Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for good waves and what is the weather like?
Each surf break is affected by swell, tide, and wind so if one place is not "good surfing" another down the beach might be awesome! Also, the waves can change throughout the day depending on the tide. There is a dry season and green season so when is the best time is a personal choice. In general:
December - January months the chances for "smaller" waves is historically good. However, it also can be perfect and have a swell for the entire time. You never know. Weather will be dry and sunny (perfect) with the trees and grass still green but becoming dry and rivers stop flowing. Offshore winds all day and can be stiff.
February - Surf starts to become a little better with chances of more swells increasing. Weather will be very dry with offshore winds all day which can be gusty but perfect sunny days. Surf can be really good with offshore winds.
March - May surf is usually good with offshore winds all the time, sometimes strong. Larger swells can make for fantastic surf. Perfect sunny days and very dry. May starts the rainy season with maybe a shower in the PM occasionally and winds start becoming offshore early and onshore during the day.
June - August surf is usually good with variable winds. Swell size varies depending on the swell from chest high to double overhead. Everything is green and rivers are flowing. Maybe a thundershower in the PM. Humidity a little higher.
September - October surf is good with variable winds. Weather can be wet and sometimes hard rain storms for a couple of days which eventually pass and nice weather returns. However, it can also be similar to June - August weather which is similar to Florida. For those wanting less people and best beach house rental price, this is a great time to go.
November surf is good with variable winds. Dry season begins and winds start to blow offshore. Everything is green and the streams flowing.
What is Playa Negra like?
On a map, Pargos is actually what most people visiting call Playa Negra and the beach is actually Playa Negra. They are one and the same. Negra is a quiet and laid back spot. People are friendly, nice, and helpful. No touristy type places around. No one hassling you for anything. If you are looking for night life, Negra is not the place. However, Tamarindo is 25 minute drive for those who want the night life. If you are looking for relaxation and to get away from the daily hassles, beepers, newspapers, cell phones, TV etc, the combination of Playa Negra and A Surfers Dream will be what you want. See Guest Comments on the web site to see what most people think.
Beach is great for walking and not a lot of people except on during holidays. You can find a spot in front of the house or down the beach where you can be by yourself and read or just enjoy the peace and quiet. Tidal pools at low tide are good for exploring. Sunsets fantastic and a real tranquil place. Surf is usually good most of the time.
Is the area safe?
That is one of the pluses about this area. Generally, it is as safe as anywhere you will go. Friendly and helpful residents. Like anywhere in the world or even at your current house in the U.S., things can happen. When taking your car to a beach or surf break, leave your valuables and money at "home" as rental cars are pretty obvious. At night, use common sense when walking.
A Surfers Dream is in a community with gate and security and to date, there have been no problems. However, even at our house, be smart. It is a great spot for children as they can come and go between the nearby Hotel and play on the beach all day and in the evening with no worries. You can sit on the porch and watch your friends and children surf as well as see way down the beach with binoculars if you take them. It's probably as good as it will get while visiting Costa Rica.
How far is the beach from the house?
The beach is about a 20 second walk from the front porch.
How far do I have to walk or drive to surf.
Directly in front of the house is the famous Playa Negra surf break. Beside it are two more surf breaks including a beach break. There are other surf breaks that you can see from the house that have no names. Callejones is about a 5 min walk down the beach.
Avellanas is about a 5 min drive that has several breaks along the beach. Junquillal is about a 8 min drive from the house. Marbella a 40 min drive with good waves. Tamarindo is a 25 min drive and Playa Grande a bit further. There is variety of choices to choose from depending on tides, swell, and wind conditions.
However the best thing is, you have one of the best breaks anywhere right in front of the house with no hassles! It is rare to find a house that overlooks a great surf break which makes A Surfers Dream special place!
Does the house come with surfboards? Where can we rent them? What about ding repairs? Surf Lessons?
The house does not come with surfboards. You either bring your own or there are a couple of places in Negra that you can rent surfboards. Price, size, quality vary. Tamarindo is 25 min away and has surfboard shops and rental places.
Surfboard dings can be repaired locally in Negra. Excellent repairs.
Surfing lessons are available thru the local Hotel. Manu who is an excellent surfer will be your instructor.
Where can I swim, snorkel, and fish?
In front of the house at mid to high tide you can swim depending on the surf conditions. There are rock reefs. The sand on the beach changes during the year which also affects swimming in front of the house. There is a nice swimming beach where everyone goes about a 1 min walk down the beach. The swimming area is about 100 yards of beach with no rock or reef and safe. Whenever swimming or surfing, caution while in the water is always important.
Snorkeling in front of the house is good for seeing fish around the rocks and reef a little further out. Once again the surf conditions affect the quality.
Fishing can be done all up and down the beach. Local fisherman use hand lines. Bring your own lures and tackle for surf fishing. Deep sea fishing can be arranged with a local resident depending on the wind and sea conditions. Tamarindo has deep sea fishing boats to charter.
Do you have a swimming pool?
There is not a pool at A Surfers Dream by choice. The ocean is our preference. For those that "have to have a pool", the management at Hotel Playa Negra will allow the guests staying at A Surfers Dream to use the Hotel pool. The conditions are that you ask permission when you arrive and that you understand that Hotel guests have priority regarding chairs and pool.
Can we cook at the house or should we eat out all the time?
The house has a full kitchen and settings for up to 6 guests. Gas stove, microwave, blender, coffee maker, etc. for those that want to cook. We find that most people are on vacation and do not want to cook so they eat out almost all meals which sometimes is more economical and easier. There is no BBQ grill but you can pick-up one in Santa Cruz when getting groceries on your way in.
Do you have a/c, internet, tv, and telephone?
