Nosara / Playa Guiones Costa Rica - board help

[Finnydip]

My wife and I just booked a family trip to Coast Rica for Thanksgiving and I'm really hoping to get some quality SUP surfing in while there. Any advice on renting or bringing a board/paddle? Are there any decent rentals down there? How are SUP surfers received? Any chance I could bring my PSH 8'9" with me? We'll be taking the puddle jumper from San Juan to Nosara.
Thanks

[H2Oman]

My friend recently visited and used Experience Nosara for his whole trip: http://www.facebook.com/experience   He left 2 Riviera Machete boards and paddles with the owners.  We haven't met up since he returned, but based on his FB messages, the trip was great.

[Finnydip]

That's great info, thanks. I think I saw your friends  in pics on FB when I Googled SUP in Nosara. They were both on green Riviera boards and I was hoping something like that would be available down there. I give the Exp. Nosara folks a shout.

[H2Oman]

Coconut Harry's also rents SUP in Guiones and will arrange surf excursions outside of the standard areas.   Nelson is one of the surf instructors there and he's a super nice guy and Steve's the owner.  Might be worth an email http://www.coconutharrys.com/

[bluecoast]

I was there about 5 years ago and stayed at the Harmony Hotel. At the time there were only 2 surf shops in Nosara, one right next to the Harmony Hotel and Coconut Harry's down the street. I can't help you out on the SUP front but I can definitely assure you the break right in front of the Harmony at Playa Guiones is SUPER fun! I'm jealous...can't wait to get back there!

[abmatt]

Rental does sound like your best bet. Last I heard the plane from San Juan couldn't take any longish boards. And yes, Nosara will be super fun on a SUP ... Get up in the dark, watch for howler monkeys and paddle out early to get the main peaks by yourself. As the crowd fills in you can move down the beach to still good peaks. The one closest to the crazy hotel on the headland was really fun when I was there. Have a great trip.

[jdmotes]

 We went to Nosara last Sept.. Flew into San Jose as we had our own SUPs with us and the flights to Liberia don't allow boards over (I think) like 6 feet...
 It's a hell of a drive from San Jose over to Nosara cause you have to take their version of I-95 (2-lane) through the mountains and you get stuck behind those big-rigs going 5 mph. That and lane closures where they are working on the road. Took us about 5 to 6 hrs to get to Nosara...
 We lucked out as the rains were mostly at night but traveling to other breaks was out due to swollen rivers...
 Since we had our own mini-crowd, we stayed to the south of the main break but there are good waves to be had all the way down the beach to the cove. It IS a beach break; So if it's big, be prepared for a an ass-whoopin getting through the break. If it's waist to head high, it's pretty easy and super-fun...
 Since we went in September, a lot of the restaurants and shops were closed as Sept/Oct is their off-season; But we found enough open to please us and we cooked a lot of our own meals, as well...
 The few surf shops that were open had very little in descent SUP rentals but that may be different now...
 All in all, really loved the place but next trip will be to Liberia's airport (if they ever allow SUPs) as that airport is but 1.5 hours from Nosara...           Paddle on;    JD
 

[Finnydip]

Thanks all for the great feedback. I'll be sure to give a trip recap when I get back.

[APPST_Paddle]

Headed back in a month, 4 days in Nosara, 6 in Avellanas, can't wait.

Does anyone have any info on Playa Nosara as compared to Playa Guiones. Someone told me a lot of the SUP camps go to Playa Nosara (not to be confused with the general area or town - Nosara). Any info on breaks up that way and conditions as compared to Guiones?

[starman]

Some info can be found on the thread titled; Costa Rica SUP surf trip videos- Fabrice Beaux and Nosara Pura Vida

[blueplanetsurf]

Some info can be found on the thread titled; Costa Rica SUP surf trip videos- Fabrice Beaux and Nosara Pura Vida

Here is the link to the videos and information:
 http://blueplanetsurf.com/news/costa-rica-sup-trip/

There is a great outside break for SUP at Avellanas