ABOUT COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is a small country, about the size of the state of Virginia. It's very large, however, in its appeal to visitors. The appeal begins with friendly, always smiling, local people known as Ticos. The people in Costa Rica are genuinely hospitable and happy. They truly take a "pure life" attitude toward living, hence the coined expression "pura vida." Add beautiful landscapes and lush tropical forests to the mix, and you start to realize what everyone's talking about. Combine those with warm water and incredibly consistent surf, and you'll realize you've finally found paradise.

The sun rises in Costa Rica around 5:15 a.m., and sets around 5:30 p.m. Water temperatures range between 76-80 degrees F. all year. Air temperatures are usually 80-90 degrees F. on average and dip down to a balmy 75 degrees at night. Wind conditions are generally "off-shore" in the morning, and turn to a light "on-shore" until the mid to late afternoon glassy, "off-time" arrives (very similar to California conditions in the summer months). During December and January, the wind can blow "off-shore" all day long.

The two main seasons are wet and dry. The wet season is from April to mid-November with rains usually in the afternoon to cool off the ground temperature. May through June can get sticky at times with high humidity, but night showers cool off the jungle. Sometimes in July there is a period the Costa Ricans call their Indian Summer, where the rain will completely stop. September and October are truly the wet months when it can rain for days on end, making travel by road almost impossible in the jungle. During these two months, Safari Surf School closes as the ocean becomes unsafe with debris from the rainy days.

How's the surf, you ask? Some of the most consistent surf can be found year-round between the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula to Playa Grande in the North. This stretch of shoreline focuses all possible swell directions and has enough break variety to satisfy any surfer at any skill level. Let's put it this way, there are few unsurfable days here. The biggest waves are during the Wet season (Southern Hemisphere swells). They average 4-10 feet. In the Dry season, 3-8 feet is the norm. The stretch of beach that Safari Surf School uses for their instructions is perfect for all levels of surfing-from beginning to advanced.

ABOUT NOSARA

Nestled in a quiet, quaint town of Nosara in the Guanacaste Province on the Pacific side of the country of Costa Rica. Unlike the crowded beaches of places like Tamarindo, Jaco, or Dominical in Nosara you won't be trampled by hoards of tourists. There are approximately 500 Ticos and around 200 emigrants from America and Europe living in the vicinity. You are truly in the jungle, and you'll realize it when you awaken in the morning to the Howler monkeys stretching their vocal chords in the distance.
The allure of Nosara is that our beach (Playa Guiones) and the outer lining area is a wild life refuge protected from development of any kind. Nosara is truly "where the jungle meets the beach"! Nosara is also home to a very large yoga community including The Nosara Yoga Institute and Omega Yoga. If yoga and surfing are your thing there is no better place to visit.

Safari Surf School is approximately 30 miles off the main paved road. That helps keep traffic down while enjoying all the necessary amenities. Telephones, internet, Direct TV,hot water and electricity are the norm. There's a doctor in town as well as a large hospital in Nicoya, just 60 minutes away. What makes Safari Surf School's location so special? You are close to multiple waterfalls that can be hiked to and Ostional, the Sea Turtles nesting sanctuary.

Here in Nosara, everything slows down so you can unwind, relax and enjoy the lifestyle while you learn to surf. There is cultural diversity here and likewise, an abundance of ethnically influenced eateries: French, German, Italian and American to balance the local fare. The peaceful serenity of Safari Surf School's beach is approximately four miles long and excellent for a great a.m. jog, shell-hunting, football, soccer, Frisbee, or just a long relaxing walk to take in the jungle scenery.