Costa Rica Regional Overview
Costa Rica is paradise found. Located at the intersection of North and South America only nine degrees north of the equator, the small tropical nation has it all - from volcanoes to cloud forests to coral reefs, supporting 5% of the world's biodiversity. For beach lovers there are white, tan, dark brown, and black sand beaches to compliment the rocky points, rivermouths, reefs, and offshore islands which create a playground of surf spots that line both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Temperatures stay in the mid 80's to low 90's, and in the water one only needs a rashguard to prevent sunburns. After ex-pat surfers relocated to Costa Rica's beaches in the late 80's and 90's, the local Ticos have picked up the skills to surf and win international competitions. Many now run their own surf camps while training for the National Surf Circuit, which inspires the next generation of surfers. Getting off the plane near San Jose you can take a bus, rent a car or truck, or find a shuttle to get you to almost anywhere in the country within six hours. Luckily some spots in the far north and south and are not accessible by vehicle so these spots stay relatively uncrowded. Surfers arrive all year from all over the world and several beachbreaks that run for miles can spread them out. It's hard to tell who is a 'local' anymore - the residents speak Spanish, German, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, and English. This is especially true in Tamarindo, a Mediterranean influenced surf town an hour's ride from the other international airport in Liberia. That's the "found" part. Coastal development is slowly overwhelming natural habitats and the newly constructed homes and hotels are filling up with short, long, and body-boarders. Traffic leading from the crowded capital, San Jose, can keep the travel at a snail's pace on the weekends. But once you land you are on "Tico time" and there are still plenty of palm and almond tree-lined coasts to frame your pictures of an epic surf trip filled with new friends and pristine lineups. To get your fill on background info, check these sites first: visitcostarica.com crsurf.com --Greg Gordon | Related Tripwires: | ONE WEEK OFF
(04/29/05) How to Surf Your Brains Out in Costa Rica | TYPICAL DOWN SOUTH BUMMER
(10/27/03) Allan Weisbacker finds out the End of the Road isn't all pots of gold and perfect left points | MY OWN PURA VIDA
(02/28/03) Discovering more than just waves in Costa Rica | FRESCA
(08/08/01) The cast steals the show in Costa Rica | Go to All Related Content for Costa Rica | |
