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Answers about Island Surf and Sail, Costa Rica
Vacation Details
Do I need a Car? (what will it cost?)
What else is there to do? (what will it cost?)
What is the weather like?
What are the riding conditions like?
Who else will be there?
Where (What) will I eat? (what will is cost?)
What if my friend/travel companion doesn�t kiteboard?
Gear
Should I bring my own gear?
What size kite/sail/board will I need?
Can I rent Gear? (what will is cost?)
Costa Rica Travel
How do I get there?
What do plane tickets cost?
Do I need a visa?
Do I need shots?
Is it safe? Can I leave valuables in the house?
What about internet access and phone calls?
Should I bring Travelers Checks, Cash, Credit Cards?
Are there Medical Facilities?
Vacation Details
Do I need a Car? (what will it cost?)
If you are planning to do other tourist activities in Costa Rica; if you are traveling with someone who does not kiteboard or windsurf, you will probably want to rent a car. Generally, rentals cost $50-$100/day PLUS insurance and fuel.
What else is there to do? (what will it cost?)
Playa Copal is very rural. The Kite House can help facilitate day trips for activities other than kiteboarding and windsurfing.
such as: SportFishing, Scuba, Horseback riding, Surf trips, Hiking trips to the volcanoes, Zip-line adventures through the
rainforest canopy, trips to Nicaragua to visit the lake, beaches, or colonial cities, river rafting, mountain biking.
See a price list for these activities.
What is the weather like?
The Dry Season typically lasts November through April. It�s like summer in the Bay Area.
What are the kitesurfing and windsurfing conditions like?
It�s windy. Really windy. Average wind speeds: November: Avg 15-23, December: Avg: 20-28, January: Avg: 24-30+, February: Avg: 18-25, March: Avg: 15-25 Water Surface conditions: It�s a bay so no ocean swell. Some chop is to be expected, though there is flat water to be found below the reef at the upwind riding area & out near Isla Bolanos (http://www.costaricabureau.com/nationalparks/islabolanos.htm ), with a white sugar-sand beach & perfectly clear, flat water. Water Temp: Warm. Though if you plan on riding for hours and hours, a shorty wetsuit is recommended.
Who else will be there?
Kiteboarders from all over the world will visit Playa Copal, Bahia Salinas this season. Last year many advanced riders from the bay area came to visit the Kite Wind Surf, Costa Rica as well as riders from Europe and Canada, and other parts of Central America. Dinners at Restarante Copal usually had 15-25 kiteboarders; laughing, eating, and drinking every night.
Where (What) will I eat? (what will is cost?)
Restaurante Copal is less than 100 meters from Villas Toucan and Rana Verde, and is the usual end of day hangout features local specialties especially seafood, this year will feature a new wood-fired oven for great pizza and fresh bread. Other options include: La Sandia (dinner & BBQ with Kent & Lucie), EcoPlaya (a little more upscale dining option), and local eateries in La Cruz.
What if my friend/travel companion doesn�t kiteboard?
Gear
Should I bring my own gear?
Not everyone has the small kites and sails that they�ll probably need to ride at Playa Copal. The kitehouse will have kitesurfing gear, windsurfing sails and boards for rent. You should probably bring your own harness, but we�ll have some there to in case you forget or can�t fit it in your luggage. ?
What size kite/sail/board will I need?
Because of the usually very strong winds it is highly unlikely that anyone will use a kite larger than a 12 or 14 meter. Or a WS sail larger than a 5.4 (and then probably only in November).
Can I rent kiteboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, Gear? (what will is cost?)
The Kite House will have the following brands of gear available for rent.
Weekly and daily rates are available. Cabrinha Crossbow Kites, North Kites,
Liquid Force Boards, Neil Pryde Sails, JP Australia Boards in sizes appropriate
for the prevailing riding conditions at Playa Copal.
| Kite Rentals |
$400 full week (includes 2 hours instruction)
$125 first day (includes 2 hours instruction)
$90 each additional day |
| Kiteboard Rentals |
$35 per day |
| Kite & Board Rentals |
$550 full week (includes 2 hours instruction)
$150 first day (includes 2 hours instruction)
$120 each additional day
Kite assistant available for 5$/hour + gratuity |
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Costa Rica Travel
How do I get there?
We recommend flying into Liberia (LIR) and taking a taxi to Playa Copal.
What do plane tickets cost?
Currently, from the Bay Area, you can find round trip airfare between $650 - $850, flying through Houston to Liberia. Often flying through Atlanta or Miami into San Jose is less expensive.
Do I need a visa?
No visa is required for trips lasting less than 2 months for US citizens. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your travel dates.
Do I need shots?
There are currently no health issues for travel in Guanacaste. Visit www.cdc.gov/travel & www.who.int/vaccines-diseases for the most up to date information.
Is it safe? Can I leave valuables in the house?
Yes it is very safe. We have never had any trouble with theft but we still recommend that you bring a lock for your suitcase.
What about internet access and phone calls?
We will have dial-up internet access in Villa Toucan. Bring a phone card or buy one locally to use the land line. Your cell phone will probably not work in Costa Rica. Consider setting a time when you will be available to receive calls from loved ones at home.
Should I bring Travelers Checks, Cash, Credit Cards?
Do not bring travelers checks. Most merchants will not accept them. Cash is best. Most businesses will happily accept US Dollars & provide excellent exchange rates. There are two banks in La Cruz for exchanging money (not really necessary) or accessing the ATM (which pays out in CR Colones). Credit Cards are accepted in larger businesses and at all major tourist centers. Kite Wind Surf, Costa Rica will accept credit cards.
Aside: We recommend that you bring photocopies of passport, visas, air ticket, and credit cards. Also note the phone and fax numbers for canceling your credit cards, if stolen. Store the copies separately. Consider leaving an additional set of copies in the US with someone you trust & that you can get a hold of if you need to
Are there Medical Facilities?
There is an emergency center "Urgencia" and a Red Cross in La Cruz. And a hospital and several private medical clinics in Liberia.
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