Costa Rica in December - Surf Quality and Board Hire?

[Richb]

Hi, I'm planning a month travelling to Costa Rica in December. I'd like to spend a couple of weeks there just surfing ... I've read some great reviews of the surf there on some previous messages, but I was wondering what the waves would be like at that time of year as I heard the swell drops off on the west coast then? I'm an intermediate at the mo, so would be looking for something to enjoy and help me improve. Is the east coast better then?

Also does anyone know how easy it is to rent boards there as I'd rather not lug my board round with me when I'm travelling before. Maybe its possible to pick one up there quite cheap?

Lastly where would be the best area to head for to surf and hang out, somewhere with good waves but maybe away from the peak tourist areas and the masses?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much,

Rich

[jethrodog]

Carribean is better in December, smoking reef in Puerta Viejo. But that doesn't mean that the west sucks then, just a little smaller. Hit them both if you have time. I like the pacific, but I am biased, of course. Check out Hermosa. always big surf, even in dry months. I can take you there and show you where I broke the board that I borrowed from a friend last week.

[kitesurfer]

Tut, tut Ben. Breaking your mates boards is very naughty.

KS

[Richb]

Hey thanks jethrodog, yeah, think I'll take you advice and try and get to both coasts; don't want to spend too much time travelling about though, so hopefully can find a couple of decent spots for a few days at a time. Are the surf camps there worth it, or just best to turn up, check surf report and get a hostel near the beach and hire a boards?

Disaster about the board! How's the house coming along? (saw it on another thread!)

[kitesurfer]

Witches rock surf camp really have got there set-up sorted. It costs alot but in my opinion well worth every penny if you want to surf the north pacific side of costa rica without having to worry about a thing, they sort everything. The actual camp though is quite touristy and there evening entertainment can be a bit cheesy! Watch out for tico Hendrix!
Some of the other surf camps in costa rica are absolutely hopeless as surf camps. Better to turn up at a place and ask around in the shops if anyone is doing guided surf tours locally.

KS

[iph98]

go to surfcosta.com they may help

[costaricasurf]

Hey Rich,

It is true that Tico Hendrix is a nutcase and should be avoided just in the event that his insanity is contagious.

December is a great time, but the surf is quite a bit smaller on the Pacific side, the crowds are larger, but at least it´s offshore everyday. Generally, the surf in Costa Rica is pretty consistent. Not big, but consistently chest to head high year round. The summer time is bigger, less crowded, cheaper and much wetter.

The Caribbean side gets much bigger this time of year, but can be extremely fickle and flat for weeks. The swell window on the Caribbean is very small and swells are short lived causing short period storm surf.

If you want to examine the reef up close and personal Salsa Brava is the place to do it. If you are not ready for free-fall drops into thick pits breaking in about two feet of water then I would suggest going somewhere else. Salsa Brava can best be described as breaking like a cross between Backdoor Pipe and Lani´s. If you have never surfed the North Shore of Oahu you will be in for a rude awakening.

Decent surfboard rentals are available in most surf towns like Tamarindo, Mal Pais, Jaco, Hermosa and Dominical.

You will be hard pressed to avoid the masses traveling in December. But don´t worry you can find waves without the kooks if you stay away from certain surf spots.

[jethrodog]

Take Kitey´s advice about the surf camps, I have never done one. But from what he said, it sounds like a great idea if you want lot´s of surf in limited time for your first time here.

My bro wasn´t too happy about the board, especially because a piece of it hit him as he was paddling out. I have only been surfing once since then as I kinda hurt my ribs on the fall.

House is coming good, thanks for asking. I would post pics up but I had two computers stolen in the last 3 weeks here, and have no way to post pics now. Take note all CR travelers: shite does get stolen here, don´t leave ANYTHING in the car

[jethrodog]

[quote="Richb"]
Are the surf camps there worth it, or just best to turn up, check surf report and get a hostel near the beach and hire a boards?quote]

How long will you be here? If you have time, check out the spots and roam at will. There are 6 different major locales to hit, pick one you want to go to, drive there, surf it, when you are bored move on to the next. Or if you are Kitey, find a real good reason to stay in one spot for 4 weeks. Let me know what level of surfer you are and what kind of night life you want and I can help steer you in the right direction.

[Richb]

Hey everyone (KS/JD/CS), thanks for tour tips and advice, greatly appreciated.

Jethrodog, I'm planning a four or five week trip, depending on whether I stay for Christmas or not. I've been surfing a couple years now, riding a 6'11'' swallow tail, quite large shorty so I can make the most of it year round over here and starting to really try and make the most of the waves. No way planning to be taking any 'free-fall drops into thick pits breaking in about two feet of water', not ready for those! Beach breaks and some nice points would do nicely, maybe a few safer reefs to try. Not to bothered about night clubs, but a few beach bars and low key relaxing places are more what I was hoping for. I understand its going to be the main holiday time there in december so I'll try and avoid any of the really heavilly populated summer holiday resorts!

I'm also hoping to see a bit costa rica while I'm there too, just a couple of trips the the forests/mountains to get a feel for the place. Actually, still not sure of my plans yet, I'm considering flying to El Salvador getting to a coupe of beaches there, and surfing my way down the coast through Nicaragua to be in Costa Rica for Christams (spending about half my time there). I'm feeling the Pacific coast is what i'd like to see. Maybe a surf-camp (like Witches Rock) would be good to be with a load of people for Christams?

Transport is uncertain so I'm unsure about bringing a board with me. Is car hire expensive? If not I may consider renting one and bring my own board?

