Surfing Santa Teresa is about scoring the uber-reliable waves of the Nicoya Peninsula. Our opinion? It’s one of Costa Rica’s intermediate playgrounds but has enough to take care of all levels. The spot has really risen in popularity in the last 10 years but remains one of the best out there, with enough space to spread out on long, reliable beach breaks. Oh, and the surf camps are fantastic here. Rip it up folks…
An introduction surfing Santa Teresa
We always knew that it was just a matter of time until Santa Teresa got noticed. Up until now it’s remained pretty hidden. We’re both a little sad that it’s now doing the rounds, but also glad that the waves are being enjoyed by more and more people. They’re simply too higher quality to stay hidden. What’s more, the remoteness of the town and the beaches here means we don’t think it’ll ever become too busy; not like Tamarindo or Popoyo further north, anyhow.
Santa Teresa is just 6.5 miles from the very end of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s spread along a pristine beach that looks like something out of Robinson Crusoe. That’s split up into several surf spots, running from Manzanillo in the north to Mal Pais in the south. There are different breaks for different levels between the two ends, but the surfing Santa Teresa has to offer is generally multi-level beach breaks with stonkingly good consistency pretty much all year round. Tempting, right?
Overall, we’d say it’s one of the premier beginner and intermediate spots in Central America. Unlike Mexico and Ecuador, it manages to spread the lineup and give some challenging waves on relatively easy paddle outs. It’s clear, clean water, and there’s always a chance you’ll be in with something hollow to get pitted when the tide is low. We also LOVE the vibes. Chilled bars, sunset cafes, vegan eateries – it’s pure Costa Rica at its best.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Costa Rica
Surfing Santa Teresa at a glance
Good for: All levels of surfer // When to surf in Santa Teresa: Summer (May-August) // Type of surf break in Santa Teresa: Beach break
The good
The bad
What’s in this guide to surfing Santa Teresa?
Where is Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, is located at the far tip of the wild Nicoya Peninsula. It faces perfectly southwest out to the heart of the Pacific Ocean, with hills covered in lush rainforests dominating to the back. It’s about a five-hour drive from the capital of the land of Pura Vida at San Jose but just a little closer to the airport in Liberia, which is emerging as the hub of the norht-west surf zone here. More on that below…
How to get to Santa Teresa?
First, get to Costa Rica. These days, you’ve got two good options for getting to Santa Teresa. The first is to fly the conventional route into the capital of San Jose. The second is to use the upcoming regional airport in Liberia, which is a few hours to the north. The latter is a little closer but there are more transport options overall from San Jose, so it sorta’ balances out.
We always use Skyscanner to search for flights. It’s personal preference really because we like the interface. But they’re also pretty trusted…
Once you’re in Costa Rica, you’ve got a couple of options when it comes to hopping across to Santa Teresa. Let’s take a look at the lot…
- Internal flight – The bougie option. If you have cash to splash and are short on time, get a short-haul hop of 30 mins to Tambor Airport (TMU). It’s usually around $100-150 each way but cuts out a four-hour drive on rough roads. Again, Skyscanner can show you the best dates and lowest prices. Connections go from both San Jose and Liberia on SANSA. You’ll need to fork out another $45 or so for a direct transfer from the airport to Santa Teresa proper.
- Bus and boat – A very popular connection that costs $60 per person, each way. Pick up is in downtown San Jose or around the airport. Buses go straight to the port in Puntarenas town. There, you swap to a boat to cross the mouth of the Nicoya Gulf and continue on through the rainforests in a shuttle to Santa Teresa.
- Bus – There are direct shuttle buses that seat 12-16 people that run the route south from Liberia. These take 3-5 hours depending on weather conditions and traffic and also cost $60.
- Driving – We really like the driving option. It’s becoming a better choice for surf trips in Costa Rica because the roads have improved A LOT in the last 5 years. The way to Santa Teresa still has some potholed jungle roads, depending on the route you take but it’s also a real adventure. From San Jose Airport, you can either drive to the port and pay for a car ferry crossing or go around and down through the Nicoya. That’s a decent choice because it means you can drop by surf towns like Tamarindo and Nosara en route, not to mention the eco hubs of Monteverde. Just be certain to book a 4X4. Rates vary a lot but tend to be about $250 a week, but you do need that extra insurance here folks. (We use RentalCars.com for all hires becuase they are cheap and have super-good cancellation options. You can search them below…).
Surf spots in Santa Teresa
There are plenty of reasons why surfing Santa Teresa is on the rise in Costa Rica.
The mix of breaks is undeniably attractive.
What’s so rare is that these spots can cater to all sorts of levels. And you don’t even have to split up if you have mixed-ability groups, because there are secondary swells or spots that can entertain both improving intermediates and total beginners all at the same time.
