Ocean Windsurfing in Costa Rica?

coolmtnbiker048 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California

Does anyone know of any places with gear rental for ocean windsurfing in Costa Rica? Waves would be a plus....

bobgatpdx1 · Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 385

I've windsurfed in Costa Rica the last two years - as far as I know there is no ocean windsurfing there. The main spot is Lake Arenal - sort of like a tropical version of the Gorge. Very pretty spot and VERY WINDY. The water condition is not as good as the Gorge - more of a lake chop on steroids. Still, it was a nice place to sail.

The other spot is Bahia de Salinas, near the Nicaraguan border. There is one sketchy windsurf rental place at the Ecoplaya Hotel. Lots more kiting activity there. This is a protected bay with side-on winds and swell, but not breaking waves. Have to watchout for stingrays while walking. Pretty isolated spot, not many other windsurfers there. Gets similar winds to Arenal.

The ocean winds in Costa Rica are all pretty offshore and the folks I spoke with said you have to have a boat take you way outside before it becomes sailable.

bobg

ctuna · Joined: 27 Jun 1995 Posts: 1126 Location: Santa Cruz Ca

It looked like a substantial little villa. The guys at Arenal were going to the coast years ago somewhere north of Arenal . I believe there is more than one spot though they are not widely advertised.

ctuna · Joined: 27 Jun 1995 Posts: 1126 Location: Santa Cruz Ca

Bahia Salinas along the North Coast almost to Nicaragua

coolmtnbiker048 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California

Does Bahia Salinas have windsurf rentals? I already know about Arenal. Are there spots besides those two?

EDIT: I found some more information after a google search on Bahia Salinas!

"There is also some great kitesurfing to be had at a popular surfing
break called witches rock. It blows directly offshore there but since
you need a boat to get there anyway you've got somebody to retrieve you
if things bad."

Sounds fun!!!

faradroka1 · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 216 Location: East Bay

I know this is about bahia salinas, but just wanted to put a plug in for hotel mystica in lake arenal if people are heading down there. I stopped at Tilawa and it was a bit creepy, whereas my stay at Hotel Mystica was great. Could have been me, but I liked it better. Plus its walking distance to Tico Winds which has brand new equipement. just my 2 cents...
For Bahia Salinas, I've seen Ecoplaya online but haven't been there yet.

bobgatpdx1 · Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 385

For windsurf rental in Bahia de Salinas, check with Ecoplaya Resort and see if Marc the Dutch guy is still renting gear there. When I went there two January's ago, it was just Marc and I windsurfing and a bunch of kiters.
bobg