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For many years Tico Travel has been known as the leader in all aspects of Costa Rica surfing. Now we have come up with an even better way for you to get the latest and best advice on surfing in Costa Rica. How? Ask the Costa Surf Expert! Get the latest and best advice on the Costa Rica surf scene. Our traveling surf expert is hired to do just two things, SURF and answer your questions! |
Mike fell in love with Costa Rica in 1980 when he took his first surf trip there and discovered the unbelievable surf and friendly people. Since that time Mike surfed the country from east to west, north to south. He has lived and worked in Costa Rica in many different roles, from managing a beachfront hotel to running Surf Schools. Mike has been working as a Costa Rica Travel expert for over 15 years helping surfers plan their vacations and working as a surf guide.
Mike now spends his time consulting for surf camps and has some of the best surfers assisting him to provide surf lessons for beginning surfers and Surf Guide service for the more Advanced Surfers. He is also available to answer any questions you may have on planning your own surf trip to Costa Rica.
Tico Travel is proud to be the only company offering this unique service and it shows once again why we are the recognized leaders when it comes to all aspects of Costa Rica Surf Travel.
| Mike, Myself and several friends are heading down to stay in Playa Grande in late June. We are hoping to catch surf at Witches and Ollies and was wondering if there is typically surf there in June and finally are their pangas that run up their for the day opposed to expensive overnight trips? Thanks, Tim |
Hey Tim |
| Mike,
My name is Tony and I will be in the Tamarindo area form April 17 thru April 23. I keep checking the surf and it seems to be bigger in Playa Grande compared to Tamarindo. I realize that this is dictated from swell direction, but I'am having a hard time committing to a stay in Tamarindo or Playa Grande. Any help with this would be great. I have reservations at Best Western in Tamarindo, but I am also interested in a stay at Los Tortugas in Playa Grande. Just looking for some advice from someone who knows. It's a long way from Costa to south Alabama. Thanks. |
Hey Toni,
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| Mike, I will be staying at the Marriott Los Suenos from 4/24-29. I am travelling with 3 other non-surfers and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for surf lessons or even a surf guide. I am an intermediate surfer who surfs mainly beach breaks but I am looking for anything in the 3-5 foot range and good form. What are some key breaks around the Marriott and how accessible are they? Thanks. Catherine |
Hello Catherine, |
| Hi Mike, I wrote you earlier this week I wanted to know how big the surf was in Playa Grande in may and how are the crowds are. How far is the drive to Negra and Nosara from Playa Grande? Are there any good spots in between? I have been to Hermosa and Jaco and like them alot. Is there a similar break (like Hermosa) close to Playa Grande? I already have reservations in Playa Grande so going too far south is not a option. Thanks John |
Talk to you soon |
| Mike, I want to take my son to CR on a surf trip in June for his high school graduation He has been surfing about 5 years and I have been surfing 35+ years. I am looking for a quality trip good food good accommodations. I have heard bad things about CR getting crowded. Looking for left point breaks where I won’t have to scrap too much for waves Any thoughts? Thanks |
The cool thing about Costa Rica is that it is so consistent and there are tons of different surf breaks |
| I have heard that Jaco beach is very crowded and that it is hard to just get a couple of rides there. Is that true?. What about playa hermosa is it crowded, and does it break on the shore or set up like a sandbar a liite offshore. One other question, the season we are going in is the wet season, does this mean constant rain or what. Thanks, Pat |
Hey Pat, |
| Hi Mike, A female co-worker and I are planning to trip to Costa Rica around February 9th til the 14th. I'm comfortable in most situations, but she wants a mellow trip, like 6 foot waves or less. Are there any places, maybe Nicoya, that you would suggest? We are not looking to break the bank on accommodation but would love a 2 room situation (we're just co-workers and want to remain that way!), like a bungalow or suite. Plus we would need to rent a car, and preferably boards down there too. I'd rather not have to travel with boards and pay $100 each way on American Airlines : ) Thanks! |
Hello Sanjay |
| Hi Mike!
