Jan 18, 2019
Five Fruits You Must Try While You are in Costa Rica

The fruit in Costa Rica is exquisite and exotic. The variety of fruit that naturally flourishes in this tropical utopia is quite impressive. Widely known fruits like bananas, avocados, papaya, and pineapple are available at nearly any market. Fruits like guanabana, cas, maracuyá, pitaya, and mamón chino, however, might be entirely new and unknown to you.

It would be a shame not to experience some of Costa Rica’s most delicious fruits just because you weren’t sure what they were or how to eat them. Here is a little guide to five fruits that you might have never tasted before but definitely should while you are in Costa Rica.

Guanábana

Guanábana, also called soursop, is a strange looking fruit that is native to Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Guanábana is relatively large with a green and slightly spikey exterior. The inside of the fruit is white and fleshy with a circular arrangement of medium-sized black seeds.

This fruit is commonly served as a juice or just sliced and eaten whole. What makes the guanábana very special though is its natural cancer-fighting properties. The leaves and fruit also have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic properties. Guanábana is pleasantly sweet and widely available in Costa Rica.

Exotic fruit in Costa Rica
A strange and sweet super fruit

Cas

Cas, also known as guava, is an abundant powerhouse fruit found throughout Costa Rica. This pear-shaped (although sometimes round) fruit is lime-green on the outside and pink on the inside. Often served in a juice, jelly, or jam flavor in Costa Rica. The health benefits of this hearty fruit are quite impressive though.

Guava is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, zinc, niacin, dietary fiber, folate, thiamine, and riboflavin. Regular consumption of this fruit promotes a healthy immune system, regulated blood pressure, improved eyesight, and enhanced brain function. It also helps alleviate digestive problems and symptoms associated with the common cold.

Guava fruit in Costa Rica
Sweet Treat

Maracuyá

Maracuyá, known in English as passionfruit, is a widely loved snack in Costa Rica. To eat it you must cut it in half and then scoop out the insides with a spoon. Maracuyá is also commonly used in desserts and drinks in Costa Rica.

Maracuyá is a great antioxidant-loaded fruit to incorporate into your Costa Rica vacation diet!

Fruit from Costa Rica
All you need is a spoon

Pitaya

Pitaya or dragon fruit is a beautiful exotic fruit locally grown in Costa Rica. The exterior is vibrant pink, and the inside is white and dotted with tiny edible black seeds. There are however several varieties of dragon fruit.  Pitaya is a fruit that many pass up because they don’t know what it is or how to eat it. But it is one that you should try while you are in Costa Rica.

Pitaya is full of antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals that are extremely beneficial to your overall health and wellness. This fruit helps support the cardiovascular, immune, and digestive system; as well as combats cancerous cells, reduces inflammation and promotes radiant and healthy skin.

Pitaya from Costa Rica
Pretty Pitaya

Mamón Chino

Mamón chinos are a type of lychee. They are called rambutan in other parts of the world. This seasonal treat (usually harvested and sold between July and October) is genuinely delectable and is the ultimate roadside snack. During the season, you can find mamón chinos everywhere. Street-side vendors usually sell them by the kilos.

This funny looking fruit looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book! To eat them you remove the outer shell and eat the sizeable grape-like fruit inside. Be careful of the seed in the middle. It is nearly impossible only to eat one!

Fruit from Costa Rica
Don’t miss out on mamón chinos!
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Jan 8, 2019
Will the Wind be Offshore Tomorrow in Playa Grande, Costa Rica?

You may have noticed that it is particularly windy these days. If you are a surfer, you have definitely noticed that those strong winds are predominantly offshore. Every year, starting sometime in December and usually lasting through March, the Papagayo wind returns to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

With these winds come perfectly groomed waves and colder water temperatures. You can also expect the occasional sand blasts to the body on the beach and falling tree branches; so, watch out! The summer months in Costa Rica rival the cliché Groundhog’s Day. Every day is sunny, dry, and very windy. Record wind gusts have been recorded at 70 mile per hour!

Have you ever wondered why though? Why is this wind so predictable and where does it come from?

Without getting too technical, here’s a brief breakdown of the seasonal phenomenon known as the Papagayo wind. Simply put, wind is caused by air flowing from high pressure to low pressure areas. The strong offshore wind that you are experiencing right now actually originates in North America and flows across the Gulf of Mexico.

