The Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica & SW Nicaragua (Paperback)

~ Mike Parise (Author), Bob Towner (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The most most detailed, most current and best selling surf guide to Costa Rica. Features over 80 breaks on both coasts and over 100 hotels nearest the breaks. Includes a helpful tips section including what to pack and how to pack surfboards. Many maps and helpful driving directions. Not a coffee table picture book or pocket guide. This is a comprehensive, down-and-dirty, backpack ready surf guide.

About the Author

Mike Parise has surfed for over 30 years. The Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica was the first first surf travel guide. He first wrote this guide for himself and friends. He then decided to offer it for sale and it quickly became a surf travel classic, with over 26,000 sold to date. When not working on this labor of love, Mike does real work as an advertising executive in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: SurfPress Publishing; 6th edition (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967910005
• ISBN-13: 978-0967910000
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #312,730 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #13 in	Books > Travel > Latin America > Central America > Nicaragua
  #51 in	Books > Travel > Latin America > Central America > Costa Rica

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't surf CR without it, April 7, 2000

By	Arnoldo (Costa Mesa, Ca) - See all my reviews

I took this book with me to Costa Rica a couple of years ago and it was worth every penny and them some. Everything including the tips on packing, where to stay, and where to surf was good, solid, useful information. The maps were a little crude, but there are driving instructions on how to get to the breaks. (To be fair, the author does not claim that this is a map book and recommends a company that specializes in road maps.) The book focuses on those issues and needs from the perspective of a traveling surfer, nothing in here about kayaking or bird watching. There are several charts, organized by location, showing dozens of places to stay with information about prices and amenities. Like most surfers, I don't like to commit to a place and time weeks in advance, so it really helps to have a handy reference to local lodging (especially in a foreign country). Given how hard it is to describe how a spot will break at all times on all tides, the description of the surf breaks was generally accurate (at least on the dozen or so spots I did visit). If you're traveling to Costa Rica to surf, take this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you surf, don't even stop to think about it...just buy it, June 20, 2004

By	"chardoman" (Lincoln, MA USA) - See all my reviews

It's nearly impossible to put a price on the value of the information in this book if you surf. So at $21, it's an absolute steal.

The book is simply crammed with detailed, up to date information on where to surf, stay and eat in Costa Rica. And in a country that's tough to get around, Parise's information can save you tons of wasted travel time.

I can't recommend this book enough if you're planning a trip to Costa Rica to surf. Trust me...you'll be thankful to have this incredibly informational resource in your possession.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book a must for costa rica, April 18, 2002

By A Customer

My hat goes off for Mike Parise, job well done. A super book for anyone wanting to ride waves. a lot of other great information as well about being able to survive in a different culture. Made my trip much more enjoyable and was a book that I picked up the first day in Costa Rica at a surf shop. Great work period.