How's CR in the fall? I'm planning a surf trip as a honeymoon & we're looking at September 2008 to come. I'd say my skills are intermediate but it's been a while since I last rode, and my fiancee has been surfing once with great effort but not much time upright on the board ;-) What trip do you reccommend for us? I like the idea of surf gear & instruction provided, the all-inclusive kinda accommodations so we can relax & share the stoke for the waves. Are the camps adult, kids, or mixed? Thanks for all the feedback, Eleanor |
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| Hi Mike, I've got a 2 week surf trip in Dec./Jan. planned for Mal Pais, Nosara area, and Tamarindo (in that order). Rather than bring a board or rent all along the way, I was considering buying a board and then selling it in Tamarindo. Is this a decent plan? Any good surf shops in San Jose? I'm hoping to find a new or used 6'2" - 6'6" hybrid fish. What are my chances of finding that or something similar? What should I expect to pay/sell (assuming minimal dings)? Thanks Mike! Bryce |
Hello Bryce |
| Thanks Mike! I´m probably going to get to the coast via Dominical (as I was told it has a wicked atmosphere), but definetly contemplating Playa Hermosa. I guess I want the best of both worlds: good waves to improve on and a chill location (but who doesn´t, eh?). And all honestly, I can´t afford any surfing packages (I´m an intern in Guatemala) so I´ll only be able to rent a surf board. Could you tell me the average cost of weekly rentals? Thanks so much for you help! |
Hola Camila |
| This is Joe booked at the Diria in Tamarindo 3/22-29 who emailed you earlier. The reservations that I have are size and crowds. I guess my son and I might be on the advanced side of intermediate and have heard Tamarindo is a good place for beginners and have only 2 spots that everyone surfs. We're looking for 4 to 7 ft tubes that are not necessarily remote but not overly crowded. I have heard that you can paddle across a river from Tamarindo to Playa Grande and get good uncrowded conditions. How much time would this take from the Diria? Or is it only feasible to get there and Langosta by car? The Diria and Tamarindo sound great but I'd like to stay where I am going to be happy with the surf conditions. |
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| Hi Mike, I´m heading to Costa Rica in the third week of December, and I´m planning on staying in the country for about three weeks. I´ve surfed a number of times (couldn´t tell you the size of waves I´m comfortable with-maybe 5-6ish feet?), and I was wondering where would be a good place to surf, with a chill atmosphere, or a good base for about two weeks? Thanks a bunch. Camila |
Hello Camila |
| How's it going Mike. I am heading down to Jaco for Christmas. I would consider myself a decent surfer at an intermediate level. I am from Montauk NY and feel comfortable in chest to head high shore break. However, my girl is coming along this trip. Therefore, I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of a mellow long board break so she is able to surf with me. Also, I need to ask where i could rent boards, both long and short. Thanks a lot Mike. John |
Hello John |
| Mike, I will be staying in Costa Rica near the Ocotal Beach. Where is the closest surfing? What level of surfing is it in December? I will need to rent a board. Thanks, William |
Hey William
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| My son and I are intermediate bodyboarders and have a Tamarindo trip booked for 3/22-29. We are staying at the Diria booked trough Tico. I am having second thoughts as to whether Tamarindo is the best location. If I switched I would still book through Tico. Please advise. |
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| Hi Mike, I’ve had a good look through your comments to other’s posts, but still have another question! If you could afford some time to give me some advice that would be fantastic! My girlfriend and I are heading out to Costa Rica on the 12 December from the UK for 12 days. We’re looking for beaches where she can soak up the sun and read and beaches with shoulder to head high rights for me! Accommodation wise, something cabaña like would be awesome, rather than a hotel? But suggestions are good! We would perhaps even drive around and try a couple of places as I think it might be nice to see more than one place of this beautiful country? Do you have any advice on where we should head to? Anything that you can share would be so very helpful! Many thanks for your time |
Hello Chris, Surfs Up! |
| HI Mike, I've been to Costa Rica three times in the past. I just bought tickets to go again. The last time I was there was 8 years ago. I'm planning on headed down to Pavones I was wondering what to expect. Has it really changed that much? How are the swells in early Dec in the southern region? Is it still relatively safe to drive down there? Do you have any recommendations for a place to stay? Thanks for your help. AP |
