I've gone to Playa Copal, Costa Rica a few times in January, it has always had me kiting every day or nearly every day. The wind is really, really strong in January- you are more likely to have too much wind than too little. I like it a lot there, but some people don't like the relative lack of a night life. There are no waves and the water is usually a little bit choppy because winds are really strong. You'll need small kites if you go in January (5m, 7m). I've always really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the really beautiful beach.

Hey tmc

You going to Playa Copal this Jan? Where u usually stay?

I'll b headed there Jan 2 for 9 days

Max

Nope, not enough vacation time this year. Last time I went I stayed at the Blue Dream Hotel, there is another place a few miles down the road but I can't remember the name, there are also cabin to rent for not too much money. Have fun, you'll probably not need anything bigger than a 9 or 10 meter kite, and will almost certainly need something in the 5 to 7m range.

Sweetness! I went surfing in Costa Rica just a couple months ago. These guys made my surf trip really easy to book! I highly recommend them. The also have a bunch of kiteboarding spots too. Check them out.

Two of my buddies and I went to Aruba January 2010 and we practically got skunked on wind. Rode the first afternoon then the next day in marginal wind then dead still for 4 days!! Nightlife sucked and I was unimpressed with the island. (may have been slow due to the Natalie H. deal-tragic btw) Would have been better with a girlfriend fo-sho but I won't go back. Colombia has been good for me in January. Lago Calima excellent wind 365 days, Cartagena good in Jan.

Don't come to Australia - it's freezing, no wind and nobody here speaks English. Especially bad in WA but also useless in VIC, NSW or South QLD.

On a more serious note, Jan in Aus is pretty good. Don't go too far North (too hot, and a slight hassle of salties and stingers). WA wind usually cranks in Jan - if you can get out of Perth you'll find much better waves than the Perth mush. South QLD is gorgeous too - if you like waves and downwinders, you can can go for days. Check out seabreeze.com.au for a low down on spots and conditions.

I was in Aruba last January. Great wind every day. Offshore but flat on the west side. Onshore with waves at Boca Grande.

If you don't mind the Hobbits, the far North of the North Island of New Zealand is really nice that time of year.
We run our Kite camps there every year.

I found the night life around Playa Copal to be adequate. Not clubs or bars, but a tight group of kiters at the local restaurant or around a bonfire on the beach. Things wind down around 11:00 or 12:00 because the forecast the next day will be killer. If you're about 20% night life and 80% kiting, it might not be enough. But if you're 95% kiting and 5% night life, it's great!

Max from Quebec? You were there when I was last Feb.

aussie/nz peak summer