Let’s check em out…
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa is north of Santa Teresa. There’s no real rule about where one begins and the other ends, but that’s okay – no one seems to mind. You can often judge by the wave quality. It’s not quite as sculpted and glassy on this length of beachfront. However, the lineup is always smaller because it’s further from the heart of Santa Teresa town.
Being flat and wide, the beach tempers the oncoming W swells to offer a pretty mushy and closey primary break that can turn into some really neat ankle burners for learners on the secondary swell. That makes this a great place to head when the main waves down Playa Santa Teresa are too big and a top place for learning (mant of the local surf schools will head up this way).
There’s also a challenging right-hand point (the Playa Hermosa Point) that comes of a cluster of rocks at the northern extremity of the bay. It’s a funny one that we haven’t actually surfed but have heard lots about. Timing is key because you’re waiting for the larger waves that have enough rebound power to wall up off the stones and go right. Sadly, it can only be surfed at high tide, when the rocks can be a little hidden and you’ll need to keep an eye out.
Playa Santa Teresa
This is the main stretch of beachfront that runs the length of the coast road. Santa Teresa town is spread out just behind, hidden by a row of palm trees. That’s good news, because you’ll find that many of the surf camps and hotels are just a short walk through the coconut husks to the breaks.
Talking of the breaks, there are oodles of em’. We’re on about peaky beach breaks that draw some lovely power from dominant W and SW Pacific swells. They work best on anything from 5-8 foot, which is when a low tide surfing Santa Teresa can bring hollow tubes that are fast and SO MUCH FUN.
Beginners don’t have to panic at all that. Smaller days of 3 foot can give crumbly whitewash to practice on, and there’s always a shorter secondary swell to escape to when it’s larger out back. No wonder there are so many surf schools in the vicinity.
Mal Pais/Playa Carmen
Mal Pais is the name for the small fishing village that creeps yet closer to the end of the Nicoya. It still has that all-important SW orientation for uber-reliable surf. Playa Carmen is just one of the breaks it has up its sleeve, and one of the first spots that gets properly gnarly in the area of Santa Teresa.
Bigger swells are handled well by the rock and reef that fringe the headland in front of Mal Pais town. They give Playa Carmen more moxie than the surfing Santa Teresa has to the north. Overheads and double overheads aren’t uncommon and still don’t close out. They usually run right but can also go left, and love to get hollow. It’s an unforgiving take off but a great ride if you can collect the rail and dip in in time.
Mal Pais/Punta Barigona
Punta Barigona won’t get going until there’s something strong cooking in the Pacific. It needs a big 6-foot plus or more to really shine. Then, it’s a long and hollow wave with a fast section that takes you over the outside reefs. It’s reserved for experienced intermediates and up. Hazards are rocks and rips, mainly because you need stronger swells to even consider coming out.
Surf camps in Santa Teresa
The rise in the number of surf camps in Santa Teresa has been immense over the last 5 years. The whole street behind the beach is now cluttered with more hostels and surf boutiques than you can shake your gallo pinto at.
Sadly, some of them aren’t great, and you’ll often be asked to pay premium rates since this is Costa Rica, all for a camp that’s not got loads of experience or the best facilities.
A select few do really stand out for us, though. Here’s a glance at those.
7 Day Surf Camp W/ Yoga in Hostel La Posada
The best all-round surf camp in Santa Teresa
We’d say this is one of the best all-round surf and yoga packages in the town. It really sums up the Santa Teresa vibe. You’ll be living in a sandy hostel just back from Playa Carmen, a spot that has its own lovely pool and chillout areas. There are five surf classes included with in-house instructor Juan (a great guy who knows the local waters better than pretty much anyone around), three yoga sessions, and even a professional sports massage. You also get to use the board as much as you like throughout your stay so there’s no limit to the amount you can surf!
10 Day Budget Yoga and Surf Adventure with PuraVida Surfers
The budget choice but still fantastic
A five-minute walk back from the beach, the hostel you stay in for this one is real backpacker stuff. You’ll make new mates next to the pool and enjoy meals together and all that. The surf instruction is accessible for all levels, but is really aimed at beginners. Most of all, it’s 10 days, six lessons, video analysis, and yoga all for just over $1,200, which is very reasonable for Costa RIca.
8 Day Surf Camp At Lapoint
The best for advanced surfers
This surf camp, run by veteran surf-travel purveyors La Point, is one of the few in the town that focuses in on Level 2 and Level 3 riders. As such, you’ll get much more in-depth technique instruction and analysis, along with more intense sessions in some of the harder breaks.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more surfing Santa Teresa camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
Where to stay in Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa has loads of places to stay these days. We’ve pinpointed just three of the ones we love below, but there are many more. You’re basically looking for anywhere that’s on the main north-south road right by the beach – be there for walking distance to the waves.