Anyhoo, sound like you're having a bit of a 'mare with your stuff over there! Computer's stolen, boards breaking, brused ribs, pissed of brother! Hope its all good now!

Oh, and who is this Tico Hendrix chracter? Seems to be quite famous for his antics?!

[kitesurfer]

Oh, and who is this Tico Hendrix chracter? Seems to be quite famous for his antics?!

Enjoy your apetizer........

If you ever meet him you'll understand the comment.

Oh happy dayz.

KS

[sean]

I was just in Tamarindo and there were tons of boards available there as well as tons of surf. If one area got crowded there was always somewhere else to go. I rented from Witch's Rock surf shop in Playa Tamarindo. Sorry I can't give better specifics I just got into surfing (in CR) and don't really know what to say lol

[jethrodog]

Hey Richb

SOunds like a wicked trip. 4-5 weeks is a long time, you should be able to hit any spots you want.
Most of the breaks on the Pacific are beach breaks. Nasty, jacking-up, slam you down beach breaks. But in December they will be a little tamer. Weapon of choice? Well, I use either my 7-6 or my 8-6, depends on where I go. I like a little bigger board. But most people here use short boards, as the waves on a general level jack up real quick and explode, steep. Also, being beach breaks, the paddle out can sometimes be a real bee-atch, so the shorter board helps in the duck diving. Rather than bring your board, I would buy one here, use it, then sell it when you are done. It won't be cheap, but it is cheaper than renting. And as most airlines charge at least $100 each way, that isn't always the best way to do it. Both my boards had to have dings repaired after I flew them down.
Any place you go will have some night life. Usually it is really laid back, but here in Jaco it can get crazy. Either way, you can find whatever kinda entertainment you want. Christmas here is busy, but not unbearable. You will have to share waves, but dawn patrol is almost always sparse as most peolpe party hard and sleep in late on holidays. Surf camp? I would definately think about it for the crhistmas week. That way you will have people to hang with for the big day and where the camps will boat you too will definatly have less people than the main breaks.
Taxis for local is cheap, but most won't allow you to take your board. In Tamarindo, MalPais/Sta. Theresa, Jaco, and Dominical you won't need a car at all, just walk everwhere. Get a taxi for the occasional trip out to a different break. MalPais is perfectly set up for walking.
Ya, kinda a bummer about the string of piss-poor luck, but hey, I can't really complain. I live in CR. But I found out I broke 2 ribs, so I still haven't been in the water for weeks. And I had to buy my amigo a new board. That sucked. But hey, I got a good story out of it. And my wife finally gets here in 4 days. Woohoo!!!!
Let me know if you need more info about any certain places or spots. And if you do make it down, give me a shout, hopefully I will be back in the water by then.

[jethrodog]

Sweet looking VW van, Kitey. Past or present?

When you coming back? I should have a spare room and a six foot drop for you by november. And maybe even a spare office space for shaping boards for ya. Huh, huh!?! ANd a good story for ya!

[kitesurfer]

Sweet looking VW van, Kitey. Past or present?

When you coming back? I should have a spare room and a six foot drop for you by november. And maybe even a spare office space for shaping boards for ya. Huh, huh!?! ANd a good story for ya!

Cheers. That one of my past vans which unfortunatley has just been scapped! However before it got scapped i managed to get my mits on the stereo that i once fitted in there! All 1000watts of stereo with 3x10"subs!

6ft drop! It's gotta be either a secret spot you've found or some new dimension to the bat cave that i am currently unaware of.
As for coming back at the moment ive promised a mate to visit him in Jeffries bay next year but if that doesn't happen.... i'll be a banging on the doors to the bat cave instead. I'll bring a couple of Harmergeddon Pavonnes boards with me too!

KS

[jethrodog]

Went to Puerto Viejo with an amigo to get his car that he imported. Stopped at Salsa Brava. Holy Shite. Was going to go try it out, but I was still sore from Hermosa so I just watched. Saw a guy bounce his melon off the reef after trying to drop in on a head high cliff. Some of us had to drag his ass out. Blood everywhere. Board trashed. Glad I didn´t try it out. Think I will wait for a couple years. But I thought maybe on your magic carpet you might like to try it so I can get some pics.....

[Richb]

Note to self: Avoid melon banging on Salsa Brava reefs!

Maybe hurting youy ribs earlier saved you from a worse fate at SB?!

Cheers for all the info again Jethrodog, really looking forwards to the trip! Will be sure to have a couple more questions before I go, just want to get there now! I'm trying to read up quite a lot about Costa Rica at the mo, and thinking of trying out San juan del Sur just over the border in Nicaragua too. Great seeing all these beauty places, must be great to be living out there

[kitesurfer]

Salsa brava is one mean reef break.

KS

[jethrodog]

Hey Richb

I am heading up to Juan del Sur in the first week of October. I will try to remember to get some pics and info for ya. Hoping the surf will be good...

[FormosanSurfer]

I surfed Guanacaste last winter (December and early Jan). It was pretty sweet but frickin crowded. I liked CR (and may go back this year if I can't get a cheaper ticket to El Salvador). Anyhow, Tamarindo is xxxxx, the wave isn't that great and the crowds make you want to throw you board out and take up another sport. It's every bit as bad as Kuta Bali in the summer.
What I did last year was hire a car in Tamarindo and drive the coastal road down to Mal Pais (the road is iffy and you better ask ahead if you plan doing this). It was pretty awesome and probably no more expensive than a surf camp (which, unless a boat trip, are a total waste of $$ in my opinion).