2016 World Surfing Games in Jacó, Costa Rica: Tips before you go!

In less than a week, the hugely anticipated ISA World Surfing Games begin in Jacó, where the “Dream Team” is back in full force to defend their championship title for the second year running.  Visitors from all over the world are expected to attend with most of Costa Rica getting behind their star surfers to support them all the way to victory once more.

The inauguration of the games begin on Saturday, August 6th with a ceremonial parade of the competing nations along with a whole host of festivities.  Naturally reggae music will be high on the list as part and parcel of surfing, with the Costa Rican band, Ojo de Buey performing on the day at 6:00pm.

Then the week-long competition begins on Sunday, August 7th, starting at 7:00am through until 5:00pm each day, so here´s a few handy tips to prepare before going:

• The canton of Jacó, Garabito, have insisted there will be no threat of an outbreak of Zika and by the time the games begin, all affected areas will have been dealt with.  But for your own health and safety, it would advisable to veer on the side of caution considering there have been 116 active cases reported from the canton of Garabito.  This is almost half of the entire Zika casualties, according to the latest statistics announced by the Costa Rican health authorities last week.  Protection is the key, and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) have excellent advice for the best insect repellents to use, choice of clothing to wear and keeping babies and children shielded from possible infection.
• Officials are expecting as much as 100,000 spectators to descend upon Jacó over the coming week with the anticipation of major gridlocks along the highway between San José and the Pacific coast.  Organizers and the Municipal Authorities have given their assurances there will be no major traffic problems, but the earlier you can get there, the better.  As it is, there are only 1,000 parking spots available close to the competition, so search for “Mundial de Surf” on Waze which will give the exact parking locations with many other useful information such as finding the campgrounds, facilities and competition schedules.
• There´s enough bleachers to hold 1,000 people close by to the competition area where they can be located immediately in front of the Best Western Hotel on the north side of the beach.  To book a seat which costs ₡5,000 per person, go to Publitickets or take your own beach chair and watch for free!
• To watch the world championship online, it will be streamed live on ISA World Surfing Games 2016 from August 6-14 with results as they come in, along with all the latest news, photo´s and videos.
• The competition starts at 7:00am to 5:00pm, although the waves in Jacó are better during the dropping and rising of the tides, so expect the times to vary accordingly to the commencement of each competing day.
• Book early for the final day of the competition on August 14th with the Award Presentation and Closing Ceremony later in the afternoon.  For a full schedule of the events, go to the International Surfing Association and to find all your accommodation needs, restaurants and bars around the Jacó area, go to Pura Vida Guide.

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