Costa Rica DANGEROUS?

[norfolksurferdude]

Hi, i think i posted something like this about Indo, its cus im a bit of a pussy. I just wanted to know a bit about surfing in Costa and how dangerous it is. Ive heard loads about it being amazing but also stuff about saltwater crocs, etc. Just wanted to know if stuff like that is an issue anywhere and where the safest places in costa are to surf. Thanks.
BTW, any other cost info would be appreciated

[Hang11]

It's fine. Probably the most dangerous thing there is the roads, especially at night.

Do a bit of research on the sea life where you're going. Generally it isn't something to worry about that much. Most people manage to surf a few years before getting eaten.

[Ikester]

Dude it depends on where you are going. Deal is most of the cool surf spots are by river mouths so you tend to find crocs there.

But no need to worry about them, only after serious rains to they get caught up in the surf and that is when crap happens. 6 weeks ago or maybe longer gringo got his leg chewed up in Playa Hermosa but again it was after some serious downpours and the crocs get washed out into the ocean.

Frankly, after rains, you really need to worry about logs in the water not crocs. Your head hits one of those and your history. Last weekend a buddy broke his board in half hitting a log. But all this talk about crocs and logs.

Dude thieves are what you need to watch out for, otherwise Costa Rica is cool and chilled. don't buy drugs, don't get f'd up and like the other poster said, do some research. I always suggest sites like http://amcostarica.com or http://surfinjaco.com gives you a head up on what is going on in the country and things to look out for prior to coming. Tip number one: don't bring $100 bills, you will never cash them except at the bank and is that what you want to do on your surfing vacation? use your ATM or brings smaller bills most places except $20's but not 50 or 100

Pura Vida
Ike

[parrysurf]

Yeah Costa is a great place to go...it has been 15 years since I have been, and I hear of mass development and crowds compared to those golden years. Safety was not an issue although we did get a window busted in the rental truck and lost some glasses and a camera. We were told, but my bro did not listen.

I recommend Costa Rica for a surf trip...I also recommend the rest of central America...Panama, Nicaragua, and even El Sal are great surf destinations.

Travel rules:
1)Respect the people and the place you go!
2)Keep your wits..stay sober in public places! Get your buzz in private.
3)Be aware of your surroundings.
4)If driving in the country, and you have a truck, give he locals a ride...it is nice custom, they may have machete knives, but they are cool, just workers, and will ride in back and tap the roof when they want off.
5)Bring a care package for the kids....when you get in the sticks the kids don't have a lot...pencils, crayons, toothbrushes and paste...karma works

The city is where you will have to be wary..once you get in the country things are mellow. The people I have met in central America are the some of nicest, most helpful people in the world.

Go. Enjoy. Live!!

[twerked]

my bosses used to live there. they said the stuff to watch out for are the snakes

[Ikester]

totally agree you have to watch out for snakes...and it depends where you go. When in the tropics there are some basic rules to observe. If you are near the beach or next to the forest:

shoes, shake out prior to putting them on
do not reach under anything without looking first
uncover your bed sheets and pillow before entering
if you can't wash it, boil it, cook it, forget it - in relation to perishable foods
avoid mosquitos dengue is in full swing here worst times 6-8am 5-7pm
best get your hep vaccines no real food sanitation here
local tap water is generally okay but recommend bottle since tap water is not regulated like ours in the western world

Overall, simple common sense and being informed about conditions will avert 99% of problems

Take care
Ike

[kitesurfer]

Pretty much all of the above is good info.
Costa rica is a great place to go on a surf trip, i was there 2 years ago for 4 weeks. Waves to suit all standards.
Spent one week in tamarindo at witches rock surf camp. Expensive but well worth every penny if you want to have a weeks worth of no worries surfing. They provide everything you need and get you to all the good breaks, provide food and the camp is right by a good break too.
Tamarindo itself is busy and touristy and a week there is long enough.
Spent the other 3 weeks down in mal pais. Not quite as quiet as i was expecting but the surf again was great.
No worries about crocs or anything, although you do see them in the rivers if you go looking for them.