There are three zones in Central America were these high-pressure systems escape to low-pressure areas. Lake Nicaragua is one of these zones, and the one that affects Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

NASA explains this wind activity quite precisely.

“In winter, cold high-pressure weather systems move southward from North American over the Gulf of Mexico. These high-pressure systems create strong pressure gradients between the atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico and the warmer, moister atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. Just as a river flows from high elevations to lower elevations, the air in the high-pressure system will “flow” downhill toward lower pressure, but the Cordillera mountains block the flow of air, channeling it through Chivela Pass in Mexico, Lake Nicaragua in Nicaragua, and the Gillard Cut in Panama.”

offshore winds in Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Part of the food chain

These consistent gusty winds also cause the warmer surface water in the ocean to mix with the cooler nutrient-dense water the lies just a bit deeper. An entire food chain actually depends on the algae blooms that take place along the Pacific Coast when the nutrients are brought up from the depths.

Aside from blessing surfers with perfect surf winds, this seasonal wind is one of the main ingredients for the summer feast that takes place in the ocean.

summer in Playa Grande
Surfing in Summer in Costa Rica

The Papagayo winds are here to stay for the next couple of months, so brace yourself and enjoy the summer surfs in Costa Rica! And to answer your question, yes it will be offshore tomorrow in Playa Grande.

 

 

 

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Dec 21, 2018
Tomorrow is a Big Day! Find Out Why!

The end of this week brings with it two very significant cosmic occurrences. Friday, December 21 is the start of the winter solstice and Saturday, December 22 is the last full moon of 2018. The moon will appear completely full on the 21stthough. The winter solstice and the full moon will not be this close occurring to one another again until 2094!

And as if it couldn’t get any more magical, the Ursid meteor shower will also be visible in the mid-Northern hemisphere on the 21st.

The full and new moons and the solstices have long been celebrated and revered by many different cultures, communities, and tribes around the world. Whether you have tapped into your spiritual side or not, this dual event is a special opportunity to appreciate the beautiful raw energy and power of our moon and sun.

This full moon, known as the Full Cold Moon and the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year is a particularly perfect time to reflect and set your intentions for the new year to come. This full moon is also rising in Cancer, which will evoke excitement, positive change, and pleasant surprises according to Astrology King.

The winter solstice is a time to embrace quiet energy and reflection. It is an opportunity to examine our past year and put into motion the changes that we want to make within ourselves.

This is a time of personal awakening, if you allow it to be. It is a great time to rid yourself of anything that is no longer serving you well. It is a time for patience and rest. “Nature teaches us that resting and drawing inward for a time, is present in all living things. Rest is necessary for growth that comes later in the season,” according to Mystic Mamma’s short interpretation of the significance of the winter solstice.

The events and expectations that accompany the Western celebration of the winter holidays aren’t always conducive with rest, patience, reflection, and quietness. However, even taking just the night of the winter solstice and full moon to come back to the self and honor the universe and your place in it will have immediate and long-lasting benefits.

This sacred day can be celebrated all day long as the short daylight hours are just as special as the long dark moon-filled night. Rituals can include anything from journaling about your past year, writing down your intentions, sitting outside and watching the moon rise into the sky, seizing the sunshine by spending the day at the beach, creating a candle-lit space for a meditation, or just embracing a few quite moments in stillness and solitude.

Make sure that you look to the east behind Playa Grande once the darkness has settled to see the full moon rise above the mountains and into the clear December sky.

If you happen to be in Playa Grande tomorrow evening, Stacy Jane and Travis McClure will be hosting a pranayama (breath work), yin yang yoga, kundalini meditation, and intention setting gathering at the RipJack Inn yoga shala from 6 to 8PM. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join other open-minded individuals from the local community and abroad in a shared full moon and winter solstice celebration. I encourage everyone to join, as it will be a gathering you won’t soon forget!

RipJack Inn
Come one come all!
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Dec 10, 2018
What to Pack for Summertime Activities in Playa Grande, Costa Rica

While Costa Rica is not in the Southern hemisphere, the months from December until May are considered summer months here. Summer equals sun and winter equals wet in Costa Rica.