Surf & Yoga Lodge Santa Teresa
Our top all-round surf stay in Santa Teresa
Surf & Yoga Lodge Santa Teresa is done out in beautiful modern styles with a bit of that Central American hacienda charm. It’s got a pool, a lush garden, an on-site cafe, and easy access to the breaks. It’s one of our all-round favs in Santa Teresa for sure!
Santa Teresa Surf Vista Villas ($$)
Best for: Views
Santa Teresa Surf Vista Villas sits in the jungles and the hills just behind the main surf beach. It’s surrounded by nature and you might just get woken up by the cries of howler monkeys – you need to rise early to catch that dawnie, anyhow! There’s a stunning pool and big deck where folk gather for yoga in the morning too.
Ohana Villas
Best for: Couples
We can see why the Ohana Villas are so highly rated. They’re a gorgeous set of standalone units nestled in the monkey-filled jungles 300m from the surf breaks. Guests get a super-chilled yoga shala and a romantic pool area that’s one of the best around, which really is saying something!
Step-by-step guide to planning your surfing Santa Teresa trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the surfing Santa Teresa…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
When to surf in Santa Teresa?
The best time to surf in Santa Teresa is the wet season, which runs from May to August each year. However, there are swells virtually all year round in this spot, and the summer tends to be better for beginners.
Here’s a closer look at the seasons…
There are only two seasons in Costa Rica: The dry season and the Green Season, which is also known as the wet season. The Green Season is the top time for surfing on the Pacific coast and in Santa Teresa, bringing very reliable SW and NW swells that keep it surfable virtually every day. The low season still ain’t bad, though. It’s just a little less powerful and consistent, though the weather is warmer!
Dry season (October to April)
It gets calmer and warmer on the Pacific coast around Santa Teresa from October onwards. That’s great for sunbathers, but not the best for surfers. Still, the ridiculous consistency of the Santa Teresa and Mal Pais surf breaks means there’s something rideable a whopping 70% of the time (yep – that’s the down season for surfing Santa Teresa!). Beginners often love this time of year because there’s a little less punch in the oncoming breaks.
Wear: Rash vest and shorties, you know the score
Green Season (May to August)
They call it the Green Season in Costa Rica because it’s when the rains help the forests bloom. Down on the coast, the storms are also helping the Pacific cook up its trademark swells, which always run in the SW and NW channels. That’s PERFECT for surfing Santa Teresa, which will be working almost 90% of the days! Yep, we said consistency is key. The middle of the wet season/Green Season will see bigger waves, and it’s the best time to come if you want to catch the gnarliest and hollowest breaks.
Wear: Rash and shorts – it’s always warm as a bath!
What to take surfing in Santa Teresa?
The water temperature in Santa Teresa hovers around a consistent 80-85F (26-29C) throughout the year. That’s warm. Warm enough for rash vests and bikini surfing, no doubt.
That said, we often recommend something a touch thicker for the more dedicated surfers who visit, simply to give some extra protection during those long sessions or surfs in the winter months when cold upswell can bring chilly winds – a 2mm shorty or a zip vest plus board shorts with UV protection, perhaps.
Also be certain to get good sunscreen for surfing to take with you. The UV is strong in this corner of the tropics, even in the peak of the wet season (which also happens to be the best surf season). Make sure you reapply that every 80 minutes or as per instructions on individual products. Get something that’s reef safe, too – the turtles will thank you.
Surf shops in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa has an ever-growing mix of decent surf shops. Most of them double as rental spots and sit on the main (the only!) road running through the town.
- Denga Surf Shop – Denga Surf Shop might be small, but it packs in plenty of surf wear. You can grab board shorts, rash vest wax, leashes, and even a second hand board. They also do rentals of Torq boards for the beginners.
- Kina Surf Shop – Kina Surf Shop is the authorized JS boards dealer in Santa Teresa, so it’s a good option for killer shortboard to rip up the playa breaks. There’s also stock of Dakine tail pads and board shorts/swimwear.
Surfing in Santa Teresa – a conclusion
Santa Teresa is now one of the most popular surf towns in Costa Rica. It has long runs of beaches that get good waves throughout the whole year, though the Green Season from May to August is the best of all.
What we love is that there are sections suited to total beginners right next to more challenging breaks that offer big, rippable shoulders of water to suit more experienced surfers.
On top of that, this is a downright lovely part of the world to visit even if you aren’t surfing – the beaches are stunning and there’s everything from yoga camps to waterfall hikes on the menu. Oh, and you’ll now find one of the best arrays of surf camps in Costa Rica here, which benefit from the sheer consistency of the exposed beaches out front.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
