travel - Safari Surf

Safari Surf School Presents: The History of Surfing in Costa Rica

If you’ve visited our Costa Rica surf school recently, it may be impossible to imagine a time when surfing wasn’t part of Costa Rica’s culture. Surfing and the Pura Vida lifestyle go hand in hand. Every flight to Costa Rica is full of surfers and lugging board bags through the airport, but that was not always the case. Surfing, while an ancient sport, was only popularized in the US in the forties and fifties and reached the shores of Costa Rica in the sixties. Today, surfing is ingrained in daily life here in Nosara, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Continue reading below for The History of Surfing in Costa Rica.

The Beginning

Surfing in Costa Rica has a relatively recent history compared to other surf destinations like Hawaii and California. The sport began to gain popularity in Costa Rica during the 1960s and 1970s when adventurous surfers from the United States started exploring Central America in search of uncharted waves. At a time when the country’s coast lacked any real infrastructure, a surf trip to Costa Rica was a true adventure.

The 1960s: Discovery and Exploration

American surfers were fed up with the growing crowds at their home breaks in California and Hawaii and began to search for new, untouched waves in Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s warm waters and consistent swell were a welcome sight. These travelers eventually left surfboards in the country, which allowed a local surf community to flourish.

The 1970s: The Surfing Community Takes Root

During the 1970s, more surfers from around the world continued to explore Costa Rica’s coastlines. They discovered now-famous surf towns like Jaco, Tamarindo, and Pavones. While local participation was still limited, these areas gained popularity among international surfers for their consistent swell, remoteness, and stunning natural beauty.

The 1980s: Surfing in Costa Rica Continues to Grow

By the 1980s, Costa Rica had developed basic surfing infrastructure. Small coastal towns began to host traveling surfers regularly. Hotels and even surf shops began to open, and surf tourism contributed to the local economy for the first time. Costa Rica’s consistent waves and relatively uncrowded beaches started to attract international surfers. Articles and features in surf magazines brought further attention to the region.

The 1990s: Surfing Boom

In 1991, the now-celebrated surf film Endless Summer II showcased many of Guanacaste’s near-perfect waves, including Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point. The movie cemented Costa Rica as one of the world’s premier surf destinations. Shortly after, the country experienced a boom in surf tourism, and surf schools and camps began to emerge.

2000s to Present: A Surfing Mecca

Costa Rica has become a model for sustainable surf tourism, and Nosara is leading the charge. Efforts to protect the environment and preserve the natural beauty of surf spots have been crucial. Today, Costa Rica is recognized globally as one of the top surfing destinations. Its consistent waves, warm waters, and welcoming culture attract surfers of all levels year-round. The surf culture in Costa Rica is now a blend of local and international influences, with a strong emphasis on community and environmental stewardship.

Nosara has developed as one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for surfers of all levels. Whether you’re an experienced charger or a first-time surfer looking for a new passion, a trip to Safari Surf School offers the perfect opportunity to hone your skills, enjoy consistent waves, and immerse yourself in the Pura Vida lifestyle.

The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Intermediate Waves on the Planet

Not all waves are created equal. While there’s no denying that there are good and bad waves, it’s not always binary. What may look like a fun wave to one surfer could be impossible to surf to another. Every surfer is different, and depending on their skill level, not all surfers are looking for the same thing. While the waves that make magazine spreads and dominate your Instagram feed may look visually stunning, they’re usually highly difficult to surf. Sure, there is a caliber of surfer looking specifically for steep, hollow waves that hold serious size, but most surfers in the water just want an open face to do turns. If you’re an intermediate surfer, don’t spend your surf trips chasing waves that are too difficult or dangerous for you to ride. Instead, look for waves that will help you progress. Continue reading below for The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Intermediate Waves on the Planet.

Intermediate Waves in the US

Upper Trestles- San Clemente, California

Lower Trestles is the pinnacle of high-performance surfing in the US. The wave offers an open wall to carve, launch airs, and hack. It’s not unusual to spot pros in the lineup, going toe-to-toe with the best young up-and-coming surfers. Uppers, just north of the famed Lowers, offers a similarly long-walled wave without the competitive lineup. Compared to Lowers, Uppers is a mellow, slow-breaking right. You’ll find a wide variety of skill levels in the lineup on all different types of boards.

