Surfing in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Beaches, Seasons and Lessons

Surf is possible year round

Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, Playa Hermosa and Mar Azul are the best known surf beaches on this side of the peninsula. Conditions change with swell, tide and wind, so the best section of beach can be different from one day to the next. Farther south, Playa Cedros and Playa Lajas are two point breaks we also use and recommend when conditions line up.

Beach by beach

Playa Carmen

The entrance to town and the best area to learn. The bottom is mostly sand, with rocky sections toward the south end that are harder to see at high tide.

Santa Teresa

The center of town and a surf spot in its own right, with most of the surf schools, restaurants and shops close by.

Playa Hermosa

Wide, long and among the quietest. When the swell is big, a strong current or channel can form near the north end and the rocky area.

Mar Azul

On the Malpaís side, quieter than the center and known for its left point break. We would not send a beginner there by default. Check the conditions of the day before going in.

Playa Cedros

Cedros is a left point break with a mellow wave when the swell is smaller. It can be a comfortable place to progress, and local instructors sometimes bring students here when the conditions suit their level. Bigger swell changes the spot quickly and brings more surfers into the lineup.

Playa Lajas

Lajas is a right point break. It can offer a fun wave on smaller days and becomes much stronger when a bigger swell reaches the area. Conditions vary every day, so do not choose it from a description alone.

Point break etiquette

Cedros and Lajas concentrate surfers around one takeoff area. Respect the waiting order, do not paddle around people already in position, and give local surfers and other riders their turn. If you are still learning how a point break works, go with an instructor.

Cabuya

Quiet and very different from the main Santa Teresa surf beaches. For us it belongs to a day exploring the south, and we rarely recommend it for surf alone.

When to surf

Morning often gives you cleaner conditions, but there is no fixed best hour. Tide, wind and swell matter more than the clock, and local surfers check the ocean before deciding where and when to paddle out.

How the seasons change the surf

Dry season often has more manageable days for beginners. Green season can bring larger swell and more powerful surf. You can surf in every season.

Beginner or experienced?

Beginners practice in the whitewater, which you find on practically every beach. Paddling out to the lineup takes more experience and a read of swell, tide and conditions, because the Pacific changes a lot from one day to the next. If you are learning with a school, the instructor picks the spot for your level that day. More in our beginner surf guide.

Lessons and what they cost

Lessons last 1.5 hours and include a bilingual instructor, board, leash, wax, rashguard and medical insurance. Group lessons start at US$70 per person and private lessons at US$100. We also work with instructors in Playa Hermosa, and the time and beach are coordinated day by day according to conditions.

Board rental and repairs

There are several surf shops and board rental points around Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen. If you are renting a board on your own, ask about the conditions before choosing where to surf that day.

Safety

Every beach here can have power. If a current takes you, do not swim against it: move parallel to the beach and then come back to shore. During the day there are lifeguards on the main beaches, and you can ask them about currents and the safest spot before you go in. Read our beach safety guide.

Check the tide

The tide changes more than the waves: rocks that are covered at high tide, tide pools, and even whether you can walk along the beach into town. Look at the tide table before you plan the day.

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Teresa good for beginner surfers?

Yes, when you choose the beach and time for the conditions that day. Beginners normally start in the whitewater with an instructor.

How much are surf lessons in Santa Teresa?

From US$70 per person for a 1.5 hour group lesson with all equipment included.

What is the best time of day to surf?

There is no fixed hour. Morning is often cleaner, and the rest depends on the tide, swell and wind that day.

To choose where to stay for surf, see Playa Carmen vs Santa Teresa vs Playa Hermosa.