OK- I know this has been posted a 1000 times, but I could use some help.


Have never been to Costa Rica, and I'm bringing the family- my son 15 (he surfs)

My wife and daughter (11) They don't really surf, but would like to do the beginner lesson thing.


Now if I were going solo, or just with my son, I would pick a quiet area with good surf.

However, the whole family is coming, so we need a place more touristy and gringo.. and with maybe more posh resort conditions.

None of us speak Spanish either.


So for the above reasons /I have been considering these 3 locations:


1) Jaco - have had this place recommended by our pediatrician- said it was good for kids. My concern here is that the waves may be too small to keep my son and I entertained. (a friend says this is like going to Cocoa Beach)


2) Witches Rock Surf Camp, Tamarindo - between the beach here and the possible Camp trips to other locations, I think my son and I will be happy with the surf- also seems like my wife/daughter will have fun with lessons.

BUT my concerns here are: will the wife/daughter get bored in this location after awhile? They shuttle you from the airport to the camp, so I'm concerned we they may get stranded here w/o other things to do.

Is this location:

* Near any Rainforest Parks where they can go to see wildlife

* Near any other fun activites besides surfing



3) Third location- Nosara. was recommended by a surf friend- more remote, will likely need a rental car.

My concerns here are that the waves may get too big (?)

and wife/daughter may not have enough to do (?)



I really appreciate any feedback- I just need to pick a place and go to get our Costa Rica days started. Want to pick the best spot for everyone to have fun.

As a gauge- My son can handle up to about head to slightly head+ Florida surf

I don't need epic surf- just waist to chest would be fine if we have access to other activities (rainforest, etc) to keep everyone happy.


I am also concerned about crocodiles, especially in Tamarindo- so any advice there is also appreciated

Thanks!




Edited: 04/10/2019 at 07:15 AM by paddleout

out of those three, I would definitely recommend playa guiones (nosara). What time of the year are you going? If you go anytime from roughly may-october, waist to chest will be on the small end for most places in costa rica. Guiones is a very mild beachbreak though IMO so you should be fine even if its overhead. Can't help out too much with the rainforest recs and other activities, but guiones is big enough that there is other stuff for family members to do

My friend goes on a family trip to Nosara every other year. Yeah he surfs, but the rest of his family does not. But they seem to do a lot of activities outside of that, like horseback riding, hiking, water falls, fishing, yoga, etc. It seems like those entreprenuers at Nosara got smart a long time ago and decided they better have other non-surfing activities available for family members, since they aren't going to make any $ from guys surfing all day.

Thanks guys

So it sounds like there are ways I could arrange for some other activities out of Nosara (?) I know they would like to take a tour of some jungle/wildlife, etc Maybe horse back riding as well.

Question- We will be going in June or July- I assume the surf might be bigger at that time- if it gets too big in Nosara, are there other places nearby that might be smaller (and safe)?

any recommendations for lodging in Nosara?

Edited: 04/10/2019 at 01:00 PM by paddleout

If anything, nosara area is your best bet if you're concerned with waves being too big for your liking. Surrounding areas MIGHT be smaller, but they'll almost definitely be heavier. Target high tide as it tends to be more playful on larger swells

Paddleout , it's a curved beach , one of the ends will be much smaller than the main peak. There is plenty to do there other then surf too , Zip line is 2nd longest in CR , fishing in Garza , turtles in Ostional . rent bikes and ride over to Playa Palada . Do yourself a favor and fly Jetblue to San Jose then Nature air to Nosara , rent a car at the beach if you need it otherwise hire transportation .

Don't plan anything or be at any one spot. Once you get there it is better to find the off surfing adventures yourself. pre planned then you are locked in. Swell may be hitting somewhere else better. if you have a vehicle just travel. The highway system has really improved in Costa Rica. You can just pull into hotels nowadays and book them. There is good online internet there as well so can search online. I would recommend Dominical, and if a big southy is running Pavones. Tamarindo area is better for tourist, along with Jaco. Great for a day trip, But, geez, get away from that. Just a recommendation. Have fun and take a ton of photos.

Edited: 04/10/2019 at 05:32 PM by Central Floridave

Don't bring many valuables. My friend was just there and had his rental broken into. Everything was stolen. I've lost track of how many times I've heard this happening down there.

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R I P Mama G.