Intermediate Waves in Latin America

Playa Guiones- Nosara, Costa Rica

We couldn’t make a list of the best waves on the planet without including our home break—Playa Guiones. Playa Guiones is a 4-mile-long beach with dozens of reliable sand bars that help disperse the crowd. The wave at Guiones breaks slowly and has a gently sloped face that makes it user-friendly at any size.

Playa Venao- Pedasi, Panama

Our other home break in Panama offers a similar ride to that in Guiones. Playa Venao is a crescent-shaped cove that faces completely south. While the beach does pick up a ton of swell, the sides of the cove always produce smaller, weaker waves that are ideal for learning. The middle of the cove has a fun right and left peak that beaks quickly and is favored by advanced surfers.

Chicama- Peru

Northern Peru is home to some of the best waves on the planet. There are world-class barrels, long reeling points, peaky beach breaks, and much more. Chicama is home to the longest left in the Western Hemisphere. It takes a massive northwest swell to begin breaking, so most people travel there from other waves nearby rather than take a trip to Chicama. The wave peels for multiple kilometers and is so long that it’s physically impossible to paddle back against the current. Instead, surfers are ferried back to the peak by boat.

Intermediate Waves in Asia

Lazy Lefts & Right- Weligama, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a great destination for intermediate waves. While the Indian Ocean island nation receives ample swell, many of its most celebrated waves are longer points, not top-to-bottom hollow waves. Two great examples can be found in the southeast corner of the tear-drop-shaped island, right next to each other— Lazy Lefts and Lazy Rights. Lazy Lefts and Rights are complimentary points separated by a wide bay that breaks towards each other. The right is a slow-breaking, long ride, and the left is a bit faster and steeper. The combination is ideal for progression and allows surfers to build confidence on the right and work their way towards the left.

Old Man’s – Batu-Bolong- Canggu, Bali

Bali is one of the world’s most popular surf destinations for a reason—it’s full of world-class waves. While the iconic lefts off the Bukit Peninsula may be well suited for advanced surfers, there are still plenty of intermediate waves on the island. Old Man’s is a cruisy right-hander that bends around a lava reef and forms a picture-perfect wave for longboarders and new surfers.

Intermediate Waves in Europe

Baleal Island- Peniche, Portugal

Portugal is Europe’s wave mecca, and Peniche is home to one of the country’s many crown jewels, Super Tubos. Super Tubos is the European Pipeline. It’s a beach break that packs a serious punch and produces some of the best tubes in the Old World. Just down the road from this barrel haven is a mellow beach and reef break that peel perfectly and offer ample room for turns.

The best way to progress your surfing is to travel. Join us in Costa Rica, Panama, or Ecuador to surf our favorite intermediate waves. Head to our website to book your trip today!

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The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Beginner Waves on the Planet

If you’re a new surfer, looking to improve your fundamentals with professional coaching, or trying out surfing for the first time, taking a surf trip and immersing yourself in the surfing lifestyle may be the best thing you can do. Nothing beats traveling to a far-flung corner of the world where the water is warm the sun shines bright in the sky, and palm trees sway effortlessly in the breeze. You be under the impression that surf trips are for experienced surfers chasing massive swells at advanced breaks, but there are thousands of waves around the world ideally suited for progression. If you’re on the fence about pulling the trigger on a surf trip as your next vacation, continue reading below for The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Beginner Waves on the Planet.

Our Favorite Beginner Wave and Home Break: Playa Guiones- Nosara, Costa Rica

Our home break, Playa Guiones, is a wide-open sandy expanse that stretches for nearly 4.5 miles in front of a backdrop of dense mangrove forest and tropical jungle. Unlike many of the beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Guiones is bordered by state-protected land, meaning that there’s nothing built on the sand. Instead, the beach is lined by massive trees that are bisected by a trail system. The wave at Playa Guiones is ideally suited for new surfers. It has a gently sloping face and, even at size, breaks rather softly. Additionally, the four miles of sand bars allow surfers to spread out.

Playa Venao, Panama

Home to our second Safari Surf School, Playa Venao, on Panama’s Pacific coast, is the perfect beginner wave. Playa Venao is a south-facing, crescent-shaped cove that picks up an enormous amount of swell. The sides of the cove, however, are sheltered. So, even when overhead waves are breaking on the sand bars in the middle of the cove, the sand bars on either side of the cove provide gentle peeling beginner waves.

