Costa Rica is blessed with two coastlines that receive consistently good swells, waves and breaks – oceanic conditions that are ideal for surfing. Surf schools throughout the country aim to help beginning and intermediate surfers hone their skills through hands-on, interactive instruction. Days begin with stretching along the shore and a pre-surf warm up. Beginners will learn practical surfing skills before entering the water, including safety, etiquette, entering and exiting the surf zone, catching waves, standing up, and finally, surfing itself. Intermediate instruction is focused on rapid improvement via catching and surfing as many waves as possible. Instructors, all of whom are certified lifeguards, are in the water ensuring that students are both having fun and remaining safe.
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Learn from local Costa Ricans how to surf at Playa Guiones, one of the best beaches in Guanacaste for beginner surfers. Surfing is probably easier than you think, especially when you have a seasoned professional to help you get the timing just right.
A tough four wheel drive vehicle is necessary to access Matapalo. To get there, you must cross muddy trenches and steep embankments. The lack of passable roads and development lends to the large diversity of wildlife that exists on the Osa Peninsula.
Take a breath and relax at Dominical where crowds are not a factor in the water or in the streets. Referred to as a "hippie town" by more than one person, we were invited to a full moon waterfall funfest somewhere in the mountains. Completely unsure of directions, we found the party club, Roca Verde. Mostly packed with Costa Ricans, the Latin lovers sweated up the chili hot dance floor with hip swiveling fast action moves.
Jaco is the closest beach and surfing destination to San Jose. It offers a full buffet of tourist activities, from shopping to surfing to an abundance of night life.
The drive from Nosara to Mal Pais never lacked excitement. We decided to help some Ticos push their broken down truck up a long hill. As we did our best world's strongest man impersonation, the heavens dropped a waterfall on our heads.
Don't confuse the town of Nosara with the general beach community of Nosara. The town itself is not on the ocean and the surf center is actually next to Playa Guiones.
Pavones is a surf Mecca. One of the most sought after waves in the world, you can catch rides that will make your legs ache when conditions permit. The left point break runs the entire length of the small town. The little pueblo exists almost entirely for surf tourists.
Laid back and super friendly, staying at the small town of Esterillos is all about surf and great folks. The people welcomed us with open arms.
Discover an entirely different side of Costa Rica on its eastern shore. A warm and vibrant surf community thrives in Puerto Viejo. There, you can taste the sweet flavors of the Caribbean. The flags of Bob Marley and the red, gold, black, and green are flown high throughout the open air markets. Dreadlocked Rasta men welcome travelers with smiles and reggae music.
As the final 20 km stretch of dirt roads leads you into Tamarindo, you will notice massive construction projects taking place. Tamarindo is a picturesque beach and surfing destination and travelers from around the world have taken notice.
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