These months, and especially December, January, and February you can expect 100% sunshine and 0% chance of rain. The mornings and evenings are cool (mid-70’s) and the middle of the day is blazing hot but dry and usually accompanied by strong offshore winds.

Summertime is such a great time to visit Playa Grande that most people actually plan their vacations here during these months. What’s great about visiting Costa Rica during the summer is that the weather forecast is very consistent. This makes packing quite simple.

To make it even more simple for you though, here is a breakdown of the essentials you’ll need for various activities you will likely participate in while in Costa Rica.

Water activities

Summer in Playa Grande
Summertime is a great time to SUP in Costa Rica

You are most definitely going to want to spend a lot of time in and by the ocean while in Playa Grande. There are so many wonderful ways to spend the day with the sea including surfing, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, sailing, and kayaking.

While the sun is always very strong in Costa Rica due to the closeness to the equator, the summer months are especially intense because there is very little if any cloud coverage.

It is of the utmost importance that you regularly apply sunscreen and protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Wearing a rash guard or sun shirt and a hat is a really easy way to help ward off a painful sunburn.

Land adventures

Horseback riding in Playa Grande
Blue skies and endless trails

When you are not basking in the sunshine down by the sea, there are plenty of other types of activities to do during your vacation. Taking a tour of the Tamarindo estuary and mangrove forest, exploring one or more of the nearby national parks, going for a horseback ride, or flying through the canopy on a zip lining excursion are just a few of the activities that are readily available for your sheer enjoyment.

You’ll want to protect yourself from mosquitos and other insects, abrasion-causing foliage, and the sun while you are out adventuring.

  • Lightweight pants
  • Lightweight long or short sleeve shirt
  • Insect repellent
  • Comfortable hiking or walking shoes
  • Re-useable water bottle

Wellness activities

Wellness in Playa Grande
The perfect environment for a wellness escape

The yoga shala at the RipJack Inn has mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, and towels. All you need to pack is breathable and stretchable yoga/fitness clothes that you feel comfortable practicing yoga in; the rest is available for you.

Sunset, Happy Hour, and Dining Out

sunsets in Playa Grande
Sunsets are always magical in Playa Grande

The proper attire for sunsetting, happy houring, and dining out is whatever your heart desires. There is no dress code! With the dry air and steady breeze of summer, the nighttime temperatures are quite pleasant. If you are someone who chills easily, you might want to bring a shawl or something lightweight to put on.

 

 

 

 

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Nov 18, 2018
A Closer Look at the Five Types of Yoga Classes Currently Being Offered at the RipJack Inn

Yoga is an ancient practice that was developed 5,000 years ago in India. While it has only recently, in the grand scheme of time, reached the West, it is a practice that millions of people are continuing to discover as a source of wellness, mental clarity, stress relief, vitality, healing, spiritual growth, movement, and peace of mind.

Yoga is a practice that is accessible to anyone who seeks it. While you are staying in Playa Grande, there are ample opportunities to practice yoga at the RipJack Inn.

Classes are open to all levels, including first-timers. There are several different types of yoga classes offered throughout the week at the RipJack Inn. Come for one class or purchase a package and try out several! Here are your choices.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha is a Sanskrit term that encompasses all the physical postures of yoga. Physical-based yoga classes include a number of different styles, as we will discuss a bit more below. Seeking a class that is labeled as Hatha yoga, verses as Ashtanga or Vinyasa, is especially ideal for those who are new to yoga as it is typically a bit slower paced.

It is important to learn the basic breathing techniques, postures, and proper alignment before you move into a faster paced flow to avoid injury and to truly experience the benefits of the practice.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga, or commonly called Vinyasa flow, is a practice that focuses heavily on breath to movement. A Vinyasa class typically includes one or more sequences that flow through multiple postures. This powerful class will definitely heat your body up!

A Vinyasa practice combines strength, flexibility, and breathwork in a fluid sequence of movements. Power yoga also falls into this type of yoga.

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is a slow-paced practice. The idea behind a Yin practice is to hold the postures, most of them seated, for an extended period of time. By holding certain postures and really breathing into them while gravity does most of the work, you will obtain a deeper stretch and opening of the body.

The slow nature of a Yin class is also a great way to develop a deeper understanding of the postures and have the time to really work your way into a proper alignment with each pose. Yin yoga is a beautiful way to end your day, as it promotes relaxation, inner peace, and a release of tension in the body.