Waikiki, Hawaii

Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing, and Waikiki is steeped in surf lore and tradition that dates back centuries. As the birthplace of modern surfing and the home of the iconic Waikiki Beach Boys, surfing at Waikiki is like riding a wave through time. The wave at Waikiki is soft and peels for what feels like an eternity. While there’s definitely a crowd, there’s no denying that Waikiki is one of the best longboard and beginner waves on the planet.

San Onofre, California

San O was once the most coveted wave on the California coast. Back when all surfers rode single-fin logs, and getting toes off the nose was the pinnacle of high-performance surfing. Now, San O is to longboarders and new surfers what Trestles is to the high-performance crowd. Located in Camp Pendleton, just outside of San Clemente on the northern edge of San Diego County, San O provides surfers with plenty of room to spread out and practice the fundamentals. The main peak is best suited for intermediate and advanced surfers.

Lagos, Portugal

Lagos surfing — Algarve Where to Surf – Best Surfing Beaches in the Algarve

Lagos, located in the south-facing Algarve region of Portugal, is perhaps Europe’s best beginner wave. Tucked away in the southern reaches of the Western Iberian Peninsula, Lagos’s main stretch of coast is protected from Europe’s large northern swells. Instead of producing pumping surf in frigid water, like the rest of Portugal, Lagos is home to gentle peeling waves. The water is still a bit chilly, but the air temperatures in Lagos are much warmer than the rest of the European continent.

Beginner surfers rejoice. Safari Surf now has three locations across the globe where our expert coaches share their passion for surfing with students in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador. To book your surf trip and discover the best beginner waves on the planet. Click here.

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The Safari Surf Guide to the Ecuador Surf Season

Surf travel is not the adventure into the unknown that it was just a few short decades ago. With today’s advanced surf forecasting and the modern ease of travel, a willing surfer can spot a swell online, book travel, and be halfway around the world surfing within a day. Still, even with today’s comforts, planning a surf trip to a new destination can feel a bit overwhelming. With all the available resources online, how do you know who to trust? Despite advancements in surf forecasting, every spot is different, and sometimes, forecasts are just plain wrong. When planning a surf trip, it’s improtant to know what time of year the waves are best. It always helps to talk to fellow travelers who have been to your desired destination to get a feel for what the place is like before you commit to a trip. If you’re thinking of planning a surf trip, we’re here to help. Beyond our surf school in Costa Rica, we have surf schools in Panama and Ecuador that are ideally located by world-class waves. If you’re looking to shake things up and head somewhere new for your next surf trip, head south to Ecuador. Continue reedling below for the Safari Surf Guide to Ecuador’s Surf Seasons.

Surfing in Ecuador

Ecuador is known for its charming backpacker towns, towering mountain peaks, and the Galapagos Islands. Few of the travelers who make the journey to Ecuador are there for the waves, but for those in the know, Ecuador is a premier surf destination with a diverse selection of quality waves. Ecuador has four surf regions: North (Mompiche to Bahia de Caraquez), Central (Manta Zone), Baja Manabi, and South (Las Salinas to Montanita). Our Ecuador surf school is located in the Baja Manabi Zone, just south of Parque Nacional Machalilla. Ecuador has comfortable water temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and sees year-round swell, so you can likely leave the wetsuit at home for your Ecuador surf adventure.

Best Ecuador Surf Season for Beginners

While Ecuador has year-round swell, there’s a definitive surf season from December through April when Northwest swells are dominant in the Pacific, and winds are predominately light and offshore. Beginner and intermediate surfers may find it preferable to surf in the offseason from May through November. During this time of year, the winds can be predominately on shore, but the mornings are still glassy. With thin crowds and glassy, smaller surf in the mornings, May through November is ideal for new and intermediate surfers.

Where to Surf Year-Round in Ecuador

While most of the region’s waves crave the northwest swells and offshore winds that prevail during December through April, there are plenty of breaks that work well with south swell and even a few that work with either swell direction. Ayampe, home of our Ecuador surf school, is a tranquil hideaway on the coast, located in the Baja Manabi zone with a reliable wave that breaks year-round.

