Santa Teresa is Costa Rica's open secret that's no longer much of a secret—a once-remote beach town that has blossomed into a world-class surf destination with the yoga studios and organic cafés to match. The consistent beach break peaks stretch for miles along the dusty main road, offering waves for all abilities with reliable year-round surf. The sunset sessions, with silhouettes of surfers against orange skies, have become iconic imagery. Development is transforming the area, but the waves remain as consistent as ever, drawing a continuous stream of surf travelers seeking pura vida perfection.
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Nicoya Peninsula. Tambor airport closer. Beach town vibes.
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Year-round waves. Bigger swells April-October.
Verified by Costa Rica surf community
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions