Central America Surf Trip

[mandog97]

Looking at hitting Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and maybe El Salvador for 5ish weeks in June/July...
Just know that it is wet season but most reports say that it'll rain for a couple hours in the afternoon and that's it (can somebody confirm?).

Any tips on the best wave areas (hoping for some decent size) and cool places to hang out/check out (partying etc..)

Any info would be appreciated!!!
Cheers
Mani

[Francis1986]

Personally, I find that all these country's in 5 weeks is pretty intense.
I would scratch panama, it is real good but not super consistent since it's Atlantic side most of the breaks. There is some good things on the pacific side but very secluded.
Weather wise, on the pacific side you will be alright, almost no rain , pouring at the end of te day for 15 min most of the time. Worst time in these countries is oct/nov.
June / July is swell season.
Nicaragua is nice but crowded, surf mags pumped up the popularity of this place. But it's nice.
They're is playa Colorado for tubes and on the same beach you have Panga Drops a big fat kind of wave.
Popoyo regional classic
I have a friend who have a nice hostel in front the surf in popoyo really nice place, neighbor to magnificent rock, a nice restaurant.
Playa Santana nice beach break near popoyo.

Costa Rica my favorite place for lifestyle/surf combo is playa santa Teresa. You have point break in montezuma just near too.

I would highly recommend Salvador for waves because it's not super crowded (people are scared of this place) and the spots are real good.
Playa elzonte has a beach break over rocks and a right hander point break and the best spot is Las Flores right hand point break. Not much going on as night life in this country tho.

That's it! If you have any questions feel free

[Onelove]

I would concur with almost everything Francis said.

I also really like Santa Teresa. It can get big AF there, but is a GREAT scene, and the points of Cabuya can be great too.

However,

I love traditional Tico culture and it really isn’t as prevalent in Santa Teresa. Heavily Argentinian influenced (and they were great too) and Americans (which I am and it’s the last thing I want to see in Costa Rica).

I really enjoyed the Pacific Coast from Punterenas through Dominical. Punterenas is not the greatest place and has no surf, but once south of there all good.

You can also take lay days in Monte Verde and at volcanos.

The 2 longest lefts in the world are also in Costa Rica .

Jaco is a great party town.

My personal favorite place to visit is Esterillos Oeste.

Really, I would recommend only a couple countries, probably costa and Nicaragua, but be warned Nicaragua has some recent unrest.

I am envious, but happy that you get to take such a great trip.