How to Get to Ayampe

Ayampe may be off the beaten path, but it’s well worth the trip. To get to Ayampe from the States, you’ll first fly into Quito. From Quito, you will connect on a domestic flight to Manta. From Manta. you can take a bus or a taxi to Ayampe. The journey may be long, but it is well worth it. Ayampe reminds us of what Nosara was like 20 years ago— quaint, charming, and full of natural beauty.

If you’re considering taking a trip to South America, visit our Ecuador surf school in Ayampe for a once-in-a-lifetime surfing experience. Head to our website for more information.

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Safari Surf Presents the Ultimate Ecuador Travel Guide

Ecuador is a one-of-a-kind travel destination that needs to be seen to be believed, home to the Galapagos Islands, towering snowcapped mountains, charming colonial towns, world-class surf, and the dense Amazon jungle. While Ecuador is one of our favorite surf trip locations and home to the newest Safari Surf iteration, our Ecuador surf school, there’s much more to the country than just the waves. If you’re looking for a buck-list trip that’s full of adventure, good surf, and friendly locals, head to Ecuador. Continue reading below as we outline the ins and outs of Ecuador travel in Safari Surf Presents the Ultimate Ecuador Travel Guide.

How to Get to Ecuador

Ecuador has two major international airports, Quito International Airport and Aeropuerto Simon Bolivar in Guayaquil. Most major international airlines fly to Ecuador via Quito. Once you’re in Ecuador, traveling around the country is easy by plane, especially if you plan on visiting the Galapagos islands or the Amazon. Regional flights can be booked through TAME, LATM, Avianca, and a few other regional airlines.

Where to Travel in Ecuador

If you’re looking to travel to Ecuador, you’ve got options. Ecuador has it all, from surfing and mountain climbing to scuba diving, historic colonial towns, and the Amazon Rainforest. Ecuador offers a diverse selection of travel experiences that are unique to the country, and it would truly take a lifetime to tackle them all. If you’re traveling to Ecuador, pick a region or activity and dive deep.

To Discover Darwin’s World

Ecuador is perhaps most famous as the home to the Galapagos Islands. Located roughly 600 miles off the Ecuadorean coast in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago of 127 tropical islands that house some of the world’s most unique endemic species, like the Galapagos Penguins, Giant Tortoises, and Sea Iguanas. The many endemic species across the Galapagos Islands helped Charles Darwin propose his theory of evolution in 1859.

To Conquer Mountains

Cotopaxi — Image Credit: Much Better Adventures

While most people think of Ecuador as a tropical paradise and home to the Galapagos Islands, it’s also one of South America’s premier mountaineering destinations. Ecuador is home to 1,289 named mountains, the tallest and most prominent of which is Chimborazo (6,268m/20,564ft). Ecuador’s tallest mountains can be found within the Sierra region of the country, which includes the provinces of Zamora Chinchipe, Loja, Azuay, Cañar, Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Napo, Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Bolívar, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and Los Ríos. Cotopaxi National Park is one of the country’s most popular mountain areas offering hiking and mountaineering. Parque Nacional Cotopaxi contains eight mountains, the highest of which is Cotopaxi, standing at a whopping 19,347 feet.

To Explore the Amazon

To explore a wealth of biodiversity deep in the Amazon jungle, head to the Yasuni National Park, located in Napo and Pastaza provinces. The Ecuadorian Amazon sits at 1300 feet above sea level and stretches over a vast swath of the eastern part of the country, spanning six provinces and 40% of the entire country. The Ecuadorian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Visit the Peruvian Amazon between December and May to see the region with slightly less rainfall.

To Surf Ecuador’s World-Class Waves

It’s no secret that Ecuador is home to several world-class waves. Travelers planning on going surfing in Ecuador can choose from four surf regions: North (Mompiche to Bahia de Caraquez), Central (Manta Zone), Baja Manabi, and South (Las Salinas to Montanita). Our Ecuador surf school is located in the Baja Manabi Zone, just south of Parque Nacional Machalilla. While Ecuador has year-round surf, the primary season for surfing in Ecuador falls between December and April, when northwest swells are abundant in the Pacific. Winds during the swell season are predominately light or offshore, making it the ideal time of year for clean conditions. Our Ecuador surf school is located in the tiny, charming town of Ayampe, where lively tropical waters collide with stunning beaches, a dense jungle, and friendly locals and ex-pats. Ayampe is an idyllic laid-back surf town in the Baja Manabi Zone that is home to one of the country’s most consistent beach breaks. Ayampe reminds us a lot of how Nosara was 20 years ago. The wave at Ayampe works well during both north and south swells, making it the ideal destination for surfing in Ecuador at any time of year

To learn more about our Ecuador surf school, head to our website. Stay tuned to the Safari Surf blog for more surf and travel news.

