For 11 days, I would bring a board. More fun on a board you're familiar with. Ideally a backup in case one snaps. One non-coffin bag usually only one fee. That said, my first trip I broke my board a few days in and rented the rest of the trip (in JACO). I think I paid 10 bucks a day, and I could change boards as much as I liked. I rode a bunch of different boards, but honestly missed being on my own board. Every other time I went strictly for surfing, I took two boards. Been a few times with the wife and didn't bring a board since I wasn't surfing every day. I rented in Nosara and Tamarindo. Selection in Nosara was actually pretty good and the boards looked nearly new, but they took a good size deposit on credit card so be ready for that. Also, when they initially tried the deposit my card company declined it...out of country large charge with a strange description... I had to call them to let it go through. I rented my wife a pink and teal roxy soft top board. I was pushing her into waist high waves in Tamarindo all day, then went straight over to Playa Grande so she could see it and we could grab a bite to eat. Turns out playa Grande was going off at head high to a few feet over. I had to surf, so I paddled out at the main peak on that teal and pink piece of junk...man did I get some looks, but still had a ton of fun. If your going to Nosara (playa guiones), and staying in the guanacaste region, I would really try to fly directly into Liberia. It's really nice to not make the long drive. There is a a small air strip in the town of Nosara (not the beach but the actual town). There are shuttle flights from San Jose to there daily...at least there used to be. There can be weight restrictions though for boards. Play Guiones is really fun. You could have fun there the whole time. But a 4x4 will let you get to some lesser known spots around the area, with much less in the way of crowds.
I had fun... someplace in Costa Rica for 9 days. This break is about a 1/4 mile or so out -- it was breaking nicely a couple of times during our trip. When it wasn't we surfed an inside section.
fyi - I called up for baordbag fees for my flight to san diego. US Air is $200 each way per board bag (1 board per bag)
The American Airline baggage nazis charged me a whopping $150 for my board/bag... mind you, it is a small bag but exceeded the linear 62 inches which was never an issue in the past except once with AA, two years ago also on AA when the "surf board" charge was $50. Across-the-board, AA is nickle and diming to death with baggage fees of every type imaginable. Two months ago during a trip to Puerto Rico, which has checked baggage fees of $25+$35, the gate attendants were making all kinds of announcements about carry-on luggage sizes. Then when preparing to board they were taking numerous people with carry-on bags aside and having them place bags in the metal screening box you see at check-in, security and the gates. Except for a little catch... with yardsticks in hand they were calling out several people with bags that were too tall. Only a few were charged in January, but during the March trip to Costa Rica many, many people were "tagged" and charged. Here is the catch: they reduced the maximum length of a bag from the industry standard. You should have seen the gate attendants walking through the gate waiting area checking out people to tag and charge extra baggage fees. Thank goodness for Southwest Airlines for domestic travel!
I know Southwest's ad campaign is: no baggage fees, but I'm afraid it won't be long before they start joining the bandwagon. Which would be a sad day since I enjoy flying SW, with the first come first serve no assigned seats, I think it's the way air travelling should be. I wish they did international flights.
SWA is in the process of merging/buying AirTran and in doing so will acquire routes to Cancun and San Juan, the latter of which I am very pleased to learn. Most of AirTran's current routes to SJU include a stopover and arrive during "rush hour" but it sure beats most of the alternatives for the Balto/DC area.
couple of shots from guanacaste, late Feb Couple shots from a recent trip to the Guanacaste... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111527&id=1292927793&l=b1600aeb3b
WoW Ok, Sorry guys this thread kinda got away from me. I though it was pretty dead, gess not tho lol, But im planing on bringing 2 boards I just picked up a 6,5 byrne pintail step up for for DIRT cheep brand new, ( just in case the waves get really big haha) and im bringing my merrik. So if i break the merrik and the waves such ill just get a new stick down there and bring it home. But thanks for all the great info guys, You really helped me out. So much good info! thanks bro's! (and one girl i think?)
