Have you considered coming for a Costa Rica surf camp?
Guanacaste is the province situated in the northwest region of Costa Rica. It combines a coast on the Pacific Ocean with flatlands fed by the rivers that flow from the volcanoes called the Cordillera de Guanacaste, thus creating a fascinating landscape that is one of a kind. We also have amazing surf during the North American summer. Perfect excuse to come on down for a surf camp in Costa Rica!
Here are 8 more reasons to visit our Surf Camp in Costa Rica
- Surfing (obviously!)
The coastline of the northwest region is filled with scenes of white and black sand beaches bordering on the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Often, people visit these places to rest and relax out in the sun, but those waters provide plenty of opportunities for water sports as well. Surfing is a popular past-time throughout the coast of Guanacaste with both locals and visitors. In part, this is because some of the beaches provide the gentler conditions that are most suitable for surfing beginners, thus making it that much easier for them to get started during their Costa Rica surf camp. However, it should also be noted that there are beaches on Guanacaste’s coastline that offer more challenging conditions as well, meaning that more experienced surfers will find no shortage of exciting opportunities to maintain their interest in the northwest region.
- Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) has become more and more popular in recent times, so it should come as no surprise to learn that the sight of people with a paddle in hand while standing on their boards is becoming more and more common on Guanacaste’s coastline. Like their traditional counterparts, there are no shortage of opportunities for fun and excitement available to paddle-boarders of all inclinations and all skill levels. However, it is interesting to note that the people who choose to visit Guanacaste are not limited to its coastline. After all, the northwest region is famous for bodies of water other than the Pacific Ocean off of its coast, which should offer some intriguing possibilities for those who are willing to head inland and check out our many mangrove lined rivers.
- Snorkeling
For people who are interested in seeing a whole new world, there is the option of snorkeling in the waters off of the Guanacaste coast. The Pacific waters are filled with what can seem like a bewildering array of fish, mollusks, volcanic rock, and other amazing marine organisms. In particular, interested individuals have noted the presence of everything from rays and sharks to eels and puffer fish, each of which is a species that can offer snorkelers countless hours of fascinating observation. Better still, Costa Rica is known for its warm and hospitable waters, which should come as welcome news to those who are interested in seeing what it is like underneath the sea but also in making sure that they are as comfortable as possible throughout the entire experience. With that said, snorkelers should know that the waters tend to be somewhat murkier during the wet season than during the dry season because of the run-off, but they should be fine so long as they snorkel somewhere other the mouths of the rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean.
- Diving
Those who are interested in something more adventurous should consider diving deeper into the waters off of the Guanacaste coastline for a more intense exploration of the underwater setting as well as more chances to see its marine life up close and in person. People who are interested in seeing coral reefs should have no problems finding a suitable destination in the northwest region, but it should be mentioned that there are plenty of rock formations and other underwater sites of interest in other places as well. As a result, people who are planning to dive deep into the Pacific Ocean should have no problems finding a spot where fish and other marine organisms congregate, thus ensuring the most enriching experience possible for their dive.
- The Culture
Guanacaste’s one-of-a-kind landscape has produced some rather interesting results when it comes to the local culture. For example, much of the flatlands have been converted into pasture for the purpose of cattle ranching, with the result that there is a thriving cowboy culture in the northwest region. The cowboy of Guanacaste shares much the same mystique as their North American counterpart, boasting a reputation for being industrious, free-spirited, and close to their environment. Naturally, this means that small towns through the northwest region host celebrations on a regular basis, where cowboys can meet up to show off their skills in the bullring. Those who are concerned about the bloody reputation of Spanish bullfights should feel at ease, since the Costa Rican competitions involve no bloodshed but provide just as much excitement through bull riding, roping, and other displays of their abilities. Of course, people who are interested in seeing something of Guanacaste’s culture beyond cowboys will have no problems finding it in the cities, which are filled with museums, historical sites, and other places of interest for those who want to learn more about the northwest region as well as its people. In particular, Nicoya City on the Nicoya Peninsula stands out for being the first colonial city to be founded not just in Guanacaste but throughout the whole of Costa Rica, while Liberia is the White City famous for its Guanacaste trees as well as its proximity to the Pacific coast.
- The Food
People who want a particular kind of food will have no problems finding it in Guanacaste, but it would be a shame for them to visit the northwest region without taking the chance to sample the local cuisine. In brief, the food of the northwest region is similar to that found in the rest of Costa Rica in that it blends indigenous, Spanish, and African influences into a singular whole that is more than capable of standing on its own. Corn is the single most popular ingredient in Guanacaste cuisine, whether it is served up in the form of breads, tortillas, local snacks, or even local drinks such as the fermented chichime and the cinnamon-spiced horchata. This is a carry-over from pre-Columbian times when the local Chorotegas cultivated vast expanses of corn for a wide range of uses. Other examples of Guanacaste cuisine range from gallo pinto that combines rice, beans, and eggs to the local take on the iconic Costa Rican casado that combines rice, beans, salad, and a hearty meat such as fish or chicken.
- The Climate
No matter the time of the year, the northwest region of Costa Rica boasts a warm and welcoming climate that is sure to please people coming in from colder regions of the world. Between November and April, Guanacaste sees its dry season, which sees little rain while providing even temperatures for much of the time. In contrast, the period from May to October makes up Guanacaste’s wet season but even so, our tropical dry forest sees very little rainfall compared to the rest of the country. Often times, rain is only at night or in the late afternoon and the temperatures still hold steady in the 80’s and 90’s.
- The Landscape
Guanacaste is named for the guanacaste tree, which can be recognized by its expansive crown as well as its outsized proportions. In the present as in the past, its hardy seeds are used as food, but the guanacaste tree’s most important use is in providing respite from the constant light of the tropical sun. It is even Costa Rica’s national tree. Of course, there is much more of note to Guanacaste’s landscape than just the trees. For example, the stratovolcanoes that make up the Cordillera de Guanacaste see a fair number of tourists in their own right, which is unsurprising considering the spectacular views of their surroundings as well as the interesting plant and animal life that can be found in their ecosystems. Meanwhile, the rivers that flow from the mountains into the Pacific Ocean provide plenty of opportunities for fun and excitement as well as sightseeing, while the wetlands formed in the process of their passage are interesting enough to warrant a visit in their own right.
Our province of Guanacaste is home to a wide range of environments, each of which has its own particular appeal as well as a wide range of activities and other sites of interest that can intrigue those who want to experience it all on their surf camp in Costa Rica.
Real Surf Trips in Costa Rica provides its guests with first class accommodations, one-of-a-kind service and over 20 years of local surf knowledge, guaranteed to give you the Costa Rica Surf Camp you’ve been dreaming of!