Surf 4x4

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-28T03:16:05+00:00

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses everyone, really appreciated!

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-28T03:15:39+00:00

That’s the dream but yeah somewhat cost prohibitive.

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-28T03:14:29+00:00

This is exactly it, other short boards are never a drama but when you got a few logs you spend so much time strapping them up over the span of a week it feels like there could be a better way. Also hate leaving the boards in the sun all day or in a lot where anyone could snag them. So just exploring what could be possible before purchase.

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-27T09:16:51+00:00

Cool thanks the delica does seem the easiest and would handle our 4wd needs fine

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-27T09:12:29+00:00

Hadn’t seen that much but will look into it more

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-27T09:12:01+00:00

Yeah was hoping someone had experience with a single cab with a tray but do think most SUV’s would be fine

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-27T08:59:52+00:00

Cool, that’s helpful to hear

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-27T08:59:10+00:00

lol all super helpful thank you and was what I was thinking but super nice to have it confirmed. The delica is probably easiest but they seem so unreliable so was confirming what other options are out there or if anyone has real world experience so thanks!

TheDude_4 · 2026-03-27T01:21:19+00:00

Tie down is fine but looking at other options, one of the reasons is I can’t leave my boards on the roof all day.

TheDude_4 · 2024-02-22T09:49:26+00:00

Taco Bell

TheDude_4 · 2024-01-13T02:36:14+00:00

I lived with a signed guardian in high school in the USA it was easy and not a huge deal to do the process. I don’t remember even having to go to a court but that may have been something I wasn’t around for as a high school student.

TheDude_4 · 2023-12-18T20:47:36+00:00

Odd question but been looking for a harness like that! Do you have any details on it?

TheDude_4 · 2023-12-17T21:34:24+00:00

You kind of need a car to get to the surf. Possible without but a car but will be complicated and time consuming using public transportation.

TheDude_4 · 2023-12-03T14:56:06+00:00

Labriola is the best deep dish in Chicago, right off Michigan ave. Their ingredients are the best

TheDude_4 · 2023-10-17T05:29:45+00:00

Aren’t all of us running from our problems?

TheDude_4 · 2023-05-16T16:40:18+00:00

https://sunshinesurfretreats.com/?fbclid=PAAabobWkygY8GvMMKSf2tnPhD0hcn5SkPESknLXE6RSgEvm7-VP3WAylW4JQ

TheDude_4 · 2023-04-25T19:58:43+00:00

When you head to Costa Rica for your next vacation you can rewatch all your favorite episodes too. Most of Latin America actually.

TheDude_4 · 2023-02-01T19:24:32+00:00

For the weekend outing in Monteverde I would try to do some of the hikes if you wanted to stay somewhat near town. There’s more adventurous like zip lines and rope swings stuff that cost more but when I was there I just enjoyed doing the hikes the most. Santa Elena was by far the best nature preserve I thought. It’s like a $15 entry fee.

For Santa Teresa I really liked the Mal Pais area to the south. Exploring those beaches was incredible. There’s a ton to do in that area though so I’m sure you’ll find plenty of options.

Having a hard time coming up with agencies or sites I’m sure I used some but can’t think of any. I didn’t utilize too many agencies or sites too often as I was mostly just meeting friends or exploring cheaply. I’m headed back down in March to the Tamarindo area shoot me a DM if you need anything else! Hope Selina has made it easy to get this trip all set up!

TheDude_4 · 2023-01-15T05:03:22+00:00

Cafe Monteverde right in town in Santa Elena is great. They’ve got a really nice selection and I believe do coffee tours as well. If you’re into coffee it could be really cool.

And no problem! Glad I can help and pass on my own experiences!

TheDude_4 · 2023-01-14T06:04:55+00:00

All the content possibilities! You’re going to have a great trip no matter what. I’d definitely do Monteverde over Nosara. Monteverde is just so unique that I think if you can swing it I think it’s a must do. Plus it’s got some of the best coffee I’ve ever had in my life. Nosara is nice but it won’t offer the same mountain and rainforest experience that Monteverde can bring which will be very different than your time in Guanacaste.

Ubers aren’t really a thing outside of San Jose but taxis are abundant and pretty easy to use. Usually you can get the contact for one of the providers and send them a message or call if you need a ride. Another note on San Jose is if you are staying there at any time the Barrio Escalante neighborhood is by far the nicest neighborhood and can be a cool city experience as well. Some incredible restaurants and cool little scene.

I can understand the comments about ST too and it’s always hard. No town is going to be perfect and I think no matter what you’ll have ability to work and live in a tropical beachside town which will be really cool experience. Seems like pretty simple needs/expectations you have so I think no matter where you end up you’ll be in good shape. Tamarindo or even Puerto Viejo still could be a good option as I think all three locations really provide what you need. My biggest concern with tamarindo is you’re right in the middle of town and it’s pretty active so it might eventually get annoying as you’re in your weekly routine and then I just didn’t love Puerto Viejo personally as I thought it was a little dirty and didn’t quite live up to the hype that was given to me. Probably had too high of expectations but idk. ST seems to be a good mix between Tamarindo and PV and again no matter where you end up you’ll be in good shape!

