I was just there from mid November to mid December. I brought my board because I like my board, I was going for a month and flying jet blue the bag was only $50 each way. Jaco is FUN! The whole hooker thing has changed from the first time I went to just this past time. They got rid of the strip bar/brothel in the middle of Jaco so they night walkers are actually now paid by the casinos to bring people in. So if you see a very attractive girl who "lost" her phone money or anything else come looking for help at 2 am then she's a hooker. The Kangaroo Hostel at the north end of Jaco is pretty nice. My friends stayed there a few nights and liked it. Free bikes, a pool in the back and you're only a few minutes from Hermosa Beach which is an epic wave when its on (was 7-10ft+ top to bottom barrels the first 3 days) and still not too bad any other time you show up. I HITCHHIKED EVERYWHERE and my girlfriend was with me. The people are super friendly. We didnt even think twice about it. KNOW SOME SPANISH! Dont be ignorant. Learn their language. How many times have you heard people saying "if theyre in our country why dont they learn American!" First of all for you idiots out there its ENGLISH we speak and you'll have a %100 easier time getting around if you have a base knowledge and people will look at you like youre just a bit less of an asshole from the States. You are a tourist and they want your tourist money. People there know how to hustle. So its good to be able to read in between the lines. Also, when you introduce yourself, you are from the United States, not America, they live in America but its Central America. So just say the States. There are tons of boards in Jaco from short boards to fishes to logs and everyone at the surf shops are willing to make a deal. My friend bought a decent Al Merick short board for under $200 with a leach and track pad included. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MONEY AT THE AIRPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a fee for the exchange and almost every place you go will take US Dollars. The Mas Por Menos (More for less) is the big supermarket in Jaco and will change out as much cash as you need. Mosquitos are not bad but you are in the jungle so it is not a bad to have some spray just in case they bug you a lot. I live on Hatteras Island so those little guys down there aren't sh!t compared to summer time around here. Bring a lot of wax. Not too much for bargaining unless you want to but more for the fact that wax is super expensive at the surf shops there. I would bring extra fins for sure though. Bring tshirts to give to the little kids. My gf, friends and I stocked up on little kids soccer gear at thrift stores before we went and had a great time giving them out to kids. If you bring your board it also provides extra protection from the baggage throwers. Stickers are sweet for gifts too. Your local surf shop should give you a bunch if you tell them why you need them. I'm jealous. I could have spent another month or two without even a question. Have fun, just be Mindful.
Stay out of Jaco! At night if you're by yourself. Otherwise just be smart, watch your back and don't buy drugs or get too wasted. You can rent a "real" board (they all don't have NSP on the deck). I didn't find any good rentals, but I brought my own so dunno. Crocs in the line up. true in some places particularly river mouths so be careful! You don't need to know Spanish. True but it would help you get around much better. T-shirts are like money to the locals. False, money is like money to the locals. Same for surf wax. False where I've traveled in country. A 3ft wave in CR is more powerful than a 6ft wave in Belmar. Dunno, you freaks love Belmar and I've never been but I can say the ocean is stronger there than anywhere I've surfed in the Atlantic. Akin to Hawaii, maybe not as strong. Mosquitoes are not a problem. FALSE, I got annihilated in the summer in CR by those buggers. You need to surf with a hat. True if you're sunburned, false if you use sunscreen you ding dong. Ever been anywhere tropical? Same ****. High Noon + Black Sand = fried feet. True, goddamn right, run for the water and hear the "pssssssssssssss" steam sound come off your feet when you reach it. Sealice! I'm bald so I don't sweat lice. Seriously though, I dunno. Surf early. Surf late - if it glasses off. True and True. Sun comes up really early too and the locals don't usually wake up for DP. Hit it early and get a few waves to yourself before the crowds awaken. Surf booties? NO Don't drink the water. I wouldn't, buy bottled and keep it in stock. No one likes getting the ****s. Don't take anything valuable to the beach or in plain site. True, someone stole my size 15 ****ty flip flops. They are way to big for any Tico or Tica to wear, maybe they made a canoe out of em, but I got my shoes lifted at 6am on the beach. I was surfing with only 2-3 other people. Stay out of Jaco! I think we covered this. Be careful in San Jose in all seriousness. Don't walk the streets at night, take a cab where ever you go in that city. Have fun and be smart and I think you'll be just fine.
