It's no surprise to us here at Costa Rica Surf Trip that Costa Rica has made the Lonely Planet list of Best in Travel 2020, for the top ten countries you should visit this coming year!

As a country teeming with wildlife to see, activities to do, and information to learn as well as Costa Rica's leadership on a global scale regarding environmental issues and sustainable living as well as tourism, it's no wonder we are number six on Lonely Planet's list!  LP most specifically recognizes us among "the best destinations, journeys, and sustainable travel experiences for the year ahead."  That pretty much sums up how we feel about Costa Rica, and it's not unique to the year ahead!

Not only is sustainable tourism one of, if not THE, largest industry in Costa Rica, it's not just private business supporting the green movement; the federal government is a strong proponent for trying to become the first carbon neutral nation in the world, encouraging the use of renewable resources (over 90% of the nation's energy production) and appreciating its natural resources, with over 25% of the country designated as protected land!

If the natural beauty and the intentions of both the private and public sector interests in the greater good of the environment aren't enough of a motivator for your visit, the nations consistent ranking as one of the top happiest countries in the world will convince you to come and meet these happy people and find out what makes them so happy!  Or finally, even if you don't want anything to do with people for a while and just need to escape it all, you have your choice of incredible places to escape to including exotic rainforests, fascinating dry forests, exhilarating mountains, active volcanoes, and the world-famous beaches of prestige that give Costa Rica its name: "the rich coast."

But don't take our word for it; Listen to Lonely Planet.  Or better yet: don't listen to anyone; Come see for yourself and tell us where we sit on your list of top places you've ever visited!

When we aren't giving amazing lessons, excellent coaching, or taking epic trips with clients in Costa Rica, our Owners and staff travel around the world participating in international competitions, attending and hosting marketing events, visiting friends and family and, of course, surfing!  If you see us out and about, be sure to say hello, and check in at the bottom of our photo gallery page for your date/location to see if we scored some pictures of you and your friends!

We love sharing photos with you, and we remember what life was like when we caught the best.waves.ever. and didn't have any proof.  We don't want you to have to live through that, so we share our photos for free when we're out in the waves.  The only thing we ask in return is that you give us credit for the pictures if or when you repost and that you keep us in mind when you're ready for your next trip to or around Costa Rica!  Pura Vida!

Check out the newly uploaded surf pictures from a day at Skudin Surf (August 2019) in Long Beach, NY now!  More photos coming soon!  Keep an eye out!

We’re a Top Responsible Costa Rica Eco Tour 2019!

We’re more than just a tour & vacation company; We care about the wildlife and habitats we showcase, the local communities we visit, and the opportunities for education through exploration. That’s why we’re excited to announce that we’ve made it onto the Top Responsible Costa Rica Eco Tours 2019 list!

Curated by Terra Incognita - a social enterprise seeking to promote the best examples of ethical ecotourism worldwide - we’re part of a group of nearly 40 incredible tours across Costa Rica working to conserve the environment, support the well-being of local people and educate visitors and hosts.

"Costa Rica is often the first place that comes to mind when we hear the word 'ecotourism', yet it can still be challenging for visitors to choose a responsible tour", said Kristi Foster of Terra Incognita.

The list includes a transparent explanation of how all tours contribute to conservation, local communities and education, and is open to reviews from guests who’ve participated in the tours.

Tour operators on the list are doing everything from cleaning up beaches and donating to
community projects, to offsetting their carbon emissions and encouraging their guests to do the same. Some are actively contributing to conservation research, while others are empowering local conservation ambassadors through environmental education and capacity building.

“With every new tour we discover, we’re amazed to see what operators are doing to have a positive impact on the planet through tourism,” said Dr Nick Askew of Terra Incognita. “Eventually we hope to showcase ethical tour experiences in every country worldwide.”

"Even though ecotourism is fairly well established in Costa Rica, there's still so much to discover”, said Kristi. “There are many small, local and family-run ecotourism companies offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences while supporting the country's natural and cultural heritage".

You can view the Responsible Costa Rica Eco Tours 2019 list at www.terra-incognita.travel and join a movement to create positive change for people and planet through travel with Costa Rica Surf Trip!

We, at Costa Rica Surf Trip, are humbled to have been awarded among the top eco tour providers in the nation and appreciate the recognition as we evolve to protect and promote sustainability on a local, national, and global scale!

