Costa Rica Surf 2-Week

Our experience begins in the San Jose Central Valley area B&B, where students learn more about Costa Rica, get to know one another and establish goals for the weeks ahead. With experienced and knowledgeable guides, we’ll river raft through a tropical rainforest on Class II and III rapids.  Rafting one of the most beautiful rivers in the world is the perfect way to begin experiencing the biodiversity and beauty of Costa Rica.

After a quick orientation, we travel to the southwest region of Costa Rica near the communities of Uvita-Dominical and the Ballena National Marine Park.  While staying together at a nearby lodge, we’ll collaborate with the professional surf guides at Uvita Surf Camp.  Through Uvita Surf Camp you’ll get high quality instruction and local knowledge of the region's many surf breaks.  We’ll begin at Colonia Beach in the Ballena National Marine Park which has a sandy bottom and smooth perfectly shaped waves to learn or progress to the next level.  In the upcoming days the guides will provide accurate tide and wave forecasts in order to find the best surf conditions among the breaks at Palo Seco, Playa Rey, and Playa Dominical among others.  Each afternoon the group will spend a few hours working on environmental service projects within the Ballena National Marine Park.  Projects will include small construction work on the park’s facilities, reforestation and trail work, and environmental education campaigns with nearby communities.

Traveling northward along the Pacific Coast, densely vegetated rainforest hills give way to tropical dry forest and the savannah landscapes of the Guanacaste Province.  Costa Rica's northernmost province is home to renowned surf spots such as Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and the famed Witch’s Rock.  Again, participants will split the day by riding the region’s waves and working with conservation groups to protect beaches which serve as one of the most important nesting sites for leatherback sea turtles in the world.  In addition we’ll work with an after school youth group, Abriendo Mentes, to share environmental education and cultural exchange activities.  At a final celebration on the beach, we’ll enjoy an ‘awards ceremony’ to reflect upon our last two weeks together.

Leaving paradise is always sad, but our group flight from nearby Liberia International Airport to Houston gives us time to share our memories before we catch connections home. We realize that the friends we have made and the waves we have surfed will always be with us!