CR in October?

[Lee Murian]

OK I'm droppin in...first post so let the jonging begin. Yes, I've lurked a bit and read the sticky so go ezee.

So we're headin down to CR in October and I'm reading about how bad the rains and storms can be then. I know it rains all the time down there, I'm just looking for some first hand beta. Can we get totally flushed at that time? Would it be better to go a month later? Problem is that's when the ski season starts here. Looks like the NW can be the driest, so Tamarindo is prolly the first stop?? I don't mind the rain if there's a few hours of sun each day as well, anyone been in October?

Thanks, and I'm going skiing tomorrow if that helps...

Peace.

[peterslovo]

I was there for a boat trip back in 97 for 10 days, ending on Halloween. We sailed from Punteranus south to Pavones and back. Didn't see another surfer in the water until Pavones. Each day was pretty dry until the afternoon/evening when thunderstorms and showers would move in. I think I recall one day that had rainstorms throughout the day.

Surf was in the chest high-overhead range for the first 5 days, then around chest high for the next 2, then about waist for the last 3, so pretty good in terms of consistency. You can pick up either south or north swells that time of year, so it could be pretty good.

[Superstar Punani]

I was there in late Sep / early Oct '03. There's good and bad shit associated w/ rainy season.

On the good side, there's less crowds so you get more waves to yourself. Some hotels also have cheaper rates during the low season. You can still get solid swells. We had a solid 10-12' south swell rock up the first week, and fizzled down to 1-2 foot on the smallest days. it was still a lot of fun though.

On the shitty side, any overland trip becomes a pain the the ass. Rivers are high and you can't cross it in a 4WD. You can paddle across but then you have to deal with crocs. Speaking of crocs, more river outflow means there's more chance of the hungry fuckers getting washed out into the lineup.

Most of the rain was in the late afternoon/evening and cleared up around midmorning/noon.

If you're gonna go on a boat trip, ask for Gustavo in Tamarindo (Witch's Rock surf camp contractor). He's the man, man.

[Lee Murian]

yo thanks for the beta. OK we're going in October.

To put a positive spin on things, they call the rainy season the "green" season in CR. That'll work too.

Any other tips or suggestions are welcome. Plan to hit Tamarido but nothing else solid yet, we've got almost a month, any other must hit spots?

And hopefully when we get back we'll be hittin the fluff. It was Octber 27, 2004 when we were skiing pow last season!

Peace