Extreme Sports

For those lucky enough to live near a coastal section of the USA, there can be no better activity than paddling out beyond the breakers, turning around, catching the best wave, and riding it back to the shore balancing on a surfboard. Surfing is not a recent sport. It is believed that the Polynesians were the first to use a simple surfboard, approximately 500 years ago, when traveling among the islands in the Pacific. References to surfing were even found in Captain Cook’s journals written when his travels took him to Hawaii. Since then, surfing has become a major sport around the world. However, those who live near the waves are not the only ones who dream of learning to surf. For those without access to any body of water, there is another option. Many of the best surfing spots around the world are now opening surf camps, allowing beginner to advanced surfers to learn the sport no matter where they come from. One area well known for its abundance of accessible beaches and waves is Costa Rica. Because of the varied coastline, this island has waves perfect for beginners to learn the basics as well as for the very experienced to improve their skills. In the past, if one wanted to learn to surf, he/she was his/her own teacher and learned by experimenting. But now, there is a better way to learn. In Montezuma, Costa Rica, there is a unique school, La Escuela Del Sol. When attending this Costa Rica Surf School as part of one’s education/vacation, learning does not always take place inside in the classroom. In addition to the opportunity to take Spanish classes for college credit, the school also gives surfing lessons for all levels. By attending this Costa Rica Surf School, this tropical island offers perfect conditions for all who wish to work on their surfing skills, in addition to expanding their knowledge of the Spanish language. Beginning surfers can work on their new skills at Playa Grande, a beach which is a short walk from the Costa Rica Surf School in Montezuma. With its soft, rock free bottom, as well as water that is not very deep, one can practice without being afraid of wiping out and feeling trapped under the water. When attending this Costa Rica Surf School, those surfers who are more advanced can take part in the Surfing Safari. These surfers are taken to areas with the best waves each day, either by jeep, or at times, by speed boat. There are five sites where one can surf, depending on the type of waves desired. Three of these sites are even kept secret in order to avoid crowds. There is no Costa Rica Surf School that can compare to La Escuela Del Sol. From Spanish lessons to surfing lessons, along with the natural beauty throughout the island, this school allows one to obtain a unique education not available anywhere else.  Read more...

If you have always wanted to learn to scuba dive why not go for the ultimate experience and learn from the best by attending Costa Rica scuba diving school! Costa Rica scuba diving courses will provide you with not only the opportunity to learn from experienced, skilled instructors but Costa Rica scuba diving courses will also give you the chance to see fantastic reefs and exotic fish that you cannot find anywhere else in the world! Visitors from all around come to Costa Rica scuba diving school to experience the warm waters and see all the different diving sites that they can be seen here. There are many different dives sites that can be found all around Tortuga Island. Your instructors will decide on which locations are the safest to dive to on that day depending upon current changes and other important factors. At these dive sites you will get to see a variety of exotic fish such as the Spotted Green Puffer, the Mexican Hogfish, and the Rainbow Runner plus so many more. Many people even come across non-aggressive White Tip Reef Sharks. Costa Rica scuba diving school such as La Escuela Del Sol require their students attend these courses for at least two weeks to get certification. This allows students to be able to be able to scuba dive safely and confidently. For those who are able to invest more time to getting their Costa Rica scuba diving certification they can attend courses for up to four weeks. In addition to learning scuba diving many students also take the opportunity to take combined courses and learn other exciting new activities such as surfing and yoga. Another popular combined course at Costa Rica scuba school is scuba diving and learning Spanish. Costa Rica is the ideal place to learn Spanish. With the exotic atmosphere and friendly locals you will find yourself catching on very quickly. Costa Rica is also a good choice for learning surfing with all of their great waves and trained instructors. For those who want a balance between something exciting such as scuba diving and something more quiet they can choose the yoga lessons. Imagine learning these peaceful techniques on the quiet beaches of Costa Rica while hearing the waves crash or the beautiful sounds of the exotic birds of Costa Rica. During your downtime you can relax on the beach our head out for delicious dining and shopping. Costa Rica provides so many exciting things it is easy to see why many people are choosing it for their new vacation hot spot!  Read more...

