November 25, 2009
Hey, all you wind addicts:
The winter has arrived. This month we would like to take you to one of the winter's windiest destinations in Central America: Costa Rica's Lake Arenal. It is also one of the best places to relax in a quiet and tranquil natural environment. After all Costa Rica is known to be an eco-tourism and now a windsurfers/kitesurfers paradise.
Lake Arenal
Costa Rica’s largest lake - Lake Arenal - provides a stunning setting for a kitesurfing or windsurfing adventure. The lake is surrounded by rolling green hills, lush tropical forest, spectacular caves and hot mineral springs. The impressive cone of Volcano Arenal dominates the area’s vistas.
Lake Arenal is famous for its incredibly strong consistent winds. The average year round wind speed on Lake Arenal is 20 knots, with winds reaching 35 knots from the beginning of December to the end of February. The wind blows at Arenal day and night; there is no waiting for the wind. You can stay in one place. When it blows, it blows where you are.
The windsurfers mostly use sails in the range from 3.0 to 5.0. The lake temperature varies from 18C (64F) in January to 25C (78F) in May. If you plan to be out on the water all day you will at least need to bring your shortie. There is always some chop on the lake. A wind swell builds about once a week in season and sometimes lasts half a day and sometimes just for an hour. If you are inexperienced or have not been sailing for a while, Arenal can be difficult. This kind of wind (35 knots and up in December) is physically demanding and challenging. Beginners should travel to Lake Arenal later in the year (March-April) when the wind speed drops to about 18 knots.
The first launch site is between Mystica and Rio Piedras and the second is about a mile from the hotel Tilawa. Hotel Tilawa has a water sports center that rents windsurfing gear and gives windsurfing lessons. Tico Wind watersport center rents both wind and kitesurfing gear; they also provide lessons for both sports. You can rent a full windsurfing package for $75 a day; a kite and a board for $85 a day.
Although Hotel Tilawa has a water sport center we would not recommend staying there.There are two amazing hotels in the area Arenal Nayara Hotel and Hotel El Silencio del Campo. Both are very well kept, quiet, relaxing with personalized attention and excellent restaurants. The last one even has a private hot springs pool on the property to help you relax your muscles after a full day of sailing.
The nearest major town to Lake Arenal is La Fortuna which is about 110 km (69 mi) from San Jose Airport and 140 km (87 mi) from Liberia airport. You can fly to either airport and rent a car. It is the most scenic drive you’ve ever done which take about an hour.
If you feel like taking a break on any particular day there are tons of things to do and to see! Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge tours, Trek Canyoning tours, canopy tours, river rafting, waterfalls viewing, birds watching, exploring spectacular Venado Caves and, of course, taking a dip at the multiple hot springs all over the rainforest area. Have it all at Lake Arenal Costa Rica!
Check out more wind destinations in December at http://www.windresorts.com
Happy Sailing,
Windresorts Administration.
We don’t sell travel, our goal is to provide unbiased info and advice on wind destinations in the Caribbean.
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