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Showing posts with the label Surf

Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List: Must-Have Gear for the Mountains & Beach

When I started traveling to Costa Rica as a solo backpacker in 1997, I had done a ton of homework, and thought I was prepared for 6 months of travel through Costa Rica’s extraordinarily varied microclimates. During my adventures I struggled with being perpetually damp and often cold in the cloud forests of Monteverde and San Gerardo de Rivas . Unfortunately my tent had been devoured by a type of nylon chewing ant that turned waterproof fabric into confetti! It’s hard to be prepared for everything… Now I am part of a family of 5, so planning a yearly 6 month trip has taken on new challenges. Fortunately we have years of experience now. So here is what I have to share. Whether you’re exploring the lush mountains of Monteverde or soaking up the sun on the Pacific or Caribbean coasts, packing smart is key. Costa Rica’s climate varies dramatically—humid and hot on the beaches, cool and misty in the mountains—so you’ll need a well-rounded packing list. We’re in and out of the water a lo...

Costa Rica Surf Guide: Best Waves for Every Skill Level

Costa Rica Surf Spots: The Complete Family Guide to Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Breaks Costa Rica Surf Spots: The Complete Guide to Waves, Wipeouts & Why Our Kids Are Now Better Surfers Than Us In 2016, we made what we thought was a brilliant family decision: pack up and move to Costa Rica for its nature, warm climate, and family-friendly Pura Vida lifestyle. What we didn't anticipate was that our children would immediately become obsessed with surfing while my wife and I remained exactly where we started: firmly planted on our rears in the sand, nursing margaritas and documenting our failures on GoPro. Now, eight years later, our family can't imagine life without surf forecasts dictating our weekends. Somehow, between the escalating wipeouts, surprise encounters with crocodiles near our favorite break (more on that existential terror later), and the realization that my eight-year-old has better barrel rolls than I do, we've collected enough lo...

A Guide to Climbing in El Potrero Chico, Mexico

If you’ve ever dreamt of scaling towering limestone cliffs, munching on post-send tacos, and narrowly avoiding existential crises on exposed multipitches, then El Potrero Chico (EPC) is calling your name. Nestled in northern Mexico near the small town of Hidalgo, EPC is a climbing paradise packed with endless bolted routes, breathtaking views, and enough adventure to keep your palms sweating long after you leave. But first, let’s talk logistics, because getting here shouldn’t feel like navigating a choose-your-own-adventure book where every wrong turn ends with you explaining yourself to a border agent. Getting to El Potrero Chico A. Flying In (For Those Who Value Speed and Sanity) Your best bet is to fly into Monterrey International Airport (MTY), which is about an hour’s drive from EPC. Major airlines fly here regularly, and you can find affordable fares if you book ahead (or are willing to gamble on the whims of budget airlines). Our Skoolie happily nestled at Finca El Caminante...