I'm going to CR in April with my husband and 2 kids ages (10 & 11). Right now I am planning on visiting Arenal for 2 days and the Osa for 4 days. We would like to also include some type of surfing experience for the kids so I need recomendations. I think Quepos/MA would be the easiest, travel-wise, but it really sounds over-run with tourists and crazy. Not my idea of a Costa Rica experience! We would have 2-3 days for the beach. Any thoughts?

Hi, MA is not overrun and crowded like you might be thinking an American beach is. They only allow a certain number of people into the park each day. I think it's the prettiest beach. However, I haven't seen anyone surfing there. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but when I've been there, the water was pretty calm. A lot of surfers go to Jaco or Hermosa (near Jaco), but a lot of families don't like Jaco because it's a party town. You can go to Domincal -- good waves there...

Sandy

Also look at Santa Teresa/MalPais for surfing. Here is a website that may be of help on this area. http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/

Thanks for your help. I've decided on Manual Antonio for all the activities that are available there. Even though surfing may not be popular, there's no shortage of things to do. Does anyone know how to get to the Osa (Puerto Jimenez) from Quepos?

What part of the Osa? If you are at Cabo Matapalo on the Golfo Dulce side, you can surf there.

you can definitely surf in Manuel Antonio. I was there a few months ago and rented a board right on the beach. You can also get lessons there from locals who speak pretty good english. They are good learning waves, too, so that should be helpful. If you're looking for a less-touristy hotel option, and you have rented a car, check out Delfin. It's on a beautiful, non-crowded beach about 30 minutes from the Manuel Antonio area south of Hermosa beach. Have fun!

shillmac,
We're headed to Bosque del Cabo, and from what I've read, you can take surfing lessons there. TaraCR, thanks for the info on MA, it's just what I was looking for, I think we'll hire a local to get the kids going before heading to BDC.

Spent 5 days at BDC last June with our kids 15,14. After 4 days in Arenal (outstanding lava from Observatory), we surfed Dominical for 3 days before we headed to OSA. I do not feel Dominical was so good for younger kids, it was borderline for my two teens. Very scruffy, college-age oriented, but of course the kids loved it, and surfing access was great, walk out the door and step into the waves. kids did not want to leave and go to BDC...till they arrived and were in total awe of it! Just wanted to let you know that the BDC surfing access was much more strenuous, walking far out to the waves. Must have water shoes for the rocks for kids. Yes they do lessons. FYI, Maureen the wonderful BDC cook, surfs each day, say hi to her from Kate and Kyle in Virginia! They thought she was way cool! We are planning to return to CR June 07! Oh, and Oscar drove us all over CR till dropping us off for the boat over to OSA. We thought he was the highlight of our experience, worth every penny and a true ambassador for his country.

Yes, that is correct. We were at Bosque del Cabo, and several were taking surfing lessons.

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I agree about surfing lessons at BDC...when we were there last May, several people were taking advantage of the surfing lessons offered.