Surfer’s Stretch

Whether you are a surfer or not, the surfer’s stretch class on Sundays is a divine treat for the body. This class focuses on deep stretches and postures that open the hips, shoulders, and lower back, as well as releasing tightness in the body that has accumulated from traveling or any vigorous activities.

This is a wonderful class to end or start your week, depending on what Sunday means to you.

Pura Vida Sangha Mindful Meditation

Pura Vida Sangha Mindful Meditation is a donation-based class that is offered every Sunday morning at 11. If you have never meditated before or would like to deepen your practice of meditation in a group setting, this is a great opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nov 2, 2018
How to Create Your Own Wellness Escape at the RipJack Inn

Most of us live our lives on the go, go, go!

Between working, taking care of our families, keeping up with some sort of social life, managing our finances, planning for the future, and possibly even volunteering or attending community benefits, our agendas are booked up week after week. Then throw in all of the stimulus our eyes, brains, and souls face on a daily basis from the constant barrage of the media, politics, social media and mindless entertainment.

It’s no wonder many of us feel stressed, anxious, sleep deprived, and in serious need of a vacation.

Do you dream of days on end where you can sleep in, nourish your body with healthy and fresh food that you don’t have to personally prepare, bask in the sunshine, walk barefoot in the sand, practice yoga, finish a book, and simply do nothing but listen to the sounds of nature from the hug of a hammock?

It sounds like you need and want a wellness escape! And you deserve one, we all do! The RipJack Inn makes it possible for you to create your very own wellness retreat with very little effort. Basically, all you have to do is book your ticket to Costa Rica, reserve your room at the RipJack Inn, pack your bags, and voila!

Welcome home

The RipJack Inn has all the ingredients readily available for a proper wellness escape.

Daily Yoga

Yoga is offered throughout the week at the RipJack Inn in one of two of our yoga shalas. Meditation, special full moon ceremonies, workshops, and other mind and body classes are regularly hosted, as well.

Healthy and Delicious Meal Choices

Our menu is a fusion of traditional Costa Rican flavors and international favorites. Our dishes feature a lot of fresh fruit, vegetables, and locally-caught fish. We have acai bowls, veggie bowls, and plenty of salads. Our menu also includes some pretty sinfully delicious dishes too!

Your body will thank you!

Clean Cocktails and Smoothies

Think fresh tropical fruit juices and frozen concoctions made from scratch.

It doesn’t get any fresher!

Direct Beach Access

The path to the beach is directly in front of the RipJack Inn. How convenient, right? On the other side of this beautiful path is miles of beach and plenty of oceanfront space to have entirely to yourself.

Concierge Service

Do you want to take a surf lesson, go canopy zip lining, ride horses, get a massage, set sail into the sunset, explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park, or go scuba diving? All you have to do is let us know and we will make it happen. It’s that easy!

We also recommend taking naps, lounging by either one of our pools, and making it down to the beach every evening to watch the sun set into the sea. We all need a little time to rest and rejuvenate. The benefits of treating yourself to a wellness vacation are immediate and long-lasting! Let us help you help yourself. Hit the easy button today.

Lounge away!

 

 

 

 

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Oct 21, 2018
An Ode to Our International Family

We recently launched a campaign that asked our beloved guests and friends to share a photograph of themselves in a RipJack Inn T-shirt or tank top from where ever in the world they are from or are currently exploring. The response has been truly inspiring. What it has reminded us is that the RipJack family is quite eclectic and extensive.

RipJack Inn
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

We are a far-reaching family with the RipJack Inn being the thread that connects us all. Our hotel, restaurant, bar, and yoga studio has been and is frequently filled with individuals from all walks of life and parts of the planet. We think that is amazing that our small hotel and our small town continues to bring such a diverse collection of people together. And that pushing aside our unique differences, we are all drawn to Playa Grande for similar reasons.

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande
Miami Beach, Florida

As we take the month of October off to rejuvenate and reflect, we want to thank each and every one of our wonderful guests who have joined the RipJack Inn family and have continued to make this little utopia possible. As we gear up for the season, we are elated to continue to grow our family and reconnect with old friends who will be returning this upcoming year.

