Summer surf vacations in Costa Rica

What are you doing for your summer holiday?

What about a beach holiday in the tropics? Sun, sand, surf … Costa Rica is at the top of all popular travel sites this year. Warm water, abundant sunshine, palm trees, balmy temperatures, friendly people, and lots of great places to stay and things to do. This year, try an active surfing vacation in tropical Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is the third most popular destination for surfing after Hawaii and Indonesia. With 762 miles of coastlines spread along the Pacific and the Caribbean oceans, you get thousands of opportunities for excellent year-round waves. Water temperatures are usually 83-85°F. No wetsuit needed!

Top Costa Rica surf school, Del Mar Surf Camp, offers surf vacation packages for travelers who want to try something new or get better at surfing. Their programs – for both beginner and advanced surfers – are designed so that you surf everyday with locals who have surfed the waves their whole lives.

Del Mar Surf Camp offers Costa Rica surf vacations in three locations: Jaco/Hermosa Beach on the Central Pacific Coast, Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific's Nicoya Peninsula, and Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast.

Del Mar Surf Camp's headquarters is at Hermosa Beach on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast, just south of the fun beach town of Jacó. The popular beach, with its consistent surf, variety of breaks and great exposure to swells, is famous with top surfers from all over the globe. Its shore break is one of the strongest in the world and is Del Mar's advanced surfing beach; but just 5-minutes away is the south end of Playa Jacó where beginners learn to surf in gentle and easy waves. These beaches have a fun and casual atmosphere with easy access to local attractions, restaurants and shopping. One of the area's biggest advantages is that it is only an hour's drive from San Jose on paved roads.

Near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa Beach is renowned for being one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Its beauty is stunning; the jungle hugs the coastline, pouring down from low mountains to light sand beaches and the clear aquamarine sea. Epic surf and picture-perfect sunsets are its distinction.

Nosara in Guanacaste is a community off-the-beaten-track known for its active and healthy lifestyles and its dedication to a slower pace of life with friends and family. Nosara's tranquil white sand beaches are perfect for surfing and relaxing.

Surf vacations are available now at all three of Del Mar Surf Camp's prime locations. The Pacifico 5 & 7 nights Costa Rica surfing vacation package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily breakfast, and private or shared accommodations.

The Swell 5 & 7 nights Costa Rica surfing vacation package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily Yoga classes, daily breakfast, private or shared accommodations, professional surfing photography, and 1 adventure tour.

The Estrella de Mar (Sea Star) 5 & 7 nights Costa Rica surfing vacation package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily Yoga classes, daily breakfast, private or shared accommodations, professional surfing photography, a complimentary 1-hour massage, and 1 adventure tour.

Every Del Mar surf lesson has a 2:1 instructor to student ratio for two to three hours, meaning you will always get the undivided attention you deserve with maximum safety. In all surf packages, Del Mar uses only high quality epoxy long boards, and also has soft tops available. Bilingual instructors are certified in CPR, Water Rescue, ISA and First Aid. Optional package adventure activities include: canopy zipline tours, stand up paddling, horseback riding, ATV tour, kayaking, Spanish lessons, Yoga, Pilates, and massage.

Del Mar Surf Camp specializes in Costa Rica surf vacations, family and group vacations, women only trips, yoga-surf retreats, stand-up paddle programs, and day surf lessons. Get away from your daily routine of life, have fun on an adventure, experience new places, make new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime on a Costa Rica surf vacation.

Getting to Costa Rica is easy with daily flights from the North American cities of Houston, Dallas, New York/Newark, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, and Toronto on United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, US Airways, TACA, Lacsa, and Copa Air. From Europe, Iberia, KLM, Air France and British Airways fly to Costa Rica.

By Shannon Farley