The Basics
What & Why: We have visited Costa Rica a few times as a family. In the past we have traveled all over the country to enjoy zip lining, hiking, waterfalls, and more. This trip was for a program called Surf & Service, Surf and Service is a program that incorporates adventure, surfing and community service initiatives for rising 8th-12th graders. Students and staff dedicated 6-8 hours per week to meaningful projects, collaborating with organizations like Costas Verdes for tree planting, participating in beach clean-ups, and contributing to Pack for a Purpose initiatives. We had a total of sixteen students and I was one of the four adult teachers for the program. The program is run by Discover Term. Discover Term also has two 5 week school year experiences, Surf Term and Powder Term. Surf & Service will open up for registration in early December.
When & Who: The program was the first two weeks of June. My husband and youngest son (who is not quite old enough to participate in terms yet) joined us at the end of the program so we could have a family week together.
Where: We stayed in Nosara at a sweet rental house that was a 5 minute walk to the beach. In past trips we have visited San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Santa Teresa.
Learnings
What I’d Do Again
My kids are all already asking if they can go back to the Surf & Service program next summer. Each one of the kids in our 16 teenager crew said they would come back in a heartbeat. We will definitely come back to Nosara to surf. It’s such an ideal place to learn to surf with phenomenal surf instructors, sandy bottom, and great waves for anyone from beginner to advanced.
What I’d Change
We honestly wouldn’t change a thing except adding in more yoga and avoiding a surf accident. Our service trip was fortunate enough to have a yoga teacher with us on staff. My husband and I wish we would’ve ventured out for some yoga at some of the local studios. I also had a surf injury that required stitches, which unfortunately kept me out of the water for a few days. I was very thankful for an excellent clinic right in town as well as having an extended trip which meant I still had plenty of surfing time after the stitches came out. This trip was focused on surfing so we really did not want to spend time on other excursions. However, Nosara is a great place to use a base if you want to enjoy some of the amazing activities Costa Rica has to offer.
Tips for Travelers
The roads in Nosara can be rough, especially in the rainy season, so you can rent a 4×4 or car with high clearance. You can also rent an ATV, golf cart, or motorcycle. You can find some amazing food in Nosara as well. We really enjoyed La Luna, Harmony restaurant, Howler’s, and Seekretpot for gelato. Destiny Cafe and La Ventanita are my absolute favorite post surf breakfast spots.
Final Words
Nosara is an amazing little beach town that offers incredible surfing, dining, and some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. Even if you aren’t keen on surfing, it’s a beautiful place to visit.
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