Costa Rica has, for many years now, been referred to as the "Happiest country on the planet."  Whenever we tell people that, they always seems to ask the obvious questions: "Why?" and "Do you believe that's true?"

Our own answer is easily summarized based on what anyone can see  and feel on a trip to this beautiful country, and it is not false, so yes, we believe that it's true for the following reasons and more:

1) The friendliness of the people of Costa Rica, who live by the phrase "Pura Vida" (pura life) which is equivalent to Hawaii's "Aloha" and then some!

2) The diversity (loaded): cultural, racial, ecological, biological...the list goes on.  When you have a constant mixture of cultures (from historic conquistadores and the indigenous tribes, to current visiting tourists, expats who choose to call this place home, and, most importantly, the locals), you get a much more balanced society where how you look is celebrated, the natural beauty is celebrated and protected,  the flora and fauna aren't the only things that flourish!

3)  No military.  That's right.  Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949, instead choosing to spend funds on healthcare and education. 

4) Blue Zone.  Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula is one of five places on the planet known to have one of the highest concentrations of long-lived elderly in the whole world.  You'll notice during your visit that people of all ages spend time together, and that people maintain active, healthy, lifestyles far into their older years!

5) The Ocean.  We're ocean people (obviously), but studies from around the world name closeness to water, time and time again, as a source of tranquility and peace, a stress and anxiety-reducer, and a healing power.  With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Costa Rica has no shortage of water, and the name translates to Rich Coast because of the thousands of miles of beautiful coastline on both sides of this small country (roughly 80% of the size of West Virginia).

If you want the OFFICIAL answer on why Costa Rica is the happiest, though, you'll have to go to The Index.  That's right; It sounds crazy, but there are actually in depth studies done that combine factors like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ecological footprint, life expectancy, well-being, inequality, and population to determine a "Happiness Index!"

You can check out what makes Costa Rica, number one, happiest nation in the world, time and time again at the Happy Planet Index, which is broken down into their major factors and where Costa Rica ranks in each of those factors individually.

If that's not enough to quench your thirst for happiness knowledge, simply Google search "Costa Rica happiness" to see pages of articles on how and why Costa Rica is amongst the happiest nations in the world and often ranked number one, no matter the standards used by the different Happiness researchers.

Where does YOUR home country fall on the index?  No matter where it lands, we hope you'll get a chance to come see the happiness in Costa Rica and drink from its cup! 

Stay Happy!  Pura Vida!

We're happy to announce we'll be heading back to Tamarindo January 11-17, 2020 for another incredible surf, yoga, and golf retreat at the luxurious Diria Hotel in Tamarindo, Costa Rica!  

We had such an incredible group (of 27 participants from age 8 and up!) this past year that we wanted to do it all over again and we hope you'll join us to get a small taste of what we offer in our custom trips and a big taste of awesome!

The best part about our retreats is that there's something for everyone (and you don't ALL have to do the SAME things)!  Each person in a room (up to 4 people/room allowed) chooses his or her package (so you can do yoga 3 times a day and your friend can do one a day with you and surf once a day since they've always wanted to try both)!  Everyone wins when they can travel together AND each do the activities they most want to do!

You'll stay in a beautiful hotel with well kept grounds, multiple pools on site, right at the beach and in town with restaurants for all tastes!  Tropical buffet breakfast at the oceanfront dining area will start your day off deliciously, no matter what package you choose!

Lisa Pineda out of New York will be back with us for yoga sessions 1-3 times/day (depending on the package) and our all-star local surf instructors will be ready to get you up and riding in the crystal blue and tropical waters daily if you choose to do surf and yoga, add-on surf lessons, or the stick to the beaches excursion with us!  Pristine golf courses and beautiful views await our golf-lovers at two of the best courses in Costa Rica!

The most basic package (read: most relaxing, fewest activities) is the Along for the Ride which includes roundtrip ground transfers to/from LIR airport (on January 11th and 17th), daily breakfast, 6 nights luxury hotel room, 24 hour on site guides, and a full day excursion (your choice from Rainforest, Volcano, Adventure, and Stick to the Beaches)!  Packages only get better from there with the option of yoga 1-3 times a day (Yoga Lite, Yoga, and Full Yoga packages), surf AND yoga package once a day, or golf packages, with 2 rounds of golf at top courses!  The only bad choice is no choice!