| Hello Aaron, It's has grown up a little more down there in Pavones but not that much still about the same. Though December is really not a great time to go to Pavones you really need a pretty good swell out of the south to get in there, best time for Pavones is between May-Oct. You may want to consider the NW or the Central Pacific area the Caribean can be really big or flat that time of the year. Hope that helps a little in making a decison on where to go? Pura Vida |
| Hi Mike! I am looking to travel to CR in March (1st week) of 2008. I have been surfing for about 12 years (I am 51 and got a late start) and usually surf 3-4 days a week in the summer and 3-5 days a month the rest of the year. I had a great time surfing my 7’2” hybrid fish at La Ocho in Puerto Rico in 2000 (6 – 10 ft. faces), and now most often surf my 9’0” performance longboard in the thigh to chest high (normally) waves of Virginia Beach (where I live). I am thinking about staying at the Fuego del Sol at Playa Hermosa for the week, surfing 2-4 hours each day and kicking back and relaxing. I am also planning to rent a board when I get there rather than put up with the hassle of bringing my own. I have read, though, that the best surf for this area is between April and November, so maybe I should be looking at Nosara. I would love to hear your thoughts on this plan and would appreciate any advice you could give me. Also, if I rent a board, I am thinking I do not have to rent a car, but can take the interbus from the Irazu Hotel (spend the night there when I fly in) to the Fuego del Sol. I get pretty nervous driving in foreign countries and don’t mind traveling with others. Thanks so much! Graham |
 Hello GrahamI think you will get some great waves in March it can be smaller (chest to head high) but usually very clean that time of year on the Central Pacific And I think Interbus would work fine you will find a good selection of rental boards in Jaco (go the Walk on Water Surf Shop) Chuck the owner is awesome. You can always get a cheap taxi to town from the Fuego Del Sol so you are right you don’t need a rental and if you do decide to get one for just tooling around the beach area there are rental offices in town. Pura Vida Michael |
| Hey Mike, Were heading to Ocotal beach area and was wondering what the surfing was like in that area and/ or if there was somewhere better we could take a day trip to that you might recommend. Thanks for any help you can provide. Jeff Corrin Vancouver B.C Canada |
| Hello Jeff, There is not any surf in Ocotal but you could take a boat trip to Witches Rock or Ollies Point ( these would be surf spots for more advanced surfers) Or by car the nearest spot would probably be Tamarindo (good for beginner and advanced) Have any more questions or you would like me to book anything please just let me know. Regards Michael Brooks |
| Hi Mike, I am going to be staying just outside of Mal Pais from Nov. 10 - 13 and am looking for some surfing lessons while I am there. I have my own board. Where can I get lessons and what other equipment is needed? I have just started surfing in Tofino, B.C. so used to cold water and wearing full wetsuits. What can I expect there? Pauline |
| Hello Pauline It will be very warm...;-) air temp high 80 and 90s and water temp about the same We do not have a surf camp in that area the only think we could offer would be private surf guide service that would include a private guide, transporation and surfboard rental the service is $500 per day with a two day mimimum. Other than that I'm pretty sure if you stop by one of the local tour desk at some of the local hotels I'm sure they have a local guy that they use for surf lessons that would most likely have surfboards for rent I have not been out that way in awhile but there are not any surf shops out that way that I know of. If I can assist you in booking transfers and or accommodations as well please just let me know. Mike |
| Hey Mike, Got a dilemma, first time going to CR and I am going with a group of friends (2 females-beg, 16/boy-beg/int, 3 men-int-adv). It seems everybody has there opinion where the best break is located, a safe place for women and so on. Well my friends have been told that Hermosa is the best place to go for first timers. I was told that Hermosa could be a gnarly break over 6 feet and Mal Pais, Nosara north has a better variety of waves and can handle bigger breaks and is just as safe (safe=common sense I know). We are scheduled to go during the last week of April for about 7 days. I have had several people tell me we would enjoy N CR much better because of the area, variety of good waves (the pretty water, tube s, etc..Witch's) and a true experience of surf and culture, which is why so many travel to CR. Mike what would you recommend..something that can accommodate all or will Hermosa be fine for a first round? Thanks Drew |
