Santa Teresa.

The breaks

Recognised, publicly known surf spots around Santa Teresa. Suitability depends on the day's swell, wind and tide, so treat the level as a guide, not a guarantee.

Why surfers fall for Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa sits on the Pacific side of the Nicoya Peninsula's southern tip, facing south-west into swells from the South and North Pacific. Its long, sandy beaches pick up surf almost every day of the year, with multiple peaks spread along the coast. That consistency, combined with warm water and a beautiful setting, has turned a once-remote fishing area into one of Costa Rica's most popular surf towns.

The area has a laid-back, international feel, with surf schools, yoga studios, restaurants and boutique hotels lining a single dusty road that runs parallel to the beach. It has grown quickly and attracts a mix of surfers, digital nomads and wellness travellers, but the jungle backdrop, wildlife and long beaches still give it a natural, slightly wild character.

Playa Santa Teresa

Playa Santa Teresa is a long beach with a series of beach-break peaks over sand and some rock. It is the main surf beach in the area and works on most swells, offering waves for intermediate and advanced surfers on bigger days and more manageable conditions on smaller days. Specific peaks are known locally by nearby landmarks and hotels.

The beach can be powerful, with strong currents and shifting sandbanks, especially during the bigger swells of the green season. Watch carefully before paddling out and ask about the best peaks for your level.

Playa Carmen and Mal País

Playa Carmen, at the junction where the road from Cóbano reaches the coast, is a sandy beach break that is popular for lessons and beginners, especially on smaller days. It is central, easy to access and has many surf schools nearby.

South of Playa Carmen, Mal País has a rockier coastline with tide pools, reefs and a small fishing harbour. It has a quieter, more local feel and some reef breaks that can work on the right swell. Further south, the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve protects forest and coastline at the peninsula's tip, with hiking trails and wildlife.

Playa Hermosa and the north

North of Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa (not to be confused with the Playa Hermosa near Jacó) is a long, wide beach with gentle waves that often suit beginners and longboarders. It is quieter than Santa Teresa and has a few hotels and restaurants. Further north, beaches such as Manzanillo have reef breaks and fewer surfers, reached by rough roads.

These northern beaches can be good alternatives when Santa Teresa is crowded or too big, and they offer a glimpse of how the area looked before it became popular.

Dry season and green season

The dry season, from December to April, brings sunshine, dusty roads and frequent offshore winds in the mornings, with generally smaller, cleaner waves that suit beginners and improvers. It is the busiest and most expensive time to visit.

The green season, from May to November, brings afternoon rain, lush scenery and bigger, more consistent south swells, which suit intermediate and advanced surfers. September and October are usually the wettest months, when some roads become muddy and some businesses close. Water is warm all year.

Staying in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa stretches along a single road, so where you stay determines which beaches are within walking distance. The central area near Playa Carmen is busiest, with restaurants, shops and surf schools. North Santa Teresa has more boutique hotels and villas close to the main surf peaks. Mal País, to the south, is quieter.

Accommodation ranges from surf hostels to luxury villas. Prices are high in the dry season and around holidays. Book ahead for December to April.

How to get to Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is remote but accessible. From San José, a common route is to drive or take a shuttle to Puntarenas and cross the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry to Paquera, then continue by road to Cóbano and Santa Teresa. Small domestic flights land at Tambor, about forty-five minutes away. From Liberia airport, the drive takes several hours along the peninsula.

Locally, many visitors rent ATVs, scooters or 4x4 vehicles because the roads are unpaved, dusty in the dry season and muddy in the wet season. Wear a helmet, drive carefully and check your licence and insurance. Some parts of town are walkable.

What to pack and staying safe

The water is warm all year, so a rash vest or surf top is all you need. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent and a buff or scarf for dust on ATV rides. Reef booties can help at rocky spots around Mal País.

Rip currents are common, and lifeguard coverage is limited. Learn to recognise rips and surf within your ability. Petty theft can occur, so do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or in vehicles. Stingrays sometimes rest in the shallows; shuffle your feet when walking in.

Beyond the surf in Santa Teresa

Surf early, when winds are lighter and the water is less crowded, and again in the late afternoon. Watch the sunset from the beach, a nightly ritual in Santa Teresa.

On a rest day, hike in the Cabo Blanco reserve, take a boat to Isla Tortuga for snorkelling, visit the Montezuma waterfalls on the peninsula's east coast or take a yoga class. The area's food scene is diverse, from local sodas serving casados to international restaurants.

Santa Teresa surf season month by month

A broad planning picture, not a forecast. Swell, wind and water temperature vary from year to year.

Learning to surf in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa has many surf schools and camps, with Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa the most common learning beaches. Lessons usually include soft-top boards and rash vests, and many camps combine surf lessons with yoga and accommodation.

The dry season, with its smaller, cleaner waves, is usually best for beginners. In the green season, waves can be bigger, but instructors can still find suitable spots on smaller days or at gentler beaches.

When choosing a school, ask about group size, instructor qualifications and safety procedures, especially regarding rip currents. Once you are comfortable on green waves, the peaks of Playa Santa Teresa on smaller days offer a step up.

Comparing options across the country? Read our guide to surfing in Costa Rica.