Is the surf appropriate for beginners at Punta Banco? Are boards available to rent or lessons available?

Rob, I have been around in CR a few times but never heard of this place; can you give me a general idea of what region it is in? Some good surf towns in CR (Pacific side) are Jaco, Tamarindo, and Dominical. They all have decent surf nearby and board availibility - purchase and rental. E-mail me back if you have any questions; good luck and have fun!

Sorry to jump in, but Dave, wondering if those surf places you suggested also offer lessons for beginners. Would these be good places to learn to surf for the first time in CR (in Jan). Thanks!

Area is probably known to surfers as Pavones. It is on the Pacific almost to the Panama border. According to Lonely Planet, there is place where you can ride one wave for 2-3 minutes. My travel agent says you go close enough to one bar on the wave that you could reach out & grab a beer.
I have never surfed before and would be happy to stand up for 30 seconds and drink my beer that night!
I just wanted to know if there is a place that can be gentle enough for me to learn.

OK Rob, I did a little more research and found that Punta Banco is in the Pavones area, the far south part of CR, near the Panama border as mentioned above. There are plenty of surfer-related resources there - board shops, reasonable priced food and lodging and just a few other attractions in this somewhat out-of-the-way spot. Lonely Planet is my resource also and they say this is not a place for beginners - I guess I tend to agree. For someone who has never done much surfing, I think I would start at Tamarindo or possibly Playa Hermosa, just south of Jaco. Both places have plenty of surf shops and lodging near major tourist centers. Lessons, I am not totally sure of these places are where I would start. Good luck, you'll have fun - the water is warm and forgiving!