| Country | Currency | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Pesos | Organized crime, Banditos, Driving at Night |
| U. S. | U.S. Dollars | Violent crime, theft. |
| Costa Rica | Colones | Theft, use caution at night, driving hazards. |
| Barbados | Barbadian Dollars |
Safe, but getting more dangerous. |
| Dominican Republic |
Dominican Pesos |
Caution at night. Driving hazards. |
| Puerto Rico | U.S. Dollars | Violent crime, theft. |
| Place | Wetsuit | Wave Size |
|---|---|---|
| Baja | Full, Booties, Trunks | waist high to giant |
| California | Spring, Full, Booties |
waist high to giant |
| Florida | Trunks, Spring, Full |
waist high to overhead |
| Costa Rica | Trunks | waist high to double overhead |
| Barbados | Trunks, Top | waist high to double overhead |
| Dominican Republic |
Trunks, Top | waist high to triple overhead |
| Puerto Rico | Trunks | waist high to giant |
Mexico has an enormous coastline and there are tons of amazingly good breaks with mostly warm water. A lot of these breaks are empty, many are crowded with locals, tourists, and expats alike. The waves can get very big and depending on the break can be very dangerous.
River mouths, beach breaks, points, reefs, Mexico has it all and has been a favorite for U.S. surfers for a long time. Flights from California, Texas, and Florida are short and affordable. Staying in Mexico has usually been fairly cheap. A common trip for the surfer from Southern California is to drive a couple of hours south of the border and camp out in Baja California. The water is cold, it can get pretty windy by noon, but the waves can be epic, and during the week can be uncrowded.
Parts of Mexico are dangerous for travelers with banditos and sometimes corrupt police. Also, organized crime is an issue in Mexico. However, it is possible to go to Mexico and have a great time, but be cautious. There is also a shark threat in different areas. There have been attacks by tiger sharks in mainland Mexico and there is a Great White presence in Baja.