So I'm lookin to book a trip in the next 6 months or so, and I'd like to to know if anyone knows of any good deals flying out of ILM RDU or myrtle beach to central america please let me know. Also, if anyone has any traveling tips and tricks for traveling to central america feel free to post them.
trips hey man if your a student go to studentuniverse.com they have great cheap flights to pretty much anywhere you want i found a round trip to costa for under 500, its not until the end of june but thats still a great deal.
My wife and I own a place in Playa Jaco, Costa Rica and have been traveling there for over 7 years. When we first started going there we flew United, USAir, and American. Tickets always ran $600 - $800. Then we got smart and started flying SPIRIT out of Myrtle Beach. As much as they suck, cause nothing is free, they still offer the best rates. We just booked our tickets to San Jose, CR in June for $298 round trip. If you goto Spirit's web site, you can book everything yourself. If you sign up for their $9 fair club, you can get the tickets even cheaper. If you fly out on Tuesday or Thursday, it's cheaper than a Saturday or Sunday. This is by far the best rates we've come across over the past several years. If you have any questions, let me know. Pura Vida, Jon
Imperial i am going into costa rica next Friday.. staying on hermosa beach. Any travel or tips for down there? We are like two miles south of Jaco
XxsurferxX...Your heading down there at a good time. The first southern hemi swell hit earlier this week in Hermosa and the central pacific with waves in the overhead department... check out rovercam.com for the forecast before you head down there to get an idea of the swell. If you need a car... http://www.zumarentacar.com/ ....they are a Costa Rican car rental company with an office in Jaco. They always have the cheapest prices which include insurance. We usually get a Toyota Rav for $390 per week (insurance included). The cool thing about these guys is that they will pick you up at the airport in San Jose in your rental car and drive you back to Jaco. Ask for Mario. You can drop him off at the office on your way to Hermosa. When your ready to leave, pick up Mario at the office in Jaco and he'll drive you to the airport. This is a free service offered by Zuma. The new highway finally opened up in February so driving time from San Jose is cut from 2 1/2 hours to 45 minutes. Once in Hermosa there is surf along the entire 7 mile stretch of beach. Good spots right in front of the hotels and Backyards. Backyards is an awesome place to grab some food, beer, and a great view of the surf. The Almeadro Tree is further south about 1/2 mile from Backyards with another good peak. Breaks best on incoming mid to high tide. Even further south about 1 mile is Tulins which breaks heavier and REALLY far out. Tulins breaks best at low tide. Explore Hermosa and find your own uncrowded peaks...Its all good. 10 - 15 minutes south of Hermosa is Esterellios. There is a good rock reef break to the north....look for the statue of the mirmaid ...this shows you where the reef is. 40 minutes to the north of Hermosa is Boca Borrancca...longest left in CR after Pavonnes located at the rivermouth. I'll send some more info in a bit.....
Things to do other than surf....There is a zip line line right there in Hermosa and a real good one in Playa Herradura (10 min. north of Hermosa) at Los Suenos Marriot Resort. If you want to ride horses, look for Donald on the beach in Jaco. He is a local guy who rides around on a horse looking for business. He's real cheap...we talked him down to $20 for a 2 hour ride up the mountain behind Jaco. He'll take you up a path (dirt road) right across from the gas station as you get ready to go up around the mountain towards Hermosa. There's 1/2 day and full day fishing tours out of Jaco. Check out Jaco 360.. http://www.jacobeach360.com/ ......they have every tour avialable and will hook you up. Food: Backyards has awesome food located right there in Hermosa. The guy who owns it is from California and has been there sincre the mid 90's. Jaco has all kinds of resturants. Here is the best one that is REAL good. Wednesday night is ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK seafood buffet with lobster tails at a place in the center of Jaco called El HICACO..... http://www.elhicaco.net/ This is a bit pricey $60 per person BUT ....ITS ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK!!!!! Eat 3 lobster tails and it's worth it.... For real cheap meals eat at the local "sodas". There are a few in Jaco. These are little local restaurants that are on the side of the road. 4 of you can eat for about $20 vs $50 - $60 at Backyards or Clarita's. Clarita's is another bar/restaurant at the north end of Jaco right on the beach...kinda like Backyards...but Backyards is better. For a good breakfeast eat at Dan's Sunrise restaurant in Jaco. Trade out some of your US dollars at the airport for colones...the dollar is down in value over the past few months. Use the colones for tips, cheap meals, etc... Keep some US cash...they take dollars everywhere but you just have to trust them when you get colones for change... you get a better exchange rate at the airport. If your into nightlife, there are some bars/clubs in Jaco. We usually go to sleep early and wake up early to surf cause the winds usually pick up around late morning early afternoon. Ladies night is Wednesday at Backyards. Hope this info helps you...I'm always glad to give advice to fellow surfers heading to the central pacific. You'll snag some real good days of surf...worst case its waist to chest....which is about as small as it gets in Hermosa. If you have any other questions, let me know. Have fun and stay safe!! Pura Vida
http://www.surfline.com/travel/boardbag_charges.cfm?id=15425 also depending where you are going you can try shipping the board via fed ex, ups, or even usps but you would need to time it so you can be able to pick it up or if you are going to see someone have them pick it up for you. as im going throught the same pain for next year when i got dominican republic to visit my sister.
