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I will be exploring Costa Rica alone for four to six weeks, starting February 20. If there is anyone planning to travel around that same time, with even a feeble grasp of the Spanish language, that would like to join me for any part of the trip, I'd love to hear from you.

The plan is to fly into San Jose, rent a 4x4 and after a few days up in the mountains/volcanoes, head to the beach. I'll be starting in Nosara and tracking South, around the Nicoya Peninsula. From there, the trip will continue South toward Dominical.

I'm a straight, 35 year-old, marketing exec from Raleigh, North Carolina that has had enough of the day-to-day grind and needs to go surfing (I will be traveling with two boards in case you want to get wet). Accommodations will be figured out on the fly and while I do have a budget for this trip, I'm not staying in hostels. Private, secure rooms are a must - as is a laid back, hassle free, good time.

Some monetary contribution to either the rental car or hotels would be nice but everything is up for negotiation. Shoot me an email and let's talk about it.

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Just got back last night (2nd trip). If surfing is your thing, 2 places to check out are the Mal Pais Surf Camp in Mal Pais. We stayed 3 nights and lots to do, interesting crowd, lots your age and good price range of accomodation there $7-$95 nt. We had a villa for $95 (my daughter and I age 52/23). Great beach and she said the waves were really forgiving (she is not really a beginner but doesn't yet call herself an intermediate). Just left her ... she is now back in Hermosa (5mi south of Jaco) staying with Jim Hogan www.jimhogansurfcamp.com .. he actually puts them up at Hotel Terrazas del Pacifico, which is great. While he trains all levels, he even trains ppl for compitions and used to teach the Nat'l team. Was on the world tour for 10 yrs and World Longboard Champ in 95/96. We didn't need a car in either spot as Mal Pais is great to just walk and at Jim's, he takes you everywhere. If you want to see the waves there check our www.rovercam.com for daily and archived pics or surfline at http://www.surfline.com/reports/report.cfm?id=5561
They were all having a great time the last 3 days on the waves at Esterillos.
Have a great trip ... I just came back thru Charlotte last night

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Nosara to Dominical, is not via Mal Pais. Unless you want to cross a river in a rental. You still then need to hit the ferry, and then go down from Puntarenas to Jaco, then Quepos, then down a terrible road, to Dominical. Unless you have a sturdy a 4X4 and good skills, as well as a Low gear, dont bother entering Corcovado, no wheels needed, better fly in and out and or take a boat to the lodges and ranger stations. great surf spots to yourself are from Marbella to Tamarindo. In Tamarindo Witchs Rock surf camp runs a bus to Ollies Point near the Nicaragua border.

Get the Moon handbook to really get under the layers of the off beaten path Costa Rica. dont leave anything in the car, ever, and never ever drive at night.

You should explore the Caribe side as well, Tortuguero and Playa Cahuita and Pt Viejo, the Salsa Brava break ss not for the novice, and then head to Manzanillo and the Gonduca refuge, freshwater dolphins, lagoons, and great kayaking and desolate raw beaches.

Other must do with all that time-

Chirppo- Cloudbridge and hot springs
Playa Bellena- Snorkel at low tide
Waterfalls in all venues
Rincon and Rio Negra
Raft a river, Paquare or Reventzion on the caribe is great.
Fishing the Rio San Juan
Ostional mangroves
Drake Bay and Isla Cano diving
Playa Matalapo to Playa Carate
And the end all of surfing, Playa Pavones, the longest left break in the America.

Watch out for rip tides and strong currents.

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