Last updated on December 24th, 2023 at 06:40 pm
If you are looking for a surf camp in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our top recommendations for a surf camp in Santa Teresa, where you can improve your surfing skills, meet new people, and, most importantly, have lots of fun.
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If you prefer the short version, here it is; these are the 6 best surf camps in Santa Teresa:
1. Pura Vida Surfers – For more details, please click here.
2. La Posada Surf Camp Santa Teresa – For more details, please click here.
3. Zeneidas Garden Surf Camp – For more details, please click here.
4. Lucero Surf Retreat – For more details, please click here.
5. Blue Surf Sanctuary – For more details, please click here.
6. Shaka Costa Rica – For more details, please click here.
And now that we got that out of the way, let’s take a deeper look at the long and detailed version. To help you choose the surf camp that suits you best, we covered everything you need to know about surf camps in Santa Teresa before making your decision. Let’s dive in!
About Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is a magical surf town in the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It became popular for its beautiful beaches, consistent waves, and great atmosphere. Therefore, many surfers and travelers come here all year long to enjoy nature, the great nightlife, and, above all, the endless waves. For these reasons, some of the best surf camps in Costa Rica chose Santa Teresa as their home base.
So, in detail, these are the best surf camps in Santa Teresa:
Why Should You Book a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa?
There is probably no greater fun than going on a surf vacation in an exotic destination. There is something about leaving the everyday stress and dedicating a week or two to something you love doing. However, planning a surf vacation can be quite a hassle, especially when you don’t have the local knowledge about hotels, restaurants, and the best surf spots in the area.
By booking a surf camp in Santa Teresa, you basically take the stress and the hassle out of the equation and focus only on the fun part. While the camp takes care of accommodation, meals, transportation, equipment, and surf coaching, all you need to do is enjoy your time. Moreover, surf camps in Santa Teresa are a great place to meet new friends from all over the world.
A List of the 6 Best Surf Camps in Santa Teresa:
1. Pura Vida Surfers
Pura Vida Surfers is situated in the heart of Santa Teresa and is proud to offer world-class surf, SUP, yoga vacations, surfing lessons, and lodging in a beautiful boutique hotel.
This local surf school and retreat offers personalized surfing and stand-up paddle boarding SUP vacation packages for people from all over the world. The professional instructors in the camp love sharing their love of the ocean, surfing, yoga, and paddle boarding with surfers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. During the camp, the crew carefully watches the weather conditions and waves to ensure that each day on the water is the best day possible for the clients.
The camp’s goal is to give each and every one of the guests the trip of a lifetime while sharing valuable surfing knowledge and love of the ocean.
In today’s busy world that we live in, there is a high importance of unplugging, connecting with nature and pushing your body and mind to new limits. Allow yourself to take the vacation of a lifetime and walk away with new skills, new perspectives, new friends, and an appreciation for the Pura Vida Lifestyle.
For more details about surf camps in Santa Teresa, please click here.
2. La Posada Surf Camp Santa Teresa
La Posada Surf Camp offers an immersive journey of self-discovery, connection to nature, and holistic well-being. The camp is designed for those who crave harmony, adventure, and inner peace. Join them for a transformative retreat that provides the thrill of surfing, the serenity of yoga, and the rejuvenation of nature. Rediscover your inner balance and forge a profound connection with the world around you. Your journey to holistic well-being begins here. Run away from the routine.
These are the main highlights of La Posada:
6 nights accommodation in La Posada Surf Camp.
5 surf lessons with professional and experienced local instructors.
Surf equipment (board and UV t-shirt).
Transportation to and from the class’s location.
3 yoga classes on an ocean-view deck.
Full daily breakfast and compliment smoothie or beer.
1 surfboard.
Snorkel equipment to dive into secret locations.
For more details about Surf Camps in Santa Teresa, please click here.
3. Zeneidas Garden Surf Camp
Feel the power of connection and join the Zeneidas Garden surf camp team for an incredible adventure. The camo offers a week packed with unforgettable experiences in beautiful Santa Teresa. Surfing is an extraordinary gift that reminds you about the power of connection with the ocean, nature, and yourself, stripping away unnecessary worries of a busy, hassled life. Surfing is much more than a sport, a workout, or a leisure activity. It is actually a lifestyle that the Zeneidas team was inspired to share with you, designing a very unique and professional surf camp. A one-week transformative journey where, along with surf lessons, you are invited to experience a soulful connection with your true nature. So, together with new skills and exciting memories, you can take home a deep sense of fulfillment, freedom, and purpose.
For more details about surf camps in Santa Teresa, please click here.
4. Lucero Surf Retreat
Lucero Surf Retreat is situated right in the heart of Santa Teresa. The Surf & Stay packages can be joined every week from Sunday to Saturday, and there is also flexibility in case you would like to stay shorter or longer or arrive on different days of the week.
With years of coaching experience in Santa Teresa, Lucero Surf offers personalized surf coaching for all levels and ages. Moreover, the lessons here are done in very small groups and with certified instructors. The professional surf instructors, armed with local knowledge and a passion for the ocean, will guide you through the exhilarating world of surfing, whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or a seasoned surfer seeking to master new techniques. Each lesson is catered on a personal level to your skill level and aspirations. Embark on endless exploration as you conquer one of the best beach breaks in the world, just 300m from the boutique hotel.
The basic package includes 4 surf lessons, accommodation, meals, and free use of surf gear during your stay.
For more information about surf camps in Santa Teresa, please click here.
