There are many places in the world to take your kitesurfing holidays. However few places offer the unspoiled natural beauty and amount of windy days as Bahia Salinas, Costa Rica. A successful kitesurfing holiday is when you go to a place where the wind constantly blows all day and every day. Kitesurfing holidays in Costa Rica lets you have great wind, great accommodations and great adventures.

Kitesurfing Holidays in Costa Rica

• The wind basically blows every single day, all day long with an average of 17/26+ knots!
• There are very few places around the world with such constant wind!!
• During the almost 7 months of our windy season (from the beginning of November until the end of May) there are ONLY around 10/12 days without wind!
• If you don’t believe this claim, simply search Kiteforum.com or post your question there to all of the other kiters who have enjoyed their kitesurfing holiday in Bahia Salinas, Costa Rica.

Here are the previous two seasons records of  consecutive windy days:
Season 2008/09 : 115 days from December 11th
Season 2010/11: 129 days from November 21st

Check out this awesome video made by an enthusiastic fan of kitesurfing holidays in Costa Rica:

>> Click here for information on where to stay during your kitesurfing holiday. <<

Kite School in Costa Rica

There are several kite schools in Bahia Salinas. We recommend the Blue Dream Kitesurfing 2000 School. This kite school was the first kite school in Central America and the only one providing all the services a kiter deserve.  Their 10 years of teaching experience has “created” more than 1000 happy students world wide. Their mission is very simple: to create kiteboarders & to make sure you have an amazing kitesurfing holiday. Every lesson at the Blue Dream Kitesurfing 2000 School is conducted with radio helmets for instant feedback and assistance, ultimately reducing the learning curve while increasing confidence and progression.

Their kite school offers a complete range of kitesurfing lessons and a variety of kitesurfing holidays.

Kite Beaches in Bahia Salinas

There are three kite beaches in Bahia Salinas. The first is Playa Copal aka “Kite Beach”. All the lessons and most people kitesurf at Kite Beach although there is still plenty of space for kitesurfing. This is Costa Rica after all and not Cabarete or Tarifa!

For those of you looking to explore, you can kitesurf to the next beach named Playa Papaturro, the one directly in front of the Blue Dream Hotel, 250 mts away and enjoy a large section of beach all to yourself. Also, on the days it is really windy (over 25-30 knots), Playa Copal can have 4-5 foot waves.

The third spot and probably the most scenic is Isla Bolañas, which is the island in the middle of the bay. Here you will enjoy butter flat turquoise clear water to practice your latest trick or take cool action photos of you kitesurfing. Here it is common to kitesurf among giant turtles and see flocks of pelicans and other tropical birds. You can even bring a snack or lunch out there and enjoy perfect white sand and stunning views of Costa Rica.

Kitesurfing Lessons in Costa Rica

Kitesurfing lessons in the warm waters and natural beauty of Costa Rica…life doesn’t get much better than this.  Have you been searching for beginner kitesurfing lessons, yet have not found the quality you require? All of our kitesurfing lessons are done at the Blue Dream Kitesurfing 2000 School with the latest kites available along with helmet radios for instant feedback and assistance. Having taught over 1000 students how to kitesurf in the last ten years, we have perfected the methods for kitesurfing lessons…ultimately reducing the learning curve while increasing confidence and progression to have you up and riding in as little time as possible. Our kitesurfing lessons can be taught in native English, Spanish, German and Italian.

The Blue Dream Kitesurfing 2000 School was the first kitesurfing school in Central America and the only open all year with all the services a kiteboarder deserves.

We offer several kitesurfing lessons packages depending on your previous experience:

Absolute beginner kitesurfing course:
Group lesson: $30 per hour/per person and includes all your gear (minimum 2 people).
Private lesson: $40 per hour.
All lessons are scheduled depending on the wind conditions and previous reservations.
The average amount of time to successfully complete a beginner course is 5-7 hours (3-4 hours per day).
Completion is considered to safely performing water starts and riding safely in both directions for a minimum of 30meters (100ft).