 Hello Drew,I do think that Hermosa you really can’t go wrong There is plenty of power and size at Hermosa for the more advanced guys and Jaco is just perfect at high tide for just about anyway to have fun on And there are so many different breaks you can go with in a one hour drive And you could go to Manuela Antonio to the Park and surf and lots of other activities to do in the area If you would like a house the house in Hermosa are great http://www.ticotravel.com/hotels/beachhouse.htm With good surf right out front We also have some hotels in the area if you prefer you can check out our hotel section under the Central Pacific. If you would like more details or I can book anything for you, transfers, rental vehicles, accommodations etc please just let me know Regards Michael Brooks |
| Mike, Me and my G-Friend are heading to CR for two weeks of surf and relaxation. We are playing to spend a few night in Manzanillo, then come to the Pacific side for the rest. We are looking to come down the coast and end up somewhere closer to the airport (2 hours). Do you guy have any packages that would suit that, vice spending 6 or 7 days someplace? We are both comfortable surfer in 4-6 foot waves, not looking seriously shallow reefs but something fun to write home about would be nice… Any recommendations? |
| Hello Travis, You are going to have a pretty good bit of driving going to Manzanillo 2-3 hours from SJO or more and than back through San José and than you could drive 4 hours from San José to Tamarindo (7 hr drive total or more if you don’t make any wrong turns and than you could work your down the coast to the Jaco / Playa Hermosa area, 2 hr drive to the SJO airport) That would work but like I said would include a fair but of driving. Or you could just drive from Manzanillo to the Jaco/hermosa area the entire 6 days and than just drive back to SJO for your departure Let me know what you decide and I will be happy to suggest some hotels you can check out some of the accommodations we do offer at http://www.ticotravel.com/index/hotelsmain.htm Also check out our rental vehicles at http://www.ticotravel.com/costarica/car.htm |
| Mike, I am staying in Playa Hermosa November 3rd-9th. I haven't surfed in 2 years and am curious if you have any type of guided trips/tours or lessons for experienced surfers. I am thinking about getting back in gradually. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Kevin |
| Hello Kevin, We have an awesome surfguide service in the Playa Hermosa area. We can come by and take you surfing for the day the cost is $350 for 5-6 hours of surfing we will come by and pick yo up at your hotel and take you to the best spot that will suit your needs depending on the swell conditions. That is for private guide service we also offer group surf lessons (group sessions: geared toward the beginner surfer) we usually take the surfers for the group sessions to a very gentle breaking wave the cost for that is only $90 per day per person and includes RT transportation from your hotel and rental surfboard if you need one. If I can assist you in booking transfers and or accommodations as well please just let me know. |
| Hi Mike! My sister and I are headed to CR for a surf trip in January- she's a beginner and I'm comfortable in 3-5 foot waves- we were thinking about 2 days in Mal Pais and 2 days in Tamarindo- would that make sense or would it be better to stay put- if the latter, then which place would be better suited for our surfing needs? Thanks!!! Eliza |
| Hola Eliza. If you want to just spend as much time surfing as possible I would stay in Mal Pais going to Tamarindo will cost you a couple of surf sessions. But if you want to have some nightlife than you may want to spend a night or two in Tamarindo. I like Tropico Latino in Mal Pais and Tamarindo Vista Villas in Tamarindo. I think your sister could surf either location though Mal Pais would be less crowded. Regards |
| Hi Mike, I'm Jose from Puerto Rico. I'm planning a surf trip to Costa Rica Nov. 23-30. How are the waves / wind at this time of year? What zone would you recommend in terms of size and consistency: North, Central or South Pacific? Should I postpone my trip for another time of the year? I'd really appreciate your advice on this. |
 Hello Jose,November is one of my favorite times of the year to go to CR the waves and weather is good and it is off season so price and availability are good and not very crowded either. I think the Central Pacific is probably the most consistent at that time of the year. If I can give you more details or you would like me to book any portion of your trip just let me know Talk to you soon. |
