What We Are Thankful For at Iguana Surf
During the holidays, we seem to give a lot more thought to the things we are grateful for. Spending time with friends and family, slowing down, eating good food, and doing things that we all love causes us to step back and really see what is important in life.
Calling a place like Costa Rica home is an enormous blessing, and we want all of you to come and experience the magic for yourselves! So in the spirit of the holidays, here is a list of some of the things we are thankful for here in Costa Rica, and why you need to come here for a Costa Rica surf trip or to experience
Incredible Waves
One of the top reasons people come (and then stay!) in Costa Rica is, of course, world-class surfing. Here in Tamarindo, the beach right in town features some of the best waves in the country, all year round. Beginners and experts alike have a blast on the various breaks from Pico to the river mouth. There are great options for surf lessons if you are just starting out on your surfing journey, or great boards to rent and head out on your own if you already know what you’re doing! You are sure to meet new friends in the water and come back to shore tired and happy. All up and down both the Pacific and Caribbean coast you can find a bunch more amazing surf spots, all known for different reasons. Nosara and Santa Teresa are other popular surf towns on the Pacific, while Puerto Viejo is one of the hubs in the Caribbean. The waves, especially on the Caribbean coast, do vary with the seasons, however, so make sure you do a little research before booking!
Amazing Scenery & Biodiversity
You might have heard the statistic that while Costa Rica accounts for only .03% of the Earth’s surface, it is home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity. How crazy is that?! From the sweeping white sand beaches to the lava-filled volcanoes, to the dense rainforests, the amount of different scenery and climates is pretty unique. In just one vacation to Costa Rica, it is possible to experience a huge array of activities and see all kinds of sights! And what’s really awesome about all of this is that Costa Rica plans to be the first carbon-free and plastic-free country in the world by 2021. Clearly, there is a lot worth protecting. They are leading the pack as far as sustainability and creating a brighter future, which is really inspiring!
Kind People
You have probably heard the phrase “Pura Vida” before. It is sort of the unofficial slogan of Costa Rica, with a whole slew of meanings. Hello! Pura Vida! Goodbye. Pura Vida! How are you? Pura Vida! Thank you. Pura Vida. Everyone you will meet in Costa Rica is indeed, very Pura Vida and will make you want to be so as well. People smile and wave when they pass, wait for monkeys to cross the street first, love to share their food and drink with others, and take turns out on the waves. The Pura Vida or “Pure Life” is truly a lifestyle that the people of Costa Rica take very seriously. It is something uniquely magical that you will just have to come experience for yourself in order to understand!
Huge Variety of Things to Do
The wide variety of scenery also brings a huge array of fun activities to try on your Costa Rica surf trip. The choices for tours are endless! Surf the waves on the coast. Zipline and go white water rafting in the jungle. Hike at the volcanoes. Sail on the ocean. Ride horseback or on an ATV on the beach. And so much more! Check out www.iguanasurf.net for more details on all of the choices! Iguana Surf’s Tamarindo Surf Camp is one of the best one-stop options for an easy, stress-free, and fun-filled vacation. There is also some new add on options to enrich and personalize your experience. Combine your surf lessons with Spanish, yoga, fitness, wellness and meditation, and more to come out of your surf camp with way more than just some surfing skills!
Awesome Local Food
Costa Rica might be known for lots of rice and beans, and while there is plenty of that, there is also so much more. A Casado is one of the typical meals, which comes with rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of meat. I would recommend trying fish because the seafood is so fresh and delicious. Of course with the tropical climate, the amount of amazing fruit that can grow is just off the charts. In the states or Europe, indulging in things like avocado and mango can sometimes come with a bit of guilt because they traveled so far to get there. But the beautiful thing about being in Costa Rica is that eating local means you have all of the tropical choices you could ever dream of! From the usual favorites like coconuts and pineapples to exotic fruits you have probably never even heard of, you will not be disappointed. Since there is some cultural influence from many different parts of the world, the variety in restaurants is pretty amazing. In Tamarindo especially, the food scene is Rockin! There are plenty of options for whatever dietary restrictions you might have as well. Something for everyone!
The Iguana Surf Family
We have said it before and we will say it a million times over… we love our Iguana Surf Family. And that includes you! There is nothing better about the work that we do than connecting with new friends from all over the world. Ask any of our shop staff, instructors, or management… I think you will find that they all the same thing. Their favorite part of their job is you: the visitors that come looking for a board rental, some surf lessons, or for the surf camp, and end up having the time of their lives and becoming a part of the family. I can’t even begin to tell you how many folks have been coming back to Iguana surf for 2, 5, 10, even 20 years! There is just something about Tamarindo that just keeps drawing you back, and our friendly staff will always be there waiting to greet you.
It is clear that there are a number of things that make Costa Rica unique, and one of the best places ever for a tropical holiday vacation or a surf trip. Here in the land of Pura Vida, we have a lot to be grateful for and you can come to experience it too! Spice up this winter by switching out hot cocoa by the fire for a cold cerveza on the beach and enjoy your holidays in Costa Rica. We know you won’t regret it!
