And Jeremy is far from the only one. Surfing communities online and off are awash with disappointment and dismay over not only that the 2014 US Open was such a shit show, but also over that fact that this has been the case for years now. For surfing’s laid back, live-and-let-live culture this presents a difficult problem. Is it okay that 80% of attendees are not interested in surfing at all, or should the event clamp down on these hangers-on by having designated areas accessible only by a premium paid ticket? Would that “harsh the mellow” of too many? Given that very few Open-goes even watched the surfing, and that the experience was negatively impacted for the true fans of the sport, something will have to change. If it doesn’t don’t expect to see too many more US Opens of Surfing held on SoCal shores.

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Costa Rica is Central America’s Switzerland – it’s in the middle of it’s landmass, it is neutral in local conflicts, and it is a dream vacation destination. The general theme with traveling south of Texas is that the flight might be fairly pricey, but once you get anywhere down there it is chuckle-inducing cheap to get around within the respective areas and countries. Costa Rica certainly holds true for that. $20 sit down meals for two were common, and we were hardly trying to be frugal. There are certainly things that are a waste of money, so allow me to guide you through a visit, locals style:

Get out of the capital

San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is a hole. And I hate it. A lot. The only bad experiences during our FactoryTwoFour trip happened in San Jose. From terrible food, subpar lodging, to hours-long traffic jams, San Jose is the home of it all. Land, get off the plane, sleep there if you MUST recuperate, but get out as soon as you can. The rest of this beautiful country is so much more interesting.

Rent a car

Driving in CR is full-on  Mad Max. Rules are for the weak and soon to be dead. Yes, the public transport here is cheap and ubiquitous, but you don’t want to deprive yourself of the pleasure and adrenaline rush of piloting a rented Daihatsu through mountain roads full of switchbacks at night. Also, many of the main highways are very new and a joy to drive on. We’re already planning a supercar or motorcycle trip through the country.

Hit both coasts

Among Costa Rica travelers, there’s a bit of beef between those that swear by the Caribbean coast, and those the say only the Pacific is worth visiting. Squash that beef and visit both. The Pacific had far and away the best surfing while we were there, but the Caribbean had better coastal towns and friendlier locals. The country looks a lot easier to cross than it is, but it is certainly worth half a day’s drive to go from one coast to another halfway through your trip.

Stay in a jungle treehouse

You came down here for the jungle didn’t you? Well there’s nothing more Tarzan than staying in a treehouse. There are a multitude of treehouse to choose from, between all-inclusive resorts to small Airbnbs. No matter what you choose, you’ll have an other-worldly time waking up to howler monkeys or flocks of exotic birds. This is the kind of accommodations that memories are made of. While you’re at it…

Airbnb only

The Airbnb options in CR are just too varied and good to ignore. Pass by all the luxury accommodations meant to make old white people feel safe and mingle with people who actually live there. From expats to locals, all are offering up pretty breathtaking and comfortable rooms or cabins for you to relax in. These are also the people who will steer you towards the hidden spots and attractions, while helping you avoid the tourist sections. We stayed in all Airbnbs, and we didn’t regret a single night, and at around $60 a night, it’s hard to go wrong. Hell, at that price double book and sleep in the one you like the most.

Airplane bars are a thing – enjoy them

No joke. For some reason, airplanes in the middle of the forest are all over Costa Rica, and they are all bars or restaurants. The quality of food varies at each, but what the hell, you’re in an airplane!!!

Eat well

From arroz con pollo to roadside ceviche, the eating in CR is legit. And inexpensive. Expect to pay under $10 for every meal, and that’s with a bottled water (because safety) and an appetizer or side (because fat kid). The best spots are in out-of-the-way diners along the road and are full of locals. The worst spots are along the tourists stretches and are full of Germans or Swedes. Choose wisely. One spot in need of a particular shoutout is El Pescado Loco. Located in the Pacific surf town of Dominical, this eatery serves up fresh fish tacos and the best fried pickles in the country. Finally, do yourself a favor and pop into a local grocery (called Supers) and pick up a bag of Yipys. Take a sugar wafer and add vanilla cream and you have something close to these little bundles of goodness

Swim under a waterfall

What’s more picturesque than that? There are several options in the country to choose from (especially on the coasts), and doubtless you’ll find yourself fairly close to one no matter where you are staying. This is what feeling alive is like. Which is a great way to sum up what it’s like to visit Costa Rica. As the man said, “If you have the means, I highly recommend it.”

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Honestly, the hard part is getting out of the US. That’s not  because the Mexican Border Patrol is incredibly thorough and diligent – they aren’t; they couldn’t care less who enters their country – it’s because Southern California highways are such fully-loaded shit sandwich with shit fries awful. Just getting to the border is a trek and a half. But after you’ve made that trek and driven under the faded “Bienvenedo A Mexico” sign and crossed into Tijuana, you are in the promised land. Adult Disneyland.

The bombed-out third world country that is Tijuana is a rude slap to the face after driving through the affluence that is San Diego. TJ is stop #1 on every one of my surf trips. You’ve gotten up ass early in the morning, you’ve braved the freeways, and now its time for a reward. Park your ride, hide your valuables and not-so-valuables, and find yourself the best tacos you’ve ever eaten. Don’t worry, they are everywhere. I know the brothels, pharmacies, and knick knacks are tempting – and stop for an hour if you must satisfy that particular urge – but then its back on the road ASAP for you have waves to catch son.

The coastal route down to Baja offers other-worldly views, wide open skies, and a veritable parade of California drivers. Seriously, despite all the signs being in Spanish and distances in Kilometers, despite the abject poverty and shanty towns, and despite the rock-solid sensation that this place is a lifetime away from the US, 90% of cars on the road are luxury SUVs with California plates. Yuppies.

Keep pushing South and you’ll leave most (but certainly not all) of them behind. Soldier on until you start to see quite a few desert racing trucks. This a good sign. It means you are nearing your surfing destination – Ensenada. North Western Mexico offers several surf destinations, from the decent to the pro-only. You can hardly go wrong, but my pick is San Miguel. This cobblestone beach is my slice of paradise. No, the water is rarely all mine, but the locals here are friendly and the vibe of everyone in the water is positive. The waves are non too shabby either.

Get your sets in until you’re delirious, then head back through Ensenada’s outskirts and grab some more righteous food to refuel yourself for either the drive back or a night out with the local senoritas. Either way, you’ve surfed, you’ve eaten tacos, and you’ve lived.

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