Mal País & Santa Teresa · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Santa Teresa
A beach break in Mal País & Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers.
- TypeBeach Break
- LevelBeginner / Intermediate / Advanced
- Size2-8 ft
- Best monthsDec-Apr
- Crowd4/5
The wave
Santa Teresa has rocketed from sleepy fishing hamlet to mainstream surf-and-yoga hotspot, and the wave is the reason: a white-sand beachbreak that's hollow, consistent and especially good at the lower tides. Peaks stand up all along the strand, offering everything from punchy barrels for the confident to easier reforms for improvers, which is why the line-up is rarely empty.
The scene has grown fast, smoothie bars, boutique stays and 4x4 taxis crowd the dusty main road, but the beach itself remains long enough to spread surfers out if you walk. Sunsets here are a nightly event.
Best on a clean south-west swell around low to mid-tide, Santa Teresa is the most consistent wave on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Bring a shortboard for the hollow days, expect company on the good ones, and enjoy one of Costa Rica's most reliable beachbreaks.
9.643, -85.166 · Swell S-SW · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Playa Santa Teresa
Playa Santa Teresa is at its best from December to April. Conditions it likes: Swell S-SW. 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 Santa Teresa
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Carmen (Mal País) | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 3 km |
| Punta Barigona | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Point Break | Intermediate | 5 km |
| Playa Manzanillo | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 15 km |
| Playa Caletas | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Reef Break | Intermediate | 19 km |
| Playa Coyote | Mal País & Santa Teresa | Point Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 24 km |
| Tivives | Puntarenas & the river lefts | Beach Break | Advanced | 54 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 Santa Teresa: common questions
When is the best time to surf Playa Santa Teresa?
Playa Santa Teresa works best from December to April. Ideal conditions: Swell S-SW.
Is Playa Santa Teresa good for beginners?
Yes. Playa Santa Teresa suits beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers.
How crowded is Playa Santa Teresa?
Playa Santa Teresa is usually busy: 4 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Playa Santa Teresa?
Playa Santa Teresa is in Mal País & Santa Teresa, in the Golfo de Nicoya region of Costa Rica (9.643, -85.166). The nearest wave we cover is Playa Carmen (Mal País), about 3 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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