Defo go you won't regret it.

KS

[norfolksurferdude]

great, cheers for your posts everyone

[drowningbitbybit]

Costa rica is a great place to go on a surf trip, i was there 2 years ago for 4 weeks.

Were you? You didn't mention it.

[FormosanSurfer]

CR is super duper dangerous, go somewhere else (like somewhere that I'm not going to

[costaricasurf]

Costa Rica can be dangerous, but not from crocodiles or sharks. It all depends on where you go and what you do.

Driving at night is by far the most dangerous thing you can do. Tico drivers are in a hurry and will pass on blind curves without a thought. Stay off the roads at night, or at least be very wary.

If you are surfing the most dangerous thing is other surfers, mainly beginners that don't have a clue with heavy rental boards they can't control.

Petty theft is a problem, but using a little common sense is the best prevention. Don't leave expensive stuff unattended in your car is one thing that most theft victims forget to do. They get so caught up in the Pura Vida spirit that they completely froget to take even minor precautions to prevent theft.

Prices vary from low-budget hostel $15 per night to high-end luxury hotels $200+ per night.

[unaola]

I wouldn't say crocs are a worry in the water but I would always watch for petty theft out of the water. Just use common sense and you will be fine. Playa Grande is a sweet place to check out for consistent waves!

[kitesurfer]

Costa rica is a great place to go on a surf trip, i was there 2 years ago for 4 weeks.

Were you? You didn't mention it.

Didn't i? It must have slipped my mind!

KS

[libby]

i was there 2 years ago for 4 weeks. Waves to suit all standards. KS

2 years ago?! And i've only just recovered from all the gloating!!!

[tree4]

Might as well resurrect this thread as Gill has agreed to a 2 week last family vacation of a lifetime and is keen on CR. I'm trying to do it all with out agents (separate flights, accommodation, transport, etc.) Any advice/warnings?
It will be in the green season (end June - mid July) so I expect rain, and I have to do a few days non surfing trips. But will I be able to find some nice 1-2 and 2-3 ft breaks (bearing in mind my sons don't surf and need to learn).

[kitesurfer]

did i mention?.....

KS

[Hang11]

It's an awesome place, my OH has given me the green light to take the whanau there, just got to save up the $$ to do it.

Last time I went, I stayed here http://www.harborreef.com/ for a few days, it's a great spot, right on the money for some nice beachies, good food, good game fishing too, monkeys and tucans knocking around in the trees, bar in the pool etc etc. Definitely more than good enough for a family. Tamarindo is pretty cool too, but busier.

It was a few years ago that I went there, so could have changed, only advice I would give is be dead careful driving, or you could end up dead. Scarier roads than NZ there, which is hard to comprehend as being possible, I wouldn't plan to do any driving at night. It's well worth renting a decent 4wd if you want to do some exploring.

I let my dipsh1t mate book 2 4 wheelers for us, he thought he got a really good deal, but at 4am at the airport in San Jose, when we phoned the Hertz office, it turned out he had booked them for San Jose in the USofA. So we had to pay for some more and hang out at the airport for a day waiting for the rental place to open, which was a bit of a choker.

Great place though, one of my all time favourite places to head for a trip. Can't wait to take my kids there.

[kitesurfer]

only advice I would give is be dead careful driving, or you could end up dead.

This is so true. I saw a number of very nasty accidents while i was there. Definately do not drive at night.

KS

[CostaBoyo]

You need to watch out for (1)-THIEVES (2)-SCORPIONS (3)-SPEED TRAPS, And DO NOT rent a car from Avanti/U-Save! They are horrible and will rip you off. Just remember that the THIEVERY here is worse than you can possibly imagine. Extremely bad. Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. The country is beautiful, surf is great, chicks are mega hot, and the Thieves are blatant, and out of control Don't expect help from the Police as they are a complete joke.

[youngmiki13]

These are awesome tips! My friend and I will be going there for a couple of weeks.

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