Tivives y Valor – Surfing Costa RicaRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/CentAm02/costarica/surf/surf.html
Finding
best time and ideal place for an ultimate surf adventure in Costa Rica is easy to do, with Tivives all over country. All you need is a brief outline of different surf spots, a good idea of how to get there, and when conditions are at their peak.
Costa Rica's climatic and geographical variations can be divided into four different surf regions: Caribbean, North Pacific, Central Pacific, and South Pacific.
The Caribbean coastline has a defined surf season from January to March and July to October. Strong storms in Caribbean often send short but extremely powerful swells crashing onto world-class breaks.
The North Pacific generally has good quality surf year-around. The consistent northeasterly "Papagayo" winds during December through March and Northern Hemisphere storms create ideal waves.
The Central Pacific is an exposed stretch of coastline regarded by many surfers as one of most consistent areas.
Quick and easy access from San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport, and a wide variety of restaurants, accommodations and entertainment for surfers, makes it an ideal place to start off a "tico surf adventure."
The South Pacific has a wide range of waves to choose from. Some of best-known spots, like point break at Pavones, requires a south swell, characteristic of winter months in Southern Hemisphere (July-November), even though Costa Rica is in Northern Hemisphere.
Costa Rica's diversity and tremendous variety of surf spots make it possible to surf excellent waves all year long. The short travel distances and different regions provide traveling surfers with possibility not only to experience magic and adventure while visiting interesting and unique parts of country, but to score a variety of world-class point breaks, reefs and beach breaks. Best of all, you can surf in warm water all year around.
Costa Rica experiences semi-diurnal tidal differences. Extreme tidal variations on Pacific coastline often affect certain breaks. But, long irregular coastline always guarantees quality waves for hard-core surfers willing to explore.
Stop in at any local surf shop or befriend a local to learn about best conditions for different breaks. With so many different beaches and locations to choose from, Costa Rica is ideal place for an unforgettable surf trip. Grab your stick, wax up and read up on top 37 favorite spots right here in Jetsetters Magazine.
Manzanillo - Located in Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve, 20 km south of Puerto Viejo, northern end of this beach sports a fast break. On contrary, southern end has virtually no surf because it is heavily protected by a large coral reef. Although surf is not a heavily practiced sport at this beach, diving, sea kayaking, trekking reserve and observing nesting of turtles in nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo Lagoon are among other options. Although road in is unpaved, 4WD is not required. Lodging is rustic and several restaurants around can dish up some excellent, typical Caribbean cuisine for starving visitors.
