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Hi!

I’m currently planning a trip around the world for approx. 1 year. I’ll start around Sept/Oct 2014 in South/Central America. I’d like to start with a destination where I can combine kitesurfing and learning Spanish. Therefore, wind probabilities play quite an important role I will only book one flight in advance to have more flexibility, but I would like to have a bit of a clue at least in the beginning of the journey what the option could be.

I don't really need waves... Therefore: Good wind, a nice country, sun, friendly people, water, and maybe some palm trees is more than enough for me to start the trip with I don't need excessive nightlife, but also don't wanna be completely on my own What I have in mind so far (after checking several wind statistics):

- Ecuador (Sept-Oct), incl. trip to Galapagos
- Brazil (Nov-Dec) (no Spanish, I know :p)
- maybe Costa Rica (Dec-Jan)
- Colombia: (Jan-Feb)

...thinking out loud...
…probably traveling south (Chile, Peru, Argentina) maybe without kite surf equipment
…Hawaii (after April)… incl. kite surf equipment ….
…Asia…. we will see...
...

Does anyone have some (other) recommendations for kitesurfing in Central/South America (or Caribbean?) in combination with Spanish lessons (50-50) around Sept/Oct?

Anyone with experience in Ecuador: Santa Marianita (or Manta)? Or Montanita? Malaria and Dengue can be a problem as well around Manta in Ecuador?

Anyone with experience spending a longer time (1-2 months in DomRep)? Crime rate, too crowded during high season etc......??

Anyone who did something similar and wants to share some experience and/or recommend good contacts (accomondation 3-6 weeks, language schools, etc)?

Thanks for sharing some thoughts!

Cheers

Go to Chile for awesome wave riding. Bring a heavy wet suit. 4mm if you're a cold person.
Go to Argentina or Uruguay for sweet chicks and good night life, and still wind, no so nice waves. January - February. In Argentina: Mar del Plata, Pinamar. In Uruguay: Punta del Este.
Very cheap Spanish lessons in Argentina as well.

Good luck.

Hey!

I'm also planning a kitesurfing round the world trip starting in September, something like this:

Cape hatteras, Florida, South Padre (Sept-October)
Paracas, Peru (November)
New Zealand, General road trip around (December/Jan)
Sydney 1 week in Jan
Borocay (Feb/March) Hopefully timed with the KTA stop


I was considering Equador instead of Peru and would love to do Galapogos Islands but couldn't find much info on Equador, travelturtle do you have any links to spots info on Equador?

turtle, you plan sounds great. good to put in Brazil, since it is awesome for kiting.
And you will pick up some portuguese as well.

Will see you there, and then later hopefully in Colombia...go to Cartagena, awesome place!

Thanks for all your answers!!

@MarianoMoll: I think a wet suit doesn't fit into my planned tavel-weight budget anymore. So I probably look for warmer places I've heard some different opinions about the spots in Argentina and Uruguay. So I'm not yet sure if I will bring my kite equipment also down to South-South America or leave it somewhere around Colombia and pick it up after south south america tour before going to hawaii....

@Riskor: nice I found info about a spot in Ecuador called Santa Marianita, close to Manta. Anyone been there? I prefer Ecuador because it's nice to learn Spanish, nice for travelling, close to the Galapagos, ......

@Toby: YES! Already looking forward to go to Colombia and especially Cartagena, heard a lot of good things about this place!

Does anyone has some other recommendations for a spot in Central/South America/Caribbean, maybe Spanish speaking country, nice for kitesurfing around end of Sept/Oct?