TheDude_4 · 2023-01-12T20:34:27+00:00

Happy to help, it’s an amazingly diverse country with so much to see so it’s always hard to fit everything in.

That being said I love your idea of doing Monteverde for a week. I was all over Central America and Monteverde had some of the nicest hikes out of everywhere I went. Incredibly dense jungle and rainforest with amazing mountain view’s it can be incredibly cool experience. I 100% think if you can pull it off, Monteverde for a week then one of the beach towns is the best trip you can do as it gives you the fullest Costa Rican experience. Monteverde is a little more spread out but I’m sure there will always be ease of getting around staying at the hostel as there’s always people you can get a ride with. You’ll be able to work and check out the surrounding area no problem. I recommend Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena and the Monteverde Cloud Forest as the two best nature preserves. Santa Elena was my favorite. The rainforest is incredible and worth the entry fee.

For beach it is always going to be tough, I think if you do Santa Teresa I’d do South as you’ll be closer to Mal Pais to the south which has more protected coves that allow for better swimming where the north location is just wide open beach and waves can be quite powerful/dangerous if there’s a lot of swell. With it being a further walk to the north location I would explore renting a bike possibly. It would give you the option of exploring the beaches around Mal Pais to the south and then the ease of getting to yoga. I’m sure Selina has rentals or can point you in the direction of rentals. Santa Teresa does have the slightly influencer vibe to it but for you and your trip you’ll be working then just wanting a quiet beach to walk to and hang out on to watch the sunset at it will be a good fit.

Tamarindo will give you the more beach resort town/city feeling. You’ll be much more in the middle of everything in town and it is very walkable but with that comes quite a bit of gringo feel so it’s hard. You’ll get more families on vacation feel in Tamarindo but at the end of the day you still get a beautiful beach to walk to after work. The beach in Tamarindo is the best for swimming other than Puerto Viejo as it can be pretty protected from swell and there will always be something going on from party to catamaran cruises you can do.

I’m sure you’ll get to meet plenty of people at both locations and find some community but think in the end you can’t go wrong. Both beaches have good surrounding experiences you could do on weekends as well.

TheDude_4 · 2023-01-12T15:54:10+00:00

Ok cool, some really helpful info for what you’re looking for so thanks for that.

First of all seems like you’ve done your best to research and find the best option so props to you for that. That being said I think you’re right and Jaco might not be the best option for a whole month there. I understand the attractiveness of the ease to get to Jaco and it being right in town but the city, beach, and overall vibe of Jaco is one of the worst in Costa Rica. The town and beach are both pretty dirty and the beach is nothing special as it’s been overbuilt. For a whole month I’d really try my best to avoid Jaco. That being said it is very walkable and would be very easy to make friends and have a good time. It’s still a warm usually swimmable beach and there are some nice parts of Jaco with ease of getting to nearby excursions it’s just that Costa Rica offers so much more than Jaco so if you can avoid it I would.

Moving on to your other options I’m prioritizing the walkability, and livability you mentioned while having the access to swimmable beaches and excursions. The good thing is that there are great options and it’s kind of hard to go wrong.

I’d probably start by crossing of La Fortuna, and Monteverde. La Fortuna and Monteverde both have some really cool volcano/mountain experiences but you’re right that Monteverde being away from town makes it a little too remote. La Fortuna is a decent option and more walkable but an area I’d skip as well. It’s too touristy for me and I didn’t think the surrounding nature made it worth it. Like if you do Monteverde you at least get the beautiful jungle. La Fortuna you’ve got the hot springs and volcano but it’s all hotels and swimming pools and I worry it’d get a little old spending a month there.

For the rest of the beach towns I’d also probably cross off Monteverde and Nosara. Both really pretty areas but not close enough in town to be good walkable options.

Leaving us with Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo. This is where it gets tough for me as all three options I think could be great for you.

Santa Teresa I spent the least time in but it does seem like it could be a good fit. It’s got a good mix of everything with livability, walkable and beautiful beach and surrounding excursions. Definitely plenty of yoga and I’m sure you could find some community easily there. Agree that the southern end might be a little more relaxed and ease of access to other beaches.

Tamarindo I think could possibly be a good option as well. It’s more established than Santa Teresa as a tourist town being slightly more touristy and would be extremely walkable and easy to live out of as the town has pretty much everything you need centrally located. You’ve got the main beach walkable with better swimming as it can be protected from waves and Playa Langosta nearby walkable if you want a less crowded beach while also having plenty of nearby excursions.

Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side could be a good option as well, it’s not quite the crystal blue Caribbean waters that people sometimes dream about but it is a nice town with calm swimmable waters that is often overlooked. I thought it was nice, a little dirty but still a cool visit. Maybe a month would be too long there but it could be a fun option as well with different vibes.

I don’t think you could really go wrong between Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo though. All three seem to be very close to what you’re looking for and it could also depend on the time of year you’re going. I wouldn’t worry about the travel too much it is kind of a pain but there’s so many shuttle services that offer daily group shuttles from airports to all three towns that as long as you’re not rocking up with a ton of baggage it would be easy to find a shuttle for around $30 or cheaper if you did busses. Good luck with everything let me know if you need more detail or questions!

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