(Apologies for readability & fonts, we're experiencing technical difficulties.)
Wavehunters is providing a lux surf experience from the Zancudo Lodge. When time is money (and if you are only getting 3 weeks of vacation from the corporate bosses), Wavehunters will pick up you and your boards in San Jose, get you down here, and get you in the water. After your session, you can relax in style at the Lodge, and stay in touch with the office -- if you really need to.
Kudos to Wavehunters, they've making it very lux to speed from one break to another on the open water. Soul surfers might take issue with that method of surf safari, but they are now sharing the water all sorts of wave riders. Hey, it's not tow-in!
On their website, Wavehunters writes: "This region has largely been inaccessible to the modern surf traveler seeking a first class surf vacation due to the lack of infrastructure (modern hotels), poor roads (over 8 hrs drive from San Jose), and issues with domestic air carriers not accepting surfboards at all (or only taking "max. 1 board under 7 feet on a space available basis"). Not anymore though."
Visitors find things a lot cushier now, as internet has been installed and roads improved, in both Zancudo and Pavones. Wavehunters operates out of the Zancudo Lodge (Formerly Ray's Zancudo Lodge), which is as modern as any hotel in the area, and perhaps the only hotel to put telephones in each room and provide computers for guests' internet access.
Several terrific hotels have opened or upgraded in Pavones: hotels such as Riviera, Siempre Domingo, Tiskita, Castillo, Ponderosa and La Perla (let's call those the "modern" hotels). There are still numerous old-fashioned rooms of jungle cabinas for rent at reasonable prices at Cabinas Maureen, Jasmin, Tranquillo, Suerte, Sharon, Mira Olas and the Cantina.
Moving a surfboard around C.R. can be a struggle, no doubt. Wavehunters takes the boards off your hands in San Jose.
Wavehunters/Zancudo Lodge, Venus Surf Adventures and the Ponderosa promote a door-to-door-to-break experience. We like this golden touch. It's a good value proposition when your time is money, and vacation days are limited.
Enjoy your surf trip, from Zancudo, Pavones or any of the other beautiful spots on these shores.
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Editor's note:
When we first read Wavehunters' description of their southern Costa Rica surf tour, we got the impression that WH was saying Pavones is an inaccessible backwater. Admittedly, we were overly sensitive.
Wavehunters wrote, "This [is a ] remote region of Costa Rica where access to the breaks is totally controlled by the water." We didn't agree with "totally", or even "a lot." Our friends in Nicaragua and Panama have to take boats to their breaks, but this is Pavones, where the waves are outside our front door. That's true even in Zancudo. When the 'hunters show up at (name your spot...) in their speedboats and we're all in the water, are they gonna wonder how we all got here? Either way, bienvenidos, there are plenty of waves for everybody.
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Insider Travel Tips: Getting Boards Around:
If you want to move boards yourself, you'll trade your money and time for convenience: The regional airlines will tack on surcharges for all luggage over 50 pounds, and for oversized items such as surfboards. Compared to what you'll be charged by US carriers, the baggage surcharges on Sansa or Nature Air are reasonable. I've seen friends get a 9' board on the plane (out of the board bag). Your board might get there on the next flight, but Alex the Taxi Driver will make sure it gets to your hotel's front door. Of course, for many boards or a big group, there are private ground transfers. There's always $10 bus fare for your board (you don't need to take the bus) on Tracopa bus lines. Or get a rental car.
Insider Travel Tips: Door-to-door in Pavones
For all-inclusive surf adventure in Pavones central, there is Venus Surf Adventures for surf camp and surf/yoga/Spanish camps.
The experienced surf team at Ponderosa. will arrange as much or as little of your vacation as you want, from door to door transportation, to food and surf safaris. Their new oceanfront pool is delightful too. If you want to go fishing, hiking or horseback riding, or get that one-of-a-kind Costa Rican pedicure, they can be your concierge.
