Mal País & Santa Teresa · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Coyote
A point break in Mal País & Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelBeginner / Intermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsMay-Nov
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Playa Coyote is a long, wild beach south of Mal País with a short right point off the headland near the beach hotels. The point is slow and easy, a good place for improvers to practise turns without a crowd.
The beach on either side picks up plenty of south-west swell and has empty peaks for kilometres. Mid tide on a clean south-west swell is best.
Getting there is slow: dirt roads and river crossings, so you need a 4x4 in the wet season. That's also why it stays quiet.
9.55, -85.36 · S-SW swell, mid tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Playa Coyote
Playa Coyote is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, mid tide. This is how the year looks across Golfo de Nicoya:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Good | Dry season, cleaner conditions and WNW pulses, though smaller than the summer swell |
| May to July | Prime | Green season SW groundswell fires the points and beachbreaks; offshore mornings |
| August to October | Prime | Peak S-SW swell, most consistent and biggest, but the wettest months |
| Nov | Quiet | Transition, rain and swell easing into the dry season |
Waves near Playa Coyote
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Caletas | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Reef Break | Intermediate | 6 km |
| Playa Manzanillo | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 13 km |
| Playa Santa Teresa | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced | 24 km |
| Punta Barigona | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Point Break | Intermediate | 26 km |
| Playa Carmen (Mal País) | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 27 km |
| Playa Guiones | Nosara & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 53 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Mal País & Santa Teresa
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Mal País & Santa Teresa surf guide →
A week here costs from about $822 with flights from Europe, or around $1,631 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Playa Coyote: common questions
When is the best time to surf Playa Coyote?
Playa Coyote works best from May to November. Ideal conditions: S-SW swell, mid tide.
Is Playa Coyote good for beginners?
Yes. Playa Coyote suits beginner and intermediate surfers.
How crowded is Playa Coyote?
Playa Coyote is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Playa Coyote?
Playa Coyote is in Mal País & Santa Teresa, in the Golfo de Nicoya region of Costa Rica (9.55, -85.36). The nearest wave we cover is Playa Caletas, about 6 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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