Tico Travel, Travel Specialists

ASK THE COSTA RICA

SURF EXPERT

 

 ASK THE COSTA RICA SURF EXPERT 

 

For many years Tico Travel has been known as the leader in all aspects of Costa Rica surfing.
Now we have come up with an even better way for you to get the latest and best advice on surfing in Costa Rica. How? Ask the Costa Surf Expert!

Get the latest and best advice on the Costa Rica surf scene. Our traveling surf expert is hired to do just two things, SURF and answer your questions!

Costa Rica Surf Expert: Mike BrooksMIKES PICT HERE

Mike fell in love with Costa Rica in 1980 when he took his first surf trip there and discovered the unbelievable surf and friendly people. Since that time Mike surfed Costa Rica from east to west, north to south. He has lived and worked in Costa Rica in many different roles, from managing a beachfront hotel to running Surf Schools. Mike has been working as a Costa Rica Travel and Surf expert for over 15 years helping surfers plan their vacations and working as a surf guide.

Mike now spends his time consulting for Costa Rica surf camps and has some of the best surfers assisting him to provide surf lessons for beginning surfers and Surf Guide service for the more Advanced Surfers. He is also available to answer any questions you may have on planning your own surf trip to Costa Rica.

Tico Travel is proud to be the only company offering this unique Costa Rica surf service and it shows once again why we are the recognized leaders when it comes to all aspects of Costa Rica Surf Travel.

Send your Costa Rica Surf Questions to Mike

QUESTION:
Hey mike, My friends and I are going to Jaco and I'm wondering where is the best and cheapest place to rent surf and boogie boards.
Thanks, Scott
ANSWER: Hello Scott I would check out WOW SURF SHOP Chuck is the owner he is a great guy they have good boards at a fair price usually about $20 per day If you would like lessons and a board rental we have some other guys we use that charge $90 per day per person that include the board lessons and transfers to and from your hotel need anything just let us know, Mike.
 
QUESTION: Hey mike, my name is steve, just started surfing this year, wound up getting going with a 8'6" board for the new jersey surf, worked out pretty well. i was out to the shore quite often this summer and have become moderately proficient, where would you recommend the best place for long boarding?

Steve, from New Jersey.
ANSWER: Hello Steve. I would say probably the 3 best surf spots for the type of wave you are looking for would be either, Tamarindo, Mal Pais or Jaco. Tamarindo and Jaco are good and you also would have some good nightlife and restaurants ect. ( of the 2 Tamarindo would be more crowded).
Mal Pais would be good and if you are looking for a very remote spot it would be a good choice.

Hope that helps a little. Get back with me when you get a chance and I will be happy to give you more details and help you decide on the best accommodations, rental vehicle and or private transfers.
Regards, Michael Brooks

 
QUESTION: Hey mike... its jeff again. i forgot i'm coming late july and going on costa rican surf charters. should i bring a gun or will my 6'1 & 6'2 be enough for a 11' swell that i think we will get according to surfline...?? come with a gun right?.
ANSWER: Hey Jeff. Yep I agree It sure would not hurt to bring a mini gun 6’8 or so. I love having a gun when its good I so seldom get to ride one.

Good luck bro! Michael

 
QUESTION: Hey Mike, how's it going? A friend and I are coming to CR from July 27th to August 14th which gives us just under 3 weeks to cruise around. We were mainly thinking about the guanacaste area with the classic Ollie's and witch's and maybe some less known places, our main objective being scoring quality waves with few people (isn't that all surfers' objective?!).

The thing is I'm thinking it would be ridiculous to spend 3 weeks in CR and not surf Pavones…do you think we can do it all or is it too complicated? We're on a low budget trip so we were planning to get around by bus rather then renting a car. How would you advise doing it? First go straight from San Jose to Pavones and then work our way up? What about the swell, are those places going to be good at that time of the year?

Thx for your help! Tom.

ANSWER: Hey Tom, My pleasure to assist you. The surf spots you mentioned will definitely be working in July. And sure I think you could surf from Ollies Point to Pavones in 3 weeks. I agree starting in San Jose would be best that is where the hub for all the buses are based go to Pavones first and than head North along the Coastal highway hitting Dominical, Playa Hermosa/Jaco and then to Tamarindo area form there you can get boats to Ollies and Witches.

Mike

 
QUESTION: Mike, Myself and several friends are heading down to stay in Playa Grande in late June. We are hoping to catch surf at Witches and Ollies and was wondering if there is typically surf there in June and finally are their pangas that run up their for the day opposed to expensive overnight trips?

Thanks, Tim.

ANSWER: Hey Tim. Good to hear from you!
Yes I think you should be able to catch some surf at Ollies and Witches in June. And yes there are definitely pangas you can catch that will take you out for just the day the cost is about $250-$350 for the day . You can ask around in playa grande where to book a boat or just drive to Playa de Coco where lots of pangas heading to Ollies and Witches everyday.

Have a safe trip! Michael Brooks, Costa Rica Travel Planner

 

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