Surf: General: About 45 minutes south of Jaco, the tranquil, remote, jungled wavescape of Manuel Antonio has become a favorite destination for beginning surfers with its scattered, soft-lipped, A-frame beachbreaks that come alive on S and S-W swells. Just north of Manuel Antonio is Quepos rivermouth, which churns out long lefts that can hollow out on a strong W or N-W swell with a lower tide. Tides: Mid Size: Chest high to just overhead Wind: North-East Swell: South-West, South Bottom: Sand, scattered rocks Paddling: Easy surfing. Spot Rating: Pretty average spot overall. Access: Lots of guarded parking by National Park; walk north for bigger surf. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Locals surf mostly at Playitas, a 300-yard-wide stretch of beach with three peaks and lots of bodyboarders. Local Vibe: Mellow, but don't underestimate the locals. Humility and respect is a virtuous import. Environment: Water surprisingly clean being near such a populated area. Hazards: None really. Season: Rainy season May-Oct