Puerto Rico or Northern Costa first week in December

the thing about Costa is that you can walk home if you had to.

 

FME prices are about the same in either place . Puerto can get really flat but can really pump that time of year. Costa will always have something to ride but you're probably not likely to see an epic swell. You need a car in PR for sure. You don't NEED a car in CR but with 4 people you will spend as much using pub transport so just get one. have fun

 

this is priceless

 

Go to nicaragua. Flight is more expensive but everything else is cheaper and the waves are better.

 

In Central pacific CR now, and would definitely say CR.

 

*shaking fist at you* I managed to bodysurf some sub 2' lines at lunch... moon jellies everywhere.

I'll be heading to PR at the end of next week, hope to at least get some fun ones like it looks you are right now!

 

Rincon

I just got back from Rincon. Flew into Sanjuan and rented a car from enterprise for $88 total for 5 days (plus a little extra due to tolls on the way). The drive was a little far, over 2 1/2 hours. But you could take a tiny plane from SJU to Aguadilla for cheap, and get a rental car there.

Stayed at a place called barefoot adventures (nice house in a good location). My wife and I stayed in a 1 bd room studio for $50 a night. They also have a top floor with 3 bed rooms available.

The waves were actually flat in Rincon but we drove up to Isabela every day to get the direct N swell. About an hour drive. There's almost always a little 2-3 foot wave there year round. But if you're going in a month or so the Waves are almost guaranteed in Rincon. We got a surf instructor, Colin, to take us to the best spots. He also finds the best wave with the smallest crowd, no matter what your skill level. He knows the reef and the best entry and exit points at all the spots. Highly recommend letting him take you out at least one day to learn the area. They have plenty of places to rent all ranges of boards. Normally, $25 for half day. The beaches aren't big but they're safe. We went in October so it wasn't crowded anywhere, but this will be different by mid November.

Hope this helps.

 

Also, tons of good restaurants to eat out. However, it can get pricey, esp if you're buying drinks. Could always go to the grocery store and get meals to fix for the group to save $$.

For the girls, lots of places close by to go do yoga during the day. Could paddle board or snorkel too if you wanna check out the reef.

Once we got back from surfing around 9 or 10, we didn't do much for the rest of the day but eat and relax.

 

West PR's easier, lodging prices go up in December, if you eat truck food or hit the supermercado its not too pricey.... its not that exotic, sort of a warmer poorer version of florida or NJ with better waves and tropical surf spots. (works for me) Only a 2 hr drive from SanJuan to Rincon, you'll want a car. CR would be better adventure for couples, way more romantic. But more expensive, don;t forget the high tourism taxes on rooms and rental cars.

 

Hey Sleeze, If you decide to go to Costa my friends Allen and Kathy have a killer place right on the beach that they rent out. It is so sweet to take the ladies there! You can rent out the entire house but if its just few couples I would suggest just renting the downstairs. The downstairs is broken up into two studio like bungalows. They each have a huge California King bed, bathroom with hot water and also a kitchen with pots, pans, dishes, etc.... in the front yard is the pool, in the back yard is the beach! There is a porch out the back that has hammocks and captains beds built into the walls and there is also a peninsula style bar. I can't begin to tell you how sweet it is sitting there with a beer (possibly a spliff) watching the waves and sunset! I met Allen and Kathy many years ago when I was a kid and stay with them every time I go to Costa. My wife loves absolutely loves it there! I posted a link for you. Don't worry about the prices, those are for the entire house. Allen will hook up with a pretty cheap deal for the two downstairs bungalows. On the downside, you will have to make reservations as early as possible. The secret kinda got out about their place and those who go love it, and go back there all the time. If Allen is booked when you are planning on going I have another buddy Kai who has a really killer place also in Playa Grande but its not on the beach. It well makes up for it though! Its like a sick treehouse and the place is huge! On a side note, yes the prices have changed in Negra. Those little huts are over $100 a night!

Also anyone else interested check out his place....

http://www.vrbo.com/4280

 

Don't let little airfare be the deciding factor.

 

Nicaragua isn't a bad place to take the girls. It's just a touristy place like Costa has become. Nicaragua is like Costa was 30 years ago. Its plenty safe to take the girls and you won't have to worry about them. However like I said if you go they will just be laying on the beach or sitting in the boat while you surf. There really isn't any shopping or crap that girls like to do. Well I take that back.... there is some shopping but its nowhere near the vicinity of the beach.

I have a friend that lives there in Popoyo and is married to a Nica and when my buddy and I went down we took the girls with us once. They liked the beach and especially all the tidal pools in the reef etc... Other than that they just hung out and tried to learn spanish with my buddies wife. We did take an excursion one day and took the girls to see the Volcano and try to do a little touristy shopping. The Volcano is really cool but from the beach its an all day affair. Same with the shopping.

At night there's really no disco tech's or bars etc.... Hell there's really not even that many restaurants! Most nights we chilled on the beach or at the house and enjoyed cooking lobster and such over an open fire.

Personally I think its nice to have a vacation like that. It really takes you back to just relaxing and not doing a damn thing but surfing and shooting the $hit!!!!

 

I'd say Costa Rica!!

 

I hear you dude. Can't go wrong with PR in Dec.

 

Ya PR definitely gets some good swells in December! It would be hit or miss going to Central America in December.