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Everything You Need to Know About Surfing in Ecuador

Known as the “Heart of the Earth,” Ecuador is home to a diverse landscape that includes towering mountain peaks, dense jungle, tropical beaches, and some of the best waves on the planet. Our Ecuador surf school is located in the tiny, charming town of Ayampe, where lively tropical waters collide with stunning beaches, a dense jungle, and friendly locals and ex-pats.

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Costa Rica Surf Travel 101: Where to Find the Country’s Best Waves

Surfers have been flocking to Costa Rica since the late 1960s. After the popular surf movie Endless Summer II showcased point break perfection at Ollie’s Point and Witch’s Rock in 1994, the secret was out, and surfers started pouring into the country like never before. With warm water, year-round swell, friendly locals, untouched jungle, and pristine beaches, what’s not to love? Costa Rica has surf on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, but the Pacific side sees year-round swell. With over 630 miles of Pacific coastline, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately for surf travelers everywhere, our team at Safari Surf has compiled the ultimate Costa Rica surf guide. Continue reading below for Costa Rica Surf Travel 101: Where to Find the Country’s Best Waves.

Costa Rica Surf Regions

Guanacaste

Guanacaste is Costa Rica’s northernmost province on the west coast. Guanacaste was originally part of Nicaragua but voted to join Costa Rica in 1824. It’s never been easier to travel to Guanacaste, thanks to the international airport in Liberia. Guanacaste is home surf towns like our very own Nosara and Tamarindo. The premier surf breaks in Guanacaste include Playa Guiones, Witch’s Rock, Ollie’s Point, Playa Grande, and many more.

The Nicoya Peninsula

Further south, the Nicoya Peninsula juts out and separates the Northern Costa Rican coast from the rest of the country. The Nicoya Peninsula is home to the well-known surf towns of Mal Pais and Playa Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa has boomed in the last few years. What was once a sleepy surf town is now full of trendy shops and restaurants. The area offers stunning scenery and a combination of beach and reef breaks.

Central Costa Rica

surfing playa hermosa — Image Credit: Surfline

The central Costa Rican Coast is the easiest to access from the capital of San José. Home to Coca Barranca, Jaco, and Playa Heromasa, the Central Costa Rican coastline boasts some of the best big wave spots in all of Costa Rica. During large swells, head to the river mouth at Boca Barranca or Playa Hermosa. If you can brave the strong rips and make it out to the lineup, you’ll find some of the best big waves in all of Costa Rica.

Southern Costa Rica

surf costa rica pavones — Image Credit: Surfline

Southern Costa Rica is rugged and rural compared to the north, but it’s also home to some of the best Costa Rica surf. While the southern coast lacks the consistency of Guanacaste or the central coast, with a good swell, the region produces some of the best waves on the planet. Pavones is that wave. Pavones is an endless left-hand point break that seems to break flawlessly for hundreds of meters.

The Caribbean Coast

surfing costa rica — Image Credit: Surfline

Costa Rica’s eastern coast has the tropical feel of any Caribbean destination, with electric blue water and warm sunny skies. The Costa Rica surf on the east coast is far less reliable than the surf on the west. Most swells occur during the winter, and most waves break over sharp reef. Still, the region is home to a few world-class setups, like Salsa Bravas, known for steep drops and gaping barrels.

When to surf in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has consistent surf all year, but each season (Dry and Rainy) brings different conditions. The Rainy Season, which falls from April until September, is considered swell season. During the Rainy Season, surfers can expect consistent large surf with all spots firing. The Dry Season, which falls from October until March, sees a decrease in swell size but an increase in offshore winds, thanks to the Popogoyo winds. During the Dry Season, surfers can expect small clean waves, perfect for learning and progression.

Thinking about a Costa Rica surf trip? Our Costa Rica surf school has what it takes to take your surfing to the next level. Join us for surf lessons, surf guiding, and other Costa Rica Adventures.