@Salt.And.Savagery.Fishing

@Laserwolf.Laserwolf

nosara is a soft wave even well overhead. plus you can walk down the beach and it will be smaller depending on swell angle. lots of stuff to do in the immediate area within walking distance and a lot of excursions to cool stuff. i know someone there i can put you in touch with that might be able to help you out if you like. pm me if so

surfing nosara

click on the instagram link

View this post on Instagram

. Ola Jaula available now until Mid July . Enjoy the privacy in this beautiful, fully equipped, 3 bed, 3 bath home. Ola Jaula is located in the J section of Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica. Not only are we on a quite road, we are also a 5-minute walk to the beach, many restaurants, boutiques and convenience stores.? Our home is equipped with all the modern amenities, including a salt water pool, Ola Jaula's own laundry facilities, A/C in all rooms, a water filter and ice machine, a well-stocked kitchen, a security alarm and security gates, an external water tank, wifi and cable TV. Get in contact now at info@surfingnosara.com to enquire about this amazing home

A post shared by Surfing Nosara (@surfing_nosara) on Apr 10, 2019 at 11:44am PDT

yeah, Guiones is soft. As people mentioned, you can walk either side of the bay and pick your mush factor. walk around the point to the north and you can score small clean surf if the daily onshores pick up. Tamarindo is another soft, cushy gringo spot with easy surf and lots of potential to get ripped off. Check the tides, check the wave forecast, and god forbid if you have to chill in Jaco. Good luck and Pura Vida.

A great place for a family trip is Malpais, lots of good restaurants, good hiking, you can stay beach front and surf all day just waking distance high and low tide breaks. Specifically I recommend Tropico Latino. Have a great trip.

I'm going in May with the girlfriend. Talk to Greg, he did a great job hooking us up with everything we wanted.

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Specializing in sarcasm and condescending rhetoric since 1971.

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Time and tide wait for no one.....

Edited: 04/11/2019 at 10:17 AM by KP

If you stay in Nosara/Guiones I highly recommend this place!!


http://www.thenosarabeachhouse.com

Google info

Also Mal Pias is nice.

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Time and tide wait for no one.....

Edited: 04/11/2019 at 10:22 AM by KP

Thanks for all the help guys. Sounds like we may be going to Nosara and renting a house. I like the stuff I'm seeing available there.

Also thanks for the curved beach info- that sounds perfect.

Couple other questions:

1) How's the crocodile situation in Nosara?

2) What are your plane trip recommendations? (I'm just going to rent boards)


3) If I have a rental car and we rent a house, will I still need to be concerned about break-ins in the driveway of the house?

1. Cocodrilos should not be a concern right now. 2. You can fly into Liberia now. Pretty decent rates. 3. Boards can be rented in multiple spots. Haven't been to Guiones in a few years, but there should be places for boards. If you are renting it may be ok. Places with safes are good. Having people on the beach with your stuff is good. Dude, check the skate park in negra. Bring lots of water. Got so dehydrated after 20 minutes it was. Other funny.

I'd personally go to Jaco if unsure at all. You have everything from straight beginner waves to the heaviest waves (with consistency) in the country within 15 minutes. And if its huge there are a dozen or more incredible point breaks within an hour. There are nice resorts in town and just outside and a ton of options on things to do. You're also only an hour and a half from the park at Manuel Antonio for a day trip and a perfect jump off point to hit other areas of the country. Plus its only an hour and a half from the airport. Always cracks me up the shade Jaco gets for its waves. Place is about as rippable as it gets and has all the punch you need. And a short drive/cab ride will put you in thumping Hermosa if you want to get some tubes and beatings. The real tip in this area is book your trip with high tides starting around 4-5 in the morning. You'll get good conditions in the morning and the chance for a second sunset session through most of a week or so long trip.

Couple places to rent in Nosara , about $70 to 90 for the week and you can swap out as you please . To big a pain to bring your own board , I can always find something fun to ride. Crime is usually petty , if you leave anything unattended it will get stolen . They always steal my flip flops , even when I bury them in the graveyard before the sun rises .

I've been on 3 trips overall. We really enjoyed Playa Grande just N. of Tamarindo. There's a nature preserve there. You can cross over the river into Tamararindo just a 20 minute walk. We didn't do much besides for surf that trip, but seems like there's plenty to do. That was nearly 10 years ago so things may have changed a bit. Playa Negra further North is also fun and another nice beach town. I don't think that one would be as interesting for the family and Negra doesn't hold a crowd well so maybe not the first choice. Mal Pais, Montezuma area was interesting and I stayed there for a month. Same thing, I didn't have a car and mostly surfed. It was 2 miles of walking each day to get from the town to the nearest surf spot, but if you do make it there, there was a cool little hotel in Montezuma called Hotel Lucy. I've only heard of good things about Nosara, which is like being in the jungle but with good surf. Greg Gordon or CRSurf.com can probably give you some great tips. I plan to try out Pavones next time.