The beginner kitesurfing lessons consist of:
1st lesson (land lesson)
Control of a trainer kite on the beach.
Includes understanding the wind, launching the kite, landing the kite, flight technique, basic steering, simulation of water starts and simulation of riding technique.

2nd lesson (body dragging)
With your instructor, you are safely in the water learning the exciting aspects of flying a 4-line inflatable kite.
Includes launching and landing the kite, body dragging with the instructor, body dragging alone (from this moment the instructor will be in contact with the students through a walkie talkie), control of the kite with one hand, body dragging up-wind to recover the board, kite re-launch, various safety techniques & of course self rescue methods.

3rd lesson (water start)
Again with your instructor, you are learning to use the kite to start riding the board in a controlled manner.
Approach to the board, demo of the water start by the instructor, water start of the student, discussion about sailing (Start and return with the board in linear sailing), discussion about the equipment, transitions techniques.

Intermediate/advanced private lessons:
$40 per hour and includes your gear
Ideal for kitesurfers who have taken kitesurfing lessons in the past and/or want to freshen up their kitesurfing skills.  The instructor will help students set realistic goals and help them achieve these goals through personalized lessons and walkie talkie communications to learn faster.

*Kitesurfers need to demonstrate proficient body dragging to sign up for intermediate kitesurfing lessons.

All students NEED to bring the following:
Water shoes (booties) to walk comfortably in & out of the water and protect your feet from shells or little stones
Short wetsuit (but only January, February and March as the wind can have a slight chill to it)
Sun glasses with an attachment cord
Hat with attachment cord
High protection sun block
Long sleeve lycra

The kitesurfing shop at the Blue Dream Hotel carries all of this gear incase you forget anything or did not have enough room to bring it with you.

Important: We only rent kites to intermediate kiters that can demonstrate good experience (at least first transitions level). If you’re not at that level we recommend the use of our trained “caddy” (local junior kiter) that will follow you up & down the beach to keep you safe and help launch/land your kite. Cost is $3.50 per hour.

We also offer the photographing and video service for all our guests. Take back home quality action material to show your friends and to remember your great time in Bahia Salinas!

Bahia Salinas is a great place to look for Cheap All-Inclusive Holidays because the Blue Dream Hotel offers all-inclusive relaxation and kitesurfing holidays.  After you spend the day walking the beach or kitesurfing your heart out, you don’t want to have to worry about anything. Their simple, cost saving, packages include all your meals, all your kitesurfing lessons and of course rooms with an amazing view.

Your options on how to get to the Costa Rican Kitesurfing:

Kitesurfing in Costa Rica is located in the very northern section of Costa Rica on the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful bay named Bahia Salinas. Half of the bay is Costa Rica while the other half is part of Nicaragua. Remember to bring your passport if you attempt to kite across the bay…

The fastest and most convenient method is to fly into the Liberia international airport (LIR) and arrange an airport pick-up through us. This private pickup costs $70 each way and reduces any stress of driving in a foreign country or having to worry about renting a car. The drive from the Liberia airport to the hotel is about 1-1/2 hours. Many international airlines service Liberia including Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, United Air, North West, US Air, Grupo Taca and others from many USA and international cities.

Conveniently check some flights now:

If you prefer to rent a car and drive yourself to the hotel, we are about 1-1/2 hours north. From the Liberia airport drive west to the famous Pan-American Highway (#1), turn left and drive north towards Peñas Blancas (the name of the town at the Costa Rica / Nicaragua border). Once you see signs for La Cruz (about 45 minutes driving), head to the center of La Cruz and take a left to Bahia Salinas (the only road that goes to the beaches). This left turn is made at the small park in the town’s center. The road immediately heads downhill into beautiful Costa Rican nature. You will drive on this partially paved, partially dirt road for 9km (6miles) after which the Blue Dream Hotel will be located on the left side of the road; don’t worry, there are plenty of signs letting you know you are almost there. If by chance you see a sign for Playa Papaturro, you have gone 50meters too far. Of if you reached the small village of El Jobo, you definitely have gone to far, so simply ask a local which way to go and they will happily point you in the right directions.

