Day 1: Meet your guide at San Jose airport at 9am. It’s just a short two hour transfer to Playa Hermosa, where we will check in to your hotel right on the beach. You have the rest of the day to settle in, relax, and catch some waves at this great spot, before grabbing a sunset beer and dinner at one of Hermosa’s beachfront bars and restaurants.
Day 2: Get up for a dawnie, or lie in and have a leisurely breakfast before we get on the road. A short drive north and a scenic ferry ride and we head across to the Nicoya Peninsular and on to Santa Teresa. After check in at your hotel a stone’s throw from the beach you will have the afternoon to surf or explore the area.
Day 3: We spend the day in super cool Santa Teresa, we will make a surf expedition to one of the lesser surfed breaks in the area, or you might prefer us to organize a non surf activity, one of the most popular options is a ATV tour to the nearby hippie outpost of Montezuma where we can dive and swim in the waterfalls. We will drive to one of our favorite ocean view restaurants for the evening for a cosy group dinner.
Day 4: We make the beautiful and rugged drive to Nosara. Some parts of the drive are tide dependent (yep, the beach driving bit!) so we will leave near low tide. We take a break in Samara, a pretty seaside town with lots going on (a great souvenir stop!) and arrive in Nosara in the afternoon. After check in at your hotel, you can check out stunning Guiones beach, and the cosmopolitan restaurant scene.
Day 5: Your day to plan exactly as you wish. The surf in Guiones is reliably fun but there are plenty of local breaks in the area for us to explore by vehicle too. This is also a great area for horseback riding, and is also a world renowned yoga destination with the Nosara Yoga Institute on your doorstep if you have had enough surfing and need to stretch out those muscles.
Day 6: We get up early to storm Tamarindo, made legendary by the surf movie Endless Summer, just a couple of hours north. We’ll catch some waves before lunch and check out some of the areas fantastic local beaches in the afternoon. We are based in the centre of town so you also have the chance to get your groove on at the bars and clubs after dark.
Day 7: Surf the local beaches, perhaps south to Playas Avellanas and Negra or north to Grande, wherever the swell looks good. This is also the day for an optional boat trip to the incredible Witches Rock if conditions are right, and Guanacaste is a great area for fishing and diving if you’re looking for other entertainment.
Day 8: Get a final dawn surf in before breakfast (if you’ve still got enough energy!) and it’s just a quick 40 minute transfer to the airport before your flight of just over an hour back to San Jose
Tortuga del Mar (1 night) This hotel blends the original beauty of a tropical lodge with an exquisite setting right on the pristine black sand beach. Set in a pretty garden with beachfront pool, shaded rancho and lounging areas, you'll stay right at the beach and steps from Hermosa's world class surf. All the spacious rooms have balcony access with ocean view or private terraces on the ground floor. All are furnished in a tropical-modern style and have A/C, wireless internet access, in-room safe, refrigerator, private bath with hot water and an outside lounging area.
Pacifica Surf Studios (2 nights) Stunningly built and superbly located studio hotel with a pool just steps from the white sands of Santa Teresa. Comprising eight spacious, comfortable studios apartments. Each unit includes: Large private terrace, King size bed, Sleeper sofa, Closet, Bathroom, Air conditioning, Wireless Internet and Fully equipped kitchen.
Harbor Reef (2 nights) Located a stone’s throw from Playa Guiones and the best break on the beach, Harbor Reef is an oasis of tranquility nestling in the jungle. The rooms all have A/C, Mini fridge, Hot water, Private bathroom, Satellite TV, Wireless Internet. All of rooms are surrounded by gardens, and have a small porch/deck area to read or enjoy a morning coffee. Breakfast is included.
Jardin del Eden (2 nights) This gorgeous secluded hotel itself is a unique experience: an irresistible touch of top notch class in the middle of lush tropical gardens, just a three minute walk from the ocean, and the centre of Tamarindo. The newly renovated rooms feature five different themes: African, Tunisian, Japanese, Mexican and Indonesian. All 36 rooms face the ocean or have magnificent tropical garden views. Every room offers a luxurious private bathroom with hot water, Air Conditioning, Fan, Cable TV, Phone, Mini Bar and a Complimentary Safety Deposit Box. Breakfast is included.
This trip leaves the first Saturday of every month.
