Last updated on January 1st, 2024 at 05:08 pm
If you plan to surf in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including surf seasons, travel tips, and everything else you need to know about surfing in Santa Teresa.
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About Surfing in Santa Teresa
Surfing in Santa Teresa can definitively be the highlight of your surf trip to Costa Rica. This town in the Peninsula De Nicoya, on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, became famous for its beautiful beaches, consistent waves, and great atmosphere. Therefore, many surfers and travelers, in general, come here regularly to surf Santa Teresa’s beautiful waves and enjoy life. It is definitely one of the best surf locations in Costa Rica, so don’t miss out on this one.
Surf spots in Santa Teresa Costa Rica
The beach strip between Santa Teresa and Malpais is a treasure that holds a great variety of breaks. Luckily, the waves suit all skill levels, from beginner to master.
So, in detail, these are the main surf spots in Santa Teresa:
Playa Hermosa:
Located north of Santa Teresa, this spot has a right-hand mellow point break and another beach break just next to it. Luckily, the beach is empty of crowds and beginner-friendly, with soft waves breaking over a sandy bottom. This spot performs well when the swell is too big at Santa Teresa Beach, as it receives less swell.
To clarify, this is not the famous Playa Hermosa you probably heard about (The one next to Jaco). These are 2 different spots with the same name (typical in Latin countries).
Suck Rock:
This Right-hand point break tends to pick up large swells. Moreover, It breaks over a rocky bottom and, on a good day, creates giant barrels. Therefore, this spot is suitable only for advanced surfers.
La Lora:
A white-sand beach break, probably the most consistent spot in the area, and home to many national surf competitions.
Playa Santa Teresa:
Miles and miles of beach breaks; just choose the peak that looks good.
Playa Carmen:
Located right between Santa Teresa and Malpais and offers a soft beach break. The waves here are longer and more open than in Santa Teresa.
Mar Azul:
A mellow left-hand point, breaking over a reef. As a result, it is better to surf on high tide to avoid an unpleasant meeting with the rocks.
Malpais:
The area of Malpais offers several mellow beach breaks with a slow and friendly shape. However, be aware of a few rocks that can pop up here and there.
Surf Seasons in Santa Teresa
Amazingly, you can surf in Santa Teresa anytime you want, as it is consistent 365 days a year. In fact, it is a bit bigger (3-8 feet) in the wet season, from May to October, but on the other hand, cleaner and glassier (2-4 feet) in the dry season, from November to April.
The beaches of Santa Teresa are exposed to any swell direction. Therefore, even on the smallest days, you can find good waves to ride. It is definitely one of the most consistent spots you will ever surf and the safest bet you can make when choosing a location for a surf trip.
Santa Teresa Surf Camps
If you are a beginner making his first steps in the surfing world, you can explore Santa Teresa’s surf scene at a surf camp. That way, you will be able to learn and practice in a supportive environment. So, in detail, these are the main 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.
After a few days in one of Santa Teresa’s surf camps, you will be surprised how fast you can learn to surf and how fun it is to do it together with a group of good people.
Surf Hotels in Santa Teresa
The dusty road that connects Malpais, Playa Carmen, and Santa Teresa offers a wide selection of cheap hostels, luxury hotels, and anything in between. When coming to surf in Santa Teresa, you obviously want to stay as close as possible to the waves. So, these are some of the most recommended surf hotels in town:
1. Selina Santa Teresa North– Accommodations include both dorms and private rooms. You will find a shared kitchen at the property, a billiards table, and surfboards to rent.
2. Zeneidas Surf Garden– This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Situated in Santa Teresa, Surf Garden Zeneidas offers a shared lounge with a TV, a library, a communal kitchen, and free WiFi. All rooms have a garden view. The property provides surf lessons and board rental.
3. Hotel Nantipa– Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Hotel Nantipa, an authentic Tico Beach Experience
4. Dreamcatcher Hotel, Atrapasueños– This property is just a 1-minute walk from the beach. Offering an outdoor pool, spa, and wellness center, this hotel also offers free WiFi and lush gardens with BBQ facilities.
For more surf hotels in Santa Teresa, check out the best deals on Booking.com.
Can Beginners Surf in Santa Teresa?
As mentioned, there are various surf spots in Santa Teresa to suit all skill levels. Therefore, any surfer can have fun surfing in Santa Teresa. For instance, the waves in Malpais and Playa Carmen Are beginner-friendly. In contrast, advanced surfers can ride steeper waves in Suck Rock and La Lora. So, just choose your preferred break, depending on your skill level.
How to get to Santa Teresa?
To get to Santa Teresa from the Capital, San Jose, you need to take a bus, shuttle, or car and get to Puntarenas (about a 1.5-hour drive). Then, take a 1.5-hour ferry to cross the peninsula (leaves 3 times a day- check the schedule before going), and after that, one more hour driving on a dusty road all the way to Santa Teresa.
Sounds complicated? It definitely is. But trust me, it’s totally worth it.
Santa Teresa- Travel Information
Language– Spanish.
Currency– Costa Rican Colon.
Electricity– 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US
Population– over 3,000.
Calling code– +506.
Time zone– GMT -6.
Pros– various surf breaks, a young atmosphere, warm water, a great selection of hotels, shops, and restaurants, and crazy nightlife.
Cons– hard access from San Jose, lack of beachfront accommodations, expensive.
Nightlife in Santa Teresa
Since Santa Teresa is so famous among young surfers and travelers, there is always something to do in the evenings. Moreover, there are beach parties and bars with drinks and cool people.
These are the most recommended ones:
Habanero– great party every Sunday.
Banana Beach– Every Tuesday and Saturday.
La Lora– on Thursdays.
Kika– Live shows.
Nativo Bar– playing live sports events.
In short, have fun at night, but don’t forget to wake up for the morning surf session.
Other Activities
Check out these options to explore the area between the surf sessions:
Yoga Class– Santa Teresa offers many options to join yoga classes, and many yoga fans come here, especially for that reason. You can find them at Don Jones Hotel, Selina, or any of the others.
Sunset Watching– This is actually a tradition in Santa Teresa. Every day at sunset, all the visitors and locals hang out at the beach, watching the spectacular colors in the sky.
Visit Montezuma Waterfalls– Just rent a bike or an ATV and take a day trip to the waterfall. It is one of the nicest ones in Costa Rica.
Day trip to Tortuga Island– You can book the tour through your hotel; the trip includes snorkeling next to the Island.
Visit Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve– For only $10, you can hike in this wild area and see some natural wildlife.
Horseback Riding– The best time to do it is just before sunset, when the cooler breeze blows and the sky starts to change its color.
Zipline Canopy– in Malpais, you can slide between the trees on a surfboard attached to a rope. Try it; it’s as crazy as it sounds.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, Santa Teresa is a wonderful destination for a surf trip. You can easily spend a few days, weeks, or even more here, and you will probably wish you could stay longer. Moreover, after surfing in Santa Teresa, you can head either north toward Nosara or south to Boca Barranca and Jaco to continue your surf journey and explore different waves.
