Sweet, this is the kind of advice I wanted to hear! I've heard crowds can be a problem up in the north just like you noted, so definitely something to consider. I've spent a few months in Costa Rica on a study-abroad years ago, but only got to surf around Playa Hermosa which was pretty shite. Never been over to the Caribbean side and I would have to change some potential plans up to make it happen but might be worth the effort. Have you surfed around PV area?
I love Hawaii but I feel like I've almost been too many times over the past few years; multiple stints to Kauai & Oahu surfing the majority of north-facing spots. Love the tropical island vibe and wave quality, but the crowds can just be insane and the island can get a bit dull after a while. Wanted to try something new that wasn't too expensive/far-away that I could score decent waves (head-high HPSB waves, doesn't have to be solid) and thought CR might fit the bill. Was maybe thinking El Salvador but seems a bit difficult/sketchy at times to get around (might be with my dad) or Nica but I haven't been convinced that the waves are actually good (and not just glorified close-out beachbreak barrels of which I have plenty of at SFOB).
I haven't surfed Carib anywhere but the PV zone wave carries a reputation far beyond my postings. I defer to rowjimmytour 1000% on it. The only question I would have is on the score and crowd factor. How likely are head high+ tubes, and how likely is there to be a competitive vibe at a spot that sounds dangerous to burn people at?
If you found Hermosa to be walled and you weren't that impressed by it, I would not expect to find a more top to bottom wave than Hermosa at Playa Negra. Grande maybe, but Hermosa has a better reputation for consistency.
El Salvador, they say the sand is in pristine order sometime in November after the final dumps of the rainy season get groomed out. Plus there are fewer/zero tropical waves putting any ESE/E crossbump on it. But that's another place I would have very low confidence in being head high during a random week in November. And pristine conditions plus odds of smaller, less consistent SoHemi = fewer mouths get all-you-can-eat. More of an open-faced + lipsmack program vs I want overhead tubes.
Nicaragua is another SoHemi place I wouldn't count on being head high in November. I never went to Colorado or the Boom. Where I was seemed nuclear packed. The wind is good all day but the tide sure isn't, and that's true of Colorado and Boom. Where I was, the windows were the first two hours or the last two hours, and the waves (in spite of a forecast that would be cranking in Mainland Mex) were like a fun day in North Florida in terms of size/thump (**** weak). Like it was 3@14 and that's what Slopteenth Ave North Jax Beach throws like on 3@14.
I can't figure out why you want to leave Central California in November. Having scored the place on Indian Summer conditions in early December, I'd stay put. I rate Centro for ease/cost for wave-starved Floridians Memorial Day - Labor Day.
If I was over Hawaii and wanted tubes in November, I'd be looking at PV in Costa Rica, Bocas del Toro in Panama, the Canary Islands, SW France/Spain/Portugal.
unless you are also referring to surf skate thread then I am not sorry and still stand complete waste of money. Back to topic above someone ask barrels best found in November shoulder to head and pointed to Puerto Viejo which is the best barrel CR has to offer period