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Why Surfing Nosara Should Be on Your Bucket List

If you’re looking for your next surf adventure, head to Costa Rica. Travelers have been flocking to Costa Rica for decades in pursuit of perfect waves. While some of Costa Rica’s surf towns have grown overpopulated and over-developed, Nosara retains its small-town charm. Known for world-class waves and stunning coastline, this tropical paradise has something for surfers. Whether you’re an experienced surfer yearning to travel to one of Central America’s best beach breaks or a new surfer looking to ride your first wave, our team at our Costa Rica Surf School can show you the ins and outs of our little Costa Rica surf town. Continue reading below for Why Surfing in Nosara Should Be on Your Bucket List.

Surfing Nosara Where There are Perfect Waves for All Levels

Another stoked Safari Surf School guest!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Nosara has waves perfectly suited for your skill level. With consistent swells all year round, even the off-season days are fun. Playa Guiones is a wide-open beach break with miles of sandbars to choose from. Playa Guiones offers new surfers the chance to catch and ride green waves thanks to the gentle slope of the wave. Down the road in Garza, experienced surfers will find a variety of world-class setups accessible by boat, including left and right point breaks.

Beautiful Beaches and Scenery

Nosara’s stunning coastline never gets old. We’ve seen thousands of sunsets from the shores of Playa Guiones, yet we still walk down each evening as the sun dips below the sea. Surfing Nosara gives you access to unapparelled natural beauty. Where other surf towns in Central America have high-rise hotels and towering resorts, Nosara has protected coastal forests and jungle-clad hills filled with exotic wildlife.

A Surfer’s Paradise

Nosara is a surfer’s paradise in every sense of the word. The town’s environmental protections and development guidelines have turned Nosara into a mecca for surfers, yogis, and travelers. When you’re not surfing Nosara, explore the town. The town is filled with surf shops, boutique clothing stores, charming restaurants, and yoga studios.

A Chance to Disconnect

Nosara is known for its laid-back vibe and commitment to sustainability. With limited development and an emphasis on eco-tourism, it’s the perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take a break from technology and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area. If you’re a remote worker, fear not, it’s easy to stay connected in Nosara. With tons of cafes and strong WIFI around town, it’s never been easier to stay connected on a surf trip. Wake up early and catch dawn patrol each day before hopping on your 9 AM Zoom call.

Opportunities for Adventure

Safari Surf guests love the local waterfalls in Nosara

While surfing is the main attraction in Nosara, there are plenty of other adventures. Take a zip-line tour through the jungle canopy, go on a horseback ride along the beach, or take a yoga class in one of the many studios in town. There’s always something to do in Nosara.

A Culinary Delight

Delicious cuisine awaits you at Safari Surf School

Nosara has evolved in the last decade into a haven for Foodies. With decadent local flavors and a fine selection of international cuisines, it’s easy to fall in love with the food scene when you’re not surfing Nosara. Start each day with a traditional breakfast of Gallo Pinto or a healthy smoothie bowl and end each night with a meal to remember.

Nosara, Costa Rica, should be on every surfer’s bucket list. With perfect waves, stunning scenery, and a welcoming surfing community, it’s the ultimate destination for any traveling surfing. Book your trip to visit Safari Surf and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

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Safari Surf School Staff Highlight: Meet Our Surf Instructor Pio

As we mentioned in our Sustainability Goals for 2021 post, our local staff are the x-factor of Safari Surf School. As the first school to open up shop in Nosara, back in 1999, Safari Surf has been a trendsetter for similar businesses in Costa Rica. In over 20 years in business in Costa Rica, we’ve learned that no one quite compares to the local community. Our staff has a deep passion for surfing, the ocean, and sharing Costa Rican culture and Pura Vida hospitality with our guests. Since we were the first surf school to open in Nosara, some of our staff members have been with us for decades. Others have come on board a bit later, but either way, our staff is our family. In this week’s Safari Surf Staff Highlight, we introduce one of our surf coaches who has been with us for years, Pio. Pio and I caught up after his morning lesson.

