Surfing and snorkeling vacation
 

My wife and I are planning a vacation to somewhere in the tropics. We want to snorkel and surf. We understand that there will have to be compromises to do both. We have been looking at Costa Rica and Panama, but haven't found anyplace that is great for both.

As far as the surfing goes, we are beginners and will want to get a series of lessons. We also don't need big waves, just beginners surf.

We would sure appreciate any suggestions.

You can do both at Bocas del Toro in Panama. We saw lots of surfers while we there several years ago. We also did a bit of snorkeling, though where we went wasn't great.

We had crappy weather there, we might have had better luck with snorkel spots if the weather had cooperated.

There's also Hawaii.

Have you looked at the Mexican Carribean (aka Riviera Maya)? The area from Cancun down to Tulum offers some great snorkeling, and some modest surf. There are places where you can snorkel from the beach, off boats, and in fresh water cenotes and caves. It's not really a surfing mecca, but I've seen some surfers, and there are a few surfing schools, etc. Check out locogringo.com for an overview of this very fun area.

Costa Rica has VERY Limited snorkeling. The San Plas Islands of Panama are another Panamanian option. Both are better than Riviera Maya, in my opinion. The Turneffe island Reef Reef Resort has very good snorkeling as of 1 year ago and we are returning this may. Unfortunately only a few spots in the BVi;s and around Caneel Bay on St. John, the West End of Curacao, a few spots of Grand Cayman and Bonaire still offer quality snorkeling in North and Central america.