Hello. I'm looking for a place where my friend can surf and I can swim (basically, a place on the border of two types of beaches-- those with waves and those for swimming).
We're also interested in avoiding a really touristy place and we want to get off the beaten path to explore the rainforests/hiking nearby. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Puerto Escondido, in Oaxaca,Mexico may be the place you are looking for...

I'm new to this. I'm looking for a place in Costa Rica where my friend can surf and I can swim (basically, a place on the border of two types of beaches-- those with waves and those for swimming).
We're also interested in avoiding a really touristy place and we want to get off the beaten path to explore the rainforests/hiking nearby. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Good question. It stands to reason that any beach that has waves for surfers will not be a great swimming beach, but maybe Nosara? The surfers are fairly far away from the beach so if you don't mind swimming in the surf (occasional white water...not where the surfers are) that beach might work. There is also a better swimming beach a short 5-10 minutes walk away just on the other side of the point from the surfing beach. But there is no 'rainforest' nearby to hike in the area. It's certainly not touristy at all though, so that's a plus.

We haven't been yet (going this summer) but several people recommended Playa Samara to us as a safe beach that has surfing nearby. There is a surf school there also.

Yours aye,

Manuel Antonio has a mix of both ..,...

Tamarindo and nearby Playa Grande are both pretty good. Be careful at Jaco - it can be rough. A few KMs south of Jaco is Playa Hermosa; its very good for surfing and probably ok for swiming most of the time. Very few beaches in CR are off the beaten path anymore; possibly think about the east coast? I have not been there but I hear its not as busy as the Pacific side. Good luck and have fun!

really? I thought grande and tamarindo were for surfers(?). Do you know if there are tide pools or anything?

Hey Dncee11, what do you mean that Jaco's beaches are rough? Do you mean the water or the people who hangout there? Thanks so much!

Kinda both !!!

Tamarindo and Playa Grande both have surfing beaches but I never thought the waves were too overwhelming there. I'm sure there are a few days when its too big to swim but not all the time for sure. Tamarindo is a long beach, there are lots of different places. Fathie is right about Jaco - LOL! The waves are rough and not for kids - I snapped the leash on a boogy-board there. As for all the guys on the beach smoking pot - they don't really bother anybody; they just can't afford beer and guaro!

Tamarindo is going to be very corwded...not what fizzy is looking for, I don't think.
My husband is an avid surfer and has been to CR about 20 times (now he's living there) and he would not call Manuel Antonio or Samara 'surfing' beaches. There may be some waves, sometimes, but if you're friend is a avid surfer, he would not enjoy the surf there. Much better for beginners.
I don't care for Jaco either. Not a very pretty little town as also very crowded.
As for Hermosa, (South of Jaco)those waves can be excellent and when they are I would not want to swim there, as the waves can be very powerful. Great for surfing though.