The 5 Best Costa Rica Surf Towns

There’s no question that for us, right now, Santa Teresa tops the bill here. Drawn out along a scythe of near perfect Pacific shore at the tail end of the Nicoya Peninsula (though technically in the province of Puntarenas), the town is booming. Well…it’s kinda’ been booming for five years nonstop now, almost all because of the waves.

We can see why. The main playa is a 1.1-mile run of swell-sucking sand that goes up to 2.8 miles when you add in Playa Carmen, which also has surf and is basically the same thing. I don’t think anyone on The Surf Atlas crew has seen it totally flat here. Like…ever.

The waves run the gamut, too. Most beginner camps will go north to Hermosa, where it’s mellow and chilled in the water for learning. They’ll then come south closer to Mal Pais when they’re after extra punch and more hollowish reef breaks.

Most of all, Santa Teresa reigns as the crème-de-la-crème of Costa Rica surf towns because it’s got the single finest array of surf camps and eco hotels on the Pacific Coast. Some of the stays here are truly special places that you won’t want to leave, offering excellent surf tuition on uber-reliable beaches.

You’ll come for the surf and stay for the vibes. It’s that sorta’ spot. We can’t remember how many people we met over our morning coffee who planned a single week in Santa Teresa and are still there many moons later.

• El Chante Surf House – A very highly rated surf camp that’s perched up on the hills at the northern end of Playa Hermosa, the beginner-friendly section of Santa Terea Beach. They offer a cracking 7-day camp option that includes 4x surf sessions with local guides.
• Ohana Villas – The perfect choice for a couples’ surf escape in Costa Rica, these charming surf villas have their own swimming pool and lush gardens only 350 yards from the main beach.

No list of the best surf towns in Costa Rica could possible be complete without a nod to Tamarindo. Choose this one if you’re after a routine that goes something like this: Party, surf, party, surf, party. Yep, Tama is the hedonistic mecca of the Pacific region, with more beer bars and reggae-dub beach clubs than you can shake your 5’6 fish at

But it wasn’t always that way. Tamarindo built its rep on a foundation of solid surf options. The main Playa Tamarindo has a clutch of waves that can cater to all levels. They include a nice little shorebreak for practicing, a lippy reef wedge that works as the tide pushes up, and even some river mouth barrel spots further north up the playa.

What you cannot expect of Tamarindo is peace and quiet. As the evening sets in and the happy hours get rolling, this one goes into overdrive. It’s among the most sociable and lively surf towns on the globe for sure, but probably wouldn’t be our pick for romantic getaways and chilled surf-yoga jaunts.

• Iguana Surf Camp – One of the most seasoned surf camps in Tamarindo, Iguana have a cracking 7-day package that’s perfect for beginners. It even includes roundtrip drop off and pick up at Liberia Airport.
• Playa Grande Surf Camp – A chilled spot with a fun vibe, not to mention their own pool just a short walk from the beaches and main beginner surf breaks.

Located on the ever-famous Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica (a headland that hosts like 3/7 of the best surf towns mentioned here, don’t you know), Nosara is a peaceful coastal town that has become a prime destination for surf travelers in the last decade or so.

The area boasts a harmonious blend of untouched nature, with dense jungles and undulating hills bordering pristine beaches. The main surf break, Playa Guiones, offers consistent waves suitable for all levels. With a 7km stretch of sandy beach, it provides ample space to find your own peak. That’s matched by the more challenging shoulders that peel off the sandbars up in Playa Ostional, which adds something more spicy for intermediates and up.

The town itself is a blend of local culture and international influence, with a range of eco accommodations and Tico eateries, airy yoga studios and art galleries. What’s very noticeable is the dominance of the coastal nature reserve; Nosara is greener and less developed than most surf towns on the Nicoya.

• The Nomadic Hotel – One of our all-time favorite surf hotels in the world, the Nomadic is sheer class. Super relaxed and stylish, it channels a sort of Mexicana adobe feel by way of Bali and sits a mere 550 yards from the beachfront.
• Shambala Retreats – The package at Shambala is about much, much more than just surfing. They take an holistic approach to rejuvenation of the body and the soul, offering yoga and meditation in line with surf practice.

When we mention Quepos as one of the best surf towns in Costa Rica, what we’re really talking about is the stretch of road between Quepos and the fabled Manuel Antonio National Park. Yep – it’s not all howler monkeys and three-toed sloths in these parts. There’s also some cracking surf to be had.

What’s great here is that the surf lodges are tucked between the rocky coast hills, amid rich pockets of Pacific jungle. You’ll be woken by the cries of white-faced capuchins and the sound of spider monkeys swinging through the trees. Plus, because of the sheer popularity of the nearby reserve, the hotels and surf camps are of very high quality – think infinity pools gazing at the waves and sprawling suites with breezy balconies.

Playa Manuel Antonio itself, which is the beach you’ll be staying on, is only really good for complete beginners. But the region is rich in breaks, from the hollow lefts of the Quepos Rivermouth to the reliable sets of Isla Damas. Our two cents? Book into a surf camp or a hotel that offers surf outings and you’ll be ferried back and forth to them.

• Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort – A seriously nice collection hotel that’s plonked on one of the best surf beaches in the area. Check out the sheer audacity of its beautiful infinity pool and plush suites. One for honeymooning surfers for sure!
• Jungle Beach Hotel Manuel Antonio – Immerse yourself in the jungles that are so famous here with this cool eco stay. You might even catch a glimpse of a sloth from your room!

The best surf town in Costa Rica for escaping the crowds and chilling

The pace of life seems to slow just a touch down in Dominical. Stretched out along the black-sand beaches of central Puntarenas, it’s where the palm jungles creep down to moody coastlines that get their surf from ever-shifting sandbanks and wide river mouths. That’s the setting for much-loved Playa Dominical, which – with 95% consistency – is one of the most reliable beaches in Central America.

To be honest, Dominical is hardly a town at all. It’s more a speckling of rustic huts and surf hostels that clings to the main coast road. The vibes are chill. The people are easy going. There’s not the same hubbub about it as other major surf centers.

The main town – if you can call it that – edges up to the Rio Baru’s southern bank. It’s sleepy stuff with muddy streets peppered with potholes (think Siargao 10 years ago). But there nascent signs of a more beating pulse – the uber-cool Fuego Brewing Company, the creative vegan plates at The Krazy Kinkajou.

• Tropical Sands Inn – We highly recommend the 8-day package at this upcoming surf camp. It’s really comprehensive and has a fantastic ratio of 1-2 on all surf lessons between students and staff. You also get a massage thrown in, plus airport transfers. Nice.
• Tribe Boutique Hotel – An adult’s only eco retreat with pizzazz, this one reminds us more of a jungle lodge on Gili Air or something. The pool is perfectly wedged in the jungle-rimmed garden and the rooms are boho chic through and through.