Surf Costa Rica - Mal Pais
For group trips, look below. For individual trips or surf camp please click here
Start Date |
End Date |
Cost |
12th Nov 2011 |
26th Nov 2011 |
Now from £679 per person excluding flights |
The Surf
The Mal Pais area of Costa Rica has long been one of the nation’s hidden secrets with miles of uncrowded beaches and incredibly consistent waves in a truly lush, tropical setting. Mal Pais is blessed with miles of beachbreaks so it’s always possible to find an uncrowded wave. In front of our accommodation is Playa Carmen, a long sandy beach with mellow, peeling waves for beginners and intermediates. A short walk north is Playa Santa Teresa, renowned as one of Costa Rica’s best beachbreaks with faster, steeper waves for experienced surfers or intermediates looking to improve. All abilities are welcome and our qualified instructors are on hand for daily coaching sessions. We have been travelling to this area for 10 years and with the welcome addition of direct flights to a local airport in 2010 our two week holiday now involves more time on the beach and less time travelling.
The Location
Our base is a small, exclusive resort sympathetically designed to blend into its beachfront location among palm trees and lush vegetation. Accommodation is in detached two storey cabins sleeping two or three people with bathroom, fridge and most of the units have air conditioning. A pool is onsite along with a gourmet restaurant and a mini health spa offering treatments, massages and yoga. Our aim is to limit the group to 16 surfers ensuring we have virtually exclusive use of the resort.
Other Activities
The area is rich in wildlife, Howler Monkeys are regularly seen in the trees and a short distance south is Cabo Blanco National Park, one of Costa Rica’s first parks containing a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Snorkelling trips, canopy tours and trips to spectacular waterfalls can all be arranged locally. This sleepy town is slowly waking up to tourism and there are a number of good quality restaurants and bars, a number of surf shops and a medical centre.
Ethical Travel
Costa Rica was named as one of the best ethical destinations in the world for 2008 by Ethical Traveller. Following a worldwide study of environmental protection, social welfare and human rights, Costa Rica was listed in the top ten and highlighted as having: 'a very high level of overall environmental health, excellent water resources, biodiversity, air quality and sustainable energy.View article here:
The itinerary
Outbound: Depart London Heathrow –9.20am. Arrive Liberia, Costa Rica –20.40pm via Houston.Approx. 14 hours flying time.
Transfer by minibus to Mal Pais (approx. 3 hours), check in at beachfront accommodation and enjoy a restful first night before the first of many surfs. 14 nights accommodation at Mal Pais.
Inbound: Depart Liberia, Costa Rica 14.20pm. Arrive London Heathrow next day 10.15am.
Flight cost as at 29/6/11: £690 return + board carriage (subject to daily fluctuations)
The Cost
Room only accommodation in Mal Pais. Airport transfers to and from Mal Pais and daily surf coaching with our qualified instructors.
3-Share room: £679 per person
2-Share room: £745 per person
Single room option available - contact us for a quote.
Please note all the above options are subject to availability.
Surfboards can be hired locally for approx. $10 daily (approx. £6). To book please contact Surf South West by phone or e-mail. We require a completed surf holiday booking form and a deposit of £50 with the full balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
Click here for our Surf Holiday Booking Form
The flights
Flights: Our recommended flight is with Continental Airlines via Houston. Costs fluctuate so check for up to date costs but expect to pay between £550 and £700 including taxes for return flights. To book these flights please contact Robinson Travel, tel: 01237 476798 or you can book online at www.continental.com Unfortunately all airlines flying to Costa Rica charge for surfboard carriage. Continental charge a rate of $200 each way for a board bag containing up to 2 boards - There is a wide range of surfboards to hire in Mal Pais so why not save some money and use the holiday as a chance to try a few new boards!
You are free to shop around for flights but please be aware that if you arrive at different times on different flights there may be additional costs incurred with transfers to accommodation.
If these dates are not convenient please click here for details of independent trips to Mal Pais.
Please click here to see more photos of Mal Pais
Request Fact Sheet on Costa Rica
Surf South West do not book flights, however we can assist you in obtaining good prices from Robinson Travel, a retail agent for an ATOL holder. We will negotiate the provisional arrangements for your flights that are appropriate to your itinerary and then put you in touch direct with Robinson Travel for you to pay and book your flights. In return Robinson Travel will confirm your flight times and invoice you separately. Please note that we do not take payment for flights ourselves, however by ensuring that you are booking with a retail agent for an ATOL holder you can be assured that your flights are financially protected under an ATOL licence. Robinson Travel can be telephoned on 01237 476 798 or e-mail: enquiries@robinson-travel.com
Financial Protection
For your financial protection, Surf South West complies with the European Package Travel Directive by holding all monies in an independently administered trust account until the completion of your holiday. The trust account is administered by Stevens and Willey Certified Accountants, 9 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1TZ