Imperial thanks so much for the info. We are staying at the Backyard hotel right in hermosa. I dont think we are going to rent a car. It just looked like it was to much of a hassle and without the road being done when we booked it didnt seem like a good idea. Does the backyard break get crowded really early like as the sun rises or will we have some time before it gets crowded? Oh and you said the ride is now only 45 min instead of 2 1/2 now?
Might be somewhat of a crowd due to Easter. Real early....like sunrise....no. Besides there are enough peaks up and down the beach that you and your friends can find some good waves all to yourselves. And yes, the driving time is cut to 45 minutes. You guys aren't limited to Hermosa either. Cabs are cheap and everywhere. They will get you one at the office at Backyards. Make sure its a red cab. Your staying at the sweetest place in Hermosa. My friend and his wife stayed there a few times...in the big honeymoone sweet on the second floor overlooking the pool. There's a great sand bar striaght out in front of the restaurant/bar. If you need anything else...let me know! Be safe..... Pura Vida, Jon
Driving time is only 45 minutes. It might be crowded due to Easter but there are enough peaks that you and your friends can find your own peaks. There's a good sandbar right out in front of the restaurant/bar. Your not limited to Hermosa. Cabs are cheap and everywhere. They'll get you one at the front desk...make sure it;s a red cab. Your staying at the sweetest place in Hermosa! If you have any other questions before you leave just let me know. Pura Vida, Jon
imperial thanks again for all the info. well definitaly check out the resteraunts you gave i just can wait.
Will do. oh and like two more things. Are the surfshops there legit or are they more like merchandise shops..and is there usually a drift down the beach?
Tons of surf shops...most legit. Goto W.O.W surf shop near the north end of Jaco on the main boulevard. Chuck is the owner who's an American from Florida...he;s been living in Jaco for over 20 years. There's a few small shops around Hermosa if you need them...but Chuck is good for all kinds of information. There is alot of water moving at Hermosa but nothing that a seasoned surfer can't handle.
Imperial just got back from costa rica 2 days ago. The trip along with the waves were just amazing. I couldnt of asked for better. Its definitaly a place i am returning to
XxsurferxX, Glad to hear you had a great time. You've been bitten by the Costa Rican bug and the "pura vida" lifestyle. If you ever need anything else regarding Costa Rica let me know. Adios mi amigo!
Went to CR last march and used Delta from Charleston; the fare was reasonable (less than 600) but the board fee was crazy!!! $300..........EACH WAY!!! Just returned from USVI using Spirit; the fare was less than $400 r/t and the board fee was only $75 each way, and the employee was actually apologizing for charging that much. She felt that it was too high. Spirit is my new favorite airline. The board fees have gotten so out of line that a lot of places have paid board storage as well as a pretty good selection of rentals. I wouldn't use one of those outfits that carry sports equipment as most are owned by the airlines and aren't a bit cheaper. (actually more in some cases.) Do remember that Spirit charges for checked bags and now for carry-ons that don't fit under the seat; but hey, your going on a surf trip. Boards,baggies,some shorts and a few T's and your set. Bottom line, if you can find a better deal than Spirit, book it, and then turn me on to it!!! Hope this helps!
