Surfing Santa Teresa – Full Guide
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, too consistent to stay off the radar. 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 for the most part this place is about multi-level beach breaks with stonkingly good consistency pretty much all year round.
Overall, we’d say it’s one of the premier upper 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 in the
It’s clean water, and there’s always a chance you’ll be in with something hollow when the tide is low.
We also LOVE the vibes. Chilled bars, sunset cafes, vegan eateries – it’s a bit like Canggu on the Costa Rican coast but with a touch of the more cerebral to it.
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
Key takeaways about Santa Teresa
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?
Surf spots in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is really all about the beach breaks.
The main playa is a long run of coffee-colored sand that has amazing peaks that can suit all levels, since beginners can just hang in the secondary swell on bigger days.
Go north to Playa Hermosa and things mellow out more for beginners and loggers. Mal Pais – to the south – has some nice reef breaks that can be pretty heavy.
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.
Montezuma
About 30-40 minutes’ drive through the jungles from Santa Teresa, the uber-chilled hippy town of Montezuma is a good choice for complete beginners.
It’s got more sheltered beaches that face south and a little east into the gulf waters, which means smaller more tempered swells.
You’ll need to walk from a hotel in the town itself for about 30 minutes to make it to the main spot of Playa Grande, which has very easy beach break waves. There are also some cracking points to the south that work in the dry season.
Read our complete guide to surfing in Montezuma right now
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, almost all of them offering some sort of all-in package of accom and surf lessons.
Sadly, some of them aren’t great, and you’ll often be asked to pay premium rates since this is Costa Rica, so you’ll want to ensure you’re getting good value for money.
Cue these, which have made our 2024 shortlist of the best options in town…
- Zeneidas Garden – Zenedias Garden is much more than just a surf camp. They offer a chance to reconnect with nature in Santa Teresa. With surfing lessons limited to three students per teacher and unlimited free surfing, you’ll really progress. Plus, the pacakage includes a massage and ice baths for recovery.
- Hostel La Posada 7 Day Surf Camp W/ Yoga – 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!
Want more inspo? We’ve got a complete guide to the top surf towns in Costa Rica, with picks on where to stay in each, plus a guide to the top surf camps in the whole country.
AAANNDDD…we’ve got a complete guide to the very best surf hotels in Costa Rica, which is perfect if you prefer accomodation-only stays and want to surf at your own pace/don’t want lessons included.
Where to stay in Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa has loads of really great 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.
The alternative would be one of the more eco-friendly lodges that are located back in the jungles behind. They will be quieter but further from the surf.
- Ohana Villas – 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 super nice pool to boot.
- Believe Surf & Yoga Lodge Santa Teresa – This 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!
- Habitat Surf Glamp – We rank this as one of the best hostels in town because it’s chilled, stylish, and all-round fun. They’ve got a small pool, a great outdoor hanging space, and a variety of room types that shouldn’t cost too much money.
Surf lessons in Santa Teresa
These days, it’s not just surfers who are drawn to Santa Teresa. The town is beloved of sun worshippers and eco tourists and yogis and more.
If your not an out-and-out surfer but do fancy giving it a go, then a full-on surf camp is probably overkill. Instead, choose a standalone lesson. They usually last two hours in all, have the full safety and technique intro on the sand, and then some in-water practice.
There are lots of schools offering them in the area, and prices are fair – around $85 for a private lesson and just over $65 for a group lesson.
We’d reccomend:
- Group Surf Lesson with Pelican Experiences – Seasoned surf guide Richard is a great teacher. He runs group classes for about $80 per person on the beginner friendly waves of Hermosa Beach. They’re fantastic as a first-time surf intro.
- Private Surf Lesson with Santa Teresa Extreme Center – There are some excellent instructors at this provider offering one-on-one surf lessons. They can cater to all levels, no matter if you’re a complete beginner or a more advanced surfer looking to start cutbacks and stuff.
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. It’s very rare that you’ll come and things will be completely flat for any significant period.
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
Beginners often love this time of year because there’s a little less punch in the oncoming breaks and paddle outs are easier.
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 mainly come from the S-SW.
That’s PERFECT for surfing Santa Teresa, which will be working almost 90% of the days!
The middle of the wet season/Green Season will see bigger waves. Not to put beginners off those, because there’s always whitewash you can practice in but it’s generally a better time for more advanced surfers.
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.
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 enough for rash vests and bikini surfing all the time basically..
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.
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.
Officially, Santa Teresa is a part of Puntarenas Province, though lots of people seem to think it’s in Guanacaste (like Tamarindo further north). That’s probably because Puntarenas is really long and thin and this is pretty much its most northerly extremity.
How to get to Santa Teresa?
First, get to Costa Rica…
These days, you’ve got two good arrival airports for Santa Teresa. You can fly the conventional route into the capital of San Jose.
Or you can 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.
Once you’re in Costa Rica, you’ve got a couple of options when it comes to transfering 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.
- 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…).
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!
