For spring break I was lucky enough to travel down to Costa Rica to check out the surfing in Tamarindo.
I’d never been to the country before but had only heard good things about both the waves and the people – the spot certainly lived up to its reputation.
We flew into the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, which was about an hour and a half north of Tamarindo.
The drive from one to the other was super bumpy, but once we were able to navigate how to stay on the main roads, it was smooth sailing.
A nice surprise was all the animals we passed by – I had no idea there’d be so many oxen, horses, and cows just walking along the street.
I feel very lucky to have been able to see the way of life in the Guanacaste Province and hope to make a trip back someday.
If you’re planning on going and are looking for good surf instruction and even better people, Witch’s Rock Surf Camp is the way to go.Â
Photo courtesy Witch's Rock Surf Camp
The Surf
Tamarindo is known for its surfing, so I was really looking forward to seeing what the waves were like.
They were more powerful than I was expecting; their strength was almost comparable to breaks you’d find at the Jersey shore.
Since the water felt like a bathtub though, it was a lot easier to take a few on the head. It depended on the day, but for the most part, the waves were relatively steep with a lengthy ride.
Longboards on the shorter side worked best, which we were able to carry right across the street to the sand from Witch’s Rock.
If the break out front is no good, you’ll hop in a van, and they’ll take you to another beach a few minutes down the way.Â
The Staff
The people who work at Witch’s Rock genuinely want to see you get better as a surfer during your time in Costa Rica.
They’re incredibly helpful and down-to-earth, and it’s obvious they’ve had the sport mastered for at least a couple of decades.
They’ll get you all squared away with locking up your belongings before you head to the beach, and once you arrive, you’ll be given a thorough run-down of everything you’ll need to know.
They’ll walk you through what type of break you’re dealing with, the best route to get out, and remind you to watch out for beginners who could accidentally run you over or have their board taken by a wave.
The instructors, managers, and all those running things behind the scenes are more than happy to answer any questions, at go at whatever pace you’d like.
If you’re lucky, they’ll also give you a few surf spots to check out on your own such as Casitas, Pico Grande, and Las Palmeras.Â
The Convenience
Witch’s Rock is super easy to get to (again – once you figure out how to remain on the paved roads) and is pretty central if you’re staying anywhere in the Guanacaste Province.
There is parking right out front free of charge, and if all the spots are taken there’s a huge lot across the street with plenty of shade; be warned though this lot isn’t exactly cheap, but you can leave your car there all day to enjoy the sun and a local lunch spot.
Speaking of food, there are four different places to grab a bite to eat all in the same neighborhood as Witch’s Rock.
Nothing hits quite like a post-surf snack, so if you’re in the area and are all finished or taking a break, be sure to check out one of the local places.
All in the same plot, there’s Volcano Brewing Company, Eat at Joe’s, Café 13, Soda Buen Comer, and Milonga Argentina Grill.Â
Video Analysis
The team at Witch’s Rock with also provide you with videos from your sessions that you can look back on to see what you did well and where there’s room for improvement.
The high-quality film is super easy to access – all you have to do you click a link they’ll send via email and find the digital folder with your name on it.
Nearly every wave you go for will be in there for you to watch both your best waves, and much more entertaining, your worst ones.Â
The CommunityÂ
People travel near and far to Costa Rica for the surf it has to offer, and visiting a place like Witch’s Rock will give you a chance to meet individuals with a wide range of backgrounds.
Going to Tamarindo from the Northeast and being so far away from home, it felt like such a once-in-a-lifetime experience interacting with folks who’d come all the way from places in Europe and Australia.
Being in a lineup and hearing multiple different accents is something you can’t help but smile at realizing just how unifying our sport really is.