Camping at the Beach

Over the many years of planning surf trips, dozens of travelers have asked for a camper van to enjoy staying right on the beach. Often the cost for these vehicles are lower than staying in a beachfront hotel. And nothing beats watching the sunset (or sunrise if you are on the Caribbean coast) from a beach chair and sleeping to the sounds of the surf. Here are five great options for fully equipped overland vehicles, from retrofitted Hightop vans to SUVs with tents on the roof and cooking equipment in the trunk.

The most recognized company offering overland vehicles would be Nomad America. They have small, medium, and large SUVs to fit all different groups. Their FJ Cruisers and Land Rover Troop Carriers can handle most any terrain and the equipment is all kept in great condition. If you are heading to the tip of the Osa Peninsula then these are the vehicles to rent.

If you are looking for more space and to stay inside your vehicle, the best option would be one of the two hightop vans offered by Roam to be Wild. The owner Bianca has retrofitted each Fiat Ducato Turbo Diesel (manual transmission) to be the perfect surf and stay-mobile. It has a sink, fridge, stove, and even a composting toilet (for emergencies) inside. Nice additional features are a rooftop solar power setup, a laptop safe and mobile wifi included.

A third great option are the SUVs and minivans offered by PuraVan. They have 11 different overland vehicles to fit all sized groups. Some of their vehicles can fit up to 6 passengers. They are also more affordable than some of the other options listed. It includes all of your kitchen and camping equipment, rooftop water tanks for showering, and a power inverter for plugging in laptops and charging cell phones.

CostaRider is the fourth option and they have some of the newest vehicles traveling around Costa Rica. They have four overland vehicles – a Jimmy, two Hiluxes, and a camper van. Theirs 4×4 vehicles will enable you to cross the deepest rivers or venture onto the most technical trails in Costa Rica. Thanks to its snorkel, off-road tires, and reinforced suspension, it’s the perfect vehicle for extreme road trip enthusiasts. They have rooftop tents, showers, and all the kitchen equipment you need to enjoy your time on the beach or in the jungle.

The final option is from a company that has a great reputation – Jaco Car Rental. They have a Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 four door truck with a tent on top. It has water tanks and a shower/changing room that attaches to the vehicle. It includes a portable stove with two gas tanks and all the kitchen supplies needed to make a feast wherever you decide to post up for the day. This is also a very affordable option.

To make your choice to rent one of these camper vans and overland vehicles easier, they all have offered a special discount through CR Surf Travel Company. I included their websites and discount codes below. For recommended places to camp, either in the jungle, on top of a mountain, or on a secluded beach, try the iOverlander app. Just remember to stay safe by always leaving someone with the vehicle and leaving your valuables at home.

Nomad America – nomadamerica.com – discount code ‘CRSURF007’ for 7% off

Roam to be Wild – roamtobewild.com – discount code ‘puravidasurf’ for 5% off

PuraVan – puravan.com – discount code ‘CRSURF’ for $10/day off and perks

Costa Rider – costarider-campervan.com – discount code ‘CRSURF’ for 5% off

Jaco Car Rental – jaco-car-rental.com – discount code ‘CRSURF’ for 5% off plus prepaid SIM card for rentals over 7 days