Google Maps from the Liberia airport directly to the Blue Dream Hotel:

A=Liberia international airport / B=Blue Dream Hotel

Flying into San Jose then renting a car or taking a bus
Another option is to fly into San Jose and either take a bus to La Cruz or rent a car and drive the 3-1/2hour drive to Bahia Salinas. If you are taking the bus, you need to use the ‘Del Du’ bus company (tel: 2256-9072 or 2677-0091). You catch this bus at their terminal 100 meters north of the Coca-Cola bus terminal in central San Jose. Departs San Jose: 5:00, 7:00*, 7:45, 10:45, 13:20, 16:10. Once you are in La Cruz, simply take a taxi to the Blue Dream Hotel which will cost you approximately $12.  If you are looking to take the bus from La Cruz back to San Jose, the bus leaves Peñas Blancas at 5:15, 7:30, 9:30*, 10:45, 12:00, 14:00*, 15:30 – Add 20 minutes for the bus to travel from Peñas Blancas to La Cruz. These options are not highly recommended because of the distance and logistics required.

Kitesurfing Gear

All of our lessons use the latest equipment from these companies. We also sell kites and boards at cheaper prices than found in the USA and Europe because of our long term relationships with these top brands. Please contact us directly if you would like to find out about our great prices.

> Email us for prices <

Gear Rentals

2011 & 2012 Slingshot, Best & North kites | $45/day
Wide selection of twin-tip kiteboards | $15/day
Impact vests | $3/day
Helmets | $3/day
Harnesses | $5/day

We offer a complete rental package for 4 days for only $229.

The Blue Dream Hotel for kitesurfers & adventure seekers

This is our First Choice:

The Blue Dream Hotel is an undiscovered refuge of peace and quiet specializing on you – the kitesurfer on vacation. Experience one of the last spots of untouched beauty in Costa Rica in comfort, privacy, security and a lots of wind for kitesurfing. Combine relaxation and adrenaline fueled kitesurfing with personalized service surrounded by completely unspoiled nature.

The Blue Dream Hotel is located on the north Pacific coast in the beautiful bay of Bahia Salinas and conveniently located 250 meters away from “Playa Papaturro” beach. The Blue Dream Hotel consists of one new private suite, 9 private single & double rooms, 4 very scenic wooden bungalows and 2 shared room for those kiters that want to stay long time and save money. Each room on the property has a stunning view with natural breeze to keep you comfortable during your stay.

Visit also: wwwbluedreamhotel.com

Houses for rent:

If you come to Bahia Salinas with a group of friends and you don’t mind cooking your own meals, this is another way to spend your kite vacation while here in Playa Copal. Email us to find out about vacancies and we’ll suggest and book a house for you depending on the number of people in your group. The prices generally range from $75 to $130 per night.

All-inclusive more luxury hotel

If you come on vacation with your little kids and your wife doesn’t kitesurfer, then you need to be sure they can enjoy a day by the pool while you are kitesurfing. We have deals with a nearby luxury all inclusive hotel, so please contact us directly. Prices for double accommodation generally range from $80-$100.

Evenings in Bahia Salinas

The most common place to spend your evenings is at The Blue Dream Hotel. Their full service lounge, bar and restaurant is where all the kiters from the bay meet up to eat some much needed food, share a few beers and swap kiting stories. The Blue Dream Hotel list of goodies includes, but is not limited to, full service restaurant, full bar, lounge open terrace for dining, wood-oven pizzeria, free WI-FI(and it’s fast!), wide screen projector for films and videos recorder during the day at the kite beach, play foosball (yes, they really have foosball for hard core tournaments!) hammocks for relaxing & live music or recorded music from Electronic to Latin for some good dancing nights! For those that have still energy and want to keep going with the party, Papaturro beach, located a couple of hundreds meter away, is the last meeting point of the night.

On the weekends, up the hill in La Cruz there is a disco where you can dance the night away with fun locals!