The Mission
CRL Expedition No. 01 is a field-first creative journey — not a vacation. The Pacific coast of Central America offers some of the most photogenic, culturally rich, and surfable terrain in the Western Hemisphere, and largely remains underexplored in the brand content space.
The structure is deliberate: start soft in Nosara / Guanacaste, build rhythm, then push north into Nicaragua's Popoyo and San Juan del Sur region before returning south. Two countries. Two surf cultures. One coherent body of work.
Every day is designed with both the experience and the content output in mind — golden-hour sessions, market walks, horse rides into the hills, and meals that never appear on a resort menu.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Fly into Guanacaste — Settle & Scout
Land at Liberia (LIR). Pick up rental 4×4 — essential for the roads ahead. Drive 45 min to your Nosara or Sámara base. Afternoon beach walk and light scouting for morning sessions. Find the local soda, eat simply, sleep early. First golden hour is tomorrow.
Playa Guiones — First Session
Guiones is one of the most consistent beach breaks in Costa Rica — long, forgiving, ideal for casuals while still fun for experienced surfers. Sunrise paddle-out. Mid-morning break for ceviche at the beach market. Afternoon second session or photography along the reserve trail. Film roll #1.
Horseback Ride into the Backcountry
Early morning horse ride arranged with a local finca — 2–3 hour ride through dry tropical forest, river crossings, and lookout points above the coast. This is some of CRL's richest visual material: dust, light, terrain, and movement. Return for afternoon surf. Consider Ostional beach for the quieter, wilder aesthetic.
Push North to Tamarindo & Playa Grande
Drive up the Nicoya Peninsula coast, stopping at lesser-known beaches along the way — photograph whatever you find. Tamarindo is lively and photogenic; Playa Grande next door is quieter and a leatherback nesting site. Experienced surfer heads to Witch's Rock or Ollie's Point if swell is running — casuals stay on Tamarindo town break.
Cross into Nicaragua — San Juan del Sur
Early departure for Peñas Blancas land crossing. Allow 2–3 hours for border formalities — bring USD cash, copies of passports. Nicaragua side: drive directly to San Juan del Sur (40 min). Check in, explore the bay, find the fish market. SJDS is charming without being overdeveloped. Evening at a rooftop bar watching the fishing boats come in.
Nicaragua's Best Beach Breaks
Playa Maderas (20 min north of SJDS) is a standout — hollow, punchy waves with a beautiful jungle backdrop. Less crowded than Costa Rica. Casuals work the inside section; advanced surfer takes the outside peaks. Full day: early session, midday hammock and local lunch, second session into sunset. Roll #2.
Ometepe — Volcán Maderas or Concepción
Take the ferry from Rivas port to Isla Ometepe — a massive freshwater island dominated by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua. Hike Volcán Maderas (cloud forest, crater lake, spider monkeys) or the longer Concepción approach for serious elevation. Singular CRL landscape material: volcanic terrain, mist, alien jungle. Overnight on the island.
Popoyo — Nicaragua's Premier Surf Break
Ferry back, drive to Popoyo (2.5 hrs). Popoyo is one of the most consistent and uncrowded world-class waves in Central America — a powerful right-hander over reef, best for intermediate–advanced. Casuals surf the inside beach break 'Inner Popoyo.' The landscape here is wilder and more remote-feeling than anything in Costa Rica. Sunset session is unmissable.
Cross Back & Final CR Session
Re-cross into Costa Rica, head back to base. Optional: detour through Sámara for a different feel — smaller, more local, excellent for beginners. Final beach evening: edit notes, review film shot list, crew dinner at a good local spot. Document the final sunset. Begin compiling the trip's content inventory.
Dawn Session & Fly Out
Depending on flight time: one last early morning session or sunrise shoot. Drop 4×4 at Liberia airport. The final roll gets developed at home. Begin post-production: edit selects, write field notes, develop the CRL expedition journal entry. This trip's content becomes the foundation for the brand's first major narrative arc.
Key Surf Spots
Long, consistent beach break. Forgiving shape, long rides, excellent for learning and progression. One of CR's most reliable spots.
All LevelsLegendary boat-access beach break inside a national park. Powerful, offshore, and often uncrowded. Worth every effort to get there.
Intermediate – AdvancedHollow, punchy beach break backed by jungle cliffs. Nicaragua's most photogenic session — clean and relatively uncrowded.
Intermediate – AdvancedSheltered inside break adjacent to Popoyo proper. Forgiving and fun — casuals can enjoy themselves while advanced surfers take the outside reef.
Beginner – IntermediateNicaragua's signature right-hand reef break. Consistent, powerful, and less crowded than anything comparable in Costa Rica. The crown jewel of the trip.
AdvancedProtected bay with mellow, consistent waves. Ideal for beginners or rest-day sessions. Beautiful town with a local feel.
