Costa Rica Surf Questions

I am considering moving to Mal Pais, Costa Rica and was curious what kind of advice you can lend me as to what kind of measurements a surfboard should be for me. I’m about 6’3 and 220 lbs. I will be primarily surfing in Mal Pais and didn’t know of what kind of board to get for a beginner surfer. I have only surfed once several years ago and was only able to stand up. I didn’t realize how many different types of boards there were until doing the research. I’d like to get some expert advice as to whether a short board/long board would be better with the surf in Mal Pais. Thanks for your help Mike; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hey Scott I would probably recommend you start with a Longboard in the 9ft plus range you could buy one in here in the States and bring it to MAl Pais or you could just buy a board in Costa Rica if you are going to be in the Playa Jaco , Tamarindo or even Nosara area you could easily find one at a surf shop to your liking if you need assistance booking a flight, rental car or a hotel accomodation for your first night in San Jose just let us know Good luck in Mal Pais my friend , keep in touch and let me know how things work out.

Hi Mike, I will be vacationing in Manuel Antonio/Quepos in late June. I was wondering if you could give me some ideas as to where I could rent a short board in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area--and perhaps score some clean surf in the area. I've been surfing for a while, so I'm pretty much looking for a rental and perhaps a guide to several hours of enjoying Costa Rican surf. Thank you much. Dave

Hey Dave There are several surf shops in Manuel Antonio and Quepos. Most places will rent you a board for about $25 per day if you are particular on what you ride it could be hard to find exactly what you are looking for rentals as you can imagine do get pretty beat up. If you are going to surf for a week or so you may want to consider purchasing a used board when you get there you can actually find some pretty descent deals If you would like a private guide the cost is $250 for the day. If you don't mind surfing with a group that will consist of surfers of all skill levels the cost is only $90 per person per day and would include a surfboard rental You can find pretty good surf right at the M.A. public beach at high tide If I can assist you with a surf guide, transfers , rental car etc just let me know Talk to you later Michael Brooks.

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

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.

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.

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

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?.

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

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?

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, 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?

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.