| Hello. My Dad and I are planning a trip to C.R. We dont really know
much about the good breaks swell direction, wind direction, good seasons
to travel to C.R., Also, what type of surf can we expect at the various
locations? Spillers, tubers, slow rollers, dumpers, any thoughts??????. Also, any good surf packages you know of?. thanks, |
| Hello Chris Costa Rica is not known so much for its huge waves but more for it's consistency you can find waves there just about anytime of the year Some areas to tend to be more consistent depending on the time of year. You can usually expect to find chest to two foot overhead faces. You can find slow rolling waves, point breaks and powerful beach breaks. We have some great packages you can check out at http://www.ticotravel.com/surfing/intro.htm The Wings & Wheels, Quepos Surf School and our Playa Jaco Surf School (not shown) are very good Regards |
| Thanks Michael. We definitely want to return to CR...just a question of where and when. We are definitely still beginners so need a Guiones–like break. Re Mal Pais–Are there breaks that come alive when it gets big (for us, over 5 ft) or protected breaks that buffer big swell? When would be the best surf-wise to come (smaller waves, glassier, crowds)? Cheers Tony |
| Hello Tony There are a lot of good choices of different breaks in the Mal Pais area from advanced to beginner type breaks. Anytime of year is good for surf the times you may want to avoid as far as crowds would be Easter, Christmas and the New years weeks. And as far as weather you may want to avoid late Sept and October the wettest times of the year. Need some more details please just let me know |
Mike, |
| Hello I think the Central Pacific would be great for you guys Good consistent surf and there are also lots of adventure tours to do and if you are seriously thinking of retiring in CR it would be the first place you would want to check out. We have plenty of Hotels you can check out form 3 to 5 star a very good 3-4 star hotel right on the beach is the Jaco Beach BestWestern Hotel you can check it out as well as some of the other hotels we have available in the area at http://www.ticotravel.com/index/hotelsmain.htm Under the CENTRAL PACIFC AREA. As far as surf lessons go we can have our surfguides come by and pick the girls up and take them surfing everyday Our surf school is ran by Andrea one of the best girl surfers in Costa Rica. The cost for the surf lessons are $90 per day and includes 3-4 hours of instruction, RT transfers to and from the Hotel and a rental surfboard. Talk to you soon. |
Hi my name is Zacharias |
 Hola ChamoI would be happy to assist you my wife is from Venezuela and we lived there together for about 5 years (but that was almost 20 years ago). I loved surfing Cuyagua and Las Caracas. When you get to San Isidro you could just stay on the Pan American Hwy and drive south about 2½ hrs South and go to Pavones ( via Golfito) or you could drive directly over to the coast to Dominical and surf there and than from there you could drive the Coastal Hwy either South to Pavones or drive North about one hour and surf Manuel Antonio or drive North about 2 hours and surf Playa Hermosa area. Dominical is very consistent and has a very powerful wave there is also a Loint break nearby that works when it is big and a few other beach breaks within 20-30 minutes of town. Need some more details please just let me know Michael Brooks |
Hello Mike, |
| Hello Tony
Have you considered the Mal Pais area? I think you would really like it, it is very low key and has beautiful beaches and very good surf You could stay right on the beach at the Tropico Latino which is very nice and reasonably priced You can check it out at http://www.ticotravel.com/hotels/tropico.htm Also if you need a rental vehicle and or private transfers or International airfare we can assist you. Probably the safest bet would be to fly into San Jose have one of our drivers pick you up and take you to Mal Pais about a 4 hr ride. Than we can have a rental car arranged for you to pick up in town. Than when you are ready to leave just drop the car off in town and than our driver will come pick you up and drive you back to the airport. Please let me know if you have any questions and or I can book any portion of your trip for you Regards |
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Hello, |