Our locked rental car was broken into at the beach every single surf session. They even stole children's sandals

You can always send me a note if you want professional help planning your trip. Like you said, there are a lot of factors to keep the whole family happy. ~Greg

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http://www.crsurf.com ~ CR Surf Travel Company

http://www.vacationsbygreg.com
Instagram - @crsurf

lol

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https://www.instagram.com/dj_kaye_/

must not like my flops. left mine in plain view on beach for 10 days straight with no probs last time there

You must have big feet , my size must be a more popular one

Edited: 05/22/2019 at 06:51 PM by Kimo63

12's aren't very useful to the average Tico.



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I was right.

should I be concerned you know my shoe size? lol

When I was going I was 6'5" 225 and once had my bathing suit taken off my 2nd floor balcony. I kept looking for 2 guys in my suit. Flip flips are a necessity when on the beach at Jaco. Wife had her flops start melting.

Thank for all the help guys-

Got our trip all booked up for late June.

Staying at the newly redone Guilded Iguana in Nosara.

Flying from Fort Laud to San Jose via Southwest Air- used my points, and I have a companion pass with them, so one person flew free.

Renting a SUV and driving from San Jose to Nosara- any tips for that drive?

Looking forward to the new "Surfer's Club" at the hotel:









Edited: 05/20/2019 at 07:30 PM by paddleout

For next time, I can get a double room with breakfast at Gilded Iguana for $202.50 with breakfast included (plus tax). Or if someone wants to join Paddleout at the end of June. That's $22 less than what they show on their website.



And it's only $161 if you want to come next week, but it may be a little windy.


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http://www.crsurf.com ~ CR Surf Travel Company

http://www.vacationsbygreg.com
Instagram - @crsurf

Just now reading this and it seems you picked all the good stuff. The new Guilded Iguana should be awesome and Playa Guiones is one of my favs. Make sure you eat at Burgers and Beers. Soon I'll have my first commercial beer on tap there. Say Hi to Victor, speaks perfect english and is the owner. The drive is long but beautiful. If your phone has data just use Waze. take Hwy 27 when leaving airport on Hwy 1, cross over to 27 at the Coyol exit, it's about 2-3 miles after you leave the airport. Buy the plantains from the vendors at the toll boths, they are awesome, 1,000 colones. I'll be in CR from June 11 to sometime in July starting my brewery and surfing, but not up there, way south. If the shit hits the fan and you need a gringo, me, call my CR number 8511-7894. and always Greg, he is the CR man for sure and is more connected than anyone I know. Pura Vida Mae

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Ah, religion, bigotry dressed up as morality.

Havanabama, I need details on that beer, please.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

I'd recommend going to Playa Hermosa Jaco. The Cabinas Vista Hermosa has a great break. Plus jungle and Tres Piscinas down the way. Also a hop to Dominical, Guacalillo ,and Playa El Rey. Therer's fishing near by. I'd always start my excursion there. It's the closest break from the airport.

Johnnyboy, like us on Facebook. We are Solas Brewing Company. Our first beer release should be around the middle of July at a limited number of places around CR, but for sure in Jaco at The Green Room and at Burgers and Beers in Playa Guiones. This beer will be called Space Wit and be a NEIPA with Belgian yeast.

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Ah, religion, bigotry dressed up as morality.

Edited: 05/22/2019 at 12:12 PM by havanabama

As a college student, I wanted to visit CR, maybe study there, so took a course on Central America partly to keep my Spanish going. Didn't work. A plan to go to CR last month was displaced by a pretty important event here in Florida. A useful background book by a fine science journalist (i.e. it's a goo read) is "Green Phoenix: Restoring the Tropical Forests of Guanacaste, Costa Rica by Willaim Allen. It features Daniel Janzen, an amazing plant ecologist who I read for years, should have tried to visit in CR. He's worth the book. But it tells you a lot about the country that's worth knowing if you want to take Central America seriously. I'll be happy to loan it out and will drive it up to willing recilpients.

UGH- I'm now realizing that the drive from San Jose to Nosara is like 4.5-5 hours.

But flying into Liberia wasnt an option so..

anyone know- how grueling is that drive?

we will be leaving the airport around 1pm ish and it's wet season.

The road is well paved with good signage for Nosara. The last few kilometers though were unpaved (at least the last time I was there) so if it's raining you will want to go slow. The Gilded Iguana should have some signs leading to it once you are in the Playa Guiones area. Just plug in WAZE and it will get you there. You can check my site for your surf forecast and tide charts - CRsurf.com

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http://www.crsurf.com ~ CR Surf Travel Company

http://www.vacationsbygreg.com
Instagram - @crsurf