Surfing Waves

I just got a job starting in October and want to take a trip. Ideally I'd like to have more time to plan but working with what I've got. My girlfriend is talking about joining the trip too so would need to accommodate her in that case.

I've had a super rough year with a brain injury, my dad dying unexpectedly, my mom almost dying, all my grandparents dying, and also losing my job. I just want to get out and surf. I live in LA and I'm getting sick of scrapping over every wave with 10 other guys on top of each other

I was looking at Bali because it seems so easy and relaxed: fly over 1-way, buy boards there, get a bike or a driver and just move around whenever I want. But the crowds look rough and even worse than socal since everyone can surf. Not to mention it's all lefts and I'd like to find some rights. The others part of Indo like Sumatra and Lombok seem like maybe better bets in this regard but not sure how much harder they are to access

I've checked resorts in places like Nicaragua and El Salvador, but I'm somewhat bummed about being locked down to a resort. I went to CR years ago with my dad and even though we got pretty skunked, being able to drive around on our own and find stuff was one of the best parts.

Are there any cheap-ish places in the world that I can rent a car myself and just look around without needing to worry about getting shanked? I'm a pansy and the idea of driving around by myself or especially with my girlfriend somewhere like Baja or southern Mex sketches me out.

For context, I've been surfing 15 years, 10 in New Jersey and 5 in socal. Regular footed and looking for rights

Pld , quite a hard streak to go through, so to cover your Indo options First shoulder season is beginning the East coast breaks are beginning to appear, Sanur Nusa Dua al along that coast, there are more rains so water becomes dirtier.
Still crowded and the breaks are well offshore.
You could consider the offshore islands of Sumatra , the resorts like Kandu Villas or Resort, pricey but GF friendly, there areothers in the Telos and Macaronis areas, transport is usually to Padang in Sumatra via Jakarta, a total up of all costs would important and full travel insurance.
The better resorts include speed boat travel to the wave of your choice,the waves vary between softer waves to death slabs, your call on that!

Have a look at SW Sri Lanka, a lot cheaper but travel may be more! Tuk Tuk transport around the surf spots. A lot softer and easier crowds.

Lombok is 30 minute up and down flight from Bali, still crowded with fair to good surfers of attitude, the eastern end of Lombok has Gerupuk bay with a number of camps and resorts, a little further east is Ekas bay with a couple of stay Heaven on the Planet being one I would recommend for you and your GF, after flight a pick up an drive. rumble through the jungle style, one major break A frame lefts and rights and a learners break deep in the bay, there is a big wave spot Outside Ekas , but a little more than your expressed needs.

Bali is changing its laws on bikes and driving read up well

The Americas and Caribean islands I have no idea