The dates are during our high season/summer so our rooms are limited.  If you're interested, be sure to grab your friends and family to book early.  We even made it easier on your finances; If you book by June 1, 2019 you can make the full payment in 20% increments (the first payment includes an additional $250 security deposit).  All of the details can be found at our website page for the 2020 Costa Rica Surf Yoga Golf Retreat Packages.

If you're ready to book already, you can head directly to the booking page and grab your room for the 2020 Costa Rica Surf Yoga Golf Retreats while they are still available.

You asked, we listened! Merchandise can now be seen and purchased via CC on our online store!  ​

Currently all purchase are for pickup in Sámara, Costa Rica.  We hope to be able to offer domestic and international shipping in the future (it's in the works), but for now we hope this extra feature will help you to see and purchase all of the sweet Costa Rica Surf Trip swag that your hearts desire!

Visit the Costa Rica Surf Trip online store by clicking here for your safe and secure checkout with Square.

Choose the items (and sizes where applicable) from the available inventory and pay by card, then we'll contact you to deliver your purchase locally!  

We hope you enjoy this new purchase option!

Pura Vida!
-The CRST Team

It's easier than ever to book your Costa Rica surf lessons with us in Playa Samara now that we will publish our availability online for you to check out potential lesson times before you book!  See the current Costa Rica surf lesson availability here.

We hope this will allow you to have a better idea of when you can surf during your vacation or stay in paradise before you book!  We will update availability as often as possible to keep it current, but will let you know within 24 hours of your reservation if there are any conflicts! 

Can't wait to hit the waves with you! ~The Costa Rica Surf Trip Team

Taking the feedback of our first year's participants into consideration, we have made the retreat packages better than ever!  Let us count the ways!

This year's retreat will take place in Playa Tamarindo, one of the most famous in Costa Rica at the luxury Costa Rica Tamarindo Dira Beachfront Resort!  This year, there are discounts based on multiple occupancy, as well as multiple room options from Beachfront Bliss Sunset VIllage rooms to Family friendly fun Lagoon Village rooms and Adults Only magic in the Tropicana Village!

There are 5 restaurants and 1 dessert bar on the premises, which is located in the center of town near more local restaurants, bars, nightlife, shopping, and more!  There are also 4 bars on site and 5 beautiful pools, including one of the largest in all of Costa Rica!

​We have dedicated, reserved, flat yoga deck for yoga practitioners to enjoy their yoga sessions in peace and tranquility and have additional indoor and outdoor options to consider before we make the final decision.

We have added a full day of an excursion of choice to each participant, with four options to choose from each varying distances from the accommodations.

The furthest locations from Tamarindo for this years excursion options, but majestic must-sees at some point on a trip to this magnificent country are the Volcano Excursion and the Rainforest Excursion. 

Finally, our newest addition to the activities this year is the Full Golf package (as well as the a la carte golf options)!  These option prices are based on 2 golfer minimum.  We will contact anyone who signs up for any option should that option not meet the minimum.  There are four courses, the idea is that we will offer one each day except for the excursion day.  The following are the courses on offer: 4 Seasons, Playa Conchal, Hacienda Pinilla.

​We are so lucky to have had such an intelligent, creative, and motivated young woman representing us this academic year, and grateful for all of her hard work and dedication! We wish you the very best as you pursue your dreams of sharing travel with the world, Mary; We can’t wait to see you in Costa Rica!

While planning my own trip to Costa Rica, I have learned some interesting  and amazing things about this glorious country!  Costa Rica is so beautiful and lush that, literally translated, it means "Rich Coast". This country is full of sunny beaches, thriving rainforests, and stunning volcanoes. Costa Rica is also famous for rushing waterfalls, where visitors can hike and go for a dip in the surrounding water, or do white water rafting in the rivers heading downhill, offering innumerable moments where this country will take your breath away!

​Because the country is naturally so beautiful, the people of Costa Rica are intent upon protecting their land and taking care of what this resource.  As such, 25% of the land is made up of protected national parks and refuges (Schriever) and the nation continues to progress towards a greener future, being an example for sustainable energy by already running 80% of its electricity from hydroelectric power. In 2017, Costa Rica went over 300 days using only renewable energy, making it a leader in sustainability (Embury-Dennis).

by Mary Eggert