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I'm sure this has been brought up before on the forum, but I'm wondering if someone can give a comparison of Lake Arenal vs. Los Barilles in mid January.

Is it a killer kite location? Travel for me will be more of a hassle going to Arenal, but it seems to me that wind is almost guaranteed.

Me and a bunch of guys are trying to figure out where to go between these two places.

Thanks,

- Mark

I haven't been to Lake Arenal, but have been to Bahia Salinas in January as well as Baja in January. From what i gather about Arenal, though, is that it can be very strong and gusty just like Bahia Salinas, possibly even more so. Many windsurf there, but I haven't heard yet that it has widespread popularity for kiting.

Los Barilles and La Ventana have smoother wind and plenty of it to be powered on anything from 8's to 12's. Airfare is less, travel time is half or less of what it would be to go to Costa Rica (flight time, transfers, etc.) and it costs less to fly there as well. If I was planning a trip, I would personally go back to Baja for quality of wind, economic and time reasons, but that's just me. Your mileage may vary. Costa Rica can be pretty cool also.

Brazil Bro!!!!!

Ok, I must dissagree with the statement that the water @ Los Barelles / Ventana is smoother than Arinal...

With that said you should know why I say this.

We went to the lake about 10 years ago for a windsurfing trip around Christmas time. As many people know that have been out in 50 mph conditions, when the water turns to "liquid smoke" (45 mph +) it actually flattens the water out... it turns foam like, very cool (if you have the right gear)

Now also with that said, if you go to Arinal in winter, be prepaired for some days to blow 50 +mph, but it will be the steadiest wind you have ever sailed ANYWHERE (IMHO) and I have sailed lots of places... It's not like the Gorge, it just smooth honkin thermal wind. We had 3 out of 7 days it was solid 50mph all day and at night the wind would pick up to around 60 (I guess)

I truely can't imagine kiteing in those conditions as we were windsurfing on a 2.7m sail with an 8.0 board for 3 solid days (it was wonedrful !!!)

Now I know it is not that windy every day but the other days we went out it was at least 30mph

The "F"ing place honks!!!

Costa Rica is a wonderful place though and I bet there is good kiteing on the Pacific Coast, much lighter but still good.

I just got back from La Ventana (Baja) and it was a bit early to go down, but I had sweet wind 4 out of the 8 days I was there (20+).

I'm going to La Cruz, Costa Rica which is on the Pacific Side from Dec. 22 - jan 4th. Apparently the wind is a bit more friendly (20-25) compared to the Lake, which is perfect for me. 50+ scares the craps out of me! :shock:

Unfortunately, I can't tell you which is better, but my wife and my trip to Costa Rica works out to be about the same per day as it was in La Ventana, but the travel time in getting to La Cruz is a bit longer. If you go to La Ventana I would recommend flying into La Paz as you will only be 30 minutes from La Ventana. If you fly into Cabo you will have a long 2 - 4 hour drive depending on the road conditions (many roads have problems due to hurricane damage). We flew into Cabo which I would not do if I had to do it over again.

Have fun and I hope to see you on the water soon!

-Bobby

Did I say water? I meant wind. But, I don't know much about Arenal, only what I've read or heard, just Bahia Salinas, where I know it's gusty...

But, honestly, for kiting, who wants to be out in anything over 35 average?

Thanks a lot for all of the input. For now, we'll stick to Los Barilles. Had a killer time there last year.

- Mark

Happy Thanksgiving from Costa Rica.

We have had wind every day since we opened here at Playa Copal. Just got off the water riding a 7 with head high wind swell.

Wes Matweyew was jumping consistently almost half his 25m lines on his xbow II 9 meter.

Looking forward to seeing some of you here.

Happy Holidays from Kite Wind Surf

Well shite man, bring some blow up here for us will ya!

Happy thanksgiving from the homeland, and remember to digest for at least 4 hours before going back on the water :)