I'm looking for a spanish immersion class close to beginner surfing w/ possibly yoga.
I'm booked for a short stay at the schooloftheworld in Jaco, but from what I've read in this forum, there may be nicer places to do the spanish/surf combo.
I'm heading out October 19th back November 20th, so that may be a factor in terms of which location/school to choose.
Thanks.
You are going at the peak rainy season, Oct is the worst month in CR.
Jaco is best avoided, if you gave is more info about yourself, we could direct you better, age, sex, likes, dislikes?
Jaco os fine for partying drugs and prostitutes and tours passing thru in busses.
Being rainy season and bad month, if your a novice surfer, head to Tamarindo, or Pt Viejo on caribe side.
Be on lookout and in the loop for news of Dengue Fever outbreaks, this season is terrible in CA and CR...74 dead in Honduras...
Thanks for the reply SoloHobo.
OK I'm female, early 40s' and this is the only nice chunk of time i have for travel until probably late spring and I've already booked plane tix so I'm taking the trip.
I want to learn spanish with surfing/yoga as a bonus and yes I'm a novice. Side trips or other things I'd like to do when there include any of the following: jungle/wildlife, hiking, hot springs, river rafting. I'm by myself this trip and and not really planning on partying/nightlife.
I'm already going to change my plans to focus on Tamarindo or PV; if you have any comment on which would work better with the side trips I mentioned, I'd appreciate...and I'll read through the forum on those areas. I wonder if I might split the time between the two. Start at PV (isn't Caribe side dryer?)and then move over to Tamarindo for the latter part of the trip (mid November).
But as for Jaco -- I did pay a deposit to the school and could just apply it to a one-week stay -- given that I'm not out at night, would it not be an ok experience just for the school and surf? Is it really not nice at all? I'm not trying to be dense, I'm just trying to gauge whether this is just a nightlife issue and it's reasonably nice given if I'm mainly interested in study/surf for the time there: I mean if the school is good and the water is clean with a good beginner area....still recommending no?
Jaco will be fine for learning spanish and learning to surf, no problem there, and lots of little shops and cafes to occupy your off time.
It sounds like Montezuma, Samara or Tmarindo would fit the bill for you, Montezuma is very Bohemian as they say, more a organic and hippy chill out pace and feel, not that Tamarindo does not possess some of that too, but Tamarindo had morphed from a sleepy surf town to a enclave of well to do californians and condo developments that has taken away its once beachtown feel, though its still rustic, especially compared to Jaco, a massive sized beach town compared to all the above...
Thats time year just play be ear, no need for reservations, just make a decision on the go, its the lowest of the low season vacancy wise, strike a bargain and pay cash. Always inspect room first, and have a list of preferred choices cross referenced with Trip Advisor and your guidebook.
The reason I say avoid Jaco, is that there is so many nice more relaxed and rustic and charming beach towns in CR to enjoy, that are more local in feel and less influenced in development and staying true to what makes CR a nice beach destination.
Thanks HOBO, that feels like dead-on good advice. What I love is that, in addition to making the best of the weather conditions, I'll actually get more of what I want, see more of Costa Rica and have a way more exciting itinerary. You rock!
Your welcome. If this is your first trip to CR and CA region, Jaco makes a easy base to get to know the ropes. You can maybe take a bus to Quepos down the raod and hike Manual Anotnio park for a few hours, have a meal and head back.
Smaller beach towns and surf beaches lie just north and south too, inquire at surf shops in Jaco for what busses and what beach has rentals, easy access etc...
There is a water taxi that departs from nearby Jaco to Montezuma, early mornings. Not sure if operates in Oct as its rainy season and few surfers/tourist needing it. It also is a very pretty ride as well, lot easier then bus to Puntarenas and ferry to Tambor and then bus to Montezuma...good seafood in Puntarenas and the ferry ride nice too...
[http://www.zumatoursgroup.com/]
There also direct busses from Montezuma/Tamarindo to San Jose, tend to leave mornings...
Since you have already paid your deposit in Jaco - why not do your bit there, and then take the Zuma Tours boat over to Montezuma when you are finished (1 hr boat ride) - you can do plenty of yoga here for sure, as well as more beginner surf & spanish; as well as hike, zip-line, ride horses, check out Cabo Blanco, etc, explore a bit and then if you fancy it go on to more challenging surf in nearby Malpais/ Santa Teresa (where you can also get more spanish lessons & more yoga).
Direct buses to San Jose leave from both Malpais & Montezuma twice a day (am & pm)
Let me know if you need more info on Montezuma details. I also know Nosara quite well too - there is an absolutely excellent surf school there too and lots of quality yoga, but the town is a little tricky to get to.
So I think I'll start by east to PV area for first two weeks; due to weather and road conditions. Cahuita park sounds amazing. Also be on Caribe side for Day of the Dead.
Then to go Jaco for w/o 7th and based on HOBO's reco for boat to Montezuma (Nice one!!), will definitely head there next. and to choose from HOBO's recos for Samara and Manzanillo and your recos for Cabo Blanco, Malpais, Nosara.
So sure, I'd love to hear your comments on Montezuma because that is my planned next destination from Jaco.
The one last thing is that my outbound flight is the 20th at 8:30; so i'll choose to wind up at a destination where there is a direct bus/shuttle to SJ. Any reco for cheap easy place to crash that night with easy airport access early the next day?
Thanks, guys.
Montezuma is a nice town, two main streets have everything you need, which is 1 block off the beach. The main road leading south has more lodging and cafes, via foot or ride a bike.
Playa Cahuita nearby has a the Sloth Sanctuary to, just north.
Playa Nosora is two towns, one on the ocean is a few hotels/lodging, surf camp and the main town is inland about 2KM up a road, there you have all the needs from ATM, Grocer, cafes. shops, airport, school etc.
Playa Samara is a town similar in size to Montezuma, with lodging on the ocean and also 1 block inland is a city block with all lodging, cafes, bars and car/atms etc...it is more a traditional town in the main center has a soccer field and a church at one end, where as Montezuma and Nosora are spread out more rectangle in shape than square.
Playa Cahuita is also 4 streets of homes, shops and cafes/bars, a few on the near the ocean, but the main drag is the bars/music etc. The park is at south end.
All the towns mentioned above a bike is all you need, or a 15 min walk pretty much covers your needs.
There pics I have taken of the various towns Here