Tamarindo
One of the main surf bases in Costa Rica is Tamarindo. Just like the tangy fruit after which the beach is named, Tamarindo is a delight for the senses. A former sleepy fishing village, Tamarindo quickly became the vacation hotspot that put Costa Rica on the map. Nowadays, surfers, thrill seekers, nature lovers, partiers, and foodies all come together to this tropical paradise that is the epitome of pura vida culture.
The long beautiful beach at its center is great for learning how to surf and there are more intermediate and advanced breaks close by. The breaks in the area are some of the best in the world, as evidenced by several international surfing competitions held here every year. The beautiful beaches are popular thanks to the consistency of the waves. The town is a perfect jumping-off location for beach and point breaks along the coast.
The calmest water for swimming can be found at the southern end of the beach while the water just off the busiest part of town is best for surfing. The nearby river mouth offers breaks that are perfect for the more experienced surfers. Nearby spots include Playa Grande, Langosta, Avellana and Playa Negra. Surf is best during mid-high tide.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its miles of white sandy beaches, monkeys swinging in the trees that line the sand and endless waves that begged to be ridden. With the name Costa Rica meaning the rich coast, it certainly lives up to its name by having some of the best surfing destinations in the world. From beginner to advanced, there is a wave for everyone along one of Costa Rica’s hundreds of beaches.
Unpaved roads and hidden paradises have kept these magnificent beaches from becoming overcrowded and will have you feeling as though you are entering a secret paradise. Demarcated by Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south, Costa Rica hugs the Caribbean Sea in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. A high plateau divides the American cordilleras in the center, bordered by low coastal lands in the east and the west.
More of half of the population lives in this plain, with a volcanic fertile soil. Mangroves, marshlands and sandy beaches characterize the Caribbean coast, 212 long. More cut and rocky, the Pacific coast spreads out 1,016 kilometers, dotted by gulfs and peninsulas. Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of plants and animals. Over 840 species of birds have been identified in Costa Rica.
As is the case in much of Central America, the avian species in Costa Rica are a mix of North and South American species. The country's abundant fruit trees, many of which bear fruit year round, are hugely important to the birds, some of whom survive on diets that consist only of one or two types of fruit. Pura Vida is the most recognizable phrase attached to Costa Ricans. It reflects the inhabitant's positive view of life. Literally translated, the expression means pure life and denotes a simple life, free of stress, a positive, relaxed feeling.