What’s up guys, it’s a beautiful morning here in Costa Rica. How are you doing today? My name is Bill, I’m down here in Jaco Beach and it’s absolutely incredible. I’ve worked with surf camps and surf organizations, teaching in schools and surfing around the world over the past 15 years and I’ve landed myself in Costa Rica and this is absolutely the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen- to learn how to surf or to score some perfect waves. The potential here is like nowhere else around the whole world. Now, people always ask the same questions over and over about surf trips, surf tours, surf lessons in Costa Rica- so before you guys come down here, I’m going to answer some frequently asked questions we get on a daily basis.

Here’s a little more on “Why Costa Rica for a Surf Trip?” I have never seen so many waves in my whole life, you guys. We’ll take you down the coast and we’ll take you to wave after wave after perfect tubing turnable wave. Literally, this morning was 7 foot, arm stalling, sick tubes, no one around. Out in the water you see the jungle just wrapping the coastline, iguanas running all over the beach. There’s such a variation of waves here that you never have to worry about the tides- high and low tide are good! Thats just one aspect of Costa Rica- The food down here is insane- killer, cheap food, tons of fish. Get down here, Jaco Surf Academy will literally bring you to some of best waves you’ve ever surfed and the water’s warm and beautiful.  Read more...

Scuba diving in Costa Rica is distinct from any other scuba diving location. It presents two different, widely diverse locations for diving. There are many different things to see and experience. Somehow, like any scuba diving adventure, it is best to have a guide that is familiar with the area. In this way, you will be assured with great fun and safe dive.

If you are not familiar with scuba diving and would like to get a sight with the amazing underwater world that Costa Rica has to offer, many of of the motels, as well as the travel companies, offer scuba diving lessons. Near perfect conditions such as excellent water temperatures to amazing marine life makes scuba diving in Costa Rica among the best. There are many admirable destinations to dive on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The area called Bahia Drake has amazing dive spots, especially around the Isla del Cano, as well as the Isla del Coco. Off the coasts of the two islands is an amazing display of marine wildlife. Around these islands are rich of sharks, sea turtles, and several different species of fish, making them the perfect underwater paradise for divers.

Around the Isla del Cano, over eighteen different species of coral, several species of dolphin, and many more species of crustaceans are also found. Also on the Pacific coast, you can encounter many different species of shark, including the dangerous hammerhead and the enormous Whale Shark. On the other hand, while the Pacific coast is copious with beautiful fish and interesting sea life, it pales in comparison to the wildness of the Caribbean coast. There are very few scuba diving centers on the Eastern coast of Costa Rica, however, the diving is still premier.  Read more...

There have been people going on surf trips to Costa Rica for decades now. There are numerous factors why Costa Rica has been a very favorite place to go for the surf traveler. Costa Rica is quite secure, people are friendly, expenses are fair, the country is clean, and the swells are excellent. Costa Rica has long been the steady and safe country for travel in Latin America. Apart from it being a nice safe place for vacations, there have been numerous chronicles of surf vacations to Costa Rica in surf journals and surf movies exhibiting waves such as Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Pavones to name a few surf spots.

El Salvador has never had a plentiful history with tourism previously. This meant little being understood regarding the waves in the area. Surfing in El Salvador has been basically unheard of by many people and thoughts of El Salvador bring thoughts of the past war and problems with security. It’s been over 10 years since the war and El Salvador is investing in roadways and infrastructure. The governing administration is wiping out the crime difficulties from the past. Another point unidentified by the majority of people is the surf in El Salvador is world class.

The nation of El Salvador is covered with righthand point waves. I just read an article contrasting El Salvador to the shoreline of Central California with the wave size of Puerto Escondido and thought personally that this was correct. There are many surf breaks similar in level of quality to waves like Malibu but with less crowds and open to much bigger swells. El Salvador is set facing straight south so has the top window for waves in Latin America for south swells. Within our summer season, it truly is typical to observe waves in the four to eight ft. range and bigger on solid days. Surf spots such as Punta Roca, La Bocana, and Las Flores are among some of the favorites and produce longer point break waves. Additionally, there are many other surf spots around of exceptional quality.  Read more...