Costa Rica...

[SummerSolstice]

I just got back from a 10 day surf trip to Costa Rica. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I am going through some weird stuff back here in "reality." ...Having major withdrawls after spending 7 hours a day surfing in warm water for the past week and a half. It was great to be away and get some perspective on what's most important in my life. I'm seriously considering moving out there, but I'm not sure how to make it happen, logistically. I live in Northern California and am 24...just starting out in my career....I have some credit card debt but other than that no major expenses or responsibilities at this point in my life. Have any of you taken a year or two to travel and surf and see the world? Is there ever a good time to do it or is it one of those things that you just have to take a chance with and go for it?

Thanks in advance for the insight...I'm just feeling a bit bummed and homesick for CR...
Jess

[teaweed]

I've been planning on going there for the past year, but I don't really have anyone to go with. Most likely, I'll end up going to Nicaragua first, since I have a contact there who owns a resort. What level of skill do most of the breaks in Costa Rica demand? I've been surfing for two years and I think I would consider myself a novice... anyway, I know what you mean by sitting back and realizing what is really important in life (family and surfing, or surfing with your family ) After spending some time in a tropical setting, surfing all day, you realize why you are wasting away at your job when you could be enjoying yourself somewhere else.

[Hang11]

Have any of you taken a year or two to travel and surf and see the world?

Yup, most of my twenties, on and off. Just do it. As you get older, you tend to get saddled with more responsibility like kids/job/mortgage, so take the chance when you can, and go for it. Beats the crap out of doing the career thing IMO.

And Costa Rica rocks!

[billie_morini]

SummerSolstice,
The present is a good time to escape. You are young and the US economy is down. Many people obtain degrees, training, or certificaitons when the economy is down. Then, when things pick back up, they are poised for better. While you won't necessarily be changing your career like this, it won't hurt to sit out for a year -- especially since you are only beginning your career. I can also tell you that the inclusion of a tad bit smaller adventure in my wife's resume, helped my wife get interviews and made interviewers want to talk to her. Nearly all of them said, "I've always wanted to do that." You could have the same experience, I'm sure. I encourage you to do it. I'm more than twice your age and have worked tremendously hard. When I look back, I routinely wish I had worked less hard and enjoyed more living. It's from this perspective, too, that I encourage you. I have not been completely devoid of adventure and can tell you that you never know what you will encounter or what sorts of opportunities will present themselves. Good luck to you.

[jethrodog]

SummerSolstice.

Hey, glad you enjoyed CR. I am always happy to hear of a successful surf trip.
I moved down here to CR in may 2007, almost 2 years ago. My wife finished her job in sept of that year and then she and her mother came down. We have lived here ever since.
There are lots of pros and lots of cons to living down here. My pros outweigh the cons, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't have it's tenuous times as well. There are lots of issues to deal with, and sometimes you find yourself in different circumstances than what you had planned to be in. Such is life, it happens everywhere to everyone, embrace it.
My advice: Remember that living in a locale is completely different from being there on vacation. If you really think that you want to try it out here, grab your cash and your boards, take 3 - 6 months and come on down. Longer the better to really get a good idea of how it is. Rent a place, make some local friends, check out the job possibilities. See what food costs, how much rent is, can you make a living, do you enjoy it? Are you willing to live cheap, have 2 pairs of shorts and 3 shirts, never eat out, ride a bicycle instead of a motorcyce,etc. Things change when you can't afford to enjoy the lifestyle because you are living the life, get it?
Anyways, don't want to scare you off, just trying to give you some food for thought. I did it, so you know what my ultimate opinion is. But come and experience it for a short while first, get the feel.
Hope this helps a bit. PM me if you want/need more info on how to move down here, laws for immigration, etc