Surfing in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica - The ultimate surf guide
Are you making plans to go surfing in Costa Rica? Here’s all you need to know to prepare for a surf holiday in Santa Teresa in a true Pura Vida spirit! If you’re looking for a tropical adventure while surfing with the jungle as your backdrop, then you've come to the right place! Here’s our guide to everything you’ll need to know to be prepared for a surf camp adventure in Costa Rica.
Dry season conditions: Glassy days
The dry season = the high season! During this time, Santa Teresa hosts calm, glassy conditions and some of the best beach break waves in the world. Expect clean waves with minimal wind, making it an ideal time for beginners and intermediate surfers to enjoy gentle and consistent swells. The high season in Santa Teresa is when the social scene has its most vibrant vibe and the waves are most gentle.
Wet season conditions: More powerful swells
The wet season brings bigger and more powerful swells with frequent rain showers. Conditions can be more challenging, but experienced surfers will find the waves fun! The waves are bigger and more powerful, providing a thrilling experience for those ready to tackle the surf.
When is the best time to surf in Santa Teresa for my level?
Santa Teresa offers great surfing conditions throughout the year, but the best time for each skill level varies:
Beginner: The dry season is ideal for beginners, with its calm, clean waves providing the perfect environment to learn and build confidence.
Intermediate: You’ll find excellent conditions all year round. The dry season offers gentle waves, while the wet season provides more challenging swells.
Advanced: Experienced surfers can enjoy Santa Teresa’s waves any time of year.
No matter when you visit, Santa Teresa has the right waves for your level and plenty of spots to explore!
Regarding wetsuits and swimwear: What should I wear while surfing in Santa Teresa?
You can comfortably rock a swimsuit or board shorts when surfing in Santa Teresa (no wetsuits here!). The sun can be strong, so a rash guard is a good call to protect yourself from the sun or if you have a potential board rash. Sunscreen is key when surfing in Sri Lanka, and so is a surf hat!
Lapoint Surf Camp: Our Surfers’ Paradise in Santa Teresa
If a jungle adventure is what you’re searching for, then our camp in Santa Teresa is the right place to go.
A camp close to the lively center of Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is a small and charming village with lots of surf vibes, the town center is only a few minutes walk away from the surf camp. Here you’ll find nice restaurants, cafes and bars! There are great clothing shops and places to get souvenirs if you want to do some shopping during your stay! You will also find pharmacies, ATMs and supermarkets close to the camp.
Transportation: How do I get to the camp?
Arriving and departing to and from the surf camp
When traveling to our Santa Teresa camp, you’ll fly to San Jose Airport (SJO) Juan Santamaría International Airport. From San Jose, it will take you around six to seven hours to get to the camp. It is a good idea to arrive one night before heading over to the camp since the last transfer leaves at 08:00 AM on Monday morning. We recommend you stay at the Holiday Inn next to the airport if you decide to come the night before the transfer, this is where the transfer will pick you up.
You can also take another flight instead, from San Jose to Tambor Airport. This option will save you some time but will be more expensive. It will take somewhat over an hour from the Tambor Airport to the camp. You can book the transfer back to the airport at the camp.
Delicious local food: What and where to eat in Santa Teresa?
You will find sodas all around Costa Rica, and Santa Teresa is no exception! A soda is a restaurant that serves more traditional Costa Rican food and is usually more budget-friendly than the more trendy cafes.
Sustainability
The beach is our home. We are leaving it better than we found it.
We have made a commitment to our ocean, beaches and community. They are our playground, our home and our livelihood. We are going to leave them better than we found them. That means that all our employees, friends and guests helps out with recycling and taking other actions for the environment. Each week there are beach cleaning and recycling activities to ensure that our home stays the way it was supposed to be.
Lapoint