| My name is also mike. I'm coming from Ketchum, Idaho. We're coming down
in mid may. Our a group of about 15 people half girls who will be into the
sun soaking and the rest guys looking to surf. We are looking into multiple
rental properties (Manuel Antonio, also Jaco and Dominical) for about a weeks
stay. Our group is a mix of experienced to beginner surfers. I kind of wanted
an outside opinion, someone other than a person trying to rent us/sell us on a
house to stay in, on the difference between staying in or near Jaco as opposed
to staying in Manuel Antonio. From what i've learned there are multiple beaches in the central pacific area
with good surf but i'm having a hard time trying to find somewhere to stay just by looking at pictures. I really
appreciate your time and any advice you could send my way.....
thanx,
mike in ketchum |
Hey Mike
I will be happy to assist you. Though we do have some rental properties in all he areas that you
mentioned. Personally I think the Central Pacific around the Jaco/Playa Hermosa
area would have something for everyone. Plenty of tours and Nature yet still some nightlife for the guys that
want it and good surf for beginner all the way to advanced. And it is only 2 hours form the International airport compared to 4
hours to Dominical or Manuel Antonio. |
| |
Hi Mike,
My 17 year old son has been talking about surfing in Costa Rica for a couple
of years. I finally decided that I would take him and a friend there but I don't know anything about Costa Rica. What
are the best months to go?
Where would you would recommend that we stay so that he could surf and yet a
friend and I could do some touring of the rain forests and do other things that are highlights of Costa Rica?
We live in south Florida and he and his friends surf without adult
supervision all the time. Is Costa Rica that kind of place too or would you recommend supervision for any reasons?
Thank you in advance for answering all of my questions!
Sincerely,
Heidi Reever |
 Hello Heidi
My name is Mike and I will be happy to assist you with any info you may need
and if you like book any portion of the guys Costa Rica trip.
I am able to book at or below the advertised rates so I am basically a free
booking service for my clients.
I personally think Manuel Antonio would be a great place for everyone.
One of the nicest Rainforest in the Country, the Manuel Antonio National Park is there as well as just about
every type of eco-adventure tour you can think of like Canopy Tour, Kayaking, whitewater rafting horseback
riding and the boys can also get some very good surf as well. I think any time from
April until the End of August would be ideal.
I'm sure they could surf Manuel Antonio unsupervised and would be very
safe but we do have a surf school in Manuel Antonio that offers surf lessons
for beginners and surf guide service for advanced surfers like it sounds like
you boys would want.
It might be nice if the guys had a guide for at least one day so the guide
can show them where it is safe to surf at the best breaks to avoid under water rocks
etc and at what tide.
http://www.centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/sirena.htm |
| |
| Hello, Mike:
I grew up surfing Malibu in the late 50's and early 60's, then got distracted. I'm 60, live in Eastern Washington, but still keep a long board in California and get out a few times a year. What have you got in the way of a point break where long boarders can enjoy a more relaxed and less frenetic experience? Is there a camp or "resort" for this kind of thing?
Thanks,
Bob Rockwell |
| Hello Robert
There are a number of good point breaks in Costa Rica and tons of beach breaks most of them have light if any crowds and all have a very friendly vibe.
 Boca Borranca where they hold the Rabbit Kekai is a great longboard point break it’s a left than can go a couple hundred yards, but because of all the rivers and mangroves in the area the water is not always really clear and the surrounding area is not a great area to stay so most people stay in the Playa Jaco/Playa Hermosa area and just make the one hour drive, there are also a lot of great breaks right in Jaco and Hermosa and even one point break called Herradura bay you take a boat out to.
We have all kinds of accommodations to offer form 3 star to 5 star hotels in that area as well as a few Beach houses.
We can have a driver meet you right at the airport in San Jose when you arrive and take you directly to the beach and than we will arrange to have your rental vehicle ready for pick up at the rental car office on the beach to drive to the different beach break . And when you are ready to depart you can just drop the vehicle back off at the beach office and our driver will take you back to the International airport about 2 hour ride away. |
Hey Mike!
I found the tico travel web site when doing a little on-line research for
surf camps in CenIral America.