GO TO THE MONKEY BAR in Jaco. Don't go home with anyone and be smart, but don't be afraid. Don't buy drugs from anyone in the street and be respectful of the cops because they don't get paid much and know you have money. Jaco has a few surf shops with decent boards and a good wave depending on swell and there are some nice places to stay and surf past the point by Playa Hermosa. The worst part about Jaco is the fine sand that gets in your ears. Oh yeah, and the crime and prostitutes and crowds. There are way nicer places in CR but don't avoid the experience if you're passing through. Needing to know the language depends on where you go, but it always helps. Bring a CR Spanish phrase book if you don't know much. Butchering the language and bringing a smile to someone face is more respectful than expecting everyone to understand you. You may find that there are Tico prices and Gringo prices... the more Spanish you know the less likely someone is to take advantage of you, but don't get angry if it happens. After multiple trips down there I've only met a handful of people who weren't friendly. The winds and tides and when to surf all vary depending on where you're going, so... Wherever you decide to go just plan ahead and find out what boards are available in the shops. Bring your own wax, a good first aid kit, and a stick of Bodyglide anti-chafe for your nipples.
Any truth to these myths? Stay out of Jaco! meh. i found it "interesting" but can see why people would recommend avoiding it. Tamarindo is worse, IMO. You can rent a "real" board (they all don't have NSP on the deck). only if you're not particular about your boards or are of "average" size. i've never seen anything there i'd want to rent, but i'm on the bigger end of the surfer size scale. Crocs in the line up. certainly a possibility, nut unlikely. they tend to not like rapidly flowing water. You don't need to know Spanish. need? no, not really. but having a little & showing effort to speak the local language goes a long way & can help avoid rip-offs. T-shirts are like money to the locals. not true, but they're always appreciated Same for surf wax. see above. A 3ft wave in CR is more powerful than a 6ft wave in Belmar. yes. long period swells pack more power than wind swells. Mosquitoes are not a problem. true-ish. it's dry season, so probably more true than not. i've certainly never encountered issues w/ skeeters. You need to surf with a hat. false. if you want to, sure. i never have & i've been fine. i'm bald, so i just rub some sunblock on the dome & have at it. High Noon + Black Sand = fried feet. totally true. even at non-high noon. that **** gets HOT! Sealice! meh. never encountered it myself, but have heard several stories about it Surf early. Surf late - if it glasses off. yep. although, again, it's dry season, so not as much of an issue as rainy season. you do avoid crowds, though. Surf booties? nah...stingray shuffle, though. don't want to do a steve irwin Don't drink the water. true. "un bottella de agua, por favor." Don't take anything valuable to the beach or in plain site. hell yes. lock that **** up if you want it to make it back to the states. if you're driving to a break, best bet is to leave everything in your room & park in plain sight w/ the windows down & doors unlocked. don't want to have to deal w/ the hassle of a broken car window. Stay out of Jaco! meh.
Been to CR numerous times and every time had something I stupidly left at the beach stolen. Wear cheap flip flops, like walmart cheap, and no one will mess with them. Crocs get in the water mainly in the rainy season near river mouths. t-shirts and wax are not money...ever. Stay out of Jaco and downtown San Jose. Traveling with your boards is a HUGE pain in the ass, and dont even think of taking a longboard as most of the local air services wont let you bring a board over 7'6". Read other threads about CR here, there is a lot of info....good luck.
