I've already been asking some questions about this in another one of my threads.

Husband and I are in our mid-twenties and will be spending 9 days in CR the first week in May.

We are looking at spending 4 days at a beach where he can surf. I say he is a beginner, but he has been surfing for over a year now. We live at the beach in California. I still consider him a beginner though.

We had found Malpais and are really interested in that area. The beach sounds like exactly what we are looking for. Somewhere a bit secluded and romantic, but yet with some options to explore. We will have a car and would like to take a day trip to Montezuma.

I have been told that the surf is for more experienced surfers, but I have also seen beginners who are planning to go there.

Any advice? Tamarindo just seems a bit too crowded for us. Nosara (sp?) was also recommended, but I didn't get the feeling of the tropical paradise like I did at Malpais. We were looking at Milarepa. We really like the idea of bungalows on the beach.

Drive time isn't a deciding factor for us. Is there another beach that would better meet our needs? Where at Nosara should I be looking? Thanks.

I don't surf but if I were to choose, Malpais would be my definite first choice. The beach is beautiful and uncrowded and reportedly great for surfing. The town (if you want to call it that) has a very relaxed feel to it. We stayed at Florblanca (next to Milarepa) a couple of years ago and really loved it.

Nosara did not make such a great impression on me when we visited there.

Tamarindo is very crowded and built up and if you are looking for something more remote, I would not recommend it. However, there are a couple of absolutely beautiful beaches south of Tamarindo - Playa Negra and Playa Avellana. Great for surfing and uncrowded as well.

My husband has been surfing for over 30 years and has made 14 trips to CR to surf. We did go to Mal Pais for one trip and it's quite lovely. He had GREAT surf there. Infact, it was so big on our last morning he couldn't even get out. Just paddled and paddled and got no where. I thought it was funny, but he was not amused! The three days before that last morning were great though. Quite strong and better for experienced surfers, BUT,
there are waves for more moderate or beginner surfers closer to the other end of the beach, near the main intersection at Franks Place. The Milarepa is further north of town and closer to the bigger waves of Santa Teresa and is where the more experienced sufers ride, including my husband. So, if the waves there are too powerful for him, you'll need that car to drive 5 minutes down the road to the more friendly, 'beginner' waves', near the Mal Pais Surf Camp.
Nosara is his favoritre. One reason my husband likes Nosara the best is because there are almost always good waves but 'friendlier' and 'gentler' waves, and there is room for everyone with a nice long 3 mile sandy beach. In Mal Pais / Santa Teresa, there are more rocky areas so the surfers have to share waves in a little closer proximity to avoid the rocky areas.
If you do decide on Nosara, check out the new rooms at Gilded Iguana or Casitas Romantica. For exploring, you can take a drive 45 minutes to Samara, a lovely beach with some restaurants on the sand and some nice little shops. If the moon and tides are right, you can also drive 30 minutes to Ostional to see the Olive ridley turtles. These species, unlike others, actually come ashore almost every month, all year, but only in the new moon cycle and when tides are right. There is also waves there too. If for whatever reason the waves are not 'right' at Nosara beach, my husband will drive to Ostional and there will be waves there. Of course, the beach is closed to surfing when the turtles are in.
Which ever area you decide on will be fine, and I'm sure your husband will find something to ride at either location.

Thanks guys. I actually looked at the nicoya peninsula website and found the section about the surf. It was really helpful and listed the different breaks and locations. It seems that one of the three (El Carmen) is good for beginners and the other two are a bit rougher. I appreciate all the info.

Originally we were looking at Milarepa. (it is still a possibility) After looking at the map and looking at a few more sites we are also looking at "The Place". I think some of you guys have mentioned eating there. The bungalows are listed at $80 I believe, which is quite a bit cheaper than the $145 for Milarepa. It also seems to be right at El Carmen (which is where I understand the best surf for beginners is). Does anyone have any more info on this place? I can't seem to find much other than what is on their website.

Yes, I have eaten there, sorry I can't comment on the bungalows as we didn't stay there, but I can tell you it's a good central location and just up a little hill across the street from a great beginner to moderate surfing beach. You'd be close to Franks (nice little local hangout restaurant with live music some nights) and on the other side you'd be close to the Mal Pais Surf Camp, also good food, great pool and a little nightly entertainment. If Tropico Latino was booked, The Place is where I would stay.

Ally, did you ever see the beachfront bungalow at TL? Was it shillmec who stayed there? I can't get a good feeling of what the insides look like. The place bungalows looked pretty cool on the inside and I did notice the location. That was one of the main reasons I was interested in it.