I live in San Francisco, and design funky furniture and home accessories
that I have made by Fair Trade artesians in Mexico. I've been traveling
there for almost 10 years, and I'm embarrassed that my Spanish is still so
crappy. I finally want to take the time to immerse myself and nail the
language once and for all! While I'm at it, I want to surf. I may be biting
off too much -- whatcha think?
Ideally, I'd like to find a Spanish language school on the beach where I can
learn to surf in the morning and attend Spanish classes in the afternoon or
evening (or visa versa.) Does such a place exist where I can do both?
I'm not set on Costa Rica, but it seems like it may be the ideal place. I'm
drawn to more remote areas where there are fewer gringos -- I prefer the
more authentic settings (hate the "little-americas" resorty-type places.) I
found an amazing language program is Guatemala, but alas -- no surf. What's
a gal to do!?
Trying to figure out:
1. If I should do both the Spanish classes and surfing, or spend this trip
learning spanish-all in one local, and come back in Nov/Dec for surfing--
perhaps all over central america.
2. Where to do either or both
So I'd really appreciate any input you can offer.
Big Thanks to you! Cheers,
Becky |
Hello Becky - Nice to hear from you
You could definitely do some surfing and learn Spanish at the same time in
Costa Rica your right a gals gotta have a little fun…;-)
We could have our surfguides pick you up and take you surfing each day for 3
hours and I am sure that would leave plenty of time for studying
I will also send an e-mail to my surf camp manager he knows everyone in town
I am sure he knows the best school for teaching Spanish in Quepos or Manuel
Antonio
You can either do one of our surf camp packages or you can just pay for a daily surf lesson which include transfers to and
from your hotel each day with Surfboard rental included ( 3 hour sessions
per day ) for $90.00 per day.
Pura Vida, Mike Brooks |
| |
Hey mike its
mike here! I live in Canada, Vancouver to be exact. I fell in love with
Brazil when I went there last spring. I recently bought a ticket to return
there for October and November and December to surf Florianopolis, the site
of Wqs competitions. I then realized that those times are not the high
season and the water is cold and I should have booked
for December to febuary. I started thinking about other spots for surfing.
I thought of Costa Rica and Mexico and Australia. I don't know when these
places fire and i'm not sure when the best time to visit these places are. I
was wondering if you could help me with the wave quality and climate of
popular surf places around the world. Basically if you could recommend a few
places to go surfing and to have a good nightlife in the world for October
to December where would it be?
thanks allot, I need all the help I can get mike |
Hello Mike
I
would be happy to assist you. Costa Rica is not famous for having the
biggest waves in the world but it is one the most consistent surf spots in
the World and between October and December the water is warm and there are
plenty of waves on the Central Pacific and the Town of Playa Jaco has
awesome nightlife as well. We have a lot of different places to stay
depending on your budget and comfort level you would like.
The Jaco Beach Hotel is very popular and
has good waves right behind the hotel and is in walking distance to town.
Another good place to stay is at the Cabinas
Las Arenas if you are looking for something very, very basic but cheap.
It's also right in the beach in Playa Hermosa (very powerful beach break)
the only down side is that it is not within walking distance to town (it's
about a 10 minute tax ride)
Regards, Mike Brooks |
| |
Hi Mike, we
are from Vancouver, Canada, and planning a trip to Costa Rica this fall. We
did surf in Canada, France and Spain, our level is intermediate and would
like to know if and where surfing conditions are good for us in November and
December. I did read it is not the best time of the year, but is it decent
enough to make the trip?
Thanks, Kasia and Philippe |
Hello Kasia and Philippe -
Oh yes for sure the surf in November and December in Costa Rica would
definitely be worth the trip I think November would be especially good Surf,
weather and availability wise.
I think the Central Pacific would be a good place to stay you can check out
some of the different accommodations we have to offer at http://www.ticotravel.com/index/hotelsmain.htm
Let me know what level of comfort you are looking for and I could suggest a
place to stay that would fit your needs and be close to the surf. Also if
you would like to have a surf guide and or Surf lessons we could also
arrange to have one of our surf guides come by your hotel each morning and
take you surfing for 3 hours and provide a rental surfboard.
I can also set up your transfers to and from the airport and or Rental
vehicle once you get to the beach
I look forward to hearing from you,
Mike Brooks |