Answers... 3.5 weeks until my first surf trip to Costa Rica... Being reading, hearing and googling too much... Need help from real visitors. Any truth to these myths? Stay out of Jaco! I've surfed there several times when Playa Hermosa got really big. I had no problems at all. There is a good surf shop there - Walking on Water. Nice folks and decent board rentals. You can rent a "real" board (they all don't have NSP on the deck). You can - Walking on Water in Jaco, Nosara Surf Shop and Coconut Harry's in Nosara, and several places in Tamarindo and Playa Grande. Crocs in the line up. They're sometimes there - you might want to be careful around river mouths. Otherwise no problem. You don't need to know Spanish. It's good to know a few phrases, but mostly if you are nice, friendly and respectful, you'll be fine. T-shirts are like money to the locals. No - money is money. Dollars work fine - you don't need to exchange to colones, but money is money. Same for surf wax. See above. A 3ft wave in CR is more powerful than a 6ft wave in Belmar. I think the waves are definitely more powerful there size for size, but I don't think it's double. Maybe a 3 foot wave is as powerful as a 4 foot wave on the east coast. Mosquitoes are not a problem. I never had much problem with them - at least not this time of year. You need to surf with a hat. It can get hot and the sun can burn you pretty badly down there. I am fair skinned and mostly bald now, so I have worn one sometimes - see my profile pic. High Noon + Black Sand = fried feet. Yes. Sealice! No. Surf early. Surf late - if it glasses off. Yes. Surf booties? No. Don't drink the water. I did - no problems except after one night in Tamarindo - not sure it was the water, though. Don't take anything valuable to the beach or in plain site. Yes - do not leave anything on the beach youwould not be OK with losing. I even had a pair of 10 year old reef sandals stolen and they were dogged. Stay out of Jaco! Like I said - I had no problems, but I was there just to surf and was staying in Playa Hermosa. Have fun amigo!!
I just got back from CR yesterday. It had a great time. I surfed Hermosa, Dominical, and Jaco. Hermosa was a lot of close outs had more power but not double the power it was about head high also when i went. Dominical was awesome its a little hippie surf town id defiantly recommend going there you can ride a wave forever. The lefts go on for a good 15+ seconds. Jaco sucked i only went in because i was staying in a hotel near there. I felt safe in Jaco no problems just wouldn't go wondering around late at night alone. You defiantly need sandals for the beach the sand gets extremely hot. I didn't drink the water but you should be fine i just bought a 24 pack of water and put it in a cooler. you probably don't need a hat but defiantly wear a lot of sun block. Take extra wax because the water is so warm it melts off in no time. I would rent a board depending on the airline you take. I took TACA and called them up and they said it was free to take my board if i was not checking any other bags in. Then i get to the airline and the lady tells me its free to take it but there is a $125 handling fee i specifically asked her if that covered the whole trip there and back she said yes i made it clear. then on my way home they hit me up for another $125 saying its only for one way i was pissed. I wouldnt take anything on the beach except sandals and sun block. Well thats everything i can think of have fun!
I went to Jaco back in 2001. One night me and my then girlfriend got into a fight, she stormed off and was assaulted shortly there after. It's hard to believe but even after the attack we still thought it was a beautiful country and have had talks about going back.
A 100 dollar bill goes a long way. We stayed at a place and the bill came to 130. I had a hunnert and a bunch of colones. The guy only took the 'Merkin money. Suficiente. He sells it to the counterfeiters.
Dominical is awesome. There is a point just south of the main breaks that is world class. The hippie chicks and the whole vibe is the best. I traded a few T-shirts ( I made them my self: Aquadelic "Take a Liquid Trip") for some great weed at a local surf/dive shop there. Great advice by everyone. Don't forget to bring extra leashes!!! It is powerful and they do snap frequently and people will trade for them, or you may need an extra sooner than later. It beats swimming with the crocs bro. And Jaco is like Daytona Beach without the racetrack. If you go to Costa Rica head south from Jaco, that's where it gets cool and unique. Hit a few spots on the way down to Dominical like Estarillos Oueso, which has good mellow surf and some good cantinas. And gargle with rum when you get out of the water if it is raining.
