Thread: some costa rica beta please

Going to be in Costa Rica for about a month. Planning to hit Pavones, Playa Negra, and Santa Teresa.

From Santa Teresa is it easy to get to Mal Pais or do you need like a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I was reading that Mal Pais was the better break. To get to Playa Negra I hear you need a 4 wheel drive from Tamarindo. ANyone know if there are also public buses that go this way as well?

Thanks for the info

http://www.surfingtravel.com/howtobuy.html

thanks for the useless information

if i wanted to spend 20 bucks and scroll through a book to find one awsner i wouldn't of asked on this forum in the first place

Originally Posted by postman22

thanks for the useless information

if i wanted to spend 20 bucks and scroll through a book to find one awsner i wouldn't of asked on this forum in the first place

I figured you were a lazy SOB who couldn't use google (both answers are easily found), so I was a lazy SOB who added something worthwhile. but then, the question is par for the brosta rica herd course

Santa Teresa/Mal Pais are pretty much the same place. It's just one dirt road that parallels the beach for a few miles and pretty easy to walk. http://www.zencostarica.com/default.php is a great place to stay that has camp spots, dorm rooms, private rooms, and a fully equipped apartment. If I was going back I'd probably get a car to make things easier, but we didn't have any trouble walking everywhere when we spent a few weeks there.

Sorry I can't help with Playa Negra info but I haven't made it there yet. It's easy to get to Tamarindo on public buses and then rent a car there if you need so you can always just do that.

"Brosta Rica" is lol.

Santa Teresa & Mal Pais are adjacent and accessible in a two wheel drive vehicle. We managed in an Accord. Playa Negra you'll need a 4x4. Pavones, no lo se.

I don't have any specific advice because my last trip was a blur of booze and waves but all i gotta say is have fun man - great country, super cheap and the locals were friendly from what i experienced. We flew to san jose and were gonna take a local bus for like $15 on the 5 hour trip to the ocean and then rent a car but instead we found a friendly taxi driver who drove all 8 of us the 5 hours for $20 a person!!! In NYC that would have gotten me 2 miles! Then we rented a car in Tamarindo for super cheap, threw the boards in the back and drove to playa Negra and playa Avaleno (spelling?) which was money. Also, if there is a rodeo anywhere nearby - GO! We made some friends with the locals drank guara or some local drink with them and ended up running around the ring with the bulls - super fun, not too smart but memorable. Also, find some easy college girls and go skinny dipping at sunrise!

So jealous, its bringin back the memories - enjoy and let me know if you have any more specific questions - i can try to remember some stuff in between the blackouts....

I've been to Costa twice (each time for over two weeks) and would highly rec. getting a four wheel drive car. Heck, rent a 4runner and sleep in it... Santa T. is a lot of fun and exploring northward is a must. Tammarindo to the north can be touristy but the surf is titties.

cool thanks for the info

anyone know if there is some sort of lockers where you can store your valuables at either Roca Mar or Paraiso Azul campgrounds in Santa Teresa

If the Tamarindo area is your destination, fly into Liberia. Lots of car rental places on the main highway. You can hop a car rental bus for free for a shuttle to the rental offices. Continental flies into there on the cheap.

Don't bring valuables.
You can walk from Santa Teresa to Malpais, we did it very day a couple of times. Lots of different peaks. Flew from San Jose to Tambor on Sansa for $60 and then cab to Santa Teresa then on foot for a few weeks. Take the bus for good memories.

The wife and I were down there in late March. Here's the TR:

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82460

I want to say there is a bus up to Playa Negra from Tamarindo. But you could always get a taxi for fairly cheap, as long as you talk him down. Also if you are going with a bunch of people, or I'm sure you'll talk to some people in the line-up at Tamarindo, you can get to Witch's Rock pretty cheap ~50-60 by boat and they take you right to the break, and it is siiiick.

Playa Negra is an easy drive depending on the rain. We did it in a beat up sedan. 4x4 is over kill in MHO.

Getting to Pavonnes on the other hand is a lot more work in a car. Unless you plan on taking in country flights your Tamarindo/Pavonnes agenda is going to include a lot of time in a car. In that case a 4x4 makes a lot more sense.

I suggest going to Mal Pais for a week and then Tamarindo area for a week. Consistent surf, no bugs or hassle in Mal Pais - with Montezuma around the bend for night life. Consistent off shores, super dry and variety in the north - and you can boat to Witches or Ollies.

One piece - no matter what anyone tells you - you can not drive to Witches without a high clearance 4x4 - you WILL get stuck!

Originally Posted by Ottime

One piece - no matter what anyone tells you - you can not drive to Witches without a high clearance 4x4 - you WILL get stuck!

Even with a 4x4 there is a high probability you will destroy the vehicle, although when that happened, It was definitely not our fault.

When dry you can make Witches in one of the smaller Diahatsu type 4x4s. Unfortunately when you go, its not going to be dry so boat is def recommended and Diahatsu def won't make it.

Santa Teresa/Mal Pais are the same place, Mal Pais being more the Southern end of the beach and Santa Teresa the north. Mal Pais breaks further out and even on smaller days is annoying to get out back and Santa Teresa is more shore breaks. Mal Pais is IMO weak and mushy and ST can be fun. Only a 30 min walk on the beach between both.

Pavones can def be done in a sedan, taking about 10 hours to get there from Tamarindo. Easy drive except for an hour north of Dominical and on the last hour to Pavones where roads are unpaved. But you can bag the shit out of the rental car so no worries. Too far by bus.

We rented a Diahatsu for 35-40 a day everything included from Plus rent a car. They will be there at the airport when you land. They are sketchy though as there are internet reports of them putting through 1000 deposit when you give them credit card approval. Happenned to my buddy but he got his money back and I got my girlfriend to phone Credit card immed to make sure they didn't charge and to put a block on them. Still took the truck because such a good deal.

I wouldn't recommend Negra. Gnarly reef breaks that are a big hassle to get to. When Playa Grande is good its amazing, busy, but plenty of peaks so not too bad. Stay at Cabinas Las Olas there. Easy walk or drive from Tamarindo to Grande. And from Tamarindo to Negra, a car will make it or sure.

From Tamarindo area to Santa Teresa can be tough in car, just have to make sure which roads are accessible because some will have river crossings.

And like Raps said, plenty of girls to go skinny dipping. I'd recommend inviting a couple girls camping to Witches Rock, get them to split on the 4x4, and then you got a nude sunbathing party. Seriously.

Good times Phil, Good times.

By the way, surfed Cape Kiwanda in Oregon last weekend, super fun. Will be back in the area this weekend, let me know if you're around.

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