5. Blue Surf Sanctuary
Blue Sanctuary boutique hotel is a wonderful place for anyone wishing to experience the true “Pura Vida” lifestyle that is uniquely special to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Sponsored by Billabong Camps, Blue Sanctuary surf camp provides you with an educational, memorable, and fun group surfing experience. The student to instructor ratio never exceeds 3 to 1, allowing each student quality time with an instructor in order to meet individual needs.
Among the different packages you can choose in Blue Sanctuary there is a standard package, surf&yoga retreat, and also a program for girls only.
For more information about surf camps in Santa Teresa please click here.
6. Shaka Costa Rica
Shaka Surf Camp is situated on Playa Hermosa Beach, just north of Santa Teresa. The Surf program is designed for both beginner and intermediate surfers, and you can choose between a 5 and 7-night stay. Other than surfing, there is an option to combine it with yoga lessons as well.
The surf instructors at Shaka will teach you how to choose the best waves to maximize your time in the water, explain surf lingo, and help you select the right board. Depending on your skill level, the coach’s goal is to take you to the next stage. From basic pop-ups to angled takes, maneuvers, and cutbacks, after a few days at Shaka Surf Camp, you will improve your surfing drastically.
For more information about surf camps in Santa Teresa, please click here.
What is the Cost of a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa?
When choosing a surf camp in Santa Teresa, the cost should definitely play a major part in your decision. Well, you will be happy to know that there is a variety of camps and packages to suit any budget. In fact, the surf camps in Santa Teresa offer wonderful value for money. Factors such as accommodation level, number of days, number of lessons per day, seasonality, and special services determine the cost of a surf camp. Therefore, depending on your budget, you can customize the package that suits you best. In most cases, booking a surf camp in Santa Teresa will actually cost you less than it would be if you booked all the services yourself. As for the numbers, while the low-budget surf camps in Santa Teresa start at about $600, the high-budget ones can cost up to $2000 per week.
What Skill Level is Required for a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa?
One of the things that makes Santa Teresa such a great surf destination is that it offers a variety of different surf spots. While some breaks are suitable for experienced surfers such as “Suck Rock” and “La Lora”, other spots are great for beginners, such as “Malpais” and “Playa Carmen”. Therefore, surfers of all skill levels are welcome in Santa Teresa. Of course, when there is a big swell, the waves can be challenging, but you can trust the surf instructors to know exactly where to take their students to keep them safe and help them improve.
What is the Best Time of Year for a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa?
Luckily, Santa Teresa is a year-round surf destination. In fact, you can find good waves here almost 365 days a year. While the summer swells bring bigger waves, in the winter, you can find clean and glassy conditions. Also, the variety of different breaks ensures that during any swell conditions, some spots will perform well. Therefore, any time is good for a surf camp in Santa Teresa.
What is the Best Location in Santa Teresa for a Surf Camp
There are several good surfing beaches in Santa Teresa. Since each beach offers different types of waves, you should choose your location according to your skill level. For instance, the waves in “Malpais”, Playa Carmen”, and “Hermosa” are more mellow, so these areas are better for beginner and intermediate surfers. In contrast, the waves in “Playa Santa Teresa”, “Suck Rock” and “La Lora”, are steeper, and more suitable for advanced surfers. Although the distances between the spots are not too long, matching the location to your skill level is still a good idea.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa?
Before choosing your favorite surf camp in Santa Teresa, don’t forget to go over the following checklist:
1. What is the student-to-instructor ratio? Generally, the smaller the group is, the more personal attention you will get. Therefore, look for a ratio of no more than 5 to 1.
2. Are surfboard rentals included in the package- Will you have to bring your own surfboard, or is it provided by the camp? Also, can you use the camp’s surfboard for practice after the lessons?
3. Are airport transfers included in the surf package, or should you get there on your own? What about transfers to different surf spots during the camp?
4. Is the package all-inclusive, or should you pay for meals? If it is an all-inclusive one, which meals are included?
5. How many surf lessons are included in the package? Is there an organized schedule?
6. What type of accommodations will you be staying at? Is it a private room or a dorm? Which features does it have?
7. Does the level of coaching suit your skill level? Is there a separation between beginners and advanced surfers?
8. What are the qualifications of the surf instructors? Are they licensed? Remember, your safety is the most important thing.
9. Which coaching tools are used in the surf lessons? Is there a theoretical part? Video analysis? Enough practice time?
10. Are there any add-ons or additional services you should know about, or does the cost of the camp cover everything?
How to Book a Surf Camp in Santa Teresa?
Once you choose your preferred surf camp in Santa Teresa, booking it is pretty easy. Nowadays, there is no need to speak with anyone on the phone; everything is available online. The main question is what kind of surf camp are you looking for, and these are the two best options:
1. If you are a beginner or an intermediate surfer looking for a coaching program, the best website to book the surf camp is www.booksurfcamps.com. This is where you can get the most details for surf instructors, weekly schedules, and general guidance.
2. If you are an experienced surfer and don’t need anything but a nice place to stay close to the waves, you can simply book your surf camp on www.booking.com.
Both websites are reliable and user-friendly, and therefore, we recommend using one of them to book your surf camp in Santa Teresa.
Conclusion
To summarize, Santa Teresa is a perfect place to take a surf camp. It doesn’t matter if you are a total beginner or an advanced surfer, as there are various coaching programs for all skill levels. Apart from great waves all year long, the town has a lot more to offer. The restaurants, the kicking nightlife, and the stunning sunsets all contribute to the magical vibe of Santa Teresa. So, make sure you come here with a great attitude and expect to have the time of your life.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out our post about the best surf camps in Costa Rica, and also the one about surf resorts in Costa Rica.