RipJack Inn, Costa Rica
Fontana di Trevi, Rome

Home is where your family is and our family will always have a home here!

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Buffalo, New York
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Oct 3, 2018
Rain or Shine: What to do in October in Costa Rica

Historically, October is the rainiest month in Costa Rica. It is also the one month of the year that the RipJack Inn is closed. While the RipJack Inn family is recharging their batteries and spending some much needed quality time with their own families, Costa Rica still has a lot to offer visitors who don’t mind a little rain.

If you find yourself in Costa Rica in October, you can expect at least one daily rainstorm. There is something truly peaceful and awe-inspiring about watching a magnificent storm from the comfort of your vacation home or covered patio though. Not to mention, rainy nights evoke dreamy sleeps. There are days in October where the weather might even be beach day-worthy and uncharacteristically perfect.

And, unless you’re a wicked witch from the west, the rain isn’t going to melt you!

If you need a bit more activity than just storm watching, here are the best things to do in October.

Surf

Swell season doesn’t end in October, and in fact the swells can be quite good this time of the year. The issue of course is the wind and weather fronts. For the patient and persistent surfer though, it is not uncommon to score some post-rain glass off sessions or even early morning surfs that are clean and fun before the afternoon storms roll in.

Spa Day

For locals and visitors alike, the heart of the rainy season is a great time to recharge and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Los Altos de Eros is a boutique hotel and day spa that offers the most extraordinary spa experience in one of the most Zen-inspiring settings.

The day spa package includes three spa treatments followed by a gourmet lunch with wine on a private patio with a hot tub that overlooks the vast tropical dry forest just south of Playa Grande and out to the Pacific Ocean.

Typically during September and October, there is a substantial discount on spa treatments.

October in Playa Grande
Where spa dreams come true

Sea Turtle Arribada

October is a magical month on Playa Ostional (1 hour and 45 minutes south of Playa Grande). The few days leading up to the new moon (October 9th is the new moon), egg-heavy Olive Ridley sea turtles emerge from the ocean in hundreds to thousands strong to lay their eggs. This natural phenomenon is truly sensational!

October in Costa RIca
Olive Ridley sea turtles babies in Playa Ostional

White-Water Rafting

Costa Rica has over a half a dozen rivers that are famous for their white water rapids. The more rain and water in the rivers, the more powerful the rapids are. If you are a true adrenaline-seeker and are looking to hit the rapids hard, October is a great time to do so.

The Pacuare, Naranjo, Reventazon, Savegre, and Sarapiqui River are a few of Costa Rica’s most notorious rivers.

October in Costa Rica
Raging rapids in October

Explore the Caribbean Coast

September and October are historically the driest months of the year on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This is an excellent time of the year to explore the “other side.” The Caribbean side is home to the famous Tortuguero National Park in the north and the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park in the south.

The water is crystal clear over here, the snorkeling is superb, and the culture is vibrant, inviting, and quite different from the rest of the country. You can even take a Sansa Flight from the Tamarindo Airport through San Jose and over to the other side if you just want to explore this coastline for a few days and then return to Playa Grande.

October in Playa Grande
Can’t beat an October sunset in Playa Grande
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Sep 23, 2018
The Best Surfer in the Sea is the One Who…

Whether you are a first-timer or a lifetime surfer, a weekend warrior or an everyday surfer, an all-fun easy breezy surfer or on the world tour professional path, the best surfer in the water is the one who never forgets what surfing is really all about.

So, what is surfing really about?

Surf in Playa Grande, Costa Rica
This is what surfing is all about! | © Ryan Smith

We’ve all likely been in the water with someone who is aggressive, feels entitled, is ego-driven and all and all just disrupts the peace and bliss that most of us seek when we are surfing. There’s a least one at every break, whether it’s a local or a bad-attitude visitor. It is these types of surfers that bring the question ‘why do we surf’ to the surface.

Is surfing about catching every single wave that comes your way no matter what and at the expense of the safety of others? Is surfing about puffing up your chest and letting everyone know that they better get out of your way because these waves belong to you? Is surfing about proving something?

No. It’s not.