| Hello Adam You can find some great deals on new and especially slightly used boards in CR and than you could very easily resell it and not have to worry about lugging it back on the plane. Stop by WOW surf shop in Jaco. Chuck Heriwg is the owner and very fair. We do have a surfguide service it is $350 per day for up to 3 people the guides will come pick you up and take you to the breaks in the area according to the conditions and the type of wave you are looking for. If you would like a guide I will be happy to set it up for you just let me know and we can reserve it for you we can have them come by and pick you up at the Fuego del Sol and take you surfing. Talk to you soon. |
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Hey Mike, appreciate the response and the information. I'm planning on mid-Sept. Would like to do a couple other spots too as I plan on being there 7 - 10 days. Any suggestions on what type of itinerary I need to look at? |
| Hello Oscar As far as an itinerary goes if you were going to stay 7 days I could put a suggested itinerary together and than you can let me know what you think and than we can add day and or tweak it to what will work best for you. Once we get the itinerary and the exact dates nailed down than we can look at some airfares ( let me know where you will be flying from?) Hopefully we can find you an early flight in and a late flight out so you can surf your first and last day also. We have some very good Costa Rica airfare rates that can meet or beat any ones prices out there. SUGGESTED ITINERARY DAY 1:arrive we can have our driver pick you up at the airport he will have a sign with your name on it and take you to the Jaco Beach Hotel. DAY 2:our surfguide will come pick you up and take you surfing that afternoon you could book an adventure tour with the Hotel tour desk. DAY 3: our surfguide will come pick you up and take you surfing that afternoon you could book an adventure tour with the Hotel tour desk. DAY 4: our surfguide will come pick you up and take you surfing. That afternoon our driver will come pick you up and drive you to the QUEPOS/MANUEL ANTONIO beach ( 1 1/2 hr drive) where you can stay at several hotel we offer in that area check out the TICO TRAVEL CENTRAL PACIFIC hotel section http://www.ticotravel.com/index/hotelsmain.htm DAY 5: our surfguide will come pick you up and take you surfing that afternoon you could book an adventure tour with the Hotel tour desk (we also have a surf school in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area) Stay that night in a hotel of your choice DAY 6: FREE DAY DAY 7: Our driver will come pick you up and drive you back to San Jose airport ( 4 hr ride) or you could take a short hopper flight back to San Jose about a 30 minute ride. NOTE: the small hopper flights will not allow surfboards over 7ft and even than they can be a problem but I don't think you are bringing a board anyway?. Ok Oscar let me know what you think and if you would like to go the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area what hotel you would like to stay at check out
the hotel section and let me know if you have any questions. We could also add a rental vehicle if you like while you are at the beach, you could just pick it up in Jaco and drop it off in Quepos that way you don't have to make that big drive to and from San Jose driving along the coast is a breeze. Regards. |
| Hi Mike, I need some help. My boyfriend and I are headed to CR at the beginning of September and we both want to learn to surf. We are looking for the best place to learn that has nice sandy bottoms for falling, waves that aren't so big to be intimated by. We have been researching and every site says something different and I'm worried that the weather will be crap to learn surfing in the 'green' season. We will be spending time in Puerto Viejo but have received mixed messages about beginner surfing their - some say great others say for very experienced. Pacific or Caribbean? Where on the Pacific that won't cost allot to travel too as we are looking for a 3 or 4 day surf camp. Any advice is appreciated. Tannis |
| Hello Tannis I would say the Quepos/Manuel Antonio Surf camp would fit the bill it is a good consistent wave and a sand bottom like the reef bottom like alot of spots on the Caribean we use a couple of different surf spots in the area depending on the swell conditions and you could stay down town at the Sirena Hotel it is safe clean and very inexpensive the surf lessons will cost $90 per day per person and include about 3 hours of surf instruction per day, surfboard rental and RT transfer to and from your hotel each day. you can check out the Sirena hotel at http://www.ticotravel.com/hotels/sirena.htm Another hotel is the tres banderas it is up on the hill in Manuel Antonio http://www.ticotravel.com/hotels/tresbanderas.htm It is not down town so it is alot more quiet the advantage of the Sirena is that being down town you can just walk to restaurants and stores but it is downtown. |
Hey Joe
Tamarindo can get crowded at times and is not usually 7 ft tubes it is a more of a mellow longbaord type wave.
Hey Joe