If you travel from Tilarán to the lagoon, the Marina Tilawa and its Windsurfing Center are the first places you'll find. They have about 50 complete sets to rent and five windsurfing instructors; three Costa Ricans and two foreigners who can give you lessons in either Spanish or English.
Rental equipment includes brands such as HiFly, Watson, Camber and Trigh Fly, and the rates vary depending on the time of the year. For example, right now there's a special rate for Costa Rican tourists for equipment rental for the whole day and one lesson. These special prices are intended to promote windsurfing among Costa Ricans, since the sport is not very well known in the country. This is also why it has never been feasible to carry out a windsurf tournament or competition despite the lakes's excellent conditions. If you'd like to rent first-class equipment, the price is US $55 per day; you can also rent a medium-class set for US $10.00.
Marina Tilawa is the only place in the Arenal area that is open to the public year-round; sometimes they arrange moonlight windsurfing sessions. They also offer quick snacks, boat rides and sport fishing. Of course, the Marina has a rescue boat ready case of emergency.
The Tilawa Center's Juan Carlos Solano says that this year El Niño atmospheric conditions have slightly slowed the winds. Nevertheless, at this time of the year they're strong and constant.
People come looking for strong winds and some waves; the warm and sunny weather also attracts many tourists, especially Europeans and North Americans. The summer [December - April] is a great time because the wind is constant and reaches up to 60 km/h." said Solano.
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