Surf in Playa Grande, Costa Rica
This is why we surf. | © Michael Sutherland/Flickr

 

We surf because we love the ocean. We love the sacred connection we’ve formed with the sea by spending hours, days, and years out in it. We love the way that the waves undulate underneath us. We love the way the waves roll off our backs when we duck dive. We love the camaraderie and the solitude that surfing gives us. We love the challenge. We love the barrels, the set waves and the chance to dance.

We love surfing because it forces us to be present-minded, in tune with the ocean, and respectful and in-awe of the forces of nature. We love that sun-saturated, salty, noodle-arm, perma-smile feeling that a long dreamy session induces. There is no better beer, burrito or nap than a beer, burrito, or nap that follows a surf. For those of us who get it, there is no other way.

It seems that everyone wants to surf these days, and who could hardly blame them. But it is important though that we remember the rules of the game, the safety precautions of playing in the ocean, and what it is that inspired us to paddle out in the first place. If you want to be the best surfer in the sea, remember why it is that you surf and stay true to the true spirit of surfing.

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Sep 9, 2018
A Guide to Surf Safety: Marine Life, Surf Equipment, and Other Surfers

You’ve learned all about ocean currents, tides, and the sun as they relate to safety and the sport of surfing in the previous post of this two-part comprehensive surf safety guide. Now we would like to share with you some safety information and tips relating to marine life, surf equipment, and other surfers.

The more you know, the safer you will be out in the sea.

Marine Life

Costa Rica has a thriving marine ecosystem. When you enter the ocean, you are entering the territory of hundreds of different species of animals. It is important that you respect the ocean and those who call it home.

While most marine wildlife interactions are completely harmless and pose no real danger, it is important to know the potential hazards.

Sea turtles in Playa Grande
Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles! | © Pavel Kirillov/Flickr

Jellyfish and sea lice

Small jellyfish and sea lice are not uncommon, especially when cool underwater currents flush sea life to the surface. Getting stung by a jellyfish or sea lice while surfing in Playa Grande isn’t a life or death type of situation, but it can be uncomfortable.

Typically, the stinging sensation dissipates within a few minutes. If you find that you are getting stung a lot, it is probably a good idea to get out of the water to avoid being very itchy later.

Stingrays

Stingrays are very common in Costa Rica. These relatives of the shark are graceful and harmless unless you accidentally step on one. The best way to avoid this unfortunate and very painful accident is to shuffle your feet when you are walking in the shallows. Shuffling your feet will alert the stingrays of your approach and give them time to swim away.

Surf safety in Costa Rica
Shuffle those feet to keep your feet safe | © lissa1313/Flickr

Sharks and crocodiles

Shark and crocodile sightings are very uncommon, however, the estuary that separates Playa Grande from Tamarindo has a very healthy population of crocodiles and they do from time to time like to swim out to sea. It is best to avoid surfing or swimming near the estuary.

As far as sharks go, if you see one, just calmly exit the water. You are not on their menu, but it is better just to play it safe. It is also a good idea to avoid surfing or swimming when you see large congregations of small fish in the shallows. This happens throughout the year and these “bait balls” or large schools of fish do attract larger predators.

Stay safe in Costa Rica
Keep your safe distance | © Giorgio Montersino/Flickr

Surf Equipment

Always check your equipment before you go surfing. Make sure that your leash isn’t compromised in any way. Check to make sure there aren’t any dings, cracks, or breaks in your board and that your fins and track pad are securely in place.

Surf safety in Playa Grande
Be safe and check your gear | © Gustavo Veríssimo/Flickr

Other Surfers

Surfing is a sport that requires your utmost attention, awareness, and present mindedness. Always look in front of you, behind you, and to your left and right before you drop into a wave. When you are surfing around a lot of other people it is your job to make sure that you don’t put yourself or anyone else in harm’s way by being reckless.

Respect your surfing ability, know your place in the line-up, wait your turn, and follow the rules. There are enough waves for everyone. It is not worth risking an injury or damaged surfboard because you think the wave on the horizon is the last wave that will ever roll through.

Safety in Costa Rica
Seize the surf | © Fotografía de Javier/Flickr

Above all, trust your instincts and listen to your inner intuition. Don’t put yourself in obviously dangerous situations, such as trying to surf when the waves are above your ability, the currents are too strong, when the ocean is blooming with sea lice, or when it feels sharky or a bit sketchy.

Now, grab your board, paddle out, have fun, and be safe!

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