Itinerary & Country Map

Day 1–5
The first stop on this incredible journey is the beachfront town of Tamarindo on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. Made famous by the surf sequel "Endless Summer II", Tamarindo is a popular off-the-beaten-path getaway. Settle into our beachfront hostel and head straight to the beach for our first surf session and some tips from experienced instructors. Huge stretches of beach mean that there are a variety of breaks to practice and challenge your surfing abilities. We start by refining the basics: paddling, turning and dropping in. Knowing the ocean is just as important as knowing how to choose and ride a wave. Learn water rescue techniques and how the bottom contour affects a wave's shape and behavior. Gather information on lunar phases, tidal changes and weather patterns, and use this knowledge to predict surf conditions. More experienced surfers can head out on guided surf sessions or relax at high tide and chase receding waves with a skimboard. Dry off to explore the nearby Playa Grande in Las Baulas National Park where the endangered giant leatherback turtles crawl up the beach to lay their eggs.

Day 6–9
Travel south to Playa Avellanas and Playa Guiones to surf a great mix of left and rights such as Pequeño Hawaii and El Palo. In between surf sessions, discover why Costa Rica is often dubbed "Nature's Playground". Enjoy a daylong sailing and snorkeling trip aboard a 50-foot catamaran sailboat. Take a boat tour up the Nosara River and through the mangroves to check out Costa Rica's biodiversity. Watch for cool neon-green frogs, exotic birds, crocodiles resting on the river banks and white-faced monkeys swinging in the trees. Then experience the jungle from a different angle as you zip from tree to tree on a rainforest canopy tour. Hike to a thunderous waterfall and swim in the refreshing water at its base. End the day with a barbeque and beach bonfire on a secluded, palm-fringed beach.

Day 10–13
Head to the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and discover the surfing hotspots Santa Teresa and Mal Pais. Despite its reputation as the best surfing destination on the peninsula, Mal Pais retains much of the charm of a small fishing village. Grab a board and work on perfecting your turns and cutbacks. On shore we discuss how coastal development, pollution and other human activities affect surfing conditions and threaten the future of some of the world's most popular breaks. Now that we're addicted to surfing, it's time to take our adventure up a notch. We take a short flight to neighboring Panama and move onto our private boat for a live-aboard surfing voyage. There is no better way to explore the many and diverse breaks along Panama's Pacific coast than on a boat. Visit Santa Catalina and the nearby islands to discover Panama's best surfing spots, many of which are only accessible by boat.

Day 14–20
Panama is known for its consistent big waves on the Pacific coast ranging from chest high to double overhead. It's a true surfer's paradise, and by now we are ready and eager for the challenge. After an exhilarating morning session, head to the calm protected bays to explore the region's pristine tropical rainforests or go for a snorkel in a marine reserve where manta rays, sea turtles and schools of amber jacks abound. Panama offers great diversions on shore as well and is home to many indigenous peoples and cultures. Travel in a piragua (a motorized dugout canoe) up the Chagres River to the heart of Panama's jungle to find the indigenous village of Embera Drua. We are greeted by colorfully adorned kids singing and dancing. As we explore their village and market, we learn about their customs and relationship with nature. This adventure will leave you with amazing memories, a passion for surfing and a love for the gracious people and spectacular landscapes of Costa Rica and Panama.