Surfing Waves

Me and my boyfriend are planning a trip to Costa Rica for the first two weeks of Jan next year. Whilst he is quite advanced, I am a beginner and I was wondering if anyone can advise on the best place to go. We are thinking Tamarindo for a week and Mal Pais for a week to do surf camps but I've read that Mal Pais isn't great for beginners. Anyone got any other suggestions?

MalPais is good for beginners. My wife takes lessons there each time we go and she loves it. And she is definately a beginner. In january the waves are a bit smaller so it should be a good time to go. Only problem is it can get crowded out there then, but there is plenty of beach break so just take your time, walk and find somewhere a little less crowded and surf all day! I have only been there twice when there wasn't something out there for a beginner to surf all day. And the surf camp there is pretty cool, I recommend it. We stay there whenever we go.
On the other hand, I am not a fan of tamarindo, especially for the beginner. I wouldn't go into the water right at Tamarindo, water quality (shite flowing into ocean) is a problem there, I don't swim there at all. Witches Rock is really good but it isn't for beginners as you have to paddle back out through the waves to get to the boat when you are done. The 5 people who I have talked to personally that have stayed at surf camps there were a little disappointed because they were too novice and only were able to surf the same break all the time.
There are other great breaks in CR for a beginner: Jaco Beach (south end) is the best beginner break in CR I think, Esterillos has nice easy rolling waves but the rips are sometimes scary, Nosara in between MalPais and Tamarindo is excellent, highly recommend it there, and Samara is one of my favorites, especially for beginners. I am spending x-mas there this year with the wifes family and they are all taking surf lessons. Each of these places have their pros and cons, just depends on what you are looking for.
Hope that helps and doesn't confuse. If you want/need more info, feel free to PM me and I can try to help you out.

I would say Playa Grande is one of the best beaches to go to. Relaxed, plently of nature, consistent beginner/intermediate waves and home to the leathback turtles. Nosara is also beautful and pretty relaxed.