Recommendations for Central America and close to Indo destinations for Spring

[robnow]

So every spring I try to get a two month surf trip in, usually Indo and mostly based out of Bali. This year I'm breaking up with my girlfriend of 8 years and hitting Central America with a buddy for the first two weeks of April, and then back to Indo for the next 8 weeks.

Central America
- He wants to hit El Salvador, partly to look at land and partly for the right hand point breaks; I've heard good but not great things about the country
- I'm pushing for the Oaxaca region of Mexico, heard only great
- I've only done Costa Rica before, IMO Witches, Pavones, and Matapalo we're super fun breaks, but in general not a fan of the country.
- Where would you go? Oaxaca? ES? Maybe Panama trip?

Indo
- For such a lengthy trip I think Bali and Indo area offer the best balance of variety, life, ease of getting around, girls, good cost, gym, etc., too bad its so busy.
- Last year went to the Mentawais for the first time and that was absolutely AWESOME, will most likely just do that again. Stayed at http://www.indoparadise.com but this time would probably try Kandui or maybe even a boat trip.
- If you were based out of Bali, what two week trip would you do that you could fly to at reasonable cost? Maybe Solomon Islands? PNG? Back to Mentawais?

Open to other ideas as well.

Moderate budget, ~9g for 10 weeks of flights, accom, and trips.

Oh, and fit, confident intermediate surfer, not looking for the gnarliest surf like Superstar Punani, but def the fun goods and surf #1 priority.

[fantastic_damage]

Nicarugua, offshore winds all day

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[P_McPoser]

8 weeks here? Why?

[robnow]

8 weeks here? Why?

Why not? Where would you go?

I think as a base for that amount of time, renting a place in Bali offers a good balance of cost, break variety, swell and wind consistency, easy to get around, food, good mix of girls, nightlife, central to other Indian Ocean or Coral Sea destinations, etc.

I am thinking about Kauai or the Big Island as well, then I could bring my mountain bike at least, but worried about swell consistency that time of year.

[BraddA]

You're on the right track, me thinks. Swell will be an issue in HI in April. On the plus side you're likely to find relatively uncrowded lineups if anything does roll through.

Unfortunately the same may be true for Oaxaca. Its an incredible region, and probably worthy of a look even if you don't surf, but April may be a touch early in the season. Not positive, but I think heading further south may improve your April odds a bit.

[BS720]

^^This. I've been to Nicaragua two years now in spring, and while it's never huge, there always is something in the water. Not the best time to go down there, but it's not flat all the time. Plus, what, you can't drink rum? Lots of tourists to pick through there.

[jayfrizzo]

I've been to El Salvador the past few Aprils and think the smallest it got was chest high. But it seems the place is getting more and more crowded. Even the farther-away points. Kinda sucks when 3 SUVs pull up and 15 dudes pile out and paddle straight to the peak at 7 AM. Ah, but from 5:30-7...

Heading to Northern Nicaragua this April, 15-21.