Nosara Safari Surf School surfing travel

What to Do in Nosara When You’re Not Surfing

At Safari Surf School, we’re in the business of turning regular people into surfers, which, as you may assume, require a lot of water time. For 99.9% of our guests, the more time in the ocean, the better. As guests become more acquainted with surfing and its many nuances, they can’t help but be consumed by it. When guests aren’t surfing, they’re talking about surfing, planning their next surf session, or at the very least, thinking about surfing. There are those rare moments when you surf so much and so often that you need to take a break. That break could last a few hours or even a whole day. Fortunately for our guests, there is plenty to do in Nosara and Playa Guiones, both in and out of the water, that doesn’t involve riding waves.

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Safari Surf School’s Sustainability Goals for 2021 and Onward

As surfers, we feel we must be as environmentally conscious as possible in all facets of life, including our business. Sustainability, however, goes beyond just one’s environmental impact. Sustainability in travel and tourism means not only being eco-conscious and reducing waste but ensuring our existence as a business doesn’t displace, diminish, or damage the local culture and economy. 2020 was a rocky year for travel, but we used that time to reflect on our core values as a business in Costa Rica and as surfers. This year, we aim to continue our sustainable mission through a commitment to preserving, protecting, and improving the natural environment of Nosara, its culture, and its people. To find out more about our sustainability goals for 2021, continue reading below.

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Our Costa Rica Surf School’s Guide to Experiencing Costa Rican Wildlife

Our Costa Rica surf school is perfectly positioned for our guests to have a complete Costa Rica experience, both in and out of the water. Located in Guanacaste on a remote stretch of the Nicoya Peninsula, travelers in Nosara can experience Costa Rica’s abundant wildlife on land and sea. If you’re surfed out for the day or need to give yourself a bit of a break, head to one of the nearby protected nature reserves and see Costa Rica’s exotic wildlife. Nearly one-third of Costa Rica’s land is protected as national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife refuges. Additionally, since the 1980s Costa Rica has successfully reversed its deforestation by 200%. To say that wildlife thrives in Costa Rica would be an understatement. Costa Rica is home to exotic and endangered wildlife that once dominated the entire Central America region but has since but poached out of existence in many other countries. Sloths, Scarlet Macaws, Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Jaguars, and more all call Costa Rica home. If you want to find out how to experience Costa Rican wildlife on your visit to our Costa Rica surf school, continue reading below.

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How Implement Sustainable Travel When You Visit Our Nosara Surf School

As surfers, we spend quite a lot of time close to nature. It could be argued that there is no single activity that is as in tune with nature as surfing. Riding waves in the ocean that are created by storm systems thousands of miles away is about as close to nature as you can get. It’s surfing’s proximity to nature that drives surfers to protect the environment. The ocean is our playground, and it is heartbreaking to see it filled with trash, single-use plastics, and discarded fishing gear. As a traveler, your movement already weighs heavily on the environment. The carbon emissions from one long flight exceed approximately 14% of your car’s annual fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, modern traveling is ripe with wasteful single-use products. So, what is a traveler to do? Without giving up travel altogether, there are a few steps travelers can take to help reduce their environmental impact while on the road. If you’re visiting our Nosara surf school and want to reduce waste during your journey, continue reading below for How to Travel Sustainably When You Visit Our Nosara Surf School.

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Why More Visitors are Heading to Panama & How we Settled on Playa Venao

As much as we love our home in Nosara, Costa Rica, and our home break Playa Guiones, we can’t say no to a new adventure. When we decided to expand our operations at Safari Surf, we looked far and wide for a wave and location that reminded us a bit of our roots in Playa Guiones but still had an independent culture and identity. Most of all, we wanted a new adventure for ourselves, and our Safari Surf guests. After leaving no stone unturned and much deliberation, we settled on a little slice of paradise known as Playa Venao, Panama. To find out more about our Panama operation and why we fell in love with Playa Venao, continue reading below for Why More Visitors are Heading to Panama & How we Settled on Playa Venao for Safari Surf.

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THE NEXT LEVEL

Safari Surf School founder and Prez Tim Marsh can be summed up in one word: Irrepressible. Look it up and you’ll find words that say “That’s Tim!”: passionate, unquenchable, everlasting, ebullient, exuberant, buoyant, [more]high-spirited, impossible to hold back…
I remember hearing motivational speaker Joel Weldon touting his mantra “SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, NOT IN CANNOTS” – this is Tim!
With the success and growth of Safari Surf School in Nosara, Costa Rica, you’d think he’d have his hands full. He does! But inside that brain of his, the hamster wheel spins madly – he is hatching something!
A longtime dream of Tim’s has been to create a program that bridges the ‘novice’ surfer to the next level. The result has manifest in a new travel abroad guided surf coaching company call Safari Surf Adventures. Geared for the intermediate skill level surfers, Safari Surf Adventures organizes all-inclusive “coaching tutorial” group trips to exotic locales with amazing challenging waves.
With the first of two promo trips now under his belt, I asked Tim about this new adventure program and where it’s all headed.

