check surfingnosara.com haha, i've been looking everyday since early january and i theres only been about 2 days under waist high.
Try to get some sort of a surf break map. I found a few floating around online. A 4x4 is all you need to get around to all of the spots Micah mentioned. You can take a bus/boat from Witch's Rock surf camp to Witch's and Ollie's Point. My favorites were Avellanas, a fun beach break with consistent surf and Negra which has big fast rights over reef/rocks. Avellanas has some parking and there's a small bar right off the beach. Enjoy.
There is always a chance of not getting any swell, on any surf trip, anywhere, at any time, if you book far enough in advance. So be prepared to do a lot of reading, touristing, drinking, or whatever. Regardless, it is all about increasing your odds for catching some good swell. And knowing where to go. That requires some investment in time and effort. Do that and the rewards can be even greater. P.S. What is a "comfortable surfer?" Does your board have a barco lounger and beer holder? <g>
Condo in Costa Rica for rent If anyone is interested in surfing in Costa Rica, check out our condo my fiance and I recently purchased. It is located in the central pacific town of Jaco. This is 5 minutes away from the world class break of Hermosa Beach. I have been traveling to Costa Rica for many years nad have found the central pacific to be the most consisent in the country. If anyone is interested check out the web site for our unit. Also, I can answer any questions you might have about traveling down there....well worth a trip if you haven't been! http://www.beachhouse.com/16971.htm Pura Vida!
its definatley worth looking around, because i was in jaco and it was like waist-chest and like 5 minutes south at playa hermosa at the same time it was charging like a few feet overhead
