Surfing Travelers

[Barreled]

Hey

I'm looking to give it all up and go live like a surf-bum for two or three weeks (between Aug 21st to Sept 11th). I was thinking about Costa Rica, but heard that the weather can be kind of sketchy at that time of year (i.e. Green season). I was also thinking Portugal, but the flights are really expensive. Peru looks ideal at this point, but I'm open to any suggestions...

I'm coming from landlocked, no-wave Canada. Alas, even saying that I am not the greatest surfer is a bit of a stretch; so, I'm looking for an incredibly laidback surf-vaca, where all I do is catch one wave after another all day, everyday and just chill in the evenings.

Currently, it's just me going, so if anyone has any suggestions or would like to come along, give me a shout. Thanks!

[perusurf]

Hello, if you decide to come to peru adn have some questions i'll be glad to help you out, it is winter till mid september, but it's not too bad, coldest day 15°celcius, watertemp about 16 or 17, we still get at least a sunny day a week but it should be getting a bit warmer by then, i can assure everyday surfing, we got many spots nearby, check out our webpage and our facebook, we post surf pictures often. i can make you a real good deal for the 3 weeks.

[Deepwaterdesigns]

hey Barreled,
theres a few suggestions i would recommend, first off, try giving mexico a go, the pacific coast has some excellent waves and flights from canada may be alot cheaper than getting to costa rica. Cabo san Lucas has some great waves along the Costa Azul, try checking out Cabo Surf hotel, they have an awesome range of boards and a great begginer - intermediate wave right out front and also Mazatlan and Peurto Vallarta have some great waves too.

Ive only surfed at Jaco beach in costa rica, and it was a nice area, plenty of good waves and alot of other surf spots within a short drive, the flight might be more expensive but the cost of living there will be alot cheaper too, plus, instead of renting boards, you can pick up a pretty decent second hand shortboard for a couple hundred bucks, i saw an almost brand new rusty pirhana there for $250! just use it for the few weeks and sell it on afterwards!

As for Peru, its a nice place, quite cheap once you get there, but again flights wont be cheap. also, i spent 2 weeks in Punta Hermosa last year, and the one thing i noticed was that it really wasnt a spot for beginners as the waves are quite fast and steep, now maybe it was just the areas i was surfing, but senoritas, cabelleros and la Isla were definately not beginner spots, and travelling around i didnt see too many mellow waves, and like the post above states, its now winter there so its going to be colder and the waves with winter swells will be bigger and more powerful more often.

I love portugal, but flying from canada, its quite a long flight and expensive, if you really want to head to europe, get a cheaper flight to the UK, then get a flight down to portugal from there, i usually go from london gatwick to either Faro or Lisbon for under 100 pounds with easy jet or TAP, but i would do that when you have more than just a few weeks to spare and can visit some other countries in europe to surf, like france, spain, ireland and england otherwise its not worth all the travelling time when you have so many other options closer by.

hope that helps, if you need any more info on any of these places, just PM me and ill be more than happy to help out a fellow surf traveller.

[perusurf]

it's true that around here in punta hermosa the breaks are not for beginners, never said it was, on the contrary, we got waves and plenty, what i offer is surf everyday and i'll take you there, definitely it'll improve your surfing since waves are long and walls easy to do tricks off, personally i don't like to surf waves when it's too big, so even when there's a big swell i don't surf the bigger spots but look for something more around headhigh+, and usually don't go out when it gets double O.H. good thing is we got other options nearby. right now is colder than normal, but still that shouldn't be a problem, i suppose you're used to a lot colder temps. right now is around 17ºcelcius,

[Liquid Peace]

San Diego/LA would be an excellent 3 week trip at that time of year. Plenty of breaks to choose from, reasonable flights, waves are user friendly, warm weather, no rain etc...

[Barreled]

Thanks Deepwaterdesigns

I took a look at Cabo Surf Hotel but, at $250/night, it looked a little more pricey than what I can afford. There's a couple $25/night surf camps in CR - but then again, its the "green season".

What about Oahu (Waikiki, Hawaii)? I heard the surf isn't bad on the south and eastern shores during this time of year - but that could just be another marketing ploy from the website I was reading.

Essentially, I can find cheap flights to Central America, LA, Hawaii, etc. for under $500 - I just need a good place to learn to surf that isn't in the middle of the rainy season.

I wish I was more experienced at this and new more about surfing, traveling, and waves! This'll be a first for all those things... lol

What about Pacific-side Panama?

And - Liquid Peace - Where do you stay in San Diego (Can't say that city with a straight face after the movie Anchorman...) that super cheap?

-Barreled

[Deepwaterdesigns]

Hey barreled,
I PM'd you back regarding waikiki some other info, check it out and let me know if i can help you out any more. ill try my best!

[scamdalous]

i would recommend mazatland for somebody as yourself. being canadian and having done this sort of trip before, mazatland is easy, cheap flight and accommodation options and most importantly while still getting all the great head high south swells that time of year you may get lucky with a hurrican. selloffvacations.com offers some crazy deals out of major Canadian cities there. i'd check them out