weekend update

Looks like it could be a good weekend for surfing if the forecast holds. The swell is a little late coming in, but we expect that it should hit in time for Friday's high tide evening session.

It rained pretty hard all night here, but is now looking like it will end up being sunny during the day.

See you on the break!!

Taxi Cabs - beware of the fake yellow cabs in Tamarindo

Costa Rica has over 7,000 taxis, and they provide a cheap and efficient way to get around San Jose as well as just about all other populated areas around Costa Rica including Tamarindo. They are red (and sometimes orange) and are easily spotted. Unless you really know your way around, take a cab.

Tamarindo also has a LOT or pirate taxis called piratas. These are usually yellow cars and the owners are very pushy. They don't have meters and they will do everything to rip you off. A friend of mine was charged USD$10 for a 5 minute ride. Most are not insured, and you are taking your life into your hands with them.

And they don't pay the fees to the government, meaning that they are cheating the system.

Your best bet is to ask the hotel front desk to call you a red cab or a mini van (Tourismos I call them).

Lola's in Avellanas - it sucks

Avellanas is a long stretch of white sand about 15 km south of Tamarindo by road ands about 5 km to the north of Playa Negra. There are both left and right breaks, 8 different surf breaks, reef, sand or beach breaks with rocky points and a good beach break called 'Guanacasteco' with very hollow rights and lefts, along a three kilometer long stretch of beach. Surfing is best at mid or high tide.

For years, the only restaurant called Lola's has been producing excellent food, and the service has been good.

However, on the last few occasions, things have really gone down hill.

Service is a joke. Yesterday we waited 15 minutes to be served before just walking out. It's not like they were busy as there were only 6 other tables occupied. And this isn't the first time that this has happened.

The prices have also gone way over the top. Fish and Chips costs C6200 (USD $13,00), and a smoothie with rum will set you back C5000 (USD$10.00). Add the mandatory 10% tip and 13% tax, and lunch for 2 is never less than USD$50.00.

I don't what happened, but next time you go to Avellanas, take your own food and drinks.

Memorial Day Surf Outlook

Hey Kids. It's going to be a bit of a slow week, but that doesn't mean it's the end of the world. Waves will stay weak for the first half of the week then rising to head high as a new SSW swell kicks in Thursday evening.


Friday should be outstanding with head high surfing on all SSW breaks such aas Langosta and Playa Grande. The swell peaks on Saturday, but it will still be strong as it fades on Sunday. Memorial Day Monday looks okay at about waist high, and looking at the swell charts there should be some good swell later on that week.


Things have been slow about town as we move into the Green Season. Hoestly, it's really been the quietest that I have seen in the three years I have lived in Costa Rica. The economy and the swine flu have taken a real toll on the travel industry, and the forecast is for a brutal summer 2009. (June to September).

There are lots of deals to be had on airfares, and most of the smarter hotels and hostels are ready to do deals. Wish I could say the same for restaurants and bars here in Tamarindo, which continue to price food way higher than it should be.

Even the grocery stores are being more generous in their discounts.

Surfing Tamarindo, Langosta and Grande

The Green season is upon us giving us cooler days and perfect sunsets.























Personally, I think this is the best time of the year as the southern swells have begun to hit us on a weekly basis. When it does rain, it's only for a few hours and it brings down the dust, cooling the humid air & making everything emerald green again.

Waves the past week or so have been pretty good, with most break getting chest high sets on average. Down south in Marbella and Avellanas, the waves have been rolling in head high some days creating some of the best surfing conditions so far this year.

Check out flights on www.kayak.com into Liberia (LIR). They have dropped immensely, and so have hotel rooms. This is the perfect season to visit.