Must say...Dominical is one of my favorite places....next to Pavones!!! Las olas son muy bueno en Dominical. The vide is pretty chill too...worth the 1 1/2 drive from Jaco for a day or two. More americans in Dominical than anywhere else...like someone said above...groovy little hippe place...but dam good olas!!!! Pura Vida!!!
the last time I was in Dominical, 01. It was a giant beach break. "They" were taking the rocks from the river for the hiway construction. Before, one had a hard time walking down the beach because of the coconut sized rocks. The logo for the surf shop, was a wave breaking and stallions at full gallop formed in the white water. I guess because of the sound the rocks made at the water line. There too many gringos for my taste there. We were eating at the San Clemente restaurant in 90's and the owner came and talked to us. I told him what a big hero I was in Jaco for fixing an ice machine, He asked if I could fix his. I did. So at the end of the night we left. the next day the waitress handed us a bill for 8800 colones. I wrote,Para reparando machina de hielo, and put the same price down. Guy never got over it. Most gringos there are takers, not all. we've had several latch on, and when we want something from them, they,"you get to go home but I have to stay here." the says to me, "you got to go home and bust ass for another year in order to get return, while I stay here in paradise". PUTOS!
costa has already been Americanized,i wouldn't worry too much except for the occasional petty theif. crocs are there,hermosa is super heavy,never been to jaco,but I know a lot of locals who surf there learning a little Spanish doesn't hurt.it always helps in certain situations.u don't want to be one of those americans down there who hate Spanish people,ur travels wont be good.its cool to make friends with some locals,they could show u some secret spots and skip the crowds. the drinking water only bad in mexico. id stay off the beaten path and go to Nicaragua or Guatemala instead.the waves aare just as good,but Guatemala can be dangerous,like everywhere else in the world
The SI crew came through! My most informative and helpful post ever! I'm staying in esterillos oeste. Stay out of Jaco! Sounds like we have to go now! I know my one buddy's gonna drag us there, should be interesting You can rent a "real" board (they all don't have NSP on the deck). excellent, can't bring any of mine Crocs in the line up. no worries You don't need to know Spanish. hora de aprender un poco español T-shirts are like money to the locals. read it somewhere, but it's an old travel guide. Money only. Got it. Same for surf wax. Stocking up this weekend, hope I can find tropical around here A 3ft wave in CR is more powerful than a 6ft wave in Belmar. Haven't surfed a ground swell in a long long time Mosquitoes are not a problem. DEET! or Garlic pills and the fly, scorpion, snake thing was fricking funny! You need to surf with a hat. Not a kook, just never been that far south.Waterman's or Headhunter's? High Noon + Black Sand = fried feet. RUN! Sealice! No worries Surf early. Surf late - if it glasses off. just surf! Surf booties? Save them for waterfall jumping? Don't drink the water. 24 pack? Costco in Costa? Don't take anything valuable to the beach or in plain site. roger that Seriously, thanks for all your help. I guess I am anxious, never been out of the US. Trained hard for this trip. I know I won't get many chance like this. I appreciate the info, tips and chuckles.
want waterfall jumping? There's a place before Parrita called Tres Piscinas. A waterfall fills a pool, forms another waterfall, which fills another pool, that forms another waterfall that fills the bottom pool. Last time there, some guy gave me some "cactus". I dove to see what was on the bottom of the top pool and never found it.
If you're looking for a board in Jaco there's a surf shop just south of the small bridge in town. On the ocean side of the road. Some of the rentals they had were as good or better than my board at home. I even saw a few shaped by local east coast shapers. Without haggling it was $15/day with unlimited exchanges.
Dominical was just close out beach break when I was there. I wasn't that keen on it. I prefer Hermosa.
http://www.therealcostarica.com/ This blog has a ton of info re: everything but the surf. Jaco- The break here tends to be close-out. With perfect conditions it is still only kinda ok. The city is where you will find a board to rent...from there just head south. Hermosa- can be super fun.Be warned that it is also a heavy wave when it gets some size and even high skill guys can get hurt. Esterillos- There is the North, Centro, and South. IMHO is very underrated. While Hermosa gets all the praise...this stretch offers a sweet break with a lot of different options and the community is super cool. No hat- Get Watermans sunscreen Whatever spanish you have at this point will have to do. Have fun brotha!
