Costa Rica

[zizo3666]

Hi ya'all.

I am flying to Costa Rica on sunday for a surf trip. Would you reccomend renting a car or use pablic trasportation? What would be the cost of renting 4x4?

We have only two weeks and want to surf as much as possible.

Thanks allot and god bless.

Zizo

[jethrodog]

I've rented a car every time I've gone. It is about $350 USD a week plus insurance for a Toyota Rav 4 with a roof rack. It is 4x4. Depending on where you want to go you might need a 4x4. Any back road, yes. Any out of the way beach, yes. Driving on a "main road" between Mal Pais and Samara, definately yes. I have found that if you have th 4x4 you will definately use it and be able to get to some remoter surf beaches that you can't get to any other way. Most places have a rental agency in town that you can rent a car for the day. Then you only spend the cash on the car for when you need it. The rest of the time you can save your money and surf the local beach.

check out vacationcity.com

they are who I use to book my hotels and car rentals. They have been really good to me. I talk to Tatiana Campos.

Where are you going?

Buses will take you 2-3 times as long and if you don't speak spanish, quite difficult to use. At least that is what I found. Plus there may not be a bus going where you want to go.

[zizo3666]

Hey, thanks allot for the information.

Actually, my friend and I planed a trip to Sri Lanka, but decided to cancel when heard things are not too stable over there.
Instead of canceling, we 'upgraded' our trip and bought a ticket to Costa Rica.
Usually, I rather just fligh and find out everything I need, by my self, but we only have two weeks on a low budjet (about $500 for 12 days) and want to make sure we will choose the right places to surf.

Where about do you think we will find the best surfs, this time of the year?

Thanks again, mate

Peace

Z

[jethrodog]

Good question. I stick to places when I go: Samara, Mal Pais, and Jaco.
Samara is small, out of the way, cool little place with small waves and only about 2-4 hours a day of real surfable time. It's a high tide only surf. But it is really friendly, awesome beach, low key. Actually one of my favorites, just not necessarily the greatest waves. But sometimes they can be good. If you go there check out Playa Buena Vista, 5 minute drive around a point. Better waves usually.
Mal Pais has good waves, usually really consistent. Not as nice a beach, but it is really out of the way. Closer than Samara to San Jose, but longer to get there because of the ferry from Puntarenas across the gulf to Tambor area. Little less tourists than Samara, better surf, but not as laid back.
Jaco is closest to San Jose, has great surf, lots of beaches around to check out, probably your best all-around choice. But it is the most "touristy" of them all, and therefore can get expensive. This would probably be my choice for you for best most easily accesible surf.
If you go to Samara check out the surf shop in town, can't remember the name. It's run by a guy named Chris from Colorado. Cool guy, has a pad above the shop that he rents out for $35 per night. best deal in Samara.
In Mal Pais check out The Place. Good hotel, around $45 per night but nice.
Samara has camping, go to beach, walk down beach and look for tents in yard on left hand side. Can't miss it. CHEAP!!! Don't know about the others, never looked.
I am going to Mal Pais for 3 weeks in February. This is my favorite, but little harder to get to. Maybe try to hit all three. Can't really say much about the rest, haven't really gone and checked out anything else. If you get a chance, and you are in north Costa Rica, catch a bus across the border into Nicaragua to San Juan del Sur, 30 km north of border. I haven't been there, but had friends that did. They said the waves were awesome, people were great and they paid $10 a night for a hotel room. That is my next trip in feb 2008.

later, hope this helps....

[zizo3666]

Thanks man..I don't know what to say.. you helped me allot.

We have decided to take a car for the whole two weeks. We still trying to decide whether it is going to be a 4x4. We are on a budjet trip and trying to save where ever we can.

We are starting at jaco and stick to the western cost. Depends on where we find waves. Give me your email address, if you wish, and I will keep you up-to-date for your next trip.

Zizo

[jethrodog]

Sweet. I would appreciate it. Email is jethrodog@shaw.ca
Let mr know how everything was and where your favorite surf was and where your favorite town was.
Have a great time. Pura Vida.