My husband and I are looking for a good week+/- vacation. Puerto Rico? Panama?
 

My husband and I are mid 30's & 40. We are active,love to hike, adventure,maybe scuba, and took up surfing last year in Kauai on the North Shore. We are not big fans of chain hotels, all inclusive, and do not stay out late. We plan on doing Costa Rica in the future when we have 2 weeks. Does anyone have a suggestion for a destination in or near (relating to distance from US) Central America where we might also catch some good waves? A friend mentioned Panama or Puerto Rico but there are so many choices...hotels,condo rental, tours, etc. Any help is greatly appreciated!

I don't know about surfing in Panama, but in Puerto Rico the best place is over at Rincon on the west side of the island.

You say you'd like to save Costa Rica for when you have more time, but keep in mind that even 2 weeks won't even get you close to the full experience!

I'd suggest you get yourselves down to the Osa Peninsula for a week. Bosque del Cabo has everything you are looking for. Adventure, surfing, trails galore with SO much wildlife to see. The food (3 meals daily) is fabulous, the cabinas all with gorgeous views and monkeys overhead. It is the perfect one week getaway for Costa Rica.

The other really neat parts of the country you can experience later with a 2 week trip. Hope you'll consider. I KNOW you will not be disappointed!

Been to both for me

www.visitpanama.com

prettier areas better diving

Santa Clara best for surf

www.lassirenas.com

Panama Surf Tours
Surf Travel Guide Experts and Panama Real Estate ... East to Playa Rio Mar and Playa Palmar, or West to Playa Grande, Playa Chumico and Playa Santa Clara. ...
www.panamasurftours.com

Osa CR beautiful great diving

www.jinetesdeosa.com

Have fun,

Thank you!

Pick up the Fodors books on Costa Rica, or Panama at your library. Tamarindo in the Guanacaste region of C.R. has supposedly some great surfing, and you don't have to stay in chain hotels. Lots of smaller hotels, and take a look at VRBO.com for condos and villas. We are planning on Panama next year sometime. We are not sure how long, or where, but in a smaller country, a 10 day visit will let us see a lot....and the possibility of swimming in the Atlantic/Caribe and the Pacific in the same week....priceless! Have a great trip, do your reading!

I meant to leave a couple of links that I like to use for researching C.R., and Panama
http://microsites.visitcostarica.com/ict/microsites/
http://www.vacationcity.com/costa-rica/travel/agent/
http://www.panamainfo.com/

And of course, the Fodors website!
Pura Vida!