Pacific Surf and Adventure
Eight days of surf, culture, and wildlife on Guanacaste's Pacific coast
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Surf and Explore Guanacaste's Pacific Coast
Daily Surf on Guanacaste's Best Breaks
Six days of progressive surf instruction on the beaches of Carrillo and Samara, led by local professional instructors who work with all experience levels. Beginners get up on the board quickly in the warm, consistent Pacific swells, and more experienced surfers have room to push their technique. Sessions are scheduled around the tides, so the exact timing shifts with the season. We'll confirm the daily schedule closer to the travel date. The variety keeps the group engaged: morning sessions build confidence, and by mid-week most are catching waves on their own.
Beyond the Board in Guanacaste
Between surf sessions, the program fills out with experiences that make Guanacaste distinctive. Your group will visit a local coffee plantation to trace the full bean-to-cup process, create art with local artists using traditional techniques and sustainable materials, and hike through Costa Rica's tropical dry forest, one of the country's most endangered ecosystems. A dolphin-watching boat tour covers the Pacific coastline, and an evening visit to a turtle conservation project with a park ranger adds a wildlife component most surf programs don't include.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Eight days of surf and adventure based in Guanacaste, Costa Rica's Pacific coast. This itinerary is fully customizable. Adjust the surf-to-adventure ratio, add activities, or extend the program to match your group's goals.
Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica
We'll meet your group at Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia and handle the transfer to the hotel. Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet and a world leader in ecotourism and environmental protection. It's a fitting backdrop for the week ahead on the Pacific coast.
Lodging: Hotel in Liberia
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: First Surf Lesson and Art Class
After an early breakfast, we'll head to the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, with a stop along the way to stretch and grab snacks at a local market. Once the group is settled in at the hotel, it's straight to the beach for the first surf lesson with local professional instructors.
In the afternoon, you'll dive into an art class inspired by Costa Rica's natural beauty. Your group will work with local artists to create pieces using traditional techniques and sustainable materials, a hands-on souvenir you'll actually want to keep.
Lodging: Hotel in Carrillo or Samara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Surf and Coffee Tour
Morning surf session on the beaches of Guanacaste, with instructors working on technique for all experience levels. After lunch, a guided tour of a local coffee plantation covers the full process from growing and harvesting to roasting and tasting. Coffee runs deep in Costa Rican culture, and this tour offers a hands-on look at one of the country's most important traditions.
Lodging: Hotel in Carrillo or Samara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Surf, Beach Picnic, and Turtle Conservation
Hit the waves early for another surf session, followed by a laid-back beach picnic with time for sunbathing, games, and exploring tide pools. The stunning coastal scenery and ocean breeze make for a good recovery window between active days.
At night, we'll take the group to a local turtle conservation project. During high tide and accompanied by a park ranger, you walk the beach searching for nesting sea turtles. Depending on the season, the group may witness the full nesting process: turtles emerging from the ocean, finding a spot to lay eggs, and the ranger relocating eggs to the hatchery when necessary for protection. It's the kind of experience that sticks with people long after the trip.
Lodging: Hotel in Carrillo or Samara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Dolphin Tour and Surf
Board a boat and set out for a dolphin-watching tour along the Pacific coast. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins and other marine life, and if conditions allow, there's a chance to snorkel at a nearby reef. After the tour, it's back to the beach for another surf lesson.
Lodging: Hotel in Carrillo or Samara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Surf and Tropical Dry Forest Hike
Morning surf session, then a guided afternoon hike through Costa Rica's tropical dry forest near Samara and Carrillo. This is one of the country's most endangered ecosystems, home to a remarkable range of plants and wildlife. The hike offers a different perspective on Guanacaste's landscape beyond the coastline, a good complement to the days spent in the water.
Lodging: Hotel in Carrillo or Samara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Surf and Zipline
Final surf session of the program. By now, most of the group is riding waves with real confidence. Then we'll shift gears for a zipline adventure through the rainforest canopy, soaring above the treetops with views of the surrounding jungle. Ocean in the morning, treetops in the afternoon.
Lodging: Hotel in Carrillo or Samara
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Departure
After some final group photos and goodbyes with the Offbeat Travel team, we'll get everyone through immigration and on to their flight home. Pura Vida.
Meals: Breakfast
What happens when you visit Costa Rica
Customize Your Program
Once you complete our inquiry form and one of our program managers will respond within 24 business hours.
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