There is no air-conditioning in the house by choice. We like to hear the ocean sounds and feel the breezes. There are fans in each room should you need them. There is also no t/v, telephone, cell phones, newspaper, by choice! A Surfers Dream is one of the few places where you can get away from all the usual distractions while on vacation. After a few days without these distractions, you will be refreshed and maybe forget what day it is which in our opinion is what a "vacation" is and what A Surfers Dream beach house is all about. Telephone and internet are at the hotel a 1 minute walk from the house.
How do I get the key to the house and is there someone nearby to help us if we have questions or if possibly a problem arises?
We work as a team with the management of Hotel Playa Negra which is about a 1 min walk on the beach. You check-in and check-out there. They go to the house with you when you arrive and answer any questions that you may have. During your stay, if you need anything or should there be a problem with something at the house, they are there to help and assist you.
Do we need to pick up food and supplies on the way to the house?
We recommend that you pick up anything that you will be needing before arriving at the house. We provide a map where you can pickup supplies and groceries in Santa Cruz on your way to A Surfers Dream you will be set for your vacation. If shopping the day you arrive, leave someone with your car for security reasons as you will have all of your belongings in the car!
Is there anywhere to eat nearby or a place to buy food?
There are usually 9 or more restaurants that are nearby and most within walking distance or a 1-2 min drive. Menu's vary from fresh fish to burgers to pizza and each restaurant differs in price. A couple of favorite "local" restaurants are a 3-10 min drive but worth the drive. Some restaurants close September and October so your choices might be limited. Tamarindo is a 25 minute drive if you want a more "touristy" crowded environment and restaurants.
There are two "pulperias" (very small grocery stores) that have most of the basics and are located 1 minute from the house. Larger grocery stores are in Tamarindo a 25 min drive or Santa Cruz which is a 40 min drive.
How often is the house cleaned during our stay?
Daily cleaning is not included. The cleaning people will come up during mid-week to clean windows and tidy up in order to keep up with the maintenance that is required for a house located on the ocean. They will check with you for times. Should you want the house cleaned everyday, work it out directly with the Hotel and pay them directly. It is expected that all guests will take care of the house, clean up their own "mess", and report anything that is broken or does not work so it can be fixed before the next guest arrives. We are not looking to blame people for accidents just an opportunity to repair or fix the problem.
If there is an emergency, where do I go?
There is an emergency clinic right outside Tamarindo about 20 min away. There is also one at 27th de Abril town about 20 min away. Nicoya has a hospital for more serious things about 1.15 hours. See the telephone list emailed to you when you make final payment. You can be contacted in case of emergency by having someone calling Hotel Playa Negra and they can get a message to you.
Are there any parks or canopy tours nearby?
The closest park is Rincon de Vieja. The road to the park is located 5 minutes (3.5 km) past Liberia and about a 2 hr drive. if you have the time, it's a great spot. 2 hr hike past streams and to a fantastic waterfall to stand in and swim in the pool below! There is also horseback riding and hiking to thermal pools, canopy zip line, and exciting water slide that you can get info for at the Buena Vista Lodge. Other parks such as Monteverde and the Arenal Volcano are about 3.5 to 4 hr drive. Monteverde has zip line canopy tours and the Adventura tour being one of the best rain or shine. Playa Grande has a park protecting turtles which is maybe 1.15 hrs. away. There is a basic canopy tour in Tamarindo.
What about the airports and airlines getting there?
Most airlines fly directly into San Jose which is a 4.5-5 hour drive to the beach house. Of importance is how much will the airlines charge you for your surf boards. You can take a small commuter airlines (Sansa, Nature Air) to Tamarindo from San Jose and drive 25 minutes to the house. However, they will probably not take your surfboards.
Most convenient is to fly directly into Liberia. Many airlines have direct flights from the US into Liberia which is a 1 hr 20 minute drive to the house. These flights cost a little more than flying into San Jose but you can be in the water surfing sooner. Airlines that fly into Liberia charge for surfboards. American, Delta, Northwest, Continental, as well as others. Highly recommend flying into Liberia if your budget allows!
Check the airline internet sites for the best fares. The fares can change hourly and be different on each website sho shop around.
Do we need a rental car? How about transportation to A Surfers Dream beach house?
If you want to be independent and be able to travel or go to different surf breaks when and where you like, rental car is a good option. Also, should an emergency arise, you will not be "stuck". Rental cars are available at the San Jose airport, Liberia airport, and Tamarindo. We suggest that you shop around on the internet for the best rates before leaving. Do not call the agency in Costa Rica as you will usually be quoted a higher rate.
For those not wanting a rental car, transportation is available from San Jose airport via the "orange" cabs or van. Liberia has rental car agencies as well as in Tamarindo. Once in Negra, only local bus is available twice a day to Santa Cruz. Taxi can be arranged thru the Hotel. Also rental car can be arranged thru the Hotel but will be expensive.
For buses from San Jose, take a taxi to Alejuela bus station then bus to Santa Cruz. From Santa Cruz to Playa Negra, take a taxi . Never take your eye off your belongings and hold them in your lap or feet while on the bus.
When renting a car, you can decline the collision insurance if your credit card offers rental car insurance. MasterCard does not cover anything not on paved roads which can be a real problem. Visa offers insurance on any type of road so use Visa. Liability insurance is usually mandatory so when getting quotes find out what it is as it is the largest expense when getting quotes. Also, find out if you are being charged a 12.5% airport tax. If so, go to another agency or when you get to the airport, take a "orange" taxi to the agency and not the courtesy van and you will not be charged the airport tax.
What do previous guests have to say about staying at A Surfers Dream?
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What do we do to find out if our preferred dates are available and if so, what is the Final Reservation Procedure for reserving dates?
Click on: Contact Us For Availability
