Surf In Mal Pais Costa Rica

Mal Pais is made up of three small towns in the south of the Nicoya Peninsula. Travelling north to south, they are known as Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, and Mal Pais. Mal Pais and Santa Teresa are two of the best beaches for surfing in Costa Rica. With warm crystal clear waters and consistent waves throughout the year, this makes Costa Rica the ideal place to relax and surf with either family or friends.

Experienced and trained surfers are available on most of the beaches along the coastal front. They will be helpful and provide their knowledge and expertise on surfing to any level of performance. There are even surf camps to gain some useful tips and meet fellow surfers; and competitions running on the beach. Some of the best surfers from all over the world will be there. Two of the major competitors are South Africa and Brazil. Costa Rica won 8^th place out of 40 in the last tournament that took place in 2006 in California on Huntington Beach.

The most popular surfing beach is Playa Carmen, this is because it is one of the safest beaches to learn surfing on, as you surf over sand. Being a long and wide beach, it is situated on the border between Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. As well, on offer there are some friendly sand bars with the atmosphere changing throughout the day and becoming livelier overnight. “Mal Pais surf” means ‘the beach to surf’ and along the coast you will see different types of surfing techniques such as, long boarders and short boarders. Some of the techniques vary between these boards. For instance, short boarders will ‘pull tail slides, aerials and 360s'. However, don’t let that put you off as there is something for everyone at all capabilities! You will soon learn which beach you prefer due to the different strength of waves. At Playa Carmen the rip tides and beach breaks are less intimidating than other surfing beaches. So if you are a beginner, I would recommend heading over there to begin with. You do need to be weary of other surfing spots in Mal Pais which are not so suitable for beginners.

Where the coast breaks along the coast, changes how big the waves are and how dangerous it is to surf there. People are friendly here, and will give you helpful advice as to which beach is mostly suited to your surfing skills. It is important that you choose the right break to surf near. North of Santa Teresa there are some smaller beaches with rocky reefs and many frequent breaks. This rocky reef is made up of mixed sand and lava outcroppings which are extended by 100m or more into the ocean. This is an area not ideal for surfers who have just begun to learn. The more north you go the choppier, heavier and steeper the waves. However, as a word of advice look out for the hidden rocks in the sea which can be very dangerous and harmful. Along the coast there can be many breaks with rocks sticking out, and so as a consequence, surfing around these areas can be very dangerous. You will also be able to see these rocks at low tide. Santa Teresa, Manzanillo, Sunset Reef and Punta Barrigona are other areas to watch out for. These areas are only really for confident and professional surfers that know the area well. These beaches comprise of many reef breaks, high swells, shallow waters and many rocks. These reefs need waves overhead to work and the bigger the swell the bigger the wave. Many experienced surfers will wait for the best wave.

For those who enjoy less crowded beaches, Playa Carmen is the best place to be. It’s quiet and peaceful, and many people like to kite surf there.