Surfing Waves

Hi,
I am a beginner surfer and this november I'm going to COsta Rica near Playa Jaco and maybe I will travel around the pazific coast. Does somebody know what waves I can expect there and how the weather is?
Where are good places and is it safety to travel alone in costa rica, is ther e lot of crime?

Also I would be glad if you can give me some advices about the accommodation, renting a board ...

I am waiting for many replys, ...thanx!

The best source I know of is a publication called "Surfing Costa Rica". This guide will tell you most of what you want to know, including surf conditions, spots, and places to stay. BTW, tides play an especially important role, so you gotta know not only the location but the tide at which a particular location breaks best. Regarding crime, I myself was a victim of theft in Tamarindo. I lost, among other things, the publication I just recommended. Theft is very common place so secure your stuff AT ALL TIMES. I have been told that violent crime is very rare. I think you are probably safer in C.R. than any large city in the U.S. BTW, U.S. citizens are now required to have a valid passport to enter the country. If you are a U.S. and you don't have one, you will not be allowed in the country. Board rentals are steep, and they require a credit card deposit with an agreement that you will pay for the "new cost value" of the sorry rental board if it breaks. There isn't much you can do unless you bring your board. Check out Tico Travel for more info. on transportation and surf packages.
There are general guide books to C.R. that will answer a lot of your questions. I bought one (Moon Guide?) that was good. Rough Guides are generally excellent, but I don't know about the one on C.R. specifically.
Have fun and watch out for the camin (sp?) "Pure Life"

Danny wrote:Hi,
I am a beginner surfer and this november I'm going to COsta Rica near Playa Jaco and maybe I will travel around the pazific coast. Does somebody know what waves I can expect there and how the weather is?
Where are good places and is it safety to travel alone in costa rica, is ther e lot of crime?

Also I would be glad if you can give me some advices about the accommodation, renting a board ...

I am waiting for many replys, ...thanx!

I've been to CR twice, but both in august timeframe. Waves are different in winter, and I would stay on the Nicoya peninsula, where apparently it is better that time of the year with good offshores. Bring your own board, as surfshops are sparse. And rent a 4 wheel drive if you can swing it as roads can get bad when it rains and you may get shut out of some areas (although it is drier in Nov.). I had good luck going down there with no reservations, and I think the prices are better that way. Tell them you surf and they will give you a "surfers discount". No kidding. Like 10% or something. Pretty laid-back place, but do look out for someone to steal your stuff if not concealed or locked down. You will have a good time. Go see the Arunal volcano if you can. It erupts every day, really a trip! Have fun.

i have been considering going to CR myself and found an excellent book
titled "surfers guide to costa rica by mike parise published by surfpress
publishing. check it out

MARKYMARK120 wrote:i have been considering going to CR myself and found an excellent book
titled "surfers guide to costa rica by mike parise published by surfpress
publishing. check it out

Thanks for the correction. I think that is the one I meant to recommend.

Here is the book.

Costar Rica 101:

Crime: None, unless your looking for trouble in San Jose.

Waves: May-Sept, Rainy Season, Bigger Surf
Oct - April, Dry Season, Nost as big, predominently offshore winds.

Pacific Coast: Goes off from north to south throughout most of the year with all kinds of sand and rock bottm breaks.

Caribbean Coast: Will humble the biggest chargers during good winter swells. Salsa Brava THE break of the Coast will have sections that resemble Pipe on steroids.

By the way, Jaco is on the Pacific Coast. Not one of the better spots, but due to its proximity to San Jose it's the quick fix for many. You might want to venture to the northern Pacific Coast of Guanacaste. You'll find some great beachbreaks around Tamarindo as well.

I would suggest the far South Pacific coast for it houses one of the longest lefts in the world Pavones. Unfortunatley its a better bet to go there in rainy season due to the fact that it works well on Big South swells. Besides it's not really a beginner wave.

I think you be alright to start in Jaco. When you're there you'll meet plenty surfers and hear their feedback and decide what's the next stop.

Hope this helps buddy.

im retired and been living in costa the last 5 years my recomendation for the first and other surf travelers is to get a surf guide or go to a surf camp my very good friends: best local surfers in costa actually sponsored surfers in costa have a surf adventure.. service they;re super cool and friendly and i bet they would be happy to help in anyway they can....you can reach them at info@wavescr.com. hope this info can help you