BeginnerGear List
- —2 boards (shortboard + fish or mini-mal)
- —Board bag with compression padding
- —Leashes × 2 (spare)
- —Fins set + fin key
- —Wax (tropical) + comb
- —Rash guard (UPF 50) × 2
- —Reef booties (optional, Popoyo)
- —Surf earplugs
- —Zinc sun paste (white, photogenic)
- —35mm film camera (primary)
- —Medium format camera (if available)
- —Digital mirrorless (backup + surf action)
- —50mm, 35mm, 85mm lenses
- —400mm telephoto (surf from beach)
- —Film stock × 15–20 rolls (400, 800 ISO)
- —Waterproof housing or Aquapac
- —Pelican case for camera protection
- —ND filters
- —Extra batteries + charger
- —512GB memory cards
- —Lightweight tripod / gorilla pod
- —Trail runners (dual surf/hike use)
- —Lightweight daypack (25L)
- —Trekking poles (for Ometepe)
- —Headlamp + spare batteries
- —Dry bags (10L + 20L)
- —Packable rain jacket
- —Quick-dry shorts + pants
- —Merino wool layer (cloud forest nights)
- —Gloves (volcanic hike)
- —Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen
- —DEET insect repellent
- —First aid kit (reef cuts are common)
- —Ibuprofen, antihistamine, antidiarrheal
- —Oral rehydration salts
- —Antibiotics (travel doctor Rx)
- —Water purification tablets
- —After-sun gel / aloe
- —Travel insurance docs (printed)
- —Unlocked phone + local SIM (CR + Nica)
- —Offline maps downloaded (Maps.me)
- —Portable power bank (20,000 mAh)
- —Universal travel adapter
- —Satellite communicator (Garmin inReach)
- —Laptop or iPad (content review)
- —External SSD (field backup)
- —Waterproof phone case
- —4×4 SUV rental (booked in advance)
- —Hammock (lightweight, packable)
- —Reusable water bottle (insulated)
- —Microfiber towels × 2
- —Flip flops + closed-toe sandals
- —Ziplock bags (for film, sand protection)
- —Journal + field notebook
- —USD cash (border crossing, remote villages)
Pre-Trip Action List
✈️ Logistics & Booking
- Book flights to Liberia (LIR), Costa Rica — ideally direct from LAX or SAN
- Reserve 4×4 SUV (Toyota Hilux or Landcruiser) — essential, book early
- Book accommodation: Nosara 1–4, SJDS 5–6, Ometepe night 7, Popoyo night 8, Nosara/Sámara night 9
- Research Peñas Blancas border crossing requirements — visa, fees, vehicle docs
- Book Ometepe ferry in advance during peak season
- Book horseback riding at a Guanacaste finca (ask accommodation for referral)
- Book Witch's Rock / Ollie's Point boat trip (Tamarindo operators)
- Arrange surf guide or local for Popoyo session
🩺 Health & Documents
- Ensure passport valid 6+ months beyond travel date for all crew
- Check current entry requirements for both CR and Nicaragua (visa, fees)
- Visit travel medicine clinic — Hep A, Typhoid, updated Tdap recommended
- Get antibiotic prescription from travel doctor (traveler's diarrhea protocol)
- Purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage
- Make copies of passports, insurance, and car rental docs — store in cloud
- Purchase local SIM cards for Costa Rica and Nicaragua upon arrival
📷 Photography Prep
- Service film cameras — test meter, clean lens, load test roll
- Stock up on film: 15–20 rolls Kodak Gold 200, Portra 400, HP5 800
- Source or rent telephoto for surf-from-beach shots
- Brief crew on shot list and content goals for each day type
- Set up field backup workflow (card → SSD each evening)
- Research Nosara / Maderas / Popoyo for prime photography angles in advance
- Plan sunrise and golden hour windows for each location
🏷️ CRL Business Prep
- Ensure LLC is formed and active before departure (business purpose documentation)
- Open dedicated business bank account / card for all CRL trip expenses
- Create trip brief documenting business purpose (content production, brand building)
- Define deliverables: X print candidates, X Instagram posts, 1 long-form essay
- Keep all receipts — lodging, transport, gear rental, guides, food (business meals)
- Brief a CPA before the trip on your deduction strategy
- Document trip daily with voice memos / notes to support business purpose
CRL Value & Tax Strategy
Brand & Content Output
- Print Series — Expedition No. 01: This trip produces CRL's first cohesive print collection — surf, landscape, portrait, and culture across two countries. Target: 8–12 selects from film for the first print run.
- Long-Form Photo Essay: Written and visual expedition journal for the CRL website — the kind of editorial content that builds brand authority and earns organic search traffic over time.
- Instagram / Reel Content: 2–3 weeks of curated feed posts and short-form video. Surf action, golden hours, food markets, horse rides — the CRL aesthetic in the wild.
- Brand Identity Validation: The expedition proves the CRL concept is real and lived — not a mood board. That authenticity is the brand's core differentiator.
- Product Shoot Backdrop: If CRL moves into physical products, the expedition imagery becomes the backdrop for first product photography.
Tax Deduction Strategy
- Business Travel Deduction (Schedule C): If CRL is an active LLC and the primary purpose of the trip is business content production, flights, lodging, and ground transport are deductible. The IRS requires that the primary purpose be business — document this clearly.
- Meals (50%): Business meals during the trip are 50% deductible. Keep receipts and note the business purpose for each meal.
- Gear & Equipment: Camera gear, memory cards, film stock, and other equipment purchased for CRL content production are deductible as business expenses. Consider Section 179 for larger items.
- Professional Services: Surf guides, local fixers, or translators hired for content production are deductible contractor fees.
- Key Protection: If any personal days are mixed in, apportion costs. Keep a detailed daily log. The trip brief and deliverable list are your audit protection.