1) Explain the genesis of SSA I’ve always knew there was the “next level” or “natural progression” with Safari Surf School…meaning the surf school program could only take a person so far in their surf skill set as well as one’s taste for adventure travel.
I started a business plan back in 2011 and had just about finished the plan in 2012 for the future project called Safari Surf Adventures. The program was to be dedicated to intermediate level surfers and above. Persons looking to take their surf skill set to the next level while surfing remote and exotic point type waves with top notch surf coaches in the water with you and state of the art video analysis software for recording and analyzing one’s surf technique. All this while enjoying the local cultures of the destinations we go to and traveling with a sustainable philosophy to ensure our footprint is not too large and the local communities we visit can benefit in some fashion from our presence. The plan was set and ready for a public launch in 2012. I created a page on my website letting people know there was an investment opportunity and then BANG. The rug was pulled out from under me. My partners in the hotel Casa Tucan decided they wanted to sell the hotel and Safari Surf School was about to be homeless. My focus immediately turned to finding a new location for SSS in Nosara and the SSA program was put on the back burner. Three and a half years later Olas Verdes was completed and Safari Surf School had its new home. I had achieved what I had set out to do which was to create an awesome home base for my program there in Nosara. Late in 2016 I received an email from a person interested in an investment opportunity. I had no idea what it was about but soon came to find out a person had seen my original old web page about my investment opportunity for SSA. Literally 2 weeks later another person contacted me about the very same page / investment announcement that I had placed on the back burner some years prior. The signs were flashing and the stars seemed aligned to make my SSA program come to fruition. Through hard work and strategic relationships SSA was born and we have completed our first two pilot trips.
2) Where will future camps be held?
We have base locations in Indonesia (Timor area), Peru, Portugal, New Zealand, Morocco, and of course Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We are also looking at adding locations in Australia, Puerto Rico, and possibly in Maui.
3) What factors go into selecting a destination?
We are looking for somewhat remote locations with shoulder seasons that are not crowded and have world class point type of surf breaks. Riding a point wave will increase one’s surf skill set exponentially! The locations need to have quality accommodations, and we are interested in training and employing local peoples where we can. Obviously we’re looking for quality people to work with in each location.
4) Who are the coaches? Describe the coaching process.
We’re in the process of working with many coaches but currently we have world ranked # 2 surf pro Serena Brooke working with us in the Australia, Indo, and New Zealand area. WE have Kimber Kinley along with my local SSS staff members who are ISA Level 2 Surf Coaches like Alonso, Helberth, Pio, Luis etc. working with us in the Americas (Peru, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua). We’re always looking for high end surf coaches to join us!
5) Will the trips be videoed and photographed?
All trips surf sessions will be videoed along with photographs, but our main content will be video as this is what we will be using to analyze and breakdown surfing technique and performance. All video, photos, and analysis footage will be provided to guests.
6) Who is this new programed geared towards?
So far, we’ve had mostly SSS alumni which has been so cool! There is really no right or wrong board type for these trips. Most I will say have been guests shortening their boards and getting more comfy on mid-range length to short boards. We’ve had men and women with all types of age variance …really this program is for everyone who is a solid intermediate level surfer.
7) What other activities are offered along with surfing?
Ha …what don’t we do! Of course there are all type of ocean and land-based activities to partake in. We also visit local schools, local cultural events, local communities. For example, on our latest Rote, Indonesia trip we all toured the island on mopeds, visiting remote communities, markets, hidden beaches, and restaurants – A Blast!
8) How did the first two trips go? AMAZING !!
These were “pilot” trips to get people there and provide us feedback while we also did a ton of video so we can create location story board videos for these locales as well.
9) Where can we find out more on SSA?
Our website is now live: www.safarisurfadventures.com We also have pages on Facebook and Instagram.

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