Are you planning a trip to Latin America? Why not combine your trip with an introduction to kitesurfing, or simply opportunities to improve your skills? Get ready to take off, we present here the best spots to kitesurf in Latin America.
Costa Rica: a kitesurfing destination
The northwestern region of Costa Rica is known for its gusty winds that blow between November and May. Bahia Salinas welcomes you to the Pacific coast with its warm waters and tropical-like landscapes.
Many kitesurfers and surfers have decided to make Costa Rica their year-round home because of its many surfing spots. It is the ideal place to practice the philosophy of “pura vida”, which consists of recognising what is good in our lives and living in harmony with others.
The Los Roques archipelago: discovering a paradise archipelago
The little-known Los Roques archipelago is located 160 kilometres off the coast of Venezuela. Los Roques consists of about 350 islands and islets. They are all wild except for Gran Roque which is populated by 1500 people with a small airport. This national park has a rich fauna that will delight snorkelers.
Visit the beaches lined with fine sand dunes that are dressed in golden reflections at sunset and sunrise. At midday, enjoy the shade of some palm and coconut trees. As for the water, it is simply crystalline at the shore, then changes to turquoise and finally indigo blue when you look out to sea.
The water is flat and calm. A few gusts of warm wind allow you to work on your tricks in truly heavenly conditions.
Cartagena in Colombia
The area around Cartagena in Colombia is perfect for kitesurfing from December to May. One of the most popular spots is La Boquilla, located 3 kilometres from the city. The wind blows between 15 and 25 knots, which is the ideal speed for performing beautiful tricks. The water is a bit choppy. It is the ideal place to start, but also to train.
Puerto Velero, one hour from Cartagena, is a very pretty bay. The wind can occasionally blow up to 35 knots, which will delight the experts. The whole spot is about 1.5 metres deep. There are plenty of water sports facilities to rent your equipment on site.
Kitesurfing in Peru
Peru is the country for kitesurfers who love waves. The wind season is quite long, from April to December. The first Peruvian spot we wanted to tell you about is Mancora. It is a small resort on the northwest coast. Its long beach is lined with palm trees and the big waves are perfect for amazing tricks.
The district of Paracas has a completely different atmosphere. The eponymous bay has no vegetation, but rocks and dunes. It is a magical place that will make you feel like you are kitesurfing on… Mars. The district also has a nature reserve full of natural and archaeological treasures.
Chile: kitesurfing in the South Pacific Ocean
We are now heading for the warm waters of the South Pacific Ocean, on the Chilean coast. The wind season runs from September to March. Chile is known as a great surfing country. The spot in Matanzas has constant breezes which help to form some of the best waves in the world. The surrounding area is popular with various species of birds.
The Pichidangui spot is surrounded by hills with olive groves and lush gardens. You won’t find many tourists. The beach is quite wide and the sea bed is sandy. The high waves will delight experienced kite surfers. Be careful, as some parts of the seabed contain dangerous rocks.
Argentina: a global water sports destination
Argentina’s spots are popular with watersports enthusiasts. Cuesta del Viento is known as a surfing paradise. It is a dam whose lake is swept by winds of over 20 knots for at least 300 days a year. Kitesurf on emerald water surrounded by golden hills.
Pinamar is a seaside resort that is very quiet in winter. Here you will find dunes where maritime pines flourish. There is a long beach with many water sports facilities where you can take lessons or rent your equipment.