KasiaTravels: Surfing in Costa Rica (Part 1: “Spots and the arrival.”)

Dear Steemians!

Today I would like to invite you to Costa Rica. We will take a closer look at the country’s surfing spots and decide where to surf. :)

Surfing in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a little country in Central America. Despite the size, it stretches between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean! The country is green, sunny and populated by one of the happiest nations on earth according to United Nation’s studies.

Costa Rica is a surf-friendly destination. There are multiple surf spots, both at the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean’s side.

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The season at the Caribbean coast doesn’t last long, the waves are demanding and one of the biggest in the country so the spots like Puerto Viejo are advised for skilled surfers.

Therefore spots on the Pacific side are preferred by surfers. The most interesting areas are:

• Central Pacific: Caldera, Dominical, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas, Uvita, Boca Barranca;

• (North Pacific) Guanacaste: Tamarindo, Nosara, Playa Coyote, Playa Negra, Playa Grande, Samara, Playa Naranjo (more commonly known as Witch's Rock);

• Osa Penisula: Carate, Matapalo;

• South Pacific: Pavones, Playa Dominical;

• Southern Nicoya: Cabuya, Mal Pais, Montezuma, Santa Teresa.

As there are many spots to practice surfing, there are plenty of surf schools that offer unique and unforgettable experiences. I spent some time reading comments and comparing prices. Some companies offer to combine surfing with other activities like photography or yoga. Those were the most expensive.

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I decided to choose the Witch’s Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo. From an objective point of view, the camp definitely wasn’t the most posh and expensive available, but I wouldn’t call it cheap either. Moreover, subjectively it was definitely the most expensive week throughout my whole 4 months of travelling. But I made cuts elsewhere and it was worth it. This is how I wanted to start my travel – in a calm, comfortable and friendly environment. Additionally, this first week, out of 17, was the only one when I decided to book my accommodation ahead.

Arriving to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Unfortunately, plane tickets from Europe to Costa Rica are very expensive. After days of searching, I decided to book a flight from Amsterdam to San Jose in Costa Rica, and a flight back from Lima to Amsterdam. Those connections, at that time, were the cheapest options I could find. Both ways lasted approximately 2 days because I had stopovers in the USA.

After leaving cold Europe behind I landed first in Philadelphia and then I spent a night at the airport in Miami. I could do that because I had my compact and light sleeping bag with me, thus I felt quite comfortable. And, most importantly, safe.

But… The truth to be told this empty airport in Miami made me feel lonely and homesick. I started to think to myself that I must have lost my mind, that I didn’t think it through, that I didn’t need all those stupid travelling experiences, or that 1 month would be sufficient! Thank God for wi-fi and that my amazing mom is such a supportive person!

In the morning of the following day, after approximately 40 hours, we landed at the airport on the outskirts of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. As I needed to reach the city centre, where I had booked 1 night in the hostel, I had 2 options: grab one of the taxis waiting just in front of the airport (20 $) or search for a bus stop of a public bus (1$). Of course I chose the latter;) The ride was completely safe and gave me the brief idea how pretty the city is.

Later that day I went to the bus station in order to buy a ticket from San Jose to Liberia (around 5h of driving), from where the Witch’s Rock Surf Camp offers pick-up/drop-off free on Saturdays. Just to let you know, there are planes that connect both cities.
I also decided to buy a pre-paid telephone card with a little amount of money on it. In general, I wanted it in order to be able to contact my future Couchsurfing hosts. But having a working number/telephone is always a wise idea. ;) I slept well that night because, although I booked a 6 person dorm, there were only 3 people staying that night. And the hostel offered a delicious breakfast, with pancakes and fresh fruits.
The bus was full of locals staring at me and my huge backpack. But their faces were more amused than unfriendly.

Along the way, I realised that the bus is already running late! I asked the driver, with my basic Spanish, and, to my surprise, he confirmed it with his open sincere smile. Later on, I've learned that the timetables in Latin America, especially for smaller, local roads, are just an indication rather than something to count on.
I needed to contact a reception of the camp and ask them to wait for me in Liberia. Luckily I had my Costa Rican sim card working so I could do this without any hesitation. In the end I was 90 minutes late, but fortunately the plane from the USA to Liberia, with other camp members, was also delayed, so the driver waited patiently. ;)

Sending joy!
Kasia

• More about me here.

• Some of my recent stories from South America:
  KasiaTravels on a budget: Solo backpacking - on a budget - in Latin America. (Part 1: “When you finally decide to do it!";
  Kasia and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 1);
  Kasia and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 2).