Mal Pais (Costa Rica) as a surf destination?

General Discussion
1

Yes? No?

Anyone got any stories? travel tips? Opinions?

Too crowded? Too perfect? Don’t bother…etc.?

What about Nosara?

Thanks,

Kirk

2

I have been to Mal Pais twice and once to Nosara. Mal Pais has lots more breaks, spreads out the crowd. At Nosara, everybody is jammed in to one stretch of beach. Also, Mal Pais has both low and high tide spots. Nosara went from unridable at low tide to pretty decent at high. Nosara is a good wave for longboards. First trip, Mal Pais had excellent form, waves to about head high. Next trip, too much swell, sort of washed out the beach breaks, yet not really enough swell for the point breaks. It was #%^&ing hot in Mal Pais, around 100 a couple days, not much wind. I stayed at the Tropico Latino in Mal Pais, nice pool, nice bar, good food, right on the beach. The rooms are kind of depressing, but it is too hot to spend time in the room anyway. The Harbor Reef Hotel in Nosara is real nice, wifeable even, about 5-10 minute walk to the break.

Bottom line: If you can only hit one place, go to Mal Pais. Stay a week and you will get some excellent waves.

3
Quote:

The Harbor Reef Hotel in Nosara is real nice, wifeable even

“wifeable” - I should have kept better track of classic terms I’ve first heard at Swaylock’s. Add this one.

4

Nick,

That’s exactly the info. I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time.

kirk

5

One more thing, if you don’t have it already, get the book “Surfer’s Guide to Costa Rica” by Mike Parise. Probably the best $20 you could spend for planning your trip.

6

Kirk,

I’ve been to MP many times and Nosara a couple. PM me, let me know when you are traveling there and I will try to help you out with some info

Jim N

7

Jim,